Video Communiqué Available Online

The September issue of the Video Communiqué is now available online at: http://clickvideo.ag.ohio-state.edu/communique_909/communique_909.html

If you cannot view the video online, please contact Cheryl Buck (buck.19@osu.edu) to request that a DVD be sent to you via county mail. If you have any questions, also please direct those to Cheryl Buck, who will forward them to the appropriate contacts.

OSU Extension Budget Update

As we noted in mid-summer, OSU Extension is pleased that both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly voted in July to pass the 2010-2011 biennial budget proposed by the conference committee. This legislation maintains funding levels for OSU Extension and OARDC as they were originally approved by the House and Senate earlier this spring. The amounts that OSU Extension will receive are $23,518,608 for FY10 and $22,467,678 for FY11. OARDC will receive $34 million for each of the two years of the biennium.

This is a huge success in the current fiscal climate of our state. We are extremely grateful to the conference committee members for their support of OSU Extension; and we appreciate the House and Senate support of our efforts as well.

However, we do not know yet if or how the Ohio Supreme Court's recent ruling about the video lottery terminals may affect state budget adjustments for the remainder of this year, or how state funding may also be affected by the economy throughout the remainder of 2009 and beyond. Although there are indications that the economy is beginning to stabilize, we know that immediate increases in consumer spending will not improve the state’s local government fund or county tax revenues for some time. To date, 58 of Ohio’s 88 counties have decreased their appropriations for Extension from 2008 to 2009 (with a 12 percent decrease in total funds).

Eight counties have levies on the their fall ballots that will benefit Extension - three indirectly through general tax levies (Allen, Hancock, Van Wert) and five through Extension-only levies (Coshocton, Hardin, Jackson, Monroe - renewal/replacement, Paulding).

At the same time, all of Ohio’s county commissioners are supportive of OSU Extension. We are grateful to the County Commissioners’ Association of Ohio, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, local communities, volunteers, clients, and other local stakeholders for their support and advocacy on our behalf.

Thank you again for the excellent work that YOU do throughout the state, and for helping us tell the OSU Extension story so well to the Ohio Legislature. Our work is vital to the state of Ohio's economic success, and our lawmakers have reconfirmed that with their budget decision this summer.

As OSU Extension moves forward, we will continue restructuring according to our strategic plan; and we will continue to provide quality programs - prioritizing and focusing even more on the major needs of our clientele. We are a unique economic engine for Ohio; and we will continue to improve lives, communities, families, and Ohio business and industry through our efforts.

Extension Educator Titles

As a result of restructuring all counties into EERAs (Extension Education and Research Areas), there is also an update on how to print educator titles on business cards, e-mails and other correspondence, and publication credits. Examples of correct title usage are listed on the attached summary. If you have questions about how to print your title on a particular document, please contact Cheryl Buck (buck.19@osu.edu) or OSUE Human Resources.

Pulse Survey Results

Recently, your colleagues responded to the monthly pulse survey in the following way:

*Mean scores could indicate strong agreement:

• An easily searchable Extension Web site for personnel and clientele is critical to delivering Extension materials and programs (mean of 8.25)
• Developing shared programmatic expertise and specialization models are important to the success of EERA operations. (mean of 7.77)
• Completing an assessment of shared programming needs is important to determining EERA focus. (mean of 7.57)
• Current programmatic expertise should be matched with prioritized EERA needs assessment. (mean of 7.83)
• Availability of standardized curriculum will help in delivery of programming within EERAs. (mean of 7.52)
• Extension’s current restructuring process has not affected my participation in a Signature Program. (mean of 7.06)

*Mean scores do not clearly indicate agreement or disagreement:

• EERA staffing patterns are programmatic clusters designed to effectively meet community needs. (mean of 5.84)
• EERA staffing patterns are administrative clusters designed to effectively meet community needs. (mean of 5.55)

*Using a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 10 (strongly agree).

Additional information is available at: http://www.zoomerang.com/Shared/SharedResultsPasswordPage.aspx?ID=L23WU3WRXTDZ. Please continue to share your opinions through participation in the pulse survey. Your observations and suggestions provide important insight as OSU Extension's administrative and program teams work to implement the strategic plan, the restructuring model, and program updates.

