**URGENT** Navigational Notes: Structure and Status Report

The OSUE restructuring plan is being finalized this week, and the executive summary of the plan will be sent on Tuesday, March 3 (8am) to all CEDs. Please be available to review the summary and talk with your CED on Tuesday, if possible. As previously agreed, all CEDs should also be prepared to contact your county commissioners and discuss the plan on Tuesday and Wednesday, before Keith sends a letter and the executive summary to all county commissioners on Wednesday evening.

Note: The group that met on February 24 was previously mis-identified as the restructuring team; on Tuesday, most members of Administrative Cabinet met to discuss plan specifics.

Video Communiqué - March 2 Issue Delayed

The next Video Communiqué, originally set to be released on March 2, will be slightly delayed - new date to be announced soon. It will contain primarily an update and answer major questions on the OSU Extension restructuring plan.

Pulse Survey - Assessing Change Over Time

We used the pulse survey to compare responses following the May implementation meeting for the strategic plan, and responses following the annual conference sessions. Nine of the 11 questions were repeated in December, with the mean scores noted below.

Members of the Change Team and the Administrative Cabinet have reviewed these results and are focused on continuing to build better understanding through communication as we move ahead in implementing the strategic plan. Both groups found the results comparison from the May survey to the December survey to be encouraging, and they noted areas of needed attention.

To see the complete range of scores used to identify the mean for the December questions, click on the following link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Shared/SharedResultsSurveyResultsPage.aspx?ID=L23NHLZ59JJY.

Your thoughts and suggestions are appreciated, and survey results are reviewed monthly. Every Extension employee will have two opportunities to respond each year; remember to complete the pulse survey when you are contacted via e-mail.

Signature Program Review Process

The OSU Extension Program Team and the assistant directors (ADs) have determined a basic process for identifying new Signature Programs, as well as suggestions for evaluating existing programs. In 2010, the ADs will begin an annual review of all Signature Programs. They will bring recommendations for new or retiring programs back to the Program Team, and suggestions will be forwarded to Cabinet for a final decision. The regional directors will also be involved in the process.

Guidelines were previously developed for choosing the current signature programs. The criteria for the initial Signature Program choices included: a limit of six programs at any one time; the program list may be static for two to three years; the programs must show measurable impacts; they must incorporate multiple program/disciplinary expertise, resources and impact; and they should have an existing Web site and curriculum materials. The Signature Programs also should have the potential to be replicated across the state system, as well as benefit multiple program and impact areas.

To begin the process, the Signature Program team leaders will be presenting updates at the next Program Team meeting on March 11. The OSUE Strategic Plan - Step 7 (see the Strategic Plan shortcut button on the Extension home page - http://www.extension.osu.edu/) provides a summary of each program's purpose, issue(s) impacted, Web site address, and team contacts - as well as the basic parameters for the Signature Programs.

Google Docs - When is Free Not Really Free?

Many Extension professionals are interested in the adoption and use of Web-based collaboration tools. One of the more popular tools is the suite of applications from Google known as “Google Docs.”

There are certain advantages to the use of Google Docs, such as having an easy way to accomplish collaboration, anytime access (provided that a connection to the Internet exists), browser-based access to information, and of course, Google’s no-cost, free-of-charge business model. Google Docs are simple to set up and easy to access.

These advantages are of particular interest to corporate users, where adoption is generally free from any governmental regulation or public records limitations. However, Extension’s use of such tools is directly affected by federal and state laws, regulations, and specific OSU policies. It is important for Extension professionals to understand the legal implications involved with the use of Google Docs to ensure compliance with these laws, regulations, and policies. The attached document reviews some of those implications.

P&T and A&P Review Deadline Reminders

Extension Faculty: A reminder that April 6 is the deadline for submitting vitas for the spring preview by the Department Promotion and Tenure Committee. This is for probationary faculty considering promotion, promotion and tenure, fourth-year review and transfer. We strongly encourage all second-, third-, and fifth-year probationary faculty to also submit vitas for preview, as the Promotion and Tenure Committee will assign mentors for those who submit vitas by April 6. This will be very advantageous in fine-tuning your vitas for the required review in the fall. Submit 10 copies of your vita to Ken Martin along with a letter requesting consideration for promotion by the April 6 deadline. Click here for the 2009/2010 Promotion and Tenure Dossier Outline. Questions: Contact Ken Martin (martin.1540@osu.edu).

For those requesting A&P promotion, submit 10 copies of your vita to your regional director, along with a letter requesting consideration for promotion or transfer. An outline of the entire process is available online at: Guidelines and Process for A&P Promotion.

Venture Funds - April 2009 Update

All Venture Funds budgeted previously have been allocated. Therefore, there will be no call for proposals for the April 24 deadline. We are hopeful we will be able to replenish the Venture Fund account in July and accept proposals.

