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A leadership development program was conducted by the home economics department of the University of Florida. The program consisted of an 11-week structured learning experience conducted by county home economics extension faculty for participants recruited from local voluntary associations in four counties. The broad objective of the program was to develop a cadre of local leaders who were able to identify and resolve issues in neighborhoods and communities. A self-report method using the focus group interview was used to collect data from the participants; 24 of 58 people who completed the course participated in the focus group interviews. Content analysis of the interview reports focused on indicators of change in the four dependent variables: (1) increase in knowledge; (2) increase in capability; (3) increase in participation and leadership in voluntary associations; and (4) increase in involvement in community affairs. The results of this study show that leadership skills, knowledge, and attitudes, acquired or reinforced through a structured learning experience, were applied by the participants to local problems and issues. (KC)

Nineteen papers are included in this document: "Potential and Impact: Assessment and Validation in Leadership Development" (Boatman); "Using an Organizational Diagnostic Instrument to Analyze Perceptions of the Virginia Extension Homemakers Council" (Newhouse, Chandler, Tuckwiller); "Image: Who Needs It?" (Hendricks, Birnstihl, Jacobson); "Developing a Cadre of Leaders in Extension Homemakers" (Ferrell); "Leadership Training for Missouri Community Betterment" (Williams);"Initiating Leadership Development" (Scholl); "Building Stakeholder Ownership in Interdisciplinary Programs" (Miller); "Expanding Oregon State University Extension's Leadership Program" (Tillson); "Self-Interest and Volunteerism: Analysis of a Statewide Association" (Passewitz, Donnermeyer); "Who Is Interested in Learning More about Leadership Skills?" (Steele); "Developing Effective Advisory Councils: One State's Approach" (Shoup); "Effectiveness of Needs Assessment and Advisory Committee in Planning and Implementation of Volunteerism In-Service Education (Cadwalader, Daugherty); "The Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service Leadership Impact Study" (McIntee, Rossing); "Assessing the Impact of a Leadership Program: Analysis of Pretest Data" (Rohs, Gatchall, Blackburn, Tankersley); "Community/Family Leadership Education Evaluation Project" (Feeney, Millar); "Leadership Development: The Critical Link in Community Development" (Mulkey); "Volunteer Leadership Development: Changing Paradigms" (Walker, Young); "Statistical Profiles: Powerful Multipurpose Tools for Narrowing Program Focus and Developing Support among Community Leaders" (Young); and "The Disciplines, Institutions, and Needs To Be Met" (Stowe). (CML)

The seminar reported in this document had two main goals: (1) to strengthen the competencies of career professionals working on leadership development in teaching, research, or extension settings; and (2) to broaden the overall knowledge base of leadership development within home economics programs. The following nine papers are included: "Introduction" (Bolton); "From Leadership as an Area of Study to Leadership as an Educational Effort" (Garber); "Leadership Development and Building Human Capital" (Clegg); "Leadership Development: The Parts and the Whole" (Walker); "Public Policy Involvement of the Virginia Extension Homemakers Council, Inc.: An Examination and Comparative Analysis" (Tuckwiller); "Leadership Development: A Staff and Volunteer Partnership" (Hancook); "Leadership Development: One State's Approach" (Mounter); "Family Community Leadership Benefits to Extension Homemaker Participants and Nonparticipants" (Cadwalader); and "Challenge for the Future or So If This Is What We Have Done, What Might We Do Next?" (Heasley). (CML)