OSU Extension Web Site Update

OSU Extension is continuing to work on the implementation of a new Web site design. As we first mentioned in the March 25 issue of Communiqué, 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 a majority of the requests/suggestions from a focus group of Extension educators, as well as Ohio State and consulting Web experts, based upon the capabilities of the software and template design.

Through October 30, a number of county staff are working behind the scenes to “migrate” content - copying, updating and adding information from the current county Web sites to new sites that are based on a new design template and the Plone v3 content management system. All counties are moving to the new site template. While we transfer content to the new sites, the existing sites will remain as the public site. After October 30, the current county sites will cease to exist, the new template will be utilized across the state, and the “new” sites will be “live” for public use.

A small number of staff in each county are currently being trained on the Plone v3 system to conduct the content migration process fairly quickly. After the new sites are live, additional Plone training will be offered for any other personnel who need or want to be trained to enter and update content on the new county sites. A new log-in process has been set up for this content management system, and anyone who needs to have access must be registered on the “active directory” individually.

The state site will undergo the same updates to design and conversion to Plone v3. 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 is permanent, but there are many customizable areas on each site. County offices 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 updated as the site redesign makes progress.

Please note: this is a work in progress - the basic template and design are set, but we have refined how some functions work as we’ve held the training sessions and begun the actual content migration. Technical assistance will be continually available, and future page updates will be addressed as needed once the basic content is moved this fall. We will share additional information as available about the official “live” date status, the content migration process, and training for additional personnel. If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Buck (buck.19@osu.edu; 614-292-4880), assistant to the director.

All-Extension Annual Conference

All Extension professionals are encouraged to attend this year’s All-Extension Annual Conference to be held at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Conference Center on December 16-17. This year’s conference theme is “A New EERA in Extension.” ESP, OAEP and CES are providing leadership for the event along with Extension Administration. Extension Administrative Cabinet has agreed that county offices may choose how to handle their office hours during these two days. Options include:

• Closing the office for the two days with a sign indicating that everyone is participating in the annual conference and recognition event and that the office will reopen on December 18. Remember to change your voice mail or answering machine message also.
• Utilizing volunteers to keep the office open.
• Using students who are home from college to keep the office open.
• Using a temp agency or temporary employee to assist during these two days.

We look forward to seeing all Extension professionals at this year’s conference!

Animal Welfare Symposium - October 16

The Ohio State University Animal Welfare Symposium:
"Building Partnerships to Address Animal Welfare"

October 16 -- Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center
2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus

The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Animal Sciences in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences are hosting an Animal Welfare Symposium to celebrate their new partnership with the Animal Welfare Science Centre of Australia.

The goal of the symposium is to build partnerships to pro-actively address animal welfare issues in Ohio and beyond. Speakers will discuss current research on animal welfare and the implications for livestock and poultry production. For more information, visit the symposium Web site at http://vet.osu.edu/AnimalWelfareSymposium.htm. Contact the Office of Veterinary Continuing Education with any questions (614-292-8727).

CFAES and OSUE Support of Animal Welfare - Issue 2 Awareness Efforts
The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences has prepared a statement about animal care and Issue 2 (establishment of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board) that you can share with others. OSU Extension fully supports this statement by the college. This issue relates to quality animal care, safety of animals and workers, and maintaining an affordable food supply. Remember, an unbiased approach from CFAES and OSU Extension does not mean we are ambivalent; we simply must take an educational approach in regard to political issues. Although you may not endorse the issue on work time, you may have copies of the college statement, as well as the Issue 2 ballot language, available in your Extension office for those who request more information.

The CFAES animal care statement, animal care background information, and media relations tips are attached for your use. If you need additional information or assistance with responding to requests, you can search online at http://www.ohiolivestockcare.com/; or contact Suzanne Steel in Communications and Technology (614-292-9637; steel.7@osu.edu).

Become an ESP Member for 2010

Reasons why YOU should invest in yourself and your career by joining/renewing your ESP Membership for 2010:

• Mini-grants and scholarships to support your innovative work in Extension.
• Awards and recognition of your skills on a state, regional and national level.
• Opportunities for professional development - Leadership for Tomorrow Conference, national ESP conferences and meetings.
• Networking opportunities with other high-performing professionals who are ESP members.
• Leadership development through serving as an officer, board member, or committee member of state and national committees.

