Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within counties is critical for the sustainability of a community infrastructure that supports long term commitment to strengthen families.In 2013, a county wide Summit was held in Carter County.  As a result, several committees were formed to address the key issues in the county and a strategic community plan was developed.  One of the key issues identified was a need for adult leadership.As a result, a leadership committee developed the Carter County Leadership Academy.

The Carter County Leadership Academy was established in 2014.  The Brushy Fork Institute Curriculum was used by local volunteers to engage participants in the exploration and development of leadership skills and their potential.  A partnership was established to provide this program at the Carter County Extension Education Center.  The Grayson Area Chamber of Commerce provides sponsorship for the program.  The Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) and other members from Carter County Community Partners, Inc. scheduled and facilitated the program, targeting leaders or potential leaders in the community.  A University of Kentucky Extension Specialist from the Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky served as a guest speaker and resource. Participants represented local businesses, community organizations, nonprofits, education, and young adults. The Carter County FCS Agent was a part of the first graduating class and has facilitated one of the eight sessions for the past five years.

The academy consists of 8, 4-hour workshops that include presentations, group work, brainstorming, guest speakers, and individual projects.  The sessions teach leadership skills such as community development, vision to action, effective meetings and facilitation, leadership styles, understanding Carter County’s economic profiles, dealing with personality differences, and managing conflict.  Participants demonstrate the knowledge they have acquired with a community project and presentation of their project.  Thirty-nine leaders have graduated from the program in the past five years.  Ten of those graduates serve as Extension leaders.The FCS Council Chair, 1 Extension District Board members, 5 County Extension Council members,1 Extension Homemaker President, and 9 of them serve as FCS Advisory Council members. Program graduates then return to facilitate sessions.

One-hundred percent of graduates have used their skills to stay active in their communities and developed projects that continue to serve Carter County.  The Cooperative Extension Program “Day Out with Dad” is a direct result of the academy.  The fatherhood program had 450 participants this past year and is currently the largest Carter County Extension program and one of the largest community-wide programs.Other projects that have been completed as result of the academy are a recreational park development, the play “The Traispin” woman that was written and performed in Carter County, an animal rescue, a computer skills program for adults, a financial skills class for youth, music and arts event at the art gallery, a unified accessible  locker room project at East Carter High School, Blessing Boxes in two new communities, flower baskets and beautification project on Main St., holiday food baskets, and a Main St. business connections project.

“The Carter County Leadership Academy gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and gave me the tools to make positive change in my community.  It provided me with new networking opportunities, helped me to lead more effective meetings, and I now work better with others with different personalities.  Different groups in the county are now working together for a common goal.  The East and West ends of the county are now building partnerships and working together.  In the past that has been a huge barrier.”