August 17, 2009
FY2010 - One-Time Only Program Funding Opportunities
Reprinted from Dr. Smith's August 11 message to the organization...The past year has seen some major changes within the system. We have reorganized into Extension Education and Research Areas (EERAs), introduced signature programs, and been challenged by the economic difficulties in the state and county budgets. Throughout all of these changes, you have remained committed to OSU Extension and the people we serve. I am extremely proud and grateful to each of you for the dedication you have shown. Because of the uncertain state budget situation, OSU Extension has been very frugal. We have eliminated some duplication of efforts, streamlined operations, and improved our cost recovery efforts throughout the organization. As a result of this, OSU Extension has built a small amount of cash reserves that can now be committed to programming across each area and the state. NOTE: the money in this cash reserve fund is for a one-time use only. This money has been saved via cost recovery efforts and OSURF in-directs. None of this cash was generated via the state-level RIFs that occurred this spring. To further clarify, the cash reserve fund is non-sustainable and is not annual rate monies. Annual rate monies are the sustainable funding from federal, state and county sources that provide salary funds for OSU Extension personnel. Annual rate funds are received and used each year, while the spending of the cash reserve is a one-time opportunity. For more explanation about this funding opportunity, please review the attached summary. |
Pulse Survey - Thoughts on Implementing the Strategic Plan
Recently, 25 of your colleagues shared their opinions and insights in response to the open-ended question in the monthly pulse survey. Here are some samples of the responses to the question “The most effective strategies and action steps currently being implemented from the Extension Strategic Plan launched in May 2008 are…”
To see a complete list of the responses shared, you can access the Web site at: http://www.zoomerang.com/Shared/SharedResultsPasswordPage.aspx?ID=L23UH4GTQG5Z Each month, the responses gathered from the pulse survey are shared with the members of the Extension administrative cabinet, and with the organization through the Communiqué posting. We encourage you to participate in the pulse survey twice a year when you receive the e-mail invitation from Ken Martin. |
Signature Authority Chart - OSU Extension Roles and Responsibilities
The attached file is a clarification of the roles and responsibilities related to signature authority within OSU Extension. This is a correction to the message printed in the July 15 issue of Communiqué. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources or the Business Office. |
OSU Extension Web Site Design Update
As we mentioned in the March 25 issue of Communiqué, OSU Extension is implementing a new Web site design. A “design requirements” team of Extension personnel across the organization met regularly last year to determine basic site needs, county and state-level information requirements, and design suggestions. This team also incorporated suggestions from a focus group of Ohio State and consulting Web experts, as well as a focus group of Extension educators. All county sites will be converted to Extension’s new Web architecture, which uses the Plone v3 content management system. Plone v3 is much improved over Plone v1, which most counties are currently using. The state site will undergo the same updates. Ultimately, EERA sites, program areas, team, and other unit sites will be incorporated into the new design plan as well. This will standardize the look and basic content for all OSU Extension sites. The new site design and platform will be a tremendous improvement in our public Extension presence - and much improved functionality in the site management itself. The overall look will be very much on-brand and will represent OSU Extension consistently. As such, the basic page template will be permanent, but there are many customizable areas on each site. County offices will have much flexibility in the information that can be published on the site. An event calendar is a major part of the site redesign, the eXtension widget will be part of every county site, and a search engine will be available as the site redesign makes progress. Updating our Web presence is a priority for Extension. This work is occurring in conjunction with the restructuring and strategic plan implementation, and this effort will enhance our message that OSU Extension is one organization throughout the state. All counties will move to the new site/platform. While we transfer content to the new sites, the existing sites will remain as the public site. We have identified a group of “content migration assistants” who will work behind the scenes to review, update and move content to the new county pages. By mid-fall (goal = October 30), the existing sites will no longer function and all of the new county sites will be “live.” Please note: NO outside hosts/organizations, domains or templates will be utilized once all content is transferred and the new sites are live. The new site design is the OSU Extension design. This will enhance our look, increase our efficiency, and provide consistency across the organization. The OSU Extension state site content will also be transferred this fall, once the county site migration is underway. This entire project is a work in progress - assistance will be continually available and future page updates will be addressed as needed. Those identified to help with the content migration will be able to attend in-person and WebEx training sessions from August 24 to September 29, with podcasts and continuing technical assistance after the training period. More information will be shared as the site testing is completed and training takes place. |
