Success StoryEmpowering Local Leaders



Empowering Local Leaders

Author: Clinton Hardy

Planning Unit: Daviess County CES

Major Program: Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)

Plan of Work: Leadership and Community Development

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Civic engagement helps create and cultivate vibrant communities. Studies have shown social capital is necessary for effective government and economic development. Social capital are the individuals in a community who engage in the legislative process, serve on local boards and councils, keep aware of news and events, and contribute to ideas and initiatives that are important to the community. 

Overall in the U.S., social capital has been on the decline. Kentucky ranks 48th in civic health. In response to the need to increase civic engagement, Cooperative Extension offices in the Green River Area conducted an Empowering Local Leaders program delivered to County Extension Council members. Extension agents taught the basics of the state and federal legislative process. Agents also encouraged participants to communicate with their elected officials on issues important to them, and shared with them methods of effective communication.

A pre and posttest was given to participants. After the presentation, 98% increased their knowledge of the legislative process. After the program 97% indicated they felt more prepared to contact an elected official about an issue important to them. Due to the program, 53% are likely to contact an elected official in the next three months concerning topics that concern them and their community. 

A follow-up session was conducted to give leaders a legislative update from the Kentucky General Assembly. After the update 98% of the council members had a better understanding of the legislative process and are more likely to contact an elected official. Since the first meeting, 54% put their knowledge to practice by contacting an elected official about a topic that was important to them. 






Stories by Clinton Hardy


CPH60 Success

about 1 years ago by Clinton Hardy

Over the past 20 years hundreds of farmers from across the area have sold nearly 100,000 feeder calv... Read More


Reduced height corn and fungicide application research

about 1 years ago by Clinton Hardy

The widespread adoption of fungicide application to growing corn has led to improved yields by bette... Read More


Stories by Daviess County CES


Vaping

Vaping

about 1 years ago by Sharayha Clingenpeel

After a meeting with the new Youth Service Center Coordinator at a local middle school, several prog... Read More


Extension Master Gardeners Benefit the Community with Science-based Information

about 1 years ago by Annette Heisdorffer

An Extension Agent is only one person. To reach more citizens of Daviess County with science-based h... Read More