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June 3, 2009
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We are making progress on a number of plans for implementing the restructuring model, and listed below are several short updates. There has been no state budget update since the video communiqué was posted last week. If you have specific questions about the restructuring, please contact your county director and/or EERA leader. The EERA leaders will now be meeting monthly, and at least one regional director and one assistant director will attend each meeting.
Shared Services and Accountant Update
The shared services model is posted online for your review at any time. This document clarifies how the shared services concept and the accountant positions will work within the organization. Not every question has been answered yet, but these positions and shared services are moving us in the right direction in accordance with our strategic plan.
Area Accountants
All of the accountant position descriptions have been posted for all to review. The application period closed May 27; the search committee is now reviewing applications and will move forward with interviews as soon as possible.
Video Communiqué
If you have not yet viewed the latest video communiqué presented by Keith Smith and Ken Martin, visit http://clickvideo.ag.ohio-state.edu/communique_509/communique_509.html. If you cannot view the video online, contact Cheryl Buck (buck.19@osu.edu) to request a DVD.
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Recently, 48 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 their response to the question
“To effectively implement the restructuring plan, we will need to…”
- keep in mind that it is the public that we serve and that we need to provide programming based on their needs, not on what we want to present. Providing the basic information people need to adapt to the current economic situation will provide more public support for Extension than will Signature Programs.
- make each EERA as strong as we can with our current situation. With the loss of some educators, counties are going to have to put differences aside and work as a team to be as effective as we can.
- keep an open mind; change is never easy, but if we open ourselves up to new thoughts and ideas, the transition will be much smoother.
- make sure we don't lose our community's support and connection.
- make sure counties which are losing educators are not left in limbo. We need to know not only who will have program responsibilities in our counties, but also who will handle day-to-day responsibilities such as assuring the office is open and available for committee meetings and volunteers after hours. We need to move quickly to get program assistants in place to cover the 4-H program if this is going to be their responsibility.
- revisit with county commissioners and their association. I'm concerned they are no longer on board with or in support of the re-structure. We need to work harder at developing interdisciplinary programs, especially if counties are now buying programs and services not people. We need to consider dropping program areas from our title and simply be Extension educators. This may help sell the concepts of buying programs and services as opposed to buying people or specific educators.
- As someone in one of the levy-funded counties, I think the restructuring will make it VERY difficult to pass another levy or to effectively deliver/sell Extension programs to our communities. The new plan removes from Extension the personal, community-oriented image for which it is known.
- embrace the EERA areas by allowing adequate opportunities for the educators and support staff in the EERA to get to know one another and learn each others’ strengths so they can work effectively as a team.
- continue to communicate within the organization. Look at how promotion and tenure will change to meet new needs and finances. Can universities continue to meet the educational challenges of the future being locked into the tenure process?
- hopefully be more in-tune with the needs that are still expected on a county level.
To see a complete list of the responses shared, you can access the Web site at: http://www.zoomerang.com/Shared/SharedResultsPasswordPage.aspx?ID=L23S399CY3RR.
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.
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Right now, county budget cuts are making many headlines across the state. If your county is addressing budget reductions, feel free to use the attached talking points in your contact with the media. Also, please contact Suzanne Steel (steel.7@osu.edu; 614-292-9637), marketing director for Communications & Technology, for additional assistance.
Whenever you are contacted by any newspaper, radio, or television reporter, please also let Suzanne know. Although each county's story differs somewhat, it is important that we provide consistent, accurate answers across the state on our basic funding challenges and program areas. Suzanne is overseeing this effort and can help make sure your message is clear and consistent; she can also help you compose answers for the media.
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Please welcome Barb Ludwig as she returns to OSU Extension part-time as an assistant to the director for the next four months. This is a .4 FTE position, with the same basic duties as Linda Kutilek was handling prior to her retirement on May 31. Barb's assistance this summer will help provide continuity during this critical time of transition with the organization restructuring, state budget uncertainties, and strategic plan implementation. You can contact Barb directly at ludwig.2@extadmin.cfaes.ohio-state.edu or via Jen Kiel at 614-292-3510.
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Please note, the correct URL for the OSU Extension Policy Handbook is http://extadmin-cms.ag.ohio-state.edu/policy-handbook. The Policy Handbook contents have been reviewed and updated over the past year, and the previous online links have been redirected. If you have the previous Handbook link bookmarked, please update the link.
