Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within counties is critical for the sustainability of a community infrastructure (Family and Consumer Science Extension, 2008).  Extension Homemakers provide numerous opportunities for individuals to enhance leadership skills at club, county, and area levels.   Leadership development is a strong emphasis and by-product of every Extension Homemaker activity and event.   The development of leadership skills provides tools to enable individuals to live and work to make communities better places to live (The Family and Consumer Sciences Council, 2007).    The Campbell County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent has been working with the Campbell County Extension Homemakers to help develop and foster these skills through various programs, activities, and events. The Northern Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Agents also offered a common read to the eight-county area to foster leadership skills.

The Northern Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Agents presented a common read on the book “Leadership and Self-Deception” by Arbinger Institute.  The book’s central insight focused on the key to leadership lies not in what we do, but in who we are.  This concept proves to have powerful implications not only for organizational leadership, but in listeners’ personal lives as well.  Empowering Extension Homemaker leaders, nurturing family development, and providing professional development for all who participated was the key focus of our four-part zoom led common read. Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD) handouts were also utilized.  Each session included an overview of the key topics presented and then a small group discussion.  The goal was to foster healthy communication and understanding within our organization. Through reading and group discussion, participants were able to learn more about themselves personally on a deeper level, allowing for improvement in leadership at an organizational level.

 Our average attendance for our four night zoom session was 38 participants.  On a 90 % return rate on a six-week follow-up evaluation, the following data was shared:

• 92% of the participants have applied their improved interpersonal skills learned to their work, organization, or family relationships.
• 76% stated they had increased self-awareness.
• 66% stated they were more aware of others’ needs.
• 63% strived to take ownership of their own words and actions.
• 58% said they had become a better listener.
• Over half felt they had improved their ability to work well with others.

One participant said that they are “trying to listen to others more closely and trying to see other’s point of view as being as valuable as their own opinion.”  Multiple participants extended their knowledge of their leadership skills by reading additional books.  One participant shared, “I have become more self-aware with how I react to my son and started reading a book to better understand my son and better support him.”

 With the skills learned in the common read, Campbell County Extension Homemakers put their thoughts into action.  They increased their county membership by adding 45 new members this year, making it the highest total membership they have had in the past 10 years.  One homemaker taught two paint canvas classes to a total of 40 participants, and another taught a cultural arts class on ribbon embroidery to 15 participants.  New leadership was gained on county council as well with a new treasurer and secretary and on the area council with two new Campbell County Extension Homemakers serving as area chairmen for Family and Individual Development.  A homemaker sponsored event called Ladies Just Wanna Have Fun has also generated new funds for the county high school scholarships.  Finally, the Campbell County Homemakers participated in various community projects such as blessing bags donated to the women’s crisis center, corsages made for an assisted living home, veteran sock drive, and baby blankets donated to a local hospital. The Campbell County Homemaker President said, “Homemakers has provided me with the educational resources and training to further develop my leadership skills.  Through county, area, and state leadership programs and seminars I have become a more effective leader and county president.  This has further improved my confidence in other areas of my life.”

Picture caption:  Campbell County Homemakers made baby quilts, which were donated to a local hospital.