Strategic Planning: Be Prepared

As you all know, we will launch OSU Extension's new Strategic Plan at our special Spring Conference on Thursday, May 15. We've gotten some questions recently, and we thought the responses might be beneficial for everyone:

What can I do to prepare for the May 15 event?

It would be helpful if everyone reviewed the plan's eight Strategic Issues before the meeting. The more knowledgeable we all are about the plan's goals and strategies, the more conversation we can have about understanding and implementing them. A good place to begin is by reviewing the most recent issues of the Extension Communiqué. The Feb. 26 issue gave an overview of the Strategic Plan, and each issue since then has included an update from one or more of the committees. Look for the final sections of the plan by early May. Also, check the web site at: http://extadmin-cms.ag.ohio-state.edu/leadership/osu-extension-strategic-plan/strategic-plan-home-page/.

Will there be any programmatic parts to the plan?

Yes. The plan encourages us to focus on programs that address the key issues faced by our clientele. Following the launch, each program area will either review and adjust its existing strategic plan or create a new edition. Generally, the May 15 plan is designed to set goals and strategies that will align the organization as a total, but it will deal with some programmatic strategies that affect all clientele.

Why are we spending limited travel dollars to bring everyone to Columbus on May 15 when we could be using technology?

It is extremely important that everyone in the organization understand the elements of the plan and find how they can help implement it. We are excited about our capacity to position Extension as the first contact to meet the needs of residents and clientele. This plan will take us there if we all become a part of implementing the strategies contained in the plan. We need times when we meet in person to celebrate where we have been as an organization and where we are going together. This is one of those times.

What is the point of the plan? Will people lose their jobs?

The focus of this plan is to build Extension's capacity to become the nation's leading Extension organization. To do that, we must find additional resources to add the human capital we need to be the best. We need to build our technological capacity, our subject matter depth, and our ability to address critical issues in a holistic matter. We need to more efficiently handle management tasks so we can free time for Extension professionals to participate in program delivery. The diversity of Extension must match the diversity of this state so we can support existing clientele while adding new clientele as stakeholders. Losing talented Extension personnel will not get us there, so this plan does not remove people. Instead, it seeks ways to drive new funding so we can grow the organization with positions that can provide the creativity and innovation we need. Our challenge is to make this plan bold, creative and innovative. That is what this plan, and our future, is about.

May 15 Registration in Process!

All employees are encouraged to attend the May 15 conference, "Implementing the Strategic Plan: See Yourself in Extension's Future" at the Lausche Building on the State Fairgrounds in Columbus. This all-day conference will focus on sharing Extension's strategic plan and involving the entire system in the implementation process. 
 
You may know that in 2014, we will celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the development of Cooperative Extension systems through the Smith-Lever Act. As we move through the next six years, OSU Extension is positioning itself to meet the needs of Ohio's citizens for 100 years to come!

All Extension faculty/staff are encouraged to attend -- wear Buckeye colors for the day! We've asked each County Director/Unit Head to register all employees in the office/unit at one time. Click here to view the Agenda and Directions to the Lausche Building.
 
Contact Bill Grunkemeyer (grunkemeyer.1@osu.edu), Linda Kutilek (kutilek.1@osu.edu), or Terri Gustafson (gustafson.29@osu.edu) if you have any questions about registration.
 
Counties/Units have been asked to register before the April 30 deadline!

Insights from the Pulse Survey

Earlier this year, we asked the question "In Extension, the direction we are heading is... ." To incorporate the information we received, we tested your suggestions with the recommendations coming forward through the strategic plan. Additional information about the planning process was built into the Video Communique, and the special Feb. 26 edition of the online Communique. Since that time, we have worked to focus on highlighting the strategic plan in every Communique edition sent -- your comments and insights DO make a difference! Here is a sampling of the responses you shared:

In Extension, the direction we are heading is…

• I hope, to one that embraces technology and uses it to its full advantage in a strategic, well thought-out manner. This will require adequate support and funding. For this to be fiscally responsible, it will require some centralization and making some tough choices.
  
• sometimes confusing. We are trying to meet the needs of our clientele while at the same time looking for resources to allow us to do effective programming. Sometimes the goals of resource allocators do not match the needs of local clientele.
  
