Success StoryLeadership In Wayne County FCS



Leadership In Wayne County FCS

Author: Deborah Shepherd

Planning Unit: Wayne County CES

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership -FCS

Plan of Work: Growing and Empowering Community Leaders

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Strong leadership skills are important for a vital Extension Homemaker and Family & Consumer Sciences Extension program.  These learned leadership skills also benefit other community organizations in which members participate.   Extension Homemakers reported difficulties in recruiting new officers, maintaining membership interest in club activities and membership recruitment.   They had also reported still feeling a lack of connection.  Our Adventures Await was developed to help address concerns and continue to grow the Wayne County Extension Homemaker program.  This program was extended for an additional program year.  Wayne County Extension Homemakers participated in Officer and Leadership Events.  Wayne County Extension Homemakers currently have 45 members serving in officer positions.  Thirteen additional leaders in three years.  Participants were introduced to skills and activities to help them reconnect, develop purposeful club meetings, strengthen leadership skills, and officer and membership recruitment.  Participants reported feeling more connected to their fellow Extension Homemakers and the Extension Office Staff and Agent.  They also reported planning to utilize learned skills within the individual clubs.  A renewed excitement for becoming actively involved has been created within leadership.  All participants reported taking activities and skills back to their club membership.  An increase in new membership has resulted.  

Wayne County Extension Homemakers currently have 45 members serving in officer positions.  

Over the past three years there has an increase of:

          Thirteen new Extension Homemaker officers.  One of those positions being the Lake Cumberland Area Treasurer.

           Three new Extension Homemaker Club.

           Eighty-seven new Extension Homemaker members.

            An average of 50% increase in club membership participation in monthly meetings

            75% increase in growth of committees organizing and planning activities and community service events.

            75% increase in membership attending committee meetings and taking leadership roles in those meetings and activities.

             Increase in Family and Consumer Sciences Monthly Newsletter of 386 to 517, an increase 131 participants.

100% reported planning to share gained knowledge with club members.

100% reported they will use learned skills and knowledge to fulfill leadership roles in club, county and area.

These skills are not only vital to the growth and strength of the Wayne County Extension Homemakers, they expand outward for service in other community organizations.