Research shows when people understand their purpose, they are more likely to engage deeply in their personal activities, such as being an Extension Homemaker. Whether you joined a homemaker club recently, or have been a member for years, now is the perfect time to refresh your perspective on what it means to be an Extension Homemaker. The Fort Harrod Area Family and Consumer Sciences Agents recognized there was a need within the area to give our Extension Homemakers a renewed since of self. 

The Fort Harrod Area Family and Consumer Science Agents hosted the 2024-2025 Officer and Chairperson Training as a part of Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA) preparation for the upcoming homemaker year with the theme of “Back to the Basics”. The training focused on round tables session (marketing and recruitment, planning homemaker events, mission of KEHA, and homemaker fundraising), parliamentary procedures, a mock council meeting, sundae bar, a contest regarding the Homemaker Creed, exit activity, food and fun. 

The agents realized that many homemaker clubs have new officers, and the membership needed a “fresh start” for their county clubs. The Officer and Chairperson training provided resource materials designed for use at the club, county, area, and state levels for programs throughout the year, with special emphasis on use for officer and leadership training sessions.  

36 individuals completed the post-evaluation survey.?Of those surveyed, 86% (n=31) were knowledgeable about homemaker marketing and recruitment and 75% (n=27) about homemaker fundraising; 72% (n=26) indicated they were confident in assisting or planning a homemaker event, finally, 64% (n=23) stated they understood the mission of KEHA. Finally, there were high levels of agreement that expressed the intention to share the information from today’s training session with members of their club (100%, n=36) and 94% (n=34) will use what they learned today to fulfill a leadership role in their club, county, or area in the 2024-2025 KEHA programmatic year. 

Participants shared the information provided in the training was very beneficial to them as a new-comer; agents covered so many important topics – they were glad that they came; and learned information on how to get the 30–40-year-olds to find an interest in homemakers. One specific participant shared that she hoped to start a club for deaf people.??