July 2, 2008
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A few weeks ago, the Extension Administrative Cabinet members held a two-day retreat at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center to focus on the next organizational steps in implementing the strategic plan. We worked together to develop on-going communication strategies and a Frequently Asked Questions list from the feedback we’ve been receiving since the May 15 session. In the process, the group reviewed input from:
- Clicker responses from May 15 (see attachment)
- State Extension Advisory Committee members
- Internal Extension Advisory Committee members
- Change Team members
- OAEP Board members
- Individual Administrative Cabinet members
In addition, the Cabinet members worked on the development of action plans for each of the performance goals and metrics, and on a prioritization process for implementation within the next six months, 12 months, and upcoming years. Additional information will follow in upcoming Communiqué issues - watch for the FAQ list to be coming soon!
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A variety of questions were discussed during a recent OAEP meeting - from Signature Programs (addressed in the June 18 issue) to work/life balance to staffing concerns. The answers are relevant for our entire Extension community. A summary of OSU Extension’s Work and Family Philosophy is attached, and other questions will be answered in upcoming issues of the Communiqué.
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Candidates are being sought for four Impact Area Leaders for Ohio State University Extension. These positions are only open to internal OSU Extension and other internal OSU applicants. The Impact Area Leader positions will be posted on http://jobs.osu.edu/ from July 5 to July 20. OSU Extension Human Resources will also post the positions with links to full position descriptions on its Web site at http://extensionhr.osu.edu/jobs.html. Instructions on how to apply will be found at the end of each position description.
The overall role of each Impact Area Leader position is to provide leadership and management for one of the four specific impact areas identified by OSU Extension. These are:
- Advancing Employment and Income Opportunities (requisition #340032)
- Enhancing Agriculture and the Environment (requistion #340033)
- Preparing Youth for Success (requisition #340034)
- Strengthening Families and Communities (requisition #340035)
Each of these positions is a four-year appointment as a Program Director with the work location to be determined. Duties for each Impact Area Leader will include the overall coordination and management for teams contributing to the respective impact area; building relationships; documenting and reporting impacts; and identifying needs related to relevant issues in Ohio. You can also contact the search committee co-chairs Tasha Snyder (ASnyder@ehe.osu.edu) or Tom Archer (Archer.3@osu.edu) for more information.
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Mark your calendars and save the date. This year's OSU Extension Annual Conference is set for December 16-18, 2008.
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In early May (before the May 15 strategic planning conference), you and your peers shared the following responses:
*Mean scores that could indicate strong agreement…
- I am looking forward to being a part of Extension’s future. (mean score of 8.33)
- I understand what is expected of me in my job. (mean score of 8.10)
*Mean scores could indicate agreement …
- The OSU Extension Communiqué is an effective organizational information source.
(mean score of 7.43)
- Lack of customer awareness of OSU Extension resources is an issue in my county/unit.
(mean score of 7.35)
- The Pulse Survey summaries are effective organizational information sources.
(mean score of 7.15)
- The quarterly video Communiqués are effective organizational information sources.
(mean score of 6.94)
- OSU Extension is regarded by others as an organization that brings people together to address emerging statewide issues. (mean score of 6.43)
- I understand the process being used to develop Extension’s strategic plan. (mean score of 5.60)
*Using a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 10 (strongly agree)
To see the complete range of responses to these questions, click on the following link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Shared/SharedResultsPasswordPage.aspx?ID=L23DLGW6Z7JV. At the site, you will also see the April responses to the three questions we continue to ask each month: 1) OSU Extension is heading in the right direction; 2) I am committed to OSU Extension; and 3) I receive adequate support in completing my job responsibilities. These three questions are repeated monthly and compiled each six months.
Extension employees have been divided across six survey groups; since January, all of the organization has had the opportunity to respond to the monthly Pulse Survey. If you have not yet been contacted this year, please alert Linda Kutilek (kutilek.1@osu.edu) to be included on the mailing list. Your thoughts and opinions are important - we want to ensure that you’re provided with the opportunity to participate!
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The June 30 live Video Communiqué was cancelled, but Communications and Technology would like your help to evaluate some new distribution methods for future issues. CommTech will be sending a DVD to each county office during the week of July 21. The DVD will include the video presented at the May 15 spring conference on "See Yourself in Extension's Future," as well as a generic version of the video you can use in your local promotional efforts. The DVD will also contain tutorials on how to test a new streaming video format. Please review and test this information before the next live Video Communiqué on August 28.
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The Business Office has posted a new Travel Request Form to the Business Office Web site http://osuebusiness.ag.ohio-state.edu/ for Extension use. A copy of this form is also attached. Please note that on the form are two new questions:
1. Is this trip related to learning, teaching, or creating OSU research? Yes/No
2. Does this trip involve Multistate activity? Yes/No
These new questions must be completed by all Extension employees before a T number can be issued. Answers to these questions are required as of July 1, 2008. Extension needs this information to document research and multi-state activity each year for federal reporting. The federal guidelines have changed, and we apologize for the additional time it will take you to adjust to the new form. A brief summary of what Integrated Research (question 1) and Multi-State activity (question 2) mean to us is listed here (excerpts taken from USDA administrative manuals):
Research Activity (Integrated Research and Extension)
Integrated activities mean jointly planned, funded, and interwoven activities between research and extension to solve problems. This includes the generation of knowledge and the transfer of information and technology. Integrated activities may include coordinating committees, workshops, training, centers, projects and meetings as long as they are related to research and extension combined.
