Author: Ola Donahue
Major Program: Volunteer Engagement
How is our newest group of 4-H Teens going to survive when they leave home?According to many experts our youth is hopeless when it comes to basic life and workplace skills. Research shows our teens are comfortable online or with a phone in their hand, but are incapable of face to face communication, critical thinking and problem solving. Many of our youth do not have the ability to cook, change a tire, much less how to you use a saw, pressure washer or electric drill. According
Author: Amanda Sublett
The 4-H Council decided to host a recruitment dinner in order to increase the membership on the council and to provide information on the role and function of a county 4-H Council. As a result of the event, 6 new members were recruited and actively volunteer for 4-H events and 3 have stepped up into leadership roles on the council.Learning to sew is a life skill that youth can develop into a business to earn extra income or utilize their skills to save money as adults by being self-suffici
Author: Lloyd Saylor
BuildingWhen I started my extension career, Butler county was housed in tiny 500 square ft. cinder block construction office. We built a 2400 sq. ft. building, in 2001 we remodeled, and expanded to 4,000 square ft. Good extension work built support, and the need for more space.After nearly 15 years of planning, purchasing 8 acres of land, many meetings with CEC EDB and other councils and groups we were a week away from putting out bid packages for a free standing 8,000 square ft. buil
Author: Paula Tarry
Community service projects has been an important part of 4-H for many years. In 1927 the 4-H pledge was adopted and included the importance of service in the third line. “I pledge my Hands to larger service.” Ever since then, every time a 4-H member or volunteer recites the pledge, they are reminded of the importance of serving their “club, community, country and world”.Due to recent floods in Nebraska, KY Extension was ask to join with the KY Department of Agriculture to
Author: Mary S Averbeck
There is high demand for sewing instruction for youth and adults in Kenton County. Eleven sewing volunteers meet this need. They teach workshops for youth and adults in beginning, intermediate and advanced clothing construction techniques, quilting, crafting, machine embroidery and creating fashion accessories. Over 882 hours in teaching and community service were provided by these ladies. Based on the value of $25.43 per hour for 2018 (according to Independent Sector, US. average),
Author: Janet Turley
A local 4-H member, Anna Sweets, became interested in environmental issues after attending classes at KY 4-H Teen Conference. She started her own 4-H Environmental Club when she learned there was not a club in Warren County. After collaborating with Warren County Storm Water, she created the club of eight members. The club is open to middle- and high-school students in Warren County. For the club’s monthly meetings this winter, the teen arranged for guest speakers to talk to club members a
Author: Catherine Webster
The Cooperative Extension Service is a grassroots organization that relies on the active participation of Kentuckians to carryout programs. Volunteers are an important part of American society as well as a critical element of Extension programs. As Extension programs continue to grow, more volunteers are needed. Developing leadership and volunteer skills for community and civic engagement is a youth development initiatives of the Kentucky 4-H program. Long-term goals of this i
Author: Christy Eastwood
Over the past 10 years, the transgender community has received an expansion in acceptance and legal protections. “Educators are asking themselves how they can create an environment where all students, including transgender and gender-expansive children, feel they belong” (Mangin, 2018, p. 1).In order for the Cooperative Extension Service to serve all people in a welcoming and inclusive environment, the Boone County Cooperative Extension Service provided the training, Living Authentic
Author: Gary Druin
Volunteer Administration AcademyA program council, volunteers and a county action plan are a requisite for a successful 4-H Youth Development program. The mission of the Volunteer Administration Academy (VAA) is to provide 4-H Youth Development Educators with the tools, resources, and knowledge to evaluate on-going programs, envision opportunities, secure support from key program stakeholders and develop volunteer resources necessary to achieve county program goals. Utilizing the GEM
Author: Kelly Woods
The motivation and retention of volunteers are increasingly important to organizations that depend on adult volunteers (Van Horn, Flanagan, & Thomson, 1999). Effective training programs enable volunteer leaders to develop sets of skills, receive rewards, and experience social affiliation. These are all key motivators for adult volunteer leader participation and retention (Hall, 1995; Rouse & Clawson, 1992). The purpose of Kentucky Volunteer Forum is to increase the capacity of volun
Councils 101The Ohio County 4-H council relies on volunteers and extension staff to aid in planning, implementing and evaluating programs and activities. Volunteers that clearly understand their service role and their relationship to the Extension Service are more effective than those who do not. This partnership with volunteers brings upon the necessity the Councils 101 training with the Ohio County 4-H Council to expand volunteer involvement on the county level and to reach under served
The goal of Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development is to provide in-depth, accurate educational activities for participants. 4-H livestock, horse and dog project leaders serve as primary educators. While they desire to provide quality experiences for their 4-H members, they may lack the necessary resources to meet this goal. The Kentucky 4-H Livestock, Horse and Dog Volunteer Certification Program is a collaboration of equine and livestock specialists from the Department of Animal and
Author: Paul Adkins
In order for the Cooperative Extension Service to serve all people in a welcoming and inclusive environment, the Boone County Cooperative Extension Service provided the training, Living Authentically: A Transgender Perspective, to office staff and program volunteers. After attending a similar training with the Campbell County Extension Service, Christy Eastwood and Paul Adkins, Extension Agents for 4-H Youth Development Education, found that the staff and volunteers in Boone County would benefit
