Situation
The Todd County Cooperative Extension Service is known for its use of and service to volunteers within communities, and for conducting and supporting programs to foster the development of leadership skills. Leadership skills, including, communication, managing, decision-making, listening, self-motivation and understanding-self, etc., are essential in job employment and career advancement. In Todd County, where 47.2 percent of the population 18 years and older have not completed high school, and 28 percent over 18 years have less than a 9th grade education, much of the clientele Extension professional work with have not had the training or experiences in educational settings that lead to the development of leadership and volunteerism.
According to national statistics, 44 % of adults volunteer. These 83.9 million American Adults represent the equivalent of over 9 million full-time employees at a value of $239 billion. (Leadership Development, September, 2003, Linda Heaton and Kim Henkin) It is vital to instill the values of volunteerism and strong leadership in our young people. Strong leaders are vital to the future of our communities, and to the organizations with whom Cooperative Extension works. Youth are the future leaders of our communities, country and our world, thus the importance of leadership training is great. The Todd County Extension Service plans to enhance the leadership and volunteerism of the youth clientele through education and practice.
With over 25 percent of children in poverty in Todd County, the Extension Service provides leadership development opportunities to these youth to help break the generational pattern of poverty and prepare the youth of today for leadership positions of tomorrow. Additionally, during 2002, at county, state and national Youth Conversations, youth identified the need to have a voice and make a positive impact in their community.
SEEC
4-H youth, Gifted and Talented students, 4-H Teen Council members, 4-H Teen Club members, 4-H camp counselors and other community youth engaged in leadership programming will use the leadership skills gained through training and involvement with Extension Programs to:
--Serve as quality mentors and teachers for Extension in the county, district, state and nation as well as through other community organizations.
--Identify and address critical issues facing the young people of Todd County
--Exhibit independence away from home
--Establish a commitment to generosity
--Gain a sense of belonging and volunteer spirit for the 4-H program and the Cooperative Extension Service and other city, county and community organizations.
Practices
Extension youth and other youth involved in leadership programming will:
--Use acquired delegating skills to carry out programs and facilitate leadership groups or clubs
--Serve as committee members and/or chairs to carry out programs and events
--Consider others’ opinions at meetings
--Serve as officers for organized clubs
--Engage in community service and recruitment practices for the community
--Market the Extension program by word of mouth to other youth in the community
--Work together through group processes at leadership camp, trips, conferences, etc.
--Communicate effectively with family members and other community leaders
--Communicate effectively with youth in camp or classroom settings
--Coordinate fund raisers and other community service efforts
--Attend leadership trips, conferences and retreats in and out of state
--Make new friends
--Work and serve on city/county boards or councils and have an active role in county government.
KOSA
Extension youth and other youth involved in leadership programming will:
--Learn proper parliamentary procedure and meeting format such as committee setup, agenda, etc.
--Gain an understanding of leadership styles
--Acquire decision making skills
--Learn community needs and important issues
--Gain knowledge of self-esteem and goal setting practices
--Learn proper communication techniques
--Understand the importance of diversity
--Learn the importance of community service activities
--Understand the importance of risk management and youth protection standards.
--Gain an appreciation for volunteerism
--Learn how to recruit new members for clubs
--Learn how to work with adults on community boards and councils
Impact Indicators
The impact of the teen camp counselor experience will be determined by a follow up survey one to two months after summer 4-H camp.
The impact of the Gifted and Talented Leadership Program for 5th – 10th grade students will be measured by a pre-post test method and a follow up questionnaire 4 months after the leadership training.
The impact of the 4-H Teen Council and its activities will be determined by a 3 year follow up focus group of sophomore 4-H club members who have been involved in the leadership program for 3 years.
The impact of the EYSC Government program will be determined by a pre-post test evaluation to assess growth in teens and the community.
Audience
see within evaluation methods
Education
The 4-H Youth Development Agent and 4-H volunteers will:
--Provide training to 4-H Teen Council Members, 4-H camp teen counselors and teen educators for 4-H leadership activities
at monthly, quarterly and annual meetings to insure improved programming.
--Encourage other community youth to get involved in Extension work by becoming a teen council member or camp (club) teen leader.
--Work one-on-one with teen leaders to train them on how to recognize and adapt to the developmental needs of youth
--Involve 4-H members in community service activities that focus on volunteerism such as: Bowl for Kids Sake, trash-pick-up, back pack food drives drug prevention awareness, etc.
--Invite 4-H teens to serve on Extension and community advisory councils in order to establish youth/adult partnerships.
--Train clientele in proper parliamentary procedure during regular meetings.
--Recruit teen leaders to attend workshops, serve as teen counselor chaperones, etc.
--Maintain the Youth Protection and Risk Management Committee and provide updates on policy in regards to the standards and requirements.
--Conduct officer training for youth and adult club leaders during October school clubs.
--Provide the means for the 8th grade Gifted and Talented art class to create a 4-H historical mural on a downtown wall.
--Recruit teenage youth to attend leadership conferences such as: Issues in November, the county leadership retreat in the winter, the District Teen Retreat in the Spring, and Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference in June and American Heritage Conference.
--Provide opportunities for teenage youth to serve as camp counselors in July.
--Provide opportunities to teens to serve as educators in the classroom, overnight camps, and other activities/day camps in the fall, spring, and summer.
--Provide a leadership day camp for South Todd Gifted and Talented students in the fall.
--Provide opportunities for teens to serve on city and county boards through the EYSC state funded program.
Inputs
The following resources will be utilized to implement the Youth Volunteerism Program plan:
--4-H Youth Development Agent and Volunteer Time
--Technology
--Involvement of other program areas
--Department of Agriculture Achievers Grant - $500.00 (4-H Gifted and Talented Mural)
--4-H Council Fund raising efforts (poinsettia sales and cookout) - $4,000.00
--Involvement of other community organizations and schools
--EYSC State 4-H Grant