Multi-State Activity
Multi-state activity means collaborative efforts that reflect the programs of institutions located in at least two or more states or territories. Each participating state must be a collaborator toward the objectives and be involved in the outcomes. Examples of multi-state extension activities may include contracts, grants, committees, projects, trainings, workshops, centers, and meetings that involved more than one State.
Note - This form applies to travel processed through the Business Office, regional offices and state units. It does not apply to academic org travel entered through academic offices.
Contact Cindy Buxton (buxton.65@osu.edu) with questions.
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Due to staffing changes, CommTech has changed its poster printing and production policies as of July 1, 2008. The customer will be responsible for design. CommTech will print and laminate. Submit files on a CD or jump drive in PowerPoint (MS Office 2007 or earlier versions). Allow five business days for printing once CommTech receives the file (include shipping and delivery time). The cost for printing is $12 per foot; $2 per foot for laminating. Provide complete contact information (name, address, phone, e-mail). You will also need to indicate poster dimensions. Maximum size for a laminated poster is 36” x 54”. Without lamination, the maximum size is 42” x 54”. Shipping and delivery charges will be the responsibility of the customer.
Send all files and poster printing requests to:
Communications and Technology
Attn: April Martin
1680 Madison Ave, 208 Research Services
Wooster, Ohio
330-263-3780
martin.881@osu.edu
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Workforce Preparation in the Knowledge Economy - Call for Applications
(Using e-blended educational methodologies to educate Extension professionals about workforce preparation and encourage the adoption of innovative technology tools.)
- Interested in learning more about the Knowledge Economy and how you can integrate its key concepts into your existing programming?
- Think the Knowledge Economy is only about economic development?
- Would you like to gain first-hand experience with cutting edge program delivery tools like podcasts, blogs and other distance learning tools?
- Did you miss past Blended e-Learning opportunities but have been hearing great things?
If you said yes to any of these questions, then you may wish to consider participating. Twenty Extension professionals will be selected this fall to participate in a program to gain knowledge and understanding about workforce preparation in the Knowledge Economy. Course content will be delivered using blended methods over an eight-week span starting October 9, 2008.
For detailed information, visit the Web site at http://knowecon-cms.ag.ohio-state.edu/workforce-preparation-initiative/blended-e-learning-fall-2008/. A copy of the complete Call for Applications is also attached.
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Steve Brady, 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator in Warren County, has been awarded the ESP Spring Scholarship. Steve was one of four applicants for the professional development scholarship. Congratulations Steve!
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The 2008 National Outreach Scholarship Conference will be held at Penn State on October 7-9, 2008. The conference will feature interactive sessions, networking opportunities, and keynote addresses all focusing on The Scholarship of Outeach and Engagement: What is It and Why Does It Matter? The call for registrations is attached. You can also visit the conference Web site at www.outreach.psu.edu/outreach-scholarship for more details and a link to online registration.
The Office of University Outreach and Engagement will be facilitating a carpool in Ohio State vans as a transportation option. If you are interested, please contact Vicki Reed (reed.749@osu.edu) by September 1, 2008. (Information courtesy of Karen Bruns, Leader, Outreach and Engagement and OSU CARES).
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eXtension's professional development opportunities are open to all Extension faculty, staff and employees. No pre-registration is necessary. July’s “30-Minute Sessions” include:
* July 8 at 2 p.m. ET -- Best Practices for Structuring Your Web Content by Ben MacNeill, eXtension User Interface Designer. This session will introduce the idea of the three parts of modern Web page structure - content, presentation and behavior. The focus will be on how to improve content structure, because everything else gets stripped away as content moves across the Web. When a page is accessed by mobile devices, feeds and search engines, all that matters is the writing and html markup.
* July 16 at 2 p.m. ET -- Ask eXtension Widget. Learn how to use the Widget to receive and answer client questions directly from your county Web site. Take questions from your clients, and use the 40,000 questions in the FAQ system to help you provide timely and accurate answers. This session will show you what is necessary to begin using the Widget immediately in your own counties.
* July 17 at 2 p.m. ET -- Twitter: Easy Way to Microblog and Be Social by Anne Adrian, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University. Twitter is a way to have short, disjointed conversations, maintain relationships, and share information. Twitter has also been used in emergency situations, such as the San Diego fires, and by NASA to describe its recent mission to Mars. See examples how Twitter is used by Extension colleagues to cmmunicate inside and outside of the Extension community.
These sessions will be held at the Web Conferencing Center at http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/learn. Plan to join each session 5 minutes before the starting time. Instructions are attached.
Recordings of many past professional development sessions can be found at the main eXtension wiki at http://about.eXtension.org/wiki. Scroll down under the Professional Development heading and find “Recordings of eXtension Professional Development Sessions,” or search on the word Recordings.
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