2008 County Highlights Now Available Online

The 2008 County Highlights are nowposted online at: http://ohioline.osu.edu/county/highlights/index.html. For Lawrence County, the 2007 Highlights are included. If you have questions about the highlights, please contact Suzanne Steel, marketing director, Communications & Technology (steel.7@osu.edu; 614-292-9637).

Thalheimer Recognized for International Efforts

Mary Lynn Thalheimer was recently awarded an "Outstanding Quality Programs" award for 2008, from the States' 4-H International Exchange Programs Board in recognition of her work. From the Board's notification: "You have been the Ohio State coordinator for 19 years; and for 19 consecutive years, you have completed 100% placement of both Labo month-long and year-long students. Not only have you consistently placed all of the delegates assigned to your state, you have taken last-minute delegates from other states. Also, since 2000, with the month-long exchange, Ohio has committed to the largest number of delegates of any state partnered with the States' 4-H International Exchange Programs. Congratulations on this endeavor! We appreciate all your hard work and dedication to the 4-H exchange programs. Because of your efforts, families across Ohio have access to the cross-cultural experiences that are so important in this 21st century."

Leadership for Tomorrow Conference Registration Open

Registration is now open for the Leadership for Tomorrow: Exploring New Approaches conference to be held on April 28-30 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Columbus. Visit the registration page at http://www.leadershipfortomorrow.osu.edu/.

The time to lead is NOW. More than ever, your staff and clientele look to you for leadership. Although it's easy these days to bypass professional development opportunities to focus on day-to-day challenges, it's time to cultivate and display the leadership your organization needs. This conference brings together outstanding speakers to address the challenges of today - including time, energy, capacity, and perspective. You can't afford to ignore your own leadership skills. Learn how to handle today's challenges with focus, resilience, and sensitivity. Attend and get real answers to help you move forward.

Promising Young Women Conference 2009

County Extension Educators: The ladies of the Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority are inviting all high school girls with an interest in agriculture and natural sciences to attend the Promising Young Women Conference on April 3. If you would pass this message and the attached flier along to 4-H members or others in your county who may benefit from learning about the opportunities available to them as women in the agricultural industry, Sigma Alpha would be very grateful.

Ohio Agri-Women Host March Seminar

Ohio Agri-Women is holding its second annual "Seminar for Women in Agriculture" on March 14  from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Ohio Department of Agriculture, 8995 East Main Street in Reynoldsburg. The $20 registration fee includes lunch.

The agenda includes workshops on bridging to another generation, social media and marketing, government, and local marketing. Marcie Williams, the national president of American Agri-Women, will be the keynote speaker. For more information, contact Peggy Clark, OAW president at 937-885-5965 or visit www.ohioagriwomen.com. Ohio Agri-Women was organized in October 1980 and is an affiliate of American Agri-Women. Members work on issues affecting agriculture and promote an understanding of farming to the general public.  Our vision is to educate our legislators, educate consumers, educate ourselves.

Office of Research - Upcoming Training and Events

The Office of Research, Training, Education, and Communication (ORTEC) works with all Office of Research administrative units to develop and coordinate comprehensive training, education, and communication for The Ohio State University research community. The Office of Research is providing a number of training opportunities for The Ohio State University research community. Select the educational format that suits your schedule and learning preferences. Learn more about each session at http://research.osu.edu/ortec. Featured topics include cost sharing, being a principal investigator at Ohio State, research funding opportunities, and Web-based proposal preparation.

2009 National American Indian Science & Engineering Fair - Judges Callout

The North Central region will host the 2009 National American Indian Science & Engineering Fair (NAISEF) on March 26-28, St. Paul, Minnesota. This year's fair will feature 300 displays submitted by students in grades 5 to 12 who attend American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) affiliate schools.

AISES is now recruiting judges for the upcoming annual NAISEF. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet, support and encourage up-and-coming American Indian scientists, mathematicians and engineers while serving as a NAISEF judge.

NAISEF is an annual event for Native American students to actively participate in a science-based learning environment and to create science projects that can be shared among peers, teachers, and educators. NAISEF provides a forum for students to have their research recognized in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. Judges play a very important role in NAISEF - as role models, proponents of science and engineering professions, and advocates for research. To register as a judge, please download the judges' registration form (http://www.aises.org/userfiles/Judges_Registration_Form_2009.pdf). The deadline to register is March 13. For judging questions, contact Tina Pino (tina@aises.org; 505-765-1052 x105).

Patterson Lecture - April 24

The sixth annual James F. Patterson Land-Grant University Lecture will be held on April 24 - 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. Registration is now open at http://outreach.osu.edu/patterson_lecture.php. Eric Fingerhut, chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, will be the featured speaker. Recipients of outreach-related grants will be announced, and nominees for the Outreach Scholarship W.K. Kellogg Foundation Engagement Award will be recognized.

Personnel Update