Extension Leadership Councils A Partner in Extension Education

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Extension Leadership CouncilsA Partner in
Extension Education
Barbara A. Board Extension Specialist, Program
and Leadership Development 231 Smyth Hall VA
Tech Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 (540)-231-9442 boa
rd_at_vt.edu
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Todays Discussion

• Local Extension Leadership Councils (ELCs)
• Virginia Cooperative Extension Leadership Council
  (State ELC)
• Mission/Role-Both
• Activities of BothPast 3 Years
• Lessons Learned

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A Discussion About Extension Leadership Councils
in Virginia

• Begins.
• with the Mission
• of
• Virginia Cooperative Extension

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Virginia Cooperative ExtensionMission

• Virginia Cooperative Extension enables people to
  improve their lives through an educational
  process that uses scientific knowledge focused
  on issues and needs.

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The Partnership Is.

• defined and determined by
• the educational process
• of
• Virginia Cooperative Extension

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Virginia Cooperative Extension(VCE)Educational
Programming Process
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Local Extension Leadership Councils(ELCs)
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Extension Leadership Council (ELC)Mission/Vision

• Develop and implement a program plan directing
  VCEs resources towards a resolution of
  identified issues and concerns
• Volunteer and staff members are equal partners
• ELC members assume major, equal, or secondary
  responsibilities for identifying needs,
  implementing solutions, and evaluating and
  reporting results
• Assume a role in the review, renewal, and/or
  termination of existing programs
• Advocate locally, privately, statewide, and
  federally for funds, staff, and other resources

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Roles and Function of an ELC

• Identify community problems, concerns, and issues
• Assess current Extension programs
• Identify other possible opportunities for
  cooperation and collaboration
• Design and implement program plan
• Monitor and adjust program efforts
• Report results
• Advocate for Extension and its programs

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Membership

• Membership of Local ELC
• Represent the Communitys Diversity
• Users Non-Users
• Represent Local Extension Programs-
• Agriculture, 4-H, Family Consumer Science
• Represent Local Community Agencies,
  Organizations, Businesses, Governmental
  Decision-Makers

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Role of Extension Educator

• Convener and Facilitator/Leader/Coach/Trainer of
  the Process/Involvement
• Serve as a Content Expert
• Partner in the Extension Educational Process
• Educator/Teacher of the Educational Experience
• Equal Member of the ELC
• Steward of Extensions Mission/Parameters/
  Methodology

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VCE Programming Process

• Facilitates ELC Involvement
• Includes steps in how to id needs, determines
  solutions, implement actions, evaluate, and
  report results
• All of which...A Map for Joint
• Decision-Making
• Tasks Identification
• Role Assignments
• Action Implementation

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Indicators of Quality for Local ELCs

• Universal guide for ELC work
• Reflects ELCs mission/vision
• Reflects involvement throughout the VCE
  programming process
• Assists in ELC Organization
• Assists w/ELC involvement in Extension
  Programming
• Assists with ELCs role in Marketing and
  Development needs of Extension and its programs

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How are local ELCs operating?

• They have officers with determined terms
• 60 percent met four times a year
• Program interest is distributed among program
  leadership committees
• ? Operational guidelines determine ELCs
  functions

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What are local ELCs doing?
Situation Analysis ? Interpreting Statistical
Information ? Planning Implementing Focus
Groups ? Conducting Key Informant Interviews ?
Conducting Community Issues Forums ? Helping to
Determine Program Directions, Goals
Objectives
Design Implementation ?Teaching Educational
Experiences-- master gardeners, financial
management counselors, 4-H volunteers, etc. ?
Securing Resourceshuman, monetary, facilities ?
Marketing Programsfarm/family events,
developing marketing resources, ? Recognizing
Volunteers Supporters
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What are local ELCs doing?

• Evaluation and Reporting
• Hosting Legislative Events-- breakfasts,
  luncheons, etc.
• Meeting Face-to-Face with Legislators to Discuss
  Program Impacts
• Speaking at Public Hearings-- budget, etc.
• Preparing and Distributing Annual Reports of
  Local Program Impacts

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Training and Development for Local ELCs

• State Conference
• FocusImportant of the Community
• Partnerships to Extension and Land-grant
  System
• District, Regional, Local Trainings
• Focus Roles and Function of ELCs
• District Training
• Focus Building Programs Collaboratively,
  How to Run Effective Meetings,
  Facilitation, Group Dynamics

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Virginia Cooperative Extension Leadership
Council(State ELC)
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(No Transcript)
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Volunteer Membership Virginia Cooperative
Extension Leadership Council
? Represent 22 Planning Districts ? Nominated
by Counties/Cities ? Serve 3-Year Terms ?
Eligible to Serve Two Terms ? Represent, Local
ELCs, Program Volunteers, Relevant Industries,
Organizations, and Agencies Also
Representatives of the State Program Councils
are appointed by their respective councils
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Extension/University MembershipVirginia
Cooperative Extension Leadership Council

• VCE Director
• VCE Administrator
• Assistant to the Director
• VCE Associate Directors, Programs
• VCE Associate Director, Admin/Support
• 6 District Directors
• Related College Deans at VA Tech
• Government Relations Officer--VA Tech
• Directors of Agriculture Research--VA Tech, VA
  State
• Extension Specialist, Program and Leadership
  Development

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VA Cooperative Extension Leadership Council

• Works on Behalf of the Organization
• Meets 4 times a year
• Communicates between meetings electronically

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What has the State ELC done?

• Collaborated in the Planning/Implementation of
  State, District, Regional Training for Local
  ELCs
• Developed Set of Indicators of Quality for State
  ELC
• Provided Collaborative Leadership for the
  Development of Indicators of Quality for Local
  ELCs
• Spoke at State Budget Hearings
• Visited State and Federal Legislators
• Hosted Congressional Events
• Served as Communication Link for Local ELCs
• Participated in Functions with Local ELCS
• Collaborated in the Development of VCE Marketing
  Initiatives
• Provided Counsel to VCE Administration on
  Organizational Issues/Interest

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What We Have Learned from the ELC Partnership?

• ELC development takes time
• ELC development needs focused attention
• ELC involvement requires knowledgeable, skilled
  leadership
• Ownership and involvement must be nurtured
• Periodic, consistent contact is needed
• A clear sense of direction is needed
• A plan of action is needed
• Individuals need to feel valued