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March 13, 2009
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As you know, the executive summary and detailed explanation of the restructuring model were distributed last week. They are also available on the Extension site (http://www.extension.osu.edu/) via specially marked icons on the right side of the front page.
Thank you for sending in your questions regarding the plan and implementation process. We are incorporating each question as details are worked out, and more answers to the FAQs will be posted soon.
Keith has taped a brief video (about 25 minutes) about the legislative, restructuring and reduction-in-force processes. The link for this is is now online. You will need to have the latest Flash Player/Update/Plug In installed to view this. If your county cannot view the video via the online link once it is posted, please contact Cheryl Buck (buck.19@osu.edu) and a DVD will be sent to you via U.S. mail.
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You and your colleagues shared your opinions to the following questions asked in the January pulse survey:
*Mean scores that could indicate strong agreement…
- Today’s issues must be addressed through a multi-disciplinary approach. (mean score of 7.79)
- It is critical that we work to meet the programming needs of under-reached audiences. (mean score of 7.66)
- To remain effective, Extension delivery methods must change. (mean score of 7.60)
*Mean scores could indicate agreement …
- In 2014, Educators will work in clusters focusing on their specialization. (mean score of 6.77)
- OSU Extension serves as the front door to the university. (mean score of 6.56)
- I recognize how the strategic plan is being used to guide decision-making. (mean score of 5.98)
- Use of signature programs will result in increased funding for Extension. (mean score of 5.85)
Mean scores that could indicate disagreement …
- In 2014, Extension will have more personnel than today. (mean score of 3.66)
*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=L23PF9A28SZ9. At the site, you will also see the January 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. Your thoughts and opinions are important - we encourage you to continue to participate!
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Keith Smith, Ken Martin, Garee Earnest, and Linda Kutilek will be visiting 29 counties this spring, to complete their visits of all 88 counties in the last year. The counties visited will be: Allen, Ashtabula, Athens, Auglaize, Brown, Carroll, Clermont, Darke, Defiance, Delaware, Harrison, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Lorain, Lucas, Meigs, Miami, Ottawa, Paulding, Preble, Richland, Stark, Tuscarawas, Union, Washington, and Wayne.
The executive team is interested in your thoughts about the Strategic Plan, signature programs, OSU Extension in general, the restructuring process, and suggestions for improvement in any area. This is your time to talk with an executive committee member one-on-one. The Extension Administration office will be in touch with each county to schedule a visit date.
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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 faculty seeking a promotion and probationary faculty considering promotion and tenure, fourth-year review, and A&P educators seeking a 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 by April 6. For tensure faculty seeking a promotion, submit 10 copies of your vita, along with a letter requesting consideration for promotion by April 6. Click here for the current Appointments, Promotion, and Tenure document. 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.
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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. This is a difficult financial time, but also a time when strong leadership is especially needed. 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 also 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. At the Leadership for Tomorrow Conference: gain a new perspective on current leadership research and thought processes; re-examine your leadership "toolbox,;" and think about your own approach to leadership. Learn how to handle today's challenges with focus, resilience, and sensitivity. Attend and get real answers to help you move forward.
Also, please forward the conference information to any of your leadership contacts. The conference overview and schedule are attached.
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Faculty and staff from 13 OSU colleges and 14 departments have partnered with OSU Extension employees to develop OSU CARES grants applications this year. A total of 14 proposals requesting $254,068.40 in funding were submitted on February 27 for this competitive grants program. These grants have proven to be an effective means of enhancing Extension’s and the broader University’s connections with Ohioans, and to address very important issues affecting all of us. During March and April, the grants will be reviewed by individuals who have been involved in OSU Extension’s strategic and restructuring planning process. We are looking forward to supporting these grants as they demonstrate successful programming in our new organizational structure. The recipients of these grants will be announced at the James F. Patterson Land-Grant University Lecture on April 24 at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. Ohio Board of Regents’ Chancellor Eric Fingerhut will be the speaker. Visit http://outreach.osu.edu/patterson_lecture.php to register by April 17.
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The Office of Continuing Education (CEd) has developed a new four-week program called the “Career Development Series” that will be delivered to interested county OSU Extension offices via streaming video. Community Development (CD) administration has agreed to partner with CEd to provide instructional support and local application for this course, which will help Ohioans who are contemplating a career change or may be recently unemployed. CEd will provide four class sessions: Charting a Career, Writing Resumes That Get Noticed, Career Networking and Effective Job Search Strategies, and Interview For Success.
At the conclusion of each session, CD educators will have the opportunity to continue discussion with participants and give guidance on how to implement the presentation topices at the local level. A revenue-sharing model will be implemented for this program, in which 70 percent of the profits from the OSUE participating sites will be returned to the county office. The course will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. starting April 22. CD educators will receive an e-mail from John Conglose with details about a phone conference for all interested county offices on March 31. If you have questions, contact Ken Kulka in the Office of Continuing Education (kulka.1@osu.edu; 614-688-4174).
