Effective Use of County/State Advisory Councils

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Effective Use of County/State Advisory Councils

• Structure and Involvement

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County and State Councils

• Feedback from the general public is essential to
  achieving the Extension mission and Extension
  Advisory Councils are maintained to receive that
  feedback
• Clemson coordinates a joint State Extension
  Advisory Council with 1890 Land Grant and county
  level councils in SCs (46) counties.

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Advisory Council Functions

• Assist in identifying the needs, wants and
  desires of South Carolinians on which to base
  educational programs
• Counsel and advise in the development of
  Extension programs, priorities and policies.
• Communicate and promote the mission and vision of
  Cooperative Extension and its educational
  programs to key stakeholder groups

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Advisory Council Functions

• Assist in evaluating the impacts of educational
  efforts and provide advice to guide changes in
  program emphasis
• Encourage and support strong Extension Advocacy
  throughout South Carolina.

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County Advisory Structure

• Representatives from the 5 PSA/Extension goal
  areas
• Representation by both men and women, attention
  to urban and cultural diversity.
• The Regional Lead Agent and the County
  Coordinator should give leadership to the
  process
• 25 total members

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Council Committees

• Standing committees standing committees of the
  council shall be
• Research and Program Development
• Marketing and Public Relations, and
• Legislative Advocacy

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Member Job Description

• Provide stakeholder merit review of program
  issues related to a state Plan of Work
• Be an ambassador for communications/public
  relations and marketing for Cooperative
  Extension
• Be an advocate for Cooperative Extension
• Receive training and assist in providing training
  for those in leadership roles.

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Strong Advisory Councils Should

• Maintain open communications with extension
  staff
• Be composed of members committed to the council
  and who understand their membership roles
• Provide diverse representation not just typical
  extension clientele
• Remain actively engaged in meeting, programs and
  activities

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Meaningful work may include

• Advocacy efforts
• Program Planning
• Public relations and marketing projects
• Resource development
• Speakers bureau
• Special events
• Program resource identification

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Council Meetings

• Minimum of (2) per year the more , the better!
• Have a clear purpose and plan for each meeting
• No dog and pony shows
• Council members are least motivated when you
  dominate more than 50 of conversation
• Assign action items and set deadlines.

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