Civic engagement helps create and cultivate vibrant communities. Studies have shown social capital is necessary for effective government and economic development. Part of social capital is engaging in the legislative process, serving on local boards/councils and contributing in topics important to that community.

Overall in the US, social capital has been on the decline. Currently, Kentucky ranks 48^th in civic health. In response to the need to increase civic engagement, the Marshall County Extension Council (CEC) participated in the “Empowering Local Leaders” program. The program was delivered by the Family & Consumer Sciences agent at the Fall 2017 meeting. The agent shared the basics of the state and federal legislative process. She also encouraged connecting with their elected officials on issues that are important to them and outlined a step by step process to communicate effectively with them.

After the presentation, 100% of CEC participants increased their knowledge of the legislative process, and indicated they felt more prepared to contact an elected official about an issue that concerned them. Due to the program, 70% are likely to contact an elected official in the next six months on topics that are of concern to them or their community.

A follow-up session was conducted in Spring 2018 and gave leaders an opportunity to share their experiences with contacting legislators. A CEC member commented she used the resources that were shared at the Fall meeting to assist a friend to make a direct contact with a Representative in an effort to assist with veterans benefits. The friend was able to complete the process to obtain benefits due him, in addition to back-pay that he was entitled to. She said without the information she obtained at the Fall meeting, she would not have known how to proceed with assisting her friend. She commented that the success was life-changing for her friend, and gave much credit to the program she attended at the Extension Office.