All-Extension Annual Conference Reminder

All,

I would like to clarify again that ALL OSU Extension program and support staff are included and encouraged to attend this year’s Annual Conference. We are ONE organization, with one mission - and this year’s conference theme of “A New EERA in Extension” is specifically planned with all of our personnel in mind.

In these times of extreme change throughout our organization, we will all benefit from attending the conference - and this is designed to be an all-inclusive meeting. Every Extension employee is important to this organization, and I believe it is valuable to have all of us learning together when possible.

At all times, everyone in your office should be working together for the good of the entire organization. While educators are often involved with more in-depth projects and interactions with specific clients, our support staff are quite often the face of Extension to anyone who walks in your office front door or contacts your office with a question.

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.

I look forward to a great exchange of insight and ideas at this year’s Annual Conference, and I’m excited about continuing the implementation of “A New EERA in Extension."

Best regards, Keith Smith - Associate Vice President, Agricultural Administration and Director, OSU Extension

Restructuring Update

The OSU Extension Administrative Cabinet met recently in retreat and discussed at length how the administrative team should be organized to better serve employees, as well as serve the organization efficiently and effectively. The Administrative Cabinet is responding to changing organization needs as the counties and EERAs continue to undergo major adjustments in work patterns and programming. The Cabinet discussion was facilitated by a moderator from Ohio State Human Resources. This discussion will be summarized and revisited at the November Cabinet meeting for a final decision about the Cabinet structure as we move into 2010. We will keep you informed.

Pulse Survey Results

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

*Mean scores could indicate strong agreement:

• I am aware that my annual performance review in 2010 will include consideration of my contribution to a Signature Program. (mean of 7.42)
• My work is valued by my supervisor. (mean of 7.91)

*Mean scores could indicate agreement:

• OSU Extension has been willing to let go of programs as new needs emerge. (mean of 6.12)
• I am experiencing a significant amount of work-related stress. (mean of 6.57)
• My work is valued by the organization. (mean of 6.90)

*Mean scores do not clearly indicate agreement or disagreement:

• Current investments in technology are adequate. (mean of 5.06)

*Mean scores could indicate strong disagreement:

• The non-agriculture public is aware of OSU Extension’s potential. (mean of 4.71)
• Personnel at all levels within OSU Extension are well-acquainted with what others are doing. (mean of 4.52)

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

Additional information is available at: http://www.zoomerang.com/Shared/SharedResultsPasswordPage.aspx?ID=L23YH5S95GTR. Please continue to share your opinions through participation in the pulse survey. Your observations and suggestions provide important insight as OSU Extension faculty and staff work to implement the strategic plan the restructuring model, and program updates.

Animal Care and Animal Welfare

At the request of Dr. Moser and the approval of Drs. Croney and Botheras, the primary authors of the attached Animal Care Backgrounder, please use this copy as necessary when distributing animal welfare information.

Again, OSU Extension fully supports this statement by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. This statement - and Issue 2 on the November ballot - 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. You can also direct individuals to www.ohiolivestockcare.com.

2009 Cost Recovery Incentive Awards Seek Applications From Individuals and Teams

Again this year we will reward great work in cost recovery. We need your help with finding programs that merit recognition in two categories - New Cost Recovery Award and Continued Excellence in Cost Recovery Award.  You may nominate yourself or others. This year, we invite program teams and unit teams to apply. Guidelines and application forms are available online. Winners will be announced at Annual Conference during the awards dinner and will be highlighted in an issue of the Communiqué. The deadline for electronically submitting applications to Micki Daniels at daniels.14@osu.edu is Monday, November 30. Contact Ken Martin at martin.1540@osu.edu with questions. Don’t miss out on these reward opportunities - submit your applications!

FCS Educator Elected to NEAFCS National Office

Carol Chandler, educator in the Top of Ohio EERA, was recently elected at the NEAFCS national meeting as the national vice president for awards and recognition. Congratulations to Carol!

John Stitzlein Diversity Award Nominations Due

Think about nominating yourself or a colleague for the John Stitzlein Diversity Award. The goal of this award is to acknowledge accomplishments in achieving organizational change to support diversity, pluralism and innovation in programs that impact our Extension audiences. Diversity is defined as differences among people with respect to age, class, ethnicity, gender, physical and mental ability, race, sexual orientation, spiritual practices and other human differences. Pluralism is defined as an organizational culture that incorporates mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork, and productivity among people who are diverse in the dimensions of human differences listed above as diversity.

The nomination guidelines and nomination forms are on the Diversity Resources Web page (http://extensionhr.osu.edu/diversity/awards/divawards.htm). The form is also attached, and the guidelines are listed below. Nominations and all documentation should be e-mailed to Kathy Lechman at lechman.1@osu.edu by November 27. Hard copies will be accepted and should be faxed to Kathy Lechman at 614 292-5100 or mailed (2120 Fyffe Road, Columbus, OH 43210). Please do not send a vita; a narrative of no more than three pages is all that is needed.

Past winners include: Janice Hanna, Mahoning County; Steve Brady, Warren County; Connie Goble, Pike County; and Nikki Eyre, Highland County.

Eligibility: The recipient can be an individual or team. The Award for Diversity recognizes efforts that go beyond simply meeting EEO/AA program requirements. Extension efforts that may be recognized should impact one or a combination of these areas: audience, programs, policies, funding, initiatives, staff, advisory and decision-making groups, and educational materials and delivery methods.

Nominations: Nominations can be made by anyone, including self-nominations. Nominations from last year that were not selected will be considered for this year. Special attention should be given to nominate efforts that have the potential to be sustained over time or can be replicated in other comparable situations.

