The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA) is accepting applications for a Leadership Academy to be held March 1-3, 2023. The goal of this second Leadership Academy is to strengthen leadership skills for emerging leaders within KEHA. By offering an opportunity for members to enhance and build leadership skills, KEHA anticipates increasing the pool of leaders available to hold county, area and state level elected and appointed positions. In addition, Academy graduates will have increased knowledge and ability to market the organization to potential new members, provide leadership to Extension councils and boards, represent KEHA with partner organizations, and serve as leaders within their communities.

Designed by a committee consisting of KEHA Board members, the academy curriculum will enhance individual leadership skills and empower members to lead the organization now and in the future. Participants in the first Leadership Academy had very positive things to say about the program. Out of the respondents to the post-training survey, 81% strongly agree that the academy helped enhance leadership skills. And all respondents agree (68% of them strongly) that the academy increased their confidence to be a leader.

“I appreciate the opportunity to attend, and all the information supplied to us. I came home excited to share with my fellow homemakers and my FCS agent the many things we learned,” said participant Debbie Hembree.

Others expressed their appreciation anonymously. One participant said, “This was a wonderful experience! I wish more Homemaker would have taken advantage of it! They don't know what they missed!” Another said, “I truly feel the academy could not have been better. I am 'on fire' to share the message of the importance of everything about KEHA!”

Interested KEHA members will submit a Leadership Academy Application to the area KEHA president by Oct. 1, 2022. The area officer team (minus any members applying for the academy) will review all nominations, score using the provided rubric, and determine selections for the area by Nov. 1, 2022. Names of two participants and one alternate per area will be considered to attend. A copy of each participant and alternate’s application will be forwarded to the KEHA State Advisor by Nov. 1. Selected participants will then receive a letter from the Leadership Academy Committee requiring a $100 fee payment and a signed commitment form to be returned by Dec. 1, 2022. Alternates on the waitlist will be informed of their status by Jan. 1, 2023.

Please encourage KEHA members in your county to apply and help them to take this leadership step that will benefit the individual and your county program. For more information, visit https://keha.ca.uky.edu/content/keha-leadership-academy.

Written by Sally Mineer, Extension Specialist for Professional Development, and Kelly May, KEHA State Advisor, University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension

August 2022