OSU Extension's Vision & the Strategic Plan

Vision: OSU Extension is a dynamic educational entity that partners with individuals, families, communities, business and industry, and organizations to strengthen the lives of Ohioans.

Our vision statement rings true - now as much as ever - as we work together in partnership toward implementing the strategic plan. If you have not reviewed your copy of the plan lately, now may be the time to take a second look! Summer programming is winding down for most of us; and, as we move into the autumn months, there is no better time than now to begin implementing some of the actions within our plan.

There are opportunities identified throughout the strategic plan to develop and continue partnerships - with colleagues, clientele, legislators, and stakeholders. Now is the time to start partnering in the delivery of a signature program, in identifying benefits of clustering, in increasing your outreach to new audiences, and in identifying methods to assess impacts of your efforts! Our vision, to strengthen the lives of Ohioans through partnerships, can be found throughout the strategic plan. It’s time - take a second look - and get involved in Extension’s future by getting involved in implementing the strategic plan!

An Example of Clustering

In response to the strategic plan, four Family and Consumer Sciences educators from Butler, Warren, Greene and Clermont counties have formed a suburban Family and Consumer Sciences Cluster. The tentative goals of the cluster group are to:

• share program ideas and strategies for working in suburban communities.
• share marketing resources and materials specifically targeting suburban audiences.
• discuss ideas for regional programs and trainings.
• discuss administrative challenges and opportunities.

The cluster had its first meeting on July 29. Another meeting is scheduled for September 5, 2008.

Pulse Survey – Learning from your Colleagues?

We’ve been sharing the results from the monthly Pulse survey for over a year and a half - what have you been learning? We have a large organization, with many varying opinions, ideas, and suggestions! The administrative cabinet members review the results of the most recent survey at each meeting to continually learn from and about the current thoughts within the organization.

As you review the information, what are you learning? It’s important that we all take the time to recognize and appreciate the similarities and differences of opinion within our organization…results of the pulse survey provide one source to do so.

In early July, your peers and colleagues shared the following responses:

*Mean scores that could indicate strong agreement…

• Support staff contributions are critical to the successful implementation of the Strategic Plan.
  (mean score of 8.16)
• I agree that OSU Extension programming is needed now more than ever before. (mean score of 8.01)

*Mean scores could indicate agreement …

• Our office has discussed the strategic plan during a recent staff meeting. (mean score of 6.88)
• I am aware that my Annual Performance Review in 2009 will include consideration of my contribution to a Signature Program. (mean score of 6.80)
• We have plans locally to reach new clientele audiences. (mean score of 6.57)

*Mean scores in the middle of the scale between agreement and disagreement …

• Extension’s focus for the next five years is clear to me. (mean score of 5.69)
• Clientele believe that we are out-of-touch and out-of-date. (mean score of 4.86

*Mean scores could indicate disagreement …

• I am waiting for someone to tell me what to do next. (mean score of 3.29)

*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: https://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=rq_2bcVarIeo0nOBMbgko_2bS2T329tDfMVJWA_2bHnPtgIWo_3d. At the site you will also see the 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 results are compiled each six months.

Next Video Communiqué - Available August 28

As you may recall, we have been exploring options for all county offices to have better access to the Video Communiqué, including a streaming video format. The next Video Communiqué has been pre-produced and will be available for your viewing online on August 28. The online address for the streaming video is: http://clickvideo.ag.ohio-state.edu/comunique_808/communique_808.html. The program will play in your Web browser using the Flash Video format. If you have problems viewing this format or are interested in one of the other online viewing options (such as a podcast), please refer to this Web site for further instructions: http://clickvideo.ag.ohio-state.edu/video_communique/communique.html.

A DVD with the Video Communiqué will also be included with your county mail packet arriving on September 2. CommTech recently sent another DVD to each county office with instructions on how to utilize streaming video technologies, and would like your feedback on which application worked best in your office. County directors - please respond to the CommTech survey via the link provided in an August 19 e-mail. Your responses will enable CommTech to determine the best delivery methods for all future streaming video productions and help OSU Extension as a whole learn how to better distribute mass programming.

Regional Update

Effective September 1, Holmes and Columbiana counties will become part of the North Central Region, and Fairfield and Pickaway counties will become part of the South East Region. A map of this change is attached.

The realignment of regional lines will result in more cost-effective travel for county staff and the supervisory responsibilities of regional directors. This change will also officially align counties with collaborative programming efforts that have traditionally taken place over the years. If you have any questions, contact Bev Kelbaugh or Jack Kerrigan.

County Visits This Fall

Keith Smith, Ken Martin, and Linda Kutilek will visit another 30 counties this fall, for a total of 60 counties throughout Ohio visited by year-end. The remaining 28 counties will be visited in spring 2009. A list of the specific counties to be visited this fall is attached.

This is your time to talk with an executive committee member one-on-one. And they appreciate the opportunity to meet with you, compare notes, and get feedback directly from all of the staff working with our county clientele.

Ohio Latino Work Force - Extension Survey

The Ohio Latino Work Force is a group of Extension educators and college faculty/staff striving to address issues involving agricultural businesses and Hispanic migrant labor throughout Ohio.

In an effort to better serve Ohio communities through the development and improvement of Extension programs, we are seeking assistance from county Extension offices in helping us identify Hispanic populations in your communities, as well as any programs that are offered.  