• not sure, we will learn more on May 15.
  
• becoming fractured, not meshing state direction with local county efforts and needs.
  
• …we spend a lot of time reinventing or teaching to our peers when we need to spend more time looking at what is and how we can help a group of employees spring from that point. Case in point is the lack of working with existing county directors ... training has been done, but instead of working directly with the problem in specific counties, we make the work harder for everyone. That is spending time internally when it could be spent on working with Ohioans. I find this frustrating and encouraging poor performance.
  
• plodding along rather than risking a quantum leap.
  
• are we headed in a direction?? I think we are all just either maintaining or bouncing off/grabbing at opportunities as they come along with no clear focus.
  
• toward change, requiring a staff of adaptive individuals who can nurture the strengths of those with whom they work, inside as well as outside the organization.
  
• unclear. Hope that the organization can stretch ... seeing more clearly the capacity we have in reaching across campus and deep into the county populations.
  
• hopefully to educate our clientele regarding issues pertinent to them and their families.
  
• down the drain.
  
• under review. At this juncture in late January, early February, I feel Extension's direction is on hold for most of us, until the May 15 meeting. Not until we find out what direction the Administrative cabinet is going, can the rest of us go ...  Leadership needs to lead. Strike out in a direction and lead ... we need to embrace new technology and use it to our advantage ... 
  
• we have to remember that we can not be all things to all people ... though that's what we're used to doing. It's necessary to reach new audiences, but it's just as important to remember "who took us to the dance" -- those people who have volunteered and supported us through generations of Extension programming.

Strategic Planning: Competency-Based Human Resources

As part of our current strategic planning efforts, the Staff Base Strategic Initiative was charged with the question, "What strategies should OSU Extension implement to develop the skill level of paid staff and to effectively meet clientele needs?" Based on input gathered during Spring Conferences and roundtable discussions at Annual Conference, the Staff Base Strategic Initiative group has identified a competency-based approach to human resources as one proposed strategy. This approach will address a number of concerns or issues raised by Extension professionals last year.

Core competencies are defined as the "basic knowledge, attitudes, skills and observable behaviors that lead to excellence in the workplace" (Liles and Mustian, 2004). Competencies serve as the umbrella that link HR hiring/screening practices, professional development, training and development, performance management, and/or succession planning. Effective core competencies will help drive how we hire, orientate, and support new professionals. It also will help in developing a more useful performance management system, in the re-tooling current employees, and developing employees for job succession and may vary from position to position.

Extension HR is leading a project to identify the core competencies for the organization and develop plans to link many of our human resource functions to our competencies. The project will include numerous opportunities for your input and participation to develop a model relevant for OSU Extension. Look for more information in the coming months about this project. If you have questions, please contact Chris Igodan (igodan.1@cfaes.osu.edu) or Graham Cochran (cochran.99@cfaes.osu.edu), who are leading this project.

Participate in the 2008-09 Environmental Scan Program

Interested in future trends and how they impact Extension? Want to learn more about conducting smart, user directed online searches? If yes, then consider participating in a pilot environmental scanning program funded by a national ESP grant. A group of eight to 10 Extension professionals will use an online tool to monitor trends and issues that may affect OSU Extension. The program complements the strategic planning process and reinforces recommendations from the Fisher Report, presented at the Annual Conference in December.
 
Participants will be expected to actively monitor an online site, participate in WebEx meetings, and prepare brief (one- to two-page) reports for administration, professional associations, or other interested groups. One campus-based meeting is required for initial training and orientation. If you are interested or would like to nominate someone, please contact Jerry Thomas (thomas.69@osu.edu or 419-306-9400). Deadline is May 8, 2008. More information may be found in the attached file.

Change Agent States Leadership Forum

As part of the Change Agent States for Diversity project that CFAES is involved in, Linda Kutilek, Ken Martin, Linda Martin and Kathy Lechman along with 25 other members of the Change Agent States Consortium attended an intensive training focused on leading organizational change related to diversity and inclusion. The CAS Administrative Leadership Forum is designed to meet the following goals:

• Assist leaders in creating a climate for change that is respectful and that also recognizes that the status quo is not good enough.
  
