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June 20, 2008
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Now that the 2008 OSU Extension Strategic Plan is completed, the task of implementing the plan has begun. One of these tasks will be getting an Assistant Director for Community Development on board. Both of us are working on this transition which we hope will be finalized by August 1st. The plan is to accept applicants from internal candidates until July 1st. On July 16th candidates will be invited to make presentations to the selection committee, educators, specialists, staff and administration in the Agriculture Administration Auditorium in Columbus. Don Ordaz and others from Commuications and Technology are making arrangements to make available web streaming of the candidate presentations to the organization.. Each candidate will also be given opportunities to talk with the interview committee and various members of administrative cabinet along with our Director of Extension. We hope that some of you will explore this interesting and exciting opportunity and apply for the position. Candidate requirements are to have a Ph.D., faculty appointment and tenure preferred.
As you review the performance goals and strategies in the Strategic Plan, you will notice that the opportunities for community development work are all over the place. While learning more about the initial six Signature Programs, you will notice that two of the six are being led by Community Development Extension Specialists. In the years ahead you will notice more and more opportunities to work in your areas of interest and specialization that are consistent with the strategic plan and existing and future signature programs.
If anyone would like to visit with us on questions or concerns about the implementation of the OSU Extension Strategic Plan, please contact us at conglose.1@osu.edu or davis.1081@cfaes.osu.edu
Enjoy the summer,
Greg and John
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Philanthropy can be a powerful tool for community development. Along with private and public resources, philanthropic investment provides additional opportunities for communities to grow by creating a local culture of empowerment and self-sufficiency. Although Ohio boasts the first community foundation, established in Cleveland in 1914, and more than 60% of the other counties within the state now operate community foundations, most are outside of Ohio’s 29-county Appalachian Region.
In an effort to grow opportunities for community development, OSU Extension, supported in part by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, has established an educational program with a focus on expanding philanthropic knowledge and practice within Appalachian Ohio. Extension Specialist for Community Philanthropy, Becky Nesbitt explained, “The goal is to help communities see the value and the power of philanthropy. And then teach them how to capture and build upon those opportunities.”
Partnering with the other grant making organizations within the Appalachian Region, OSU Extension is providing information to help community leaders understand the importance of retaining the wealth that already exists within their area. “Counties without a vehicle for charitable giving often see their resources leaching out to more urban areas of the state,” said Nesbitt. “By developing and expanding their philanthropic base, counties are choosing to make a long term investment in their future.”
For more information contact Becky Nesbitt at nesbitt.21@osu.edu or 740-292-4900.
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Nineteen Ohio Farmers’ Markets around Ohio have formed a new cooperative; the Farmer’s Market Management Network, Inc. The cooperative was formed after the OSU South Centers held two exploratory meetings with representatives from some of Ohio’s Farmers’ Markets. The participants indicated a need to work cooperatively to improve Ohio’s Farmers’ Markets. While the group is still in the planning stage, some of the areas of interest include: networking with other markets, potential joint marketing ventures, shared resources, and training opportunities.
Christie Welch, Business Development Specialist, at the OSU South Centers will also be working with the new cooperative to begin offering training and assistance to Ohio’s farmers’ markets, their manager, boards, and vendors/producers. For more information about the Farmer’s Market Management Network contact the OSU South Centers’ Tom Snyder, snyder.11@osu.edu or Christie Welch, welch.183@osu.edu
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Joe Konen and Chet Bowling working with the Cleveland Ward 2 Education Committee held an Education Summit for John Adams High School. The focus of the Summit, which was funded in part by America’s Promise, was to increase the graduation rate. The intent of the Summit was to organize local people who would, after the Summit, create lasting projects that increased graduation rate.
One of the most noteworthy outcomes of the Summit was a program led by a Summit participant and implemented by a group of women from the General Motors plant in Parma. The women, all GM employees and members of an internal organization called “Women in Manufacturing,” took 93 girls from John Adams High School to the Parma plant and introduced them to professional careers in the world of manufacturing. The attitudes about school of the John Adams students who participated in the program were transformed and the girls are looking forward to another opportunity to learn more about professional opportunities for women next year. This program is an outstanding example of how professional women can engage with high school girls in a way that changes lives for the better.
