Author: Joan Bowling
Planning Unit: Kenton County CES
Major Program: Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD): Developing Core Leadership Skills
Plan of Work: Adult Leadership Development
Outcome: Initial Outcome
The Cooperative Extension Service has long been aware of the value Extension service networks for developing leadership skills of volunteer participants. Benefits of membership can be categorized into four categories: leadership, teaching, personal efficacy, and networking. Kenton County Extension Homemaker membership and organized groups have continued to trend downward especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. A collection of Extension Homemaker members in Kenton County determined that a club in the more populated area of the county could possibly garner new interest among an underserved audience. As a result, the Family and Consumer Sciences agent assisted by supporting the group of volunteer leaders by meeting with new club members and provided them with leadership materials and guidance to form an organized club. The Kenton Lands Extension Homemaker club emerged and of the new members, 3 individuals assumed leadership roles as President, Vice President, and treasurer. None of the officers had ever held officer roles in the past with Extension Homemakers. By developing the leadership of volunteers, members will gain up-to-date educational information on emerging issues such as public policy, parenting, health, nutrition and diet, and financial planning. Other benefits include leadership development, friendship, and social growth. Developing leadership skills and competencies in members of volunteer organizations is important to Extension because there is a positive relationship between participation in community groups and leadership in the community as well as political participation.
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