Justification of the nomination must include:

• Purpose(s) of the effort and the activities involved
• Reason(s) the effort deserves recognition
• How is the effort innovative?
• What obstacles had to be overcome?
• What were the impacts?
• Evidence that the efforts conveyed cultural awareness and organizational change
• Evidence that the efforts conveyed cultural sensitivity, appreciation for diversity and demonstrated impact

Award Description: Recipient will receive a $1,000 award, his or her name added to a permanent plaque displayed in the Agricultural Administration Building, individual plaque, and certificate. OSU Extension Director Keith Smith will formally present the award at the OSU Extension Annual Conference Awards Banquet.

Kick It In and Spark Your Team Event - November 10

The OSU Leadership Center will be hosting Fran Kick, creator of KICK IT IN and Mark Henson, sparkspace founder and chief imagination officer, for a workshop 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 on November 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center.

Registration* is $75, but there is a special rate of $50 for OSU Extension employees. E-mail Jody Termeer (termeer.1@osu.edu) or call the OSU Leadership Center at 614-292-3114 for the group rate.

What to Expect...

• Fran Kick will KICK things off presenting 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 that you can use to help participants pay attention and respond appropriately. After all, in any learning situation we know that whether you're the trainer or the trainee -- the more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it!
• 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.
• Do your teams always plan, collaborate, and problem solve as effectively as they could? What if you could improve every team you lead or work on with some simple, but highly effective activities? We'll show you how to encourage the kind of trust, creativity, and accountability that leads to highly productive teams
• We believe fun and playfulness are keys to learning how to become a better team. You'll be surprised at how a balloon can teach accountability, how a simple childhood toy can encourage better communication, and how a piece of string can help you think out of the box. Not only will you learn what makes teams work, you'll learn how to be the best team player you've ever been.

*Registration includes:  participation in the November 10 workshop, 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 that you can borrow for your personal/professional development (a $50 value!). You'll also get Web access to team-building tips, techniques and resources that you can use to keep kicking it in and sparking your team long after the workshop.

Leadership for Tomorrow Conference - Proposals Due November 30

OSU Extension's Leadership for Tomorrow: Strategies for Resurgence Conference is scheduled for April 21-22, 2010 in Columbus. The conference will encourage discussion about skills and strategies needed for resurgence - leadership needed when the economy rebounds and recovers. Proposals are due November 30. Topics can include, but are not limited to: entrepreneurship, innovation, communication/engagement, prioritizing, diversity, globalization, and creating prominence. To submit a proposal, visit http://leadershipfortomorrow.osu.edu - Call for Proposals section. The RFP is attached.

RFPs Due for Multiple Perspectives on Access, Inclusion & Disability: Future HIstory - April 2010

Multiple Perspectives on Access, Inclusion & Disability is celebrating its 10th anniversary - continuing a decade of community exploration of disability as an individual experience and social reality that cuts across the dimensions of education and employment; scholarship and service; business and government; race, gender and ethnicity. Such milestones are an opportunity to step back from the demands of day-to-day work and reflect on our goals of social justice, diversity and excellence.

This year’s theme of Future History is intended to encourage presentations that build on  past progress, address ongoing challenges, or share emerging best practices supporting access and inclusion. The complete call for presentations and additional conference information are posted at http://ada.osu.edu/conferences.htm.

A highlight of the annual conference is the Ken Campbell Memorial Lecture on Disability Policy - a free public lecture hosted by the Columbus Advisory Committee on Disability Issues to honor Campbell’s life work as an advocate, including 20+ years guiding the City of Columbus’ disability policies.This year's lecture will be presented by Andrew J. Imparato, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD).The complete 2010 conference program and registration will be available in January 2010. Past programs and conference updates can also be found on the ADA Web site. To be on the mailing list for the conference, send an e-mail toADA-OSU@osu.edu.

2009 NIFA (CSREES) Grantsmanship and Writing Winning Grants Workshops

Workshops will be held again this fall to highlight the competitive programs in USDA-CSREES and to help grant writers improve their overall success. These workshops will be offered together in Kansas City, MO on November 10-11 and in Washington, DC on November 16-17.

These workshops are very worthwhile for specialists and educators who are looking seriously at some of the annual USDA funding opportunities. If you attended the June 6 grants workshop at Ohio State and wanted more information about USDA grants than was provided, this is your chance. Day one will have breakout sessions on the specific USDA funding areas such as animal programs, AREA, SBIR, nutrition, food safety, and biotech risk assessment. You will be able to talk individually with national program leaders and ask questions. A mock peer review panel will demonstrate how proposals are evaluated. Day two will be a reinforcement of the June grants workshop with a focus on USDA types of topics and projects, ethics, and working with your research foundation.

You'll hear questions and ideas from Extension professionals from other states. There is always the possibility of linking with someone who is thinking about a project that fits with your plans...you might develop a multi-state project. If you are thinking about applying for USDA funding and want some insight about the whole process, either of these workshops will serve you well. *These workshops often fill to capacity early, so don't wait until the last minute to register.

The November 10-11 workshop in Kansas City is co-sponsored by the University of Missouri, the Western Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors, and USDA-CSREES. Visit http://muconf.missouri.edu/usda-csrees/index.htm for information on registration, hotels and the program agenda.

The November 16-17 workshop in Washington, DC is co-sponsored by the Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors, the Northeast Regional Research Association, and USDA-NIFA (formerly CSREES). Visit http://www.cpe.vt.edu/usdagrant/index.htm for information on registration, hotels and the program agenda.