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The sixth annual James F. Patterson Land-Grant University Lecture will be held on April 24, 11am-1:30pm at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. Eric Fingerhut, chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, will be speaking on the Land-Grant College and the University System of Ohio: Evolving Roles in Higher Education. Higher education has long played a central role in Ohio’s history. From the 1862 Morrill Land-Grant Act to the creation of the University System of Ohio - which is helping Ohio compete in a knowledge-based economy, the state has understood that public education is necessary to create jobs and attract talent. Chancellor Fingerhut will discuss Ohio State’s leadership role as the state’s land-grant university in the University System of Ohio.
This will be an excellent time to hear Fingerhut's views on higher education in Ohio and ask questions. During lunch, there will be opportunities to discuss his remarks and dialogue with colleagues from across the university. Also, recipients of outreach-related grants will be announced, and nominees for the Outreach Scholarship W.K. Kellogg Foundation Engagement Award will be recognized. A light lunch will be provided. Register online by April 17 at http://outreach.osu.edu/patterson_lecture.php. Please share the attached postcard on the lecture with others in your unit.
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Dr. David Morrison will teach a "Write Winning Grants" seminar on Saturday, June 6. Morrison is co-founder and member of the Grant Writers' Seminars and Workshops, LLP. Key topics include: fundamental principles of grant writing, how to write for reviewers, how to identify the most applicable source of funding for an idea, how to use the Internet to your advantage, tips and strategies for resubmitting. Attendees of this full-day, hands-on course will also receive The Grant Application Writer's Workbook as a take-home manual. The seminar will be held at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center in Columbus and via video conference at Fisher Auditorium - OARDC in Wooster. The seminar is sponsored by the College of Education and Human Ecology Office of Research; the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Office of Research; the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center; and OSU Extension. Contact Lori Kaser (kaser.37@osu.edu) (FAES, OARDC questions) and Beth DeWitt (dewitt.2@osu.edu) (EHE questions).
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AEE 643 -- Youth Program Management in Non-School Settings
Thursdays: 12-2:48 PM; first class on April 2; 3 credits for grade; Call #00662-4
Principles, theories, and practices involved in conducting, supervising, and managing a youth program. For more information, e-mail Dr. Mary Beth Albright (Albright.75@osu.edu).
AEE 842 -- Leadership and Administration
Thursdays: 4-6:48 PM; first class on April 2; 3 credits for grade; Call #00684-1
Participants will learn theories, concepts, and principles of leadership, administration, and management of educational programs in school, Extension, non-profit, and community settings. For more information, e-mail Dr. Jeff King (king.20@osu.edu).
For other spring 2009 course opportunities, check out the following link: http://www.ureg.ohio-state.edu/course/spring/; click on “Master Schedule” by Agricultural and Extension Education.
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eXtension's professional development opportunities are open to all Cooperative Extension faculty, staff and employees. No pre-registration is necessary.
March 18 at 2-3 p.m. - Using Podcasts for Instruction by Pete Flores, Texas AgriLife Extension. Pete will discuss how he creates and uses podcasts for providing information technology instruction. He will also discuss statistics usage of the podcasts. A listing of Pete's podcasts are on http://agfacts.tamu.edu/~pflores/lessons and lessons on podcasting are at http://pdc.extension.org/course/category.php?id=3.
March 25 at 2-3:30 p.m. - Instructional Videos and Screencasting 101 will feature four presenters: Emily Rhoades of Ohio State, Janyne Kizer of NC State, Stephen Judd from the University of New Hampshire, and Kevin Gamble from eXtension. The presenters will each take 10-15 minutes to demonstrate how they put together videos for consumption via YouTube and other video-sharing sites. They will show the tools they use, their workflow, and other tips and tricks. Each uses different tools; this will be a broad exposure to a variety of techniques. Video has quickly become the preferred format for distributing information, with YouTube becoming the second most popular Web site in the world in just four years. This session will be broadcast; use computer speakers for audio, not phone. Audience interaction will be done using the built-in chat capabilities.
The March "30-Minute Sessions" include:
* March 19 at 2pm ET - MediaWiki Bare Essentials by Beth Raney, eXtension. This will cover the basics you need to get started working in an eXtension wiki.
* March 26 at 2pm ET - Subversion Clients Roundtable by Brian Webster, Stephen Judd and Ben MacNeill. A demo and discussion of various client applications/interfaces for subversion, a centralized version control system.
* March 31 at 2pm ET - Advanced Google Analytics by Ben MacNeill, eXtension user interface designer. Once you are familiar with the basic features and tools in Google Analytics, it's time to learn more advanced features.
* April 1 at 2pm ET - Using Facebook for Professional Networking by Mark Light, OSU Extension. Users will explore different features that Facebook has to offer.
These sessons are held in the Web Conferencing Center at http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/learn. Plan to join the session 5 minutes before 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 to find "Recordings of eXtension Professional Development Sessions" or search on the word Recordings.
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