Instead, emphasis will shift to the leadership qualities and skills needed at a particular place and time, and to persons best able to offer them. When skills and abilities become the criteria, women and minority group members will assume more active roles and take on more leadership responsibilities in groups and community efforts. Since leadership is a process that is learned, it is important for Extension educators to accept leadership development as a major responsibility. Extension faculty may begin by identifying and working with current leaders, but need to go on to identify and work with new and emerging leaders. This attention to leadership is vital because much of what happens in communities is brought about by volunteers working in groups.
Leadership development is a gradual process.
Once volunteers are identified, the next step is to help them make use of their skills in suitable leadership positions. On a practical scale, volunteer leaders are asked to accept specific responsibilities with a particular group on an individual basis. This means knowing volunteer leaders well enough to help them match their talents and strengths with a particular opportunity. Matching is important for both the volunteer and the organization. Training is another step in the process of developing leaders.