Click here for the membership dues and extension request for payment form. Complete the membership form and pay your 2010 dues by October 15 to be eligible (in 2010) to vote on chapter business, apply for awards where a membership requirement exists, or be a candidate for an officer or board member. You can complete the form online and print, or print and complete the form by hand. Send your form and payment to ESP treasurer Tom Archer (details are on the membership form).

You must be an Extension employee for at least five years to join ESP. ESP is open to A&P staff and faculty. Questions? E-mail Beth Flynn (flynn.61@osu.edu) or Brenda Young (young.9@osu.edu) for more information.

OSUE Support Staff Excellence Award

CES and Extension Administration are committed to a partnership that recognizes a CES member who excels in support staff responsibilities. It is once again time to solicit nominations for the annual $1,000 Extension Support Staff Excellence Award. Criteria for this award can be found at http://ces.ag.ohio-state.edu/folder.2009-06-12.2780226946.

The award and process for selecting the recipient is patterned after Epsilon Sigma Phi's Excellence in Extension Award for educators. The award recognizes the importance of knowledge, skills and service (criteria include: sustained excellence in overall job performance, consistent demonstration of a cooperative and positive attitude, exemplary service in leadership positions, exceptional participation in professional development opportunities and outstanding achievement or contribution in a creative solution to a problem that resulted in more effective and efficient operations). This tremendous opportunity brings recognition to a staff member who excels daily in fulfilling responsibilities when serving customers and staff within our organization.

Nominations may be submitted by a supervisor, faculty/staff, peer/co-worker, customer, or emeriti. Required documentation includes the nomination form, letter of support from direct supervisor, and two additional letters of evaluation and support. Any Extension support staff member who is a current active member of Chi Epsilon Sigma and has been a member for five years is eligible for nomination. Please consider submitting a nomination for an outstanding Extension support staff person.

Applications Sought for 2010 Staff Career Development Grants

Staff Career Development Grants of up to $500 are awarded annually to offset education and training costs needed to further staff career and professional development goals. These grants are funded through contributions to the Campus Campaign’s Staff Career Development Fund and are administered by the Office of Human Resources. They can be used toward expenses such as conference and registration fees, tuition textbooks, research supplies and transportation costs which occur during calendar year 2010. To be eligible, you must be a regular full-time or part-time staff member and have at least two years of continuous employment with Ohio State (by January 1). Applications are available online at: http://hr.osu.edu/special/careerdevgrt.pdf. For more information, contact Michele Bondurant at 614-292-4341 or bondurant.11@osu.edu. The application deadline is Monday, October 26.

Pre-Retirement Workshop - November 12

HOLD THE DATE! - Thursday, November 12
Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, Columbus

Are you within 10 years of retirement from OSU Extension? Would you like to learn more about planning for retirement? If so, then plan to attend the Pre-Retirement Workshop for Extension Personnel. This workshop will be held at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center in Columbus on November 12 from 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Speakers from OPERS, STRS, OSU-HR and Social Security will present information on retirement benefits. A financial planner will then join us in the afternoon to discuss how to plan for retirement. There is no charge for Extension employees to attend, and a spouse/partner may attend for a $30 registration fee which includes lunch and workshop materials. Look for online registration to begin the first week in October. Contact Terri Gustafson (gustafson.29@osu.edu; 614-292-2399) for more information.

Kick It In and Spark Your Team Event - November 10

On November 10, the OSU Leadership Center will host Fran Kick, creator of KICK IT IN^® along with Mark Henson, sparkspace^tm founder and chief imagination officer, for a Kick It In and Spark Your Team Event that is sure to inspire your teams to work at their best, get better at what they do, and have fun in the process. The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, and registration is $75*. Visit www.tinyurl.com/sparkteams to register.

• Fran Kick will KICK things off with how to capture a group's attention and actively involve them (without just asking them to raise their hands). Explore the different perspectives and many perceptions people have as well as how they influence involvement. This opening session will give you ideas you can use to help participants pay attention and respond appropriately.
• How can virtual teams, collaborating here-and-now teams, employee teams, and management teams work better together? Especially when there's less hierarchy, more multi-tasking, flatter organizations all using fewer people who are doing more work, with less time and less budget? Inspiring and interacting with people to make things happen (vs. just watching things happen or worse wondering what's happening), Fran will illustrate experientially what it takes to nurture emerging leadership in any group, team or organization.
• Learn how you can synthesize and prioritize multiple ideas with any size group quickly, efficiently and democratically. You'll have a chance to take what you've learned and apply it immediately -- bringing your ideas and everyone else's ideas together. Learn and experience how to capture, calculate, document and measure all the potential application to what you've learned in any situation.

