EMPOWERMENT THROUGH EDUCATION

Extension Advisory Committees A Valuable Resource

Jack Kerrigan, North East Region Director

Gwen Wolford, Director, CFAES Government Relations

Committee

Members:– Julie Dalzell, – Brian Raison, – Cindy Shuster, – Nancy Stehulak, – Treva Williams, – Gary Wilson

Co-Chairs: – Gwen Wolford– Jack Kerrigan

Task: To Revise the Partners in Action Fact Sheet Series

Committee Objectives: 1.Provide guidelines for Extension Advisory Committees (EACs)

2.Provide materials in a format that is easily accessible and can be updated quickly

3.Provide a resource library of materials (EAC orientation materials, questions to engage the committee)

4.Forum for input of ideas from other CEDs

Survey To Determine Needs of CEDs

• 7 questions• 43 CEDs responded

Some of the general challenges:• Purpose of the committee • Who should be on the committee and how

do we get the right person• Keeping committee engaged and

maintaining commitment of members• Value to OSUE

Purpose Of The Committee

How do you best utilize your Extension Advisory Committee? Check all that apply:

• Marketing Extension – 95%

• Legislative advocacy – 86%

• County budget requests – 79%

• Coalition Building/partnerships – 71%

• Nominating committee to find new members – 43%

• Finding available grants, cost recovery initiatives, donors – 29%

• Diversity Review – 26%

• Technology – 5%

Who Should Be On The Committee and How Do We Get The Right Person

What areas are represented on your Extension Advisory Committee?

• Program Areas – 100%

• Business owners/leaders – 74%

• Social Service Agencies – 71%

• County Administration – 69%

• Schools – 55%

• Commodity Groups – 50%

• Civic Organizations – 43%

• Financial Institutions – 29%

• Faith Communities – 12%

• Media – 10%

Keeping Committee Engaged and Maintaining Commitment of Members

What questions you ask to actively engage your Extension Advisory Committee?

• What is the “word on the street” about Extension? What have you heard from this office?

• What are current community issues? Needs assessment.

• What are the program needs and priorities? What feedback are you hearing on current programs?

• How can we better market – programs and impacts?

Keeping Committee Engaged- continued

What questions you ask to actively engage your Extension Advisory Committee?

• How do we best utilize scarce funds? Budget advice.

• How can we use technology in outreach and marketing?

• Who should we be networking & collaborating with? And can you help in that effort?

Value to OSUE

What positive outcomes have been obtained through the use of your advisory committee?

• Legislative advocacy• Positive relationships with elected officials• Promotion of OSUE programs• Marketing of OSUE and our impacts• Strategic advice on budgets, staffing,

programming, diversity, technology, marketing• Increased collaborations• Expanded outreach to new audiences• Levy support• Needs assessment

Resources Developed

• Basic guidelines• Committee Orientation materials• “Linkedin” conversations at

http://www.linkedin.com/

How can we help you with advisory committees?