Also, Ohio State Human Resources has approved our background check policies and procedures, and those are posted in the Policy Handbook as well. If you have questions about this, please contact Kathy Lechman, background check coordinator (lechman.1@osu.edu; 614-247-7176).
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An Ad Hoc Committee on Extension Volunteers - made up of Pamela J. Bennett; Chris Bruynis; Denise Ellsworth; Bill Harris; Jack Kerrigan; Jackie Krieger; Cassie Turner; Chris Zoller; Don Breece; and Vicki Schwartz - met for the first time this spring.
The committee reviewed best practices currently intended for all Extension volunteers. There is a continual need for best practices to be taught and re-presented to Extension staff working with volunteers to develop more consistency across program areas. It is a goal of this committee that regular professional development opportunities of volunteer management topics should be available to all Extension staff.
It was also noted that reduced professional Extension staff will create an opportunity for increased use of volunteers throughout the organization. Position descriptions must be developed for new volunteer roles, along with plans for improved training and supervision. There are a number of increased educational needs ��" for orientation and program-specific training of volunteers, volunteer management processes for county and area staff, and best practices for all involved, to name a few.
It is important to remember that this is a work in progress. The ad hoc committee will be reviewing best management practices during the next several months, coordinating needs with educators and other Extension staff, and developing suggested procedures and practices for volunteer management in all areas. One goal is to establish an “Extension Middle Management Action Team” which will help identify general core competencies for all Extension volunteers and implementation options/strategies. Don Breece and Vicki Schwartz will be identifying team members from all program areas and EERAs. If you would like to be part of this team, please contact Don (breece.2@osu.edu) or Vicki (schwartz.4@cfaes.osu.edu).
After more details of the restructuring implementation are put into place across the organization this summer and fall, the ad hoc committee also plans to re-evaluate specific needs of the EERA structure in December 2009. More information will be shared with the organization as it is available.
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The Ohio Latino Work Force would like to invite everyone in Extension to submit work created specifically for the Latino/Hispanic communities in Ohio. Why should you do this?
- Show - Proudly show the work you have created to help your Latino/Hispanic audience. Your work will be featured in the upcoming first issue of the Ohio Latino Work Force newsletter and future Web site.
- Tell - Become a resource in Extension’s mission. The Ohio Latino Work Force is compiling information of the work developed for the Latino/Hispanic population by OSU Extension faculty and staff to create a list of people and materials available that caters to this growing community.
- Win - Everyone who submits materials will enter a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to the restaurant or store of their choice.
What kind of materials can you submit and in what format?
Materials - Anything and everything - newsletters, web sites, brochures, classes, programs, training, fact sheets, books, etc. All are welcome.
Formats - E-mail electronic documents and mail printed materials or CDs.
Where to send your materials? E-mail - anders.40@cfaes.osu.edu
Mail to: Marusela Anders, Communications and Technology
216 Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210
What is the deadline? Please submit all your materials no later than June 15.
If you have any questions, call Marusela Anders (614-292-2011) or Candace Pollock (614-292-3799).
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The OAEP Professional Improvement Scholarship Sub-Committee is pleased to announce the winners of the spring awards. Each recipient will receive $250 for professional improvement.
- Shari Gallup, Licking County, FCS, to attend "Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives" in California.
- Ashley Krogel, Adventure Central, to pursue master's degree work at The Ohio State University.
- Chris Bruynis, Wyandot County; Chris Zoller, Tuscarawas County; David Marrison, Ashtabula County; and Bruce Clevenger, Defiance County to attend the "National Farm Financial Management Training" in Omaha, Nebraska.
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The NACAA communication awards program was held recently. Gary Gao, OSU Extension - Delaware County, was named the national winner for the bound book category. Amy Stone, OSU Extension at the Toledo Botanical Garden; Joe Boggs, OSU Extension - Hamilton County and Piketon South Centers; and Dan Herms, OSU Extension - Entomology were named as a national finalist for a joint effort in the computer-generated graphics category.
Gary Gao is also a national finalist in the "Search for Excellence in Landscape Hort" program and will be recognized during the 2009 NACAA meeting in Portland, Oregon.
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This year is the 75th anniversary of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. Several OSU Extension professionals have been selected to present seminars and Showcase of Excellence presentations at the September 2009 annual session in Birmingham, Alabama.