*Registration includes: workshop participation, continental breakfast, and a FREE one-year membership to the OSU Leadership Center library with access to more than 2,500 leadership and management resources (a $50 value). You'll also get Web access to team-building tips, techniques and resources you can use to keep kicking it in and sparking your team long after the workshop.

Diversity Initiatives

Please be aware that our college is engaged in a variety of diversity initiatives this year, one of which is enhancing our visible diversity. The majority of our buildings on the Columbus and Wooster campuses will be receiving a banner for the main entryway. In addition, your offices will be receiving posters that should be put up in visible locations throughout the office. Static decals will also be delivered and should be made available to faculty and staff who would like to show their support for diversity by displaying one in their office or at their desk. The decals can stick anywhere and will not damage any surface.

Connie Goble has agreed to distribute the posters and decals to 4-H Youth Development educators who attend the October 22 4-H in-service. If you do not have a 4-H educator in your county, please let Kathy Lechman know so we can make alternate arrangements for delivery.

Having an environment that demonstrates our commitment to diversity and inclusion is an important aspect of our initiatives, but it also compliments our strategic plan. If you have questions, please contact Kathy Lechman, Leader, Diversity Development at lechman.1@osu.edu or 614-247-7176.

CFAES Flu Preparations

With classes starting this week and both H₁N₁ and seasonal flu threatening to affect more people this year, we're asking all CFAES faculty, staff, and students to do everything you can to prevent illness and make preparations in case the flu becomes a pandemic.

• Practice good hygiene, including covering your cough, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Get flu vaccinations. If you become ill with flu-like symptoms, stay home, self-isolate and, if your symptoms worsen, contact your primary health care provider. If you have a fever, stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever has ended.
• If you are a building coordinator or office manager, post hygiene signs in your area. Downloadable signs are available at http://flu.osu.edu/flu_resources.html.
• Practice good sanitation procedures: increase efforts to wipe down surfaces, doorknobs, keyboards, telephones, etc.
• The university's Continuity Management Team warns us that during the peak of a widespread H₁N₁ outbreak, as much of 40% of normal workforce staff may be unavailable. During upcoming staff meetings, prioritize your department/office responsibilities and make back-up plans to be sure your area will be able to accomplish its most important duties. Employees and supervisors should make concrete plans to enable individuals to work from home and identify what specific work is appropriate if this becomes necessary.
• Finally, in case a pandemic strikes, prepare yourself and your family at home by considering your childcare needs (in case schools are closed for an extended period) and making sure you have several days' worth of food, water, medicines, infant supplies, and pet supplies on hand.

More guidance is available at the university's flu preparation Web site (http://flu.osu.edu/). In particular, please review prevention tips at http://flu.osu.edu/flu_prevention.html. The government's flu preparation Web site (http://flu.gov/) also offers guidance, especially under "For Families and Individuals." With that said, we hope this year's flu season ends up to be no worse than any other. Please do all you can to help make that a reality.

CAST Honors Dr. Norman Borlaug

Dr. Norman E. Borlaug - the man credited with saving more lives than any other person who has ever lived - passed away on September 12 at his home in Dallas, Texas. Widely known as the "Father of the Green Revolution" and "The Man Who Fed the World" for his pioneering work developing high-yielding wheat for areas with limited cultivated land and increasing population, Dr. Borlaug was one of only five people in history to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Congressional Gold Medal (an honor shared by Nelson Mandela, Elie Wiesel, Mother Teresa, and Martin Luther King, Jr.). A press release from the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology honoring Dr. Borlaug is attached.

Early Registration Deadline Extended to September 30 for eXtension National Conference

The early registration deadline for the eXtension National Conference has been extended to September 30. Daily registration is also available. Click here to register for the conference to be held on October 20-23 in St. Louis, Missouri. A keynote speaker will be Bob Johansen, author of Leaders Make the Future: Ten New Leadership Skills for an Uncertain World. A second featured speaker will be Russ Roberts, CEO and founder of Russ Roberts Limited, a management consultant and executive coach for Fortune 500 companies and startups. The National eXtension Conference will be held at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in St. Louis. Call 800-822-3535 for room reservations.

Personnel Update