Many Chambers of Commerce and Cooperative Extension Councils have realized the importance of leadership for the long-term success of their community. The strategy of “hoping someone steps up” is a low effort approach that often does not work.

In order to purposefully cultivate skills and attitudes for effective leadership, Chambers of Commerce, Cooperative Extension, and other institutions have crafted leadership development programs to purposefully cultivate leadership and expand the depth of the leadership pool across the Commonwealth.

While Chamber of Commerce programs are often designed to align with their mission of improving the economic environment for businesses and residents, many of the Cooperative Extension programs have historically focused on educating specific audiences of youth, families, or industry (Agricultural Leadership, for example). However, these audiences and community programming goals are not exclusive.

To support and inform this area of overlap, the Kentucky Community Leadership Network was formed. The Kentucky Community Leadership Network recognizes that programming to improve community leadership happens across program types. We recognize that leading in public often requires a different set of skills and approaches. When working across community sectors, effective public leadership needs to understand approaches and strategies that allow for differing interests, attitudes and needs.

Building from the success of both Extension and Chamber programs, we have pulled together materials or “tools” to support local programs in their leadership capacity building programs. We hope that you will find value in these educational resources to support the development of collaborative attitudes, skills, and processes needed for effective community leadership.