Seminars
- Nutrition and Diversity Training Program for Choice Food Pantry Volunteers - Daniel Remley
- Healthy Meals at Meetings - Cindy Oliveri, Kirk Bloir, Pat Brinkman, Shari Gallup, Doris Herringshaw, Marie Economos, Marcia Jess, and Linnette Goard
- Building on Leadership Skills and Team Functioning - Doris Herringhaw
- Building Support and Forging Relationships with Stakeholders and Elected Officials - Cindy Shuster and Joyce Shriner
Showcase of Excellence
Live Healthy, Live Well; A Partnership Between Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio County Commissioners Association - Lisa Barlage, Doris Herringshaw, Linnette Goard, Marcia Jess, Cindy Bond-Zielinski, Shari Gallup, and Elizabeth Smith
Fruits and Veggie Fact Sheets Promote Consumption of Locally Grown Produce - Monadine Mattery, Maurus Brown, Kathy Jelley, Sheila Maggard, Lucinda Miller, Cindy Oliveri, and Treva Williams
Walk Across Auglaize County - Lois Clark
Using the Black Box Approach to Transfer Institutional Knowledge - Joyce Shriner, Sue Sharb, and Cindy Shuster
Real Money, Real World - Jessica Rockey and Cindy Shuster
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The Alber Enterprise Center is conducting two WebEx sessions on training grants for educators. Frank Gibson and Eileen Smith will be presenting the sessions on June 11 at 11 a.m. and on June 15 at 2 p.m. The 30-minute sessions will cover the following topics:
- Training Funds
- Grant Awards
- Targeted Businesses and Industries
- Eligible Training Activities
- Application Process
- Questions and Answers
This is in response to an opportunity for companies to apply for Targeted Industries Training Grants to help pay the cost of training (probably up to 50%), starting July 1. This is based on a first come, first-served basis. Since agricultural and polymer companies can apply, Extension educators may know of companies in need of training. The Alber Enterprise Center can apply for these funds for Extension educators and their company clients. Educators can do the training, or if it is not in their area, the Alber Enterprise Center can help them set up the programs. The Center can also help with templates for the application process. The companies complete the application; the Center submits it. There is a need to move quickly, because there will likely be enough applications to exhaust the funds shortly after the fiscal year begins. The Alber Center program managers are pre-qualifying companies and helping them complete the application in anticipation, and will help educators as well.
Some tentative information on the grants is listed below. If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Eileen Smith by phone or e-mail (740-360-9345; smith.1394@osu.edu; smith2000@columbus.rr.com).
Grant Awards: Each training project is eligible for a maximum of $15,000. A company or consortium may only receive funds consecutively for two years. Eligible recipients are adult career technical education centers, branch campuses of public universities, and community college campuses. A training project may involve a consortium of companies where each company is in a targeted industry.
Targeted Industries: To participate, a company must be part of the following targeted industries...
- Manufacturing
- Healthcare
- Advanced Energy and Environmental Technologies
- Aerospace and Aviation
- Agriculture and Food Processing
- Bioscience and Bioproducts
- Corporate and Professional Services
- Distribution and Logistics
- Instruments, Controls and Electronics
- Motor Vehicle and Parts Manufacturing
- Polymers and Advanced Materials
- Industry Sectors Identified by the Ohio Skills Bank Initiative in each Economic Development Region
Eligible Training Activities: Companies can receive training in...
- Technical Training
- Leadership & Supervision
- Regulatory & Compliance
- Safety & Environmental
- Quality
- Lean Manufacturing
- Pre-Employment Assessments
- Other
Development of customized training materials and curriculum is also an eligible cost up to 10% of the grant. Join the WebEx to learn about this workforce development and retention and expansion training opportunity. Instructions for each WebEx are attached.
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The world's largest online conference for renewable energy and energy-efficient practices in businesses is coming in late June, and to attend, all you need is a computer. The Virtual Energy Forum will be held for free on June 24-25 and will feature such speakers as Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute, Fred Krupp of the Environmental Defense Fund, and Mark Ginsberg of DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The forum replicates a typical conference experience online, including keynote speeches, industry-specific presentations in five parallel tracks, "Meet the Expert" live video chats, and an emerging technology showcase. DOE will host a Global Green Cities track during the event. You can also visit the virtual exhibit floor, which allows you to chat with the exhibitors, exchange contact information, and collect materials in a virtual briefcase. All of the presentations will also be available on-demand after the conference. Visit http://virtualenergyforum.com/ for more information.
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