Competency Research Seminar & Model Information Available
As identified in Extension’s strategic plan, we are moving forward with our transition to a competency-based approach to human resource management. A competency model will provide a more integrated approach to our human resource efforts. The foundation for the OSU Extension Competency Model has been developed and was shared in the June Video Communiqué and a research seminar on July 27. As time allows, please review information about the OSU Extension Competency model that is now available on the HR web site at http://extensionhr.osu.edu/compmodel.htm. If you were not able to participate in the research seminar on July 27 and would like to learn more about how the core competencies were identified, a recording is available for viewing at http://extensionhr.osu.edu/compmodel/compbginfo.htm. HR team members are available to lead short sessions for groups of employees interested in learning more about competencies and competency-based HR. Look for more information this fall about next steps in our transition to a competency-based approach to human resource management. |
Changes to EEETs
Several changes have been made recently to the Program Development and Evaluation (PDE) Web site. These changes include:
Also, please make a note of Program Development and Evaluation’s Web address and office location: http://pde-cms.ag.ohio-state.edu/; Room 25 Agricultural |
Marketing Assistance - Working with CommTech
Your Marketing Needs...CommTech's Services...Working Together More Closely Communications and Technology staff members are available to assist the entire organization with brand compliance and marketing needs. Our brand standards are a set of guidelines designed to increase our efficiency within the organization and improve public recognition of OSU Extension. When we adhere to these standards, we help our clientele make an automatic connection to OSU Extension. We need consistent signage, use of logos, and basic messages to remind others that we are one organization. Please work with the marketing contact for your region to ensure compliance with the OSU Extension brand standards. The following information includes your primary contact and an overview of basic services provided. If you have any questions or additional material requests, contact your CommTech liaison directly. The nine Extension Education and Research Areas are split within CommTech by area:
There are three types of jobs, and each has its own initial process:
CommTech provides the following marketing services:
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Excellence in Extension Award - Nominations Open
Excellence in Extension Award nominations will be open 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. To nominate someone, complete a nomination form, posted at 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. You will also need to include 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. Please submit nominations by September 20 to: Vicki Schwartz, ESP Excellence in Extension Chair, c/o South Central Region, 16714 S.R. 215, Caldwell, OH 43724; fax: 740-732-5992; office phone: 614-292-6942; cell phone: 740-584-2510. |
CES Annual Membership Drive
The annual Chi Epsilon Sigma membership drive began on August 3. Chi Epsilon Sigma (CES) is Extension's professional organization for support staff. Membership is open to all support staff who have at least a 45 percent appointment with Extension. Annual CES membership dues are $15. Extension administration reaffirms that dues may be paid from county/department budgets with supervisor approval. To encourage staff to join who may not be able to because of budget constraints, six membership scholarships will be available. You can request an application by checking the appropriate box on the membership form. Membership information and the application are posted at http://ces.ag.ohio-state.edu/membership (also attached). This year's CES Annual Meeting will include a breakfast on December 17 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, Columbus, in partnership with the all-Extension annual conference. The theme of this year's conference is "A New EERA in Extension" (December 16-17). Mark your calendar and plan to attend. A $100 scholarship will be awarded to a CES member to assist with expenses to attend the annual meeting and conference. Criteria will be based on restricted financial funding, and an application will be sent if you check the box on the membership form. Now is the time to consider membership in CES - the Extension support staff professional organization. Experience the many benefits of CES membership. |
Modernization of the Rules Governing Reduction in Force of Classified Civil Service Employees
