According to the Corporation for National and Community Civic Engagement, volunteerism is the cornerstone of a strong nation.  Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within counties is critical for the sustainability of a community infrastructure that supports long term commitment to strengthen families. 

To cultivate leadership in the Louisville Area, the Bullitt County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences developed an Area officer and chairman training for the Louisville Area Homemaker Council. This was the first area training in over 9 years.  The training provided direction and time to identify programming that would line up with the state level program initiatives.  From the Louisville Area training, 5 counties identified programs they could hold to address the state initiatives.  The Bullitt County leaders considered the level of training they received on the Area level to be so helpful, they had it taught back to their general county membership.

Over 100 Homemakers attended the Louisville Area and Bullitt County trainings. The Area 4H Chairman exclaimed that this was the first time in her 2 years of serving as an Area chair that she understood what the State initiatives were and what her area role was!  

  A secondary effect of the training was 3 new Extension Agents for Family & Consumer Sciences were able to learn about the Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association, their Program of Work and how to guide their county organizations to establish a Programs of Work that fit with the state level. They were also able to experience the Officer and Chairmanship trainings as well as retain the handouts to support their own county trainings.  These resources were requested by a new Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences in another District after she heard the new agents talk about what they had learned and used.   

  Over the last 10 years Bullitt County Homemakers have taken on 6 major area leadership roles. They have faithfully participated in developing their County Plan of Work, yearly Handbook, goal setting, reporting and other programs that support the Family & Consumer Science program.
 They are diligent in helping county and club level Homemakers understand the importance of filling out the programs of work.  In recognition of the Cultural Arts reading initiative, they established a book club which meets monthly. They place a high priority on reporting their volunteer hours.  In 2023, seven Bullitt County Homemakers held top State honors for volunteer hours reported in the Extension, Homemakers and Personal categories. According to the Independent Sector, the value of a volunteer hour is $30.83. ( http: Independentsector.org with the Do Good Institute, April 19, 2023). With the total number of volunteered hours over 9,765, they have given back to their community over $310,527.00!