Author: Brenda Cockerham
Planning Unit: Johnson County CES
Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Plan of Work: Developing and Empowering Community Leaders for Engagement
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
Extension Homemakers is one of the longest standing organizations in the state. Johnson County Extension Homemakers membership was over 100 in 2017-18. The quantity of members have ranged from 100-150 consistently for the past 10 years but the quality and commitment of leadership has increased over the past 4. Homemakers leadership opportunities range from just attending their club meetings in their community, to teaching a lesson, or leading an activity the club or county has voted on. They can rise to serve as a club officer and leading at each meeting and if they are the president, attending the quarterly county council meetings. They may also serve on an ad hoc committee meeting at the club or county level. Once they have done this, they are qualified to serve on the Area level as officers and chairmen. The next level is the State level of officers and chairmen.
The 2017-18, marked a significant year of leadership development for Johnson County Homemakers. Five of the county level officers attended the week long training for leadership at the Brushy Fork Institute. The Area President and Vice President are from Johnson County. One Area chairmen is from Johnson County and the County President serves on the Area Council as well. Nine of Johnson County's Area and County chairmen and officers led in the hosting of the state meeting. Club members produced 600 handmade clay ornaments for those attending the state meeting. One member was voted in as the State International chair while the county received a state award for International Sustainable Development. (Several International projects were completed but one member hand delivered over 100 water filters to the Philippines and taught hand washing techniques). Members served to coordinate the Area event called Enrichment Camp which is held in Johnson County. This event is a three day event held at Camp Caleb. The Area President worked to oversee all things related to Area activities, including the Area Annual Meeting and all area planning meetings and council meetings. At the county level, leaders work to coordinate events and activities at the OSCAR center, they host a county-wide event called "Holiday Happenings" held at the Ramada Inn (this is a major tourism assisted event with 400-800 attending each year. They coordinate an International Day event, members lead in the monthly Quilters lessons, monthly leader trainings, monthly embroidery classes, occasional crochet classes, and this year, a research project on Keys to Embracing Aging. One volunteer who teaches embroidery stated she had "taught 17 people this year how to embroider". There are 10 more leaders of this caliber that routinely share their skills in different topics throughout the year.
At the club level, members are supporting their communities in addition to the classes they teach monthly. Community cleanups, transportation to dr. visits, beautification projects, nursing home projects, and lap quilt production for the elderly are to name a few of the projects the clubs routinely do each year. Thousands of hours are clocked in recording the many tasks taken on by these dedicated volunteers who are using their talents and skills to help others. This year has been exceptional with a few records broken! An annual report made by the presidents of each club is available on the Johnson County Website. Most of the program details are featured in the quarterly newsletter. Most of the top ranking leaders move on to other areas of leadership in Extension as well- the County Extension Council, District Board, the Route 23 Cultural Heritage Network, and the Oil Springs Cultural Arts and Recreation center. Leadership development is working!
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