OSU HR has just completed updating its CCS rules, policy, and practice on Recruitment, Appointments, and Selection. The next set of rules to be updated relates to the CCS Reduction in Force process including: Reduction in Force, Definitions of Terms, and Procedure for Adoption, Amendment or Rescission of Rules and Opting out of Provisions of the Ohio Revised Code. A 30-day comment period is scheduled for August 1-30. Anyone is welcome to review the proposed rules and provide feedback. Columbus Campus
Medical Center
Regional Campuses (ATI, OARDC, Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark, Extension offices, research stations, and other non-Columbus locations)
The current and proposed rules will be posted online July 28-August 31 at: http://hr.osu.edu/ccsmod.aspx. Feedback can be offered from August 1-30 during public forums or via e-mail to: CCSmodernization@hr.osu.edu. If you have questions or concerns about the CCS Modernization process, please contact Eunice Hornsby (ehornsby@hr.osu.edu). If you have questions about the content of the proposed Reduction in Force rules, e-mail CCSmodernization@hr.osu.edu, Katie Hall (khall@hr.osu.edu), or Olga Esquivel-Gonzalez (ogonzale@hr.osu.edu). |
CFAES Staff Appreciation
Dear CFAES Staff, First and foremost, thank you for your dedication to our college and our university, and especially to the state of As we begin Staff Appreciation week, your CFAES Staff Advisory Council takes this opportunity to extend our thanks to all the staff members throughout the state of If you are interested in learning more about the CFAES Staff Advisory Council, our mission and how we are active in the College and university, please visit our Web site at http://sac.ag.ohio-state.edu/. For our staff members located throughout the state in our outlying offices, please look for a token of our appreciation in your county mail this week. And for those who are able to travel to or who are located at the Sincerely, Jeanne Osborne
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New SENR Director Named
As the result of a comprehensive national search, it is a pleasure to announce that I will be recommending to the OSU Board of Trustees the appointment of Dr. Ronald L. Hendrick, Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, to serve as the Director of the School of Environment and Natural Resources. Subject to approval by the Board, Dr. Hendrick’s appointment will begin on November 1. An effective and proven leader, scholar, and instructor, Ron exemplifies the qualities highlighted as priorities for the position, and we look forward to his leadership in this role. Many thanks to the SENR Chair Search Committee, led by Nick Basta, and all who have participated in this important process. --Dr. Bobby Moser, Vice President, Agricultural Administration and Dean, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
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Animal Welfare Initiative Updates - September 10 & October 16
College of September 10 -- 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Room 103, Kottman Hall, Who: ANR and 4-H educators/program assistants, county directors, faculty, administrators, and graduate students across all CFAES and Veterinary Medicine departments. What: The landscape for food animal production is undergoing rapid change. The in-service update will provide current information about issues relevant to Registration Fee: $25 by September 2 (covers lunch, breaks, parking, materials); $30 between September 2 and September 7 (last day of registration); Register online at: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229H92NSR6B. The Ohio State University Animal Welfare Symposium:
October 16 -- Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Animal Sciences in the The goal of the symposium is to build partnerships to pro-actively address animal welfare issues in |
OARDC Research Enhancement Competitive Grants Program
SEEDS: The OARDC Research Enhancement Competitive Grants Program request for proposals has been released for FY2010. All CFAES faculty members have or will soon be receiving the RFP in their mailboxes.
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AEE 342 - Fundamentals of Personal and Professional LeadershipPlease review the attached flier for information about this Autumn Quarter five-credit class that will improve your knowledge, skills and capacity for personal and professional leadership. |
August eXtension Professional Development Opportunities
Give eXtension staff 30 minutes and they'll teach you something useful. eXtension's professional development opportunities are open to all Extension faculty, staff and employees. No pre-registration is necessary. The August "30-Minute Sessions" include: *August 25 at 2pm ET - Repurposing Content for Moodle by Jennifer Jahedkar, Texas AgriLife Extension, Extension eLearning. *August 26 at 2pm ET - Getting Started Answering AaE Questions by Kevin Gamble, eXtension. Learn how AaE works, how to get started, set your preferences, create your profile, and get involved in answering either through an eXtension Community of Practice or by answering questions where there are no communities. Discuss general question-answering guidelines and etiquette. 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 fnd "Recordings of eXtension Professional Development Sessions" or search on the word Recordings. |