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INVESTIGATOR: Tackie, N. O.; Findlay, H. J.; Doamekpor, P. K.; Menefee, A. S.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
TUSKEGEE, ALABAMA 36088

VALUE-ADDED LEADERSHIP FOR STRENGTHENING EXTENSION PERSONNEL AND CITIZENS

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Rural counties are faced with distinctive challenges that may require a unique combination of leadership skills to add value to the community. Tuskegee University lacks adequate human and non-human resources to effectively deliver leadership training to citizens in the 12 Black Belt Counties it primarily serves. Currently, there are only a small number of Tuskegee University Extension specialists who are trained in community leadership development and in how to update and deliver value-added leadership curriculums. In fact, none of the Extension agents and paraprofessionals is trained in community leadership development. This paucity of skill in leadership development demonstrates a compelling need to seek resources to expand the capacity of these personnel to deliver quality leadership training. If the capacity of these Extension staffs is enhanced, they will develop the skills needed to assist the citizenry in transforming their communities. To deliver activities, the project leaders will use train-the-trainer approach (that is, training Extension personnel); participatory approach (that is, involving community stakeholders in designing of teaching curriculum and using that curriculum to teach target audiences); and volunteerism approach (that is, recruiting interested community stakeholders to teach other community residents). The impact of the project falls in three categories: short-term, medium-term, and long-term. Examples of short-term impacts are the awareness created and knowledge gained in leadership. Examples of medium-term impacts are strengthening of Extension personnel capacity to deliver leadership programs, strengthening Extension leadership curriculums, and better prepared community leaders. Examples of long-term impacts are increase in the number of trained Extension personnel in leadership development, more effective Extension leadership curriculum developed, more positive attitude to volunteer work, increase in participation in community activities, and a healthier and more productive community.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of the project is to increase the capacity of Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program (TUCEP) to deliver curriculum-based leadership development training to citizens in rural Alabama counties. Specific objectives are to: (1) increase the capacity of TUCEP personnel to effectively deliver leadership development training programs; (2) enhance the leadership skills of community stakeholders, including emerging leaders and appointed and elected officials, and (3) promote leadership and volunteerism as a means of advancing the communities. Expected outputs include innovative teaching methods, curriculum, instructional manuals, videos and DVDs, bulletins and pamphlets, newsletters and publications on dedicated web pages and in journals and newspapers.