A short Zoomerang survey will be sent to all Extension the week of September 8 to gather this information for the group to compile and make available in an easy-to-access electronic document. The benefits of this survey to Extension will be countless.

The Ohio Latino Work Force appreciates your cooperation in filling out the survey. If you have any questions about the survey or the Ohio Latino Work Force, contact Marusela Anders (anders.40@cfaes.osu.edu; 614-292-2011) or Candace Pollock (pollock.58@osu.edu; 614-292-3799).

CFAES & Extension Fall Faculty Meeting – September 12

We encourage all Extension faculty to attend the CFAES Fall Faculty Meeting on September 12, 9:30-3pm at the Shisler Conference Center at OARDC, Wooster. The College Strategic Plan will be discussed; the complete agenda is attached. At the end of the meeting, we have scheduled a short meeting for Extension faculty from 3-4pm. Agenda items will include discussions on the revised APT and POA documents/voting summary and OSU:PRO/URS. We hope all will plan to stay for this one-hour meeting.

Registration is required for the CFAES Fall Faculty Meeting. RSVPs are due by September 8 to Carol Poe at poe.4@osu.edu.

HR Road Shows

During the past few months, OSU Extension Human Resources has been on the road throughout Ohio visiting with professionals from several Extension offices. The purpose of these visits is to dialogue informally about HR issues and concerns, discuss professional development needs, and ask staff what they need from Extension HR. The visits are scheduled with three to four offices selecting a mutual date and location. All Extension professionals are encouraged to attend. To date, there have been five road shows conducted, with three more scheduled in the coming weeks. If you would like to schedule an HR Road Show for your area of the state, contact Terri Gustafson (gustafson.29@osu.edu; 614-292-2399).

Gist Chair Advisory Committee Update

As part of his duties for the Gist Chair in Extension Education and Leadership, Keith Smith regularly informs the Gist Chair Advisory Committee about leadership issues and activities within Extension and CFAES, and across the university. At a recent meeting, Kristi Lekies shared some highlights of her current leadership research projects in Human and Community Resource Development; and Cindy Torppa previewed some preliminary findings of a study related to leadership processes and the new OSU Extension strategic plan.

Also as part of the Gist Chair, the Leadership for Tomorrow conference series was created in 2007. The first conference focused on "Excellence in Ethics," and the next conference on "Exploring New (Leadership) Approaches" will be held April 28-30, 2009. Planning is underway, and details will be released this fall.

Support Staff Conference

All support staff, please save the date... the Support Staff Conference will be held on October 22 & 23 at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. This year's theme is "In the Zone." More details will be sent via e-mail soon.

Excellence in Extension Award

Excellence in Extension Award nominations will be accepted through September 20. This annual award, sponsored by Epsilon Sigma Phi and OSU Extension, recognizes a superior Extension educator with a cash award of $1,000, plus the addition of $1,000 to the base salary. Nominations can be submitted by faculty, staff, clientele, or emeriti. Any Extension employee who is a current member of Epsilon Sigma Phi is eligible for this award. The award can be received one time only.

For a nomination form, visit http://ohioesp.osu.edu/forms/forms.htm. Click on Excellence in Extension Award. The nomination form will ask for examples of excellence in teaching, research, and service as well as a nomination letter.

Please take the time to nominate an outstanding colleague for this award. Remember, those who are not nominated have no chance of being recognized for what they have achieved. Submit nominations to Vicki Schwartz, OSU Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development, c/o South East Region Office, 16714 S.R. 215, Caldwell, OH 43724; schwartz.4@osu.edu; FAX: 740-732-5992.

Shirley Brooks-Jones Award Nominations

Nominations are due by August 31 for the CFAES Staff Advisory Council’s 2008 Shirley Brooks-Jones Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize staff members in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences who excel in providing outstanding and ongoing excellence in services to faculty, staff, students and/or others through communication, fairness, problem solving, and contribution to the common good.

The award is named after Shirley Brooks-Jones who served the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences as a staff member for 35 years. During her tenure, Shirley was very active in many college events, served on more than 20 university committees, and was known for outstanding service and making a significant difference for colleagues and customers. She is a role model for staff, faculty and students; and her name brings enormous prestige to this award. Visit the Staff Advisory Council’s website at http://sac.ag.ohio-state.edu/ for more information.

eXtension Releases New Strategic Roadmap

The eXtension Governing Committee has just approved a new Strategic Roadmap - an overall master plan for managing eXtension for success both for the long-term (5-7 years) and short-term (1-3 years). Russ Roberts, a management consultant and Adjunct Professor of Management and Organization, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, was hired to facilitate the planning effort. The process included the collection and analysis of feedback from many stakeholders, a review of technology trends and directions, a study of the habits and interests of online consumers, and discussion to ensure eXtension meets the goals of Cooperative Extension.

Over the next several months, eXtension's professional staff and contributors will further build on the new plan and begin the implementation process. As new strategic directions and actions are taken, we will make every attempt to keep you informed and involved.

To download copies of the full report or the executive summary, visit http://about.extension.org/, and look for "eXtension planning" under Quicklinks; or link directly via http://about.extension.org/wiki/Planning. If you have questions or comments, contact Dan Cotton, director of eXtension at dan.cotton@extension.org. 

Personnel Update