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Communiqué August 29, 2012

OSUE Strategic Plan Review Progress

-Keith Smith, associate vice president, Agricultural Administration and director, OSU Extension

As we described in an earlier issue of Communiqué, I asked a team of Extension personnel from OAEP, ESP, and CES to review our strategic plan (launched in 2008) to assess our progress with implementation of the plan. I have been pleased by the strategic plan review committee’s diligence and attention to the task of reviewing the plan from January to July. The committee report was thorough, thoughtful, and forward-thinking.

The strategic plan review committee then met with Extension Administrative Cabinet during a two-day retreat in mid-August to discuss the report and how best to keep implementing the goals and strategies outlined in the plan. I appreciate the review committee’s enthusiastic participation during the review as well as the retreat, and the committee members will remain engaged as we move forward. At our September meeting, Administrative Cabinet will be discussing next steps, including the appointment of a “point person” to help guide this process. More information will be shared with the organization as the next steps are defined. 

Thanks again to the team who accepted the challenge to review the strategic plan and participate in this process -- Kirk Bloir, ESP; Joe Boggs, ESP; Kathy Booher, ESP; Kaye Clay, CES; Deb Delp, CES; Mike Estadt, ESP; Lee Ann Johnson, CES; Bev Kelbaugh, Admin; Jackie LaMuth, OAEP; Kathy Lechman (chair), OAEP; Kate Lobley, CES; Mark Light, OAEP; Barb Ludwig, Admin rep; Brian McClain, Admin; Joseph Maiorano, OAEP; Rose Fisher Merkowitz (chair), OAEP; Becky Nesbitt, OAEP; Kara Newby, OAEP; Ryan Schmiesing, Admin; Kris Simpson, CES; Treva Williams, OAEP.

10 Inclusionist Behaviors in Leadership

During 2012, we are publishing short statements by OSU Extension Administrative Cabinet members describing how they strive to incorporate inclusionist behaviors into their work. Refer to the introductory article in the January 9 issue of Communiqué for more information.

Behavior #8 – Inclusionist leaders intentionally LBO – Look Beyond the Obvious, to recognize, develop and promote employees who may not fit the traditional mold.

From the Extension perspective, perhaps we do as well with this inclusionist behavior as any. Look around at your colleagues – we have an exceptional group of educators who do not fit into the traditional mold of a teacher. We have people who have the unique ability to take research-based information from a prestigious system of universities, and translate it into usable forms for the people of Ohio. Our colleagues work in informal settings, and they utilize experiential education. We believe and practice that people learn best by doing.

Our challenge has been to adequately develop, recognize and promote these employees. Many naturally develop due to the situations in which they are immersed. County Extension professionals are pretty independent, and administrative leadership supports that independence. Such independence enhances programming based on local needs, as well as further creativity. I truly think the best new ideas in Extension originate from our county folks.

We could probably increase the recognition and promotion of our Extension people. We have a good start in this by allowing qualified and interested people to lead area and state-wide teams, events and curriculum development. We have a promotions system in place for most positions. We have professional organizations that provide competitive award opportunities.

Most of us do not seek praise, adulation or awards. But we do respond to the recognition of a “job well done.” Giving credit to the person who originates the idea, introducing acknowledging the folks who significantly contribute to the success of a venture, or sending a handwritten note or short email stating that the colleague is a critical asset to our organization should be a part of all our jobs. It takes a little extra effort, but the returns are great.

-Tom Archer, assistant director, 4-H Youth Development

Extension Annual Conference RFPs are Due by September 10

You are invited to attend and participate in the OSU Extension 2012 Annual Conference on December 5. This year’s conference theme is “Embracing the Past. Building the Future.”

Proposals are due by September 10. Proposals may be submitted in one of the following formats: half-session, full-session, or poster. See the attached summary for an overview and submission instructions.

Related Documents

Volunteers Needed to work at Farm Science Review September 17-20

Volunteer help is needed at the Universal Design exhibit during Farm Science Review (FSR) on September 18-20, from 9-4 pm. Choose the day and hours that work best for you. You can work 2 hours, 4 hours -- or more. Also, help is needed on Monday, September 17 from 10 am -2 pm to prepare the exhibit.

If you are not available to help, please share this information with others in your office who might be interested. An OSU ID gets you into FSR. If you have volunteers who might be interested, a pass will be available for them. Contact Pat Holmes, (holmes.86@osu.edu; 937-224-9654).

The exhibit features kitchen, bath, laundry/mud room, AgrAbility garage, and an educational space with ease-of-use for all ages and abilities. This year we are adding more lighting, a garden tools/gardening area outside of the exhibit, and a poster with examples of Universal Design during the past 50 years.

On-site training will be provided for all volunteers who may not have worked with Universal Design at all or not very much. Check out the video at http://ehe.osu.edu/ud.

Universal Design is a philosophy based on the idea that products and environments can be attractively designed to meet the needs of all ages and abilities. Universal Design principles use exterior and interior features to maximize safety and independence for everyone.

The Universal Design housing display is located in the McCormick Building at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center 135 SR 38 NE, London, just south of I-70. More information about FSR, including directions, is posted online at http://fsr.osu.edu.

This is an on-going collaborative project involving the following partners: Ohio State University Extension; The Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology; The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences; Dave Fox Home Remodeling; Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse.

County Display Pick Up

Attention: Carroll, Champaign, Clermont, Clinton, Crawford, Defiance, Harrison, Jackson, Knox, Logan, Marion, Medina, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Seneca, Trumbull, Union, Van Wert, Williams counties have yet to pick up your FREE displays.

Your county’s general Extension display was delivered to main campus Kottman Hall. To save shipping time and expense, we are again asking that you pick up your county display at room 258 Kottman Hall as soon as possible. When you get your display, cross your county name off the list posted in the room. If you have questions contact Dave Scardena at (614-292-9607; scardena.1@osu.edu).

2012 National Outreach Scholarship Conference - October 1-3

Registration is open for the National Outreach Scholarship Conference (NOSC), which will be hosted by University of Alabama. The 2012 theme is: Partner. Inspire. Change. Three tracks will explore:

  • Voice of the Community Partner
  • Voice of the Faculty and Staff
  • Voice of the Students

“NOSC’s goal is to work collaboratively to build strong university-community partnerships anchored in the rigor of scholarship and designed to help build community capacity.” More information about the conference, and pre-conference workshops is available at http://nosc2012.ua.edu/register.html