• Teach leaders how to speak the language of change-constantly putting the vision before people in a clear and understandable way.
  
• Coach and support leaders' personal diversity maturity, growth, and development.
  
• Support leaders to be courageous in leading the change; provide models of other leaders and the skills they use.
  
• Assist leaders in identifying consistent and holistic approaches for organizational change on diversity.
  
• Develop leadership skills to manage conflict and understand power relationships in society, organization and interpersonal relationships.

Participants engaged in group as well as individual exercises based on relational practice.  Relational practice is defined as "the skilled ways of interrelating that create connections between people" (Dutton & Dukerich 2006). Increasing and refining this skill set helped participants identify barriers to achieving goals related to diversity and inclusion within our organizations. The Administrative Leadership Training is one of the four components of the framework for the Change Agent States Project. Look for more information on our college's efforts in the near future.

You're Invited: Scarlet and Gray Ag Day April 25

College faculty and staff are invited to attend Scarlet and Gray Ag Day on Friday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 1:35 p.m. Scarlet and Gray Ag Day is held every spring on the Columbus ag campus, attracting more than 450 fourth- and fifth-grade students to learn about agricultural sciences. Events will take place in the Animal Sciences Building, Kottman Hall, Parker Hall, Howlett Hall, Ag Engineering Building, Plumb Hall, the new 4-H Center, and in tents on the grass quad just north of Plumb Hall.

Awards shows with performances from Buckeyeman, Ohio State Drum Major Stewart Kitchen, and keynote speakers will take place at 11:15 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. in the 4-H Center.

Please let organizers know if you plan to attend by e-mailing Cassaundra Hupp at  hupp.58@osu.edu. You will receive an information packet that includes times, locations and session descriptions. Many thanks to all of the faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students who have generously volunteered for Scarlet and Gray Ag Day.

Nominate Colleagues, Students for Bill Williams Awards by May 1

The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences soon will be awarding the Bill Williams Diversity Award. There are two awards, one for students and/or student groups, and one for faculty/staff, to recognize outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts within the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Each award is $1,000 along with a plaque and recognition at the Annual Banquet. 

Bill Williams was co-founder of Glory Foods Inc. His product lines began in the Department of Food Science and Technology, with Ohio State students actively involved in product development, marketing, and product rollout. From 1992 until his death in 2001, Bill Williams contributed financial support annually to minority students in our college.

The deadline for nominations is May 1, 2008. 
To view award criteria and obtain the nomination form please see the attached or go to http://hr.ag.ohio-state.edu/diversity/diversity_williams.html.

Program Venture Funds Deadline Reminder

Reminder: April 25 is the deadline for the first round of applications for the 2008 Program Venture Funds, competitive start-up funding for high risk programs addressed by an interdisciplinary approach.  The guidelines and application form are available at http://extadmin-cms.ag.ohio-state.edu/policy-handbook/viii-grants-contracts/program-venture-funds-guidelines.doc/view. 

Lal Awarded the 'Cordoban' in Spain

Rattan Lal, soil scientist with the School of Environment and Natural Resources, was recognized recently by the University of Cordoba in Cordoba, Spain, for his contributions in investigating climate change and furthering food security through soil carbon management.

Lal, who was invited to present during the Network of Efficient Use of Nitrogen in Agriculture conference held April 3-4, was awarded the "Cordoban" -- a plaque depicting the shield of the university -- given in recognition of soil science contributions. The conference hosted university researchers, research centers and private companies that are involved in various aspects of the use and efficiency of nitrogen in agriculture.

Lal, director of OARDC's Carbon Management and Sequestration Center, has focused on carbon sequestration for over two decades at Ohio State, studying soils in the United States, Africa, Latin America and India, and aiding in applying the technique of no-till to farms throughout the world.

Asian American Women Focus of Film, Discussion

Asian American women suffer from abnormally high rates of suicide and depression. The university community is invited to learn more at a panel discussion and screening of the feature film, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" on April 30 at the Frank W. Hale, Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m., with the film showing at 6 p.m. and panel discussion (featuring the film's director Joy Dietrich) following at 7:30 p.m. See the attached flier for more information. 

Personnel Update