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As part of the 2008 Ohio Township Association/OSU Extension Township Official Educational Series, 40 township officials from throughout Ohio gained a better understanding of comprehensive development planning. More than half indicated they learned new ways for creating or updating a comprehensive plan. As a result of the workshop, nearly a quarter of participants indicated they planned to work towards developing a Comprehensive Plan for their township. For more information, contact Eric Imerman at imerman.1@osu.edu or 740-852-0975.
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The First Impressions Program, developed over five years ago in Ohio and based on a model community assessment program from Wisconsin Extension, is branching out to another potential community type - townships. Over 30 Communities, Main Streets/Downtowns and Byways/Tourism Corridors have participated in Ohio's First Impressions since it was introduced in Ohio. Impacts realized at the local level include an assessment of the effectiveness of your community's planning efforts, including an identification of features needing improvement or assets to build upon. Two communities are matched, trained volunteers visit the other community anonymously, a report of the visit is completed and a presentation is made to the visited community. Benefits to Extension include collaboration with community leaders and organizations in new ways. Educators from all four of the program areas have been involved with this program, and it is listed in the Strategic Plan as an Extension Program that has successfully addressed Ohio's economy issues.
More information on the First Impressions program and a downloadable brochure can be accessed at http://1stimpressions.osu.edu/ or by contacting Myra Moss at moss.63@osu.edu
If you know of a Township that might be willing to participate in this pilot program (with a population ranging from 4000-8000, or a population density of roughly 100-150 people per square mile) please contact Myra Moss at moss.63@osu.edu
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The Foundations of Practice - Understanding Communities and their Dynamics is a distance education program that will focus on understanding community, the dynamic components of community, principles of practice, community demographics, community economics, power structures, situational analysis and roles of Extension, community sustainability, and community development processes.
Seven 1.5 hour sessions are offered on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Central Standard Time using Breeze technology and a phone line.
• Tuesdays, September 30 - November 11, 2008
• Wednesdays, October 1 - November 12, 2008
Sessions will be archived and can be retrieved if a session is missed. The fee for the series is $150, and scholarships may be available. For scholarship information, contact Shirley Cook at 614-292-6232. For more info, go to http://www.ncrcrd.iastate.edu/projects/corecomp/index.html or contact Anne Baird, Chet Bowling, and/or Chris Bruynis (past program participants).
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The theme of this year’s summit is Bonding Ohio Together and the Clean Ohio Fund’s renewal will be the focal issues of the gathering. The Summit key note speaker is David Kline, farmer, Amish Minister, author and publisher of Farming Magazine. Other highlighted speakers include leaders from successful township, county and nonprofit programs (both in and outside of Ohio) who will provide examples of creative collaboration strategies. The day will feature breakout sessions for attendees to choose from a variety of topics ranging from landowner basics, statewide land-use policies, creative local funding sources, and agriculture in the local economy. There will also be exhibition space and a lunch prepared with local foods. The event will be held at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, Columbus.
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Designed for educators (or others with similar responsibilities) with 18 months to three years experience, the Action Leadership Retreat is a professional development opportunity built around simulated on-the-job experiences. Led by a facilitator and two experienced Extension professionals who are trained as observers, ALR is designed to help you evaluate and reflect on your skills in twelve key areas (e.g., conflict management, communication, and interpersonal skills) important for success as an Extension professional.
Registration deadline is October 1, 2008. Space is limited and registrations will be accepted until we reach capacity! For additional information and to register, go to: http://extensionhr.osu.edu/resources/newemp/alrinfo.pdf
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Applications are being accepted until July 1, 2008 from internal Extension applicants only. An earned Ph.D. in related field required. Current Ohio State University faculty status required; tenure preferred.
Please direct any questions you might have about this position to Greg Davis (614-292-6356), or John Conglose (330-263-3799), Co-Interim Assistant Directors, Community Development. For a full position description, see the following website: http://extensionhr.osu.edu/jobs.html
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Workforce preparation in the knowledge economy: a blended e-learning approach
Invitation
Call for Applications: Workforce preparation in the knowledge economy
- 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 developoment?
- 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 the Knowledge Economy. Course content will be delivered using blended methods over a 8-week span starting October 9, 2008.
(Using e-blended educational methodologies to educate Extension professionals about workforce preparation and encourage the adoption of innovative technology tools)
Twenty Extension professionals will be selected this fall to participate in a program to gain knowledge and understanding about the Workforce Preparation in the Knowledge Economy. Course content will be delivered using blended methods over an 8-week span starting October 9, 2008.
For detailed information go to the website!
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