Plugged In: For UMaine Extension Staff and Volunteers

ELT Minutes, November 13, 2014

Extension Leadership Team Minutes
November 13, 2014
Richard Randall Student Center – Augusta
9:00 – 3:30

Facilitator: Dennis Harrington

Note taker: Fran Sulinski

Present: John, Dennis, Fran, Lisa and Jon

Prioritize Agenda:

Charging Overhead for Extension Program Revenue

As an element of the FY15 budget plan, the Extension Leadership Team has begun to set parameters for the cost of programs and ways in which program revenue can partially support the true costs of program delivery. Beginning January 1, 2015, a 10% “Extension Overhead” rate will apply to most fee generating programs. As a result 90% of revenue generated by programs will be dedicated to funding the direct costs of a program. Some exemptions are possible. Funds collected as Extension Overhead will be used to offset our base budget expenses such as in-state travel, fringe benefits for counties, postage, and telecommunications.  This rate and associated policies are being developed by the ELT with input from a focus group of Extension faculty and professionals. The ELT acknowledges that this may require adjustments in the amount people pay for Extension programs. Dennis Harrington will be working on resources to help you clarify the cost associated with a program and how much you should be charging.

Hiring a Food System Program Administrator

We will be going forward to begin an external search to hire a Food Systems Program Administrator. John and the ELT will work on the job description and formulate a search committee.

Announcements:

Bryant Pond Board just received $235 K from Next Gen for the Bryant Pond Barn. The teamwork that resulted in this award has been excellent. Many thanks to all who have worked on this effort.

Tracey Ferwerda and Michele Lodgek announced that the transition to events and registration management on the new centralized database management system from the Publications web sales site is complete. For the future, all registrations and payments will be handled by the new system. Tracey is to be commended for helping to pioneer web-based events for Extension and for helping our staff to be more entrepreneurial and professional in the eyes of customers.

The University of Maine Department of Industrial Cooperation, which manages intellectual property rights, has reported that Cooperative Extension’s stake as an intellectual property owner of the Logic Model Planning and Reporting System (known as MPRS in Maine) has generated $17,437.50 in licensing fees from Michigan State University, Colorado State University, and the University of Delaware. Half of that amount ($8,718.75) has benefited Cooperative Extension’s operating budget.

Announcement Invitation:

The ELT invites you to submit items to be included in the minutes/announcements of the next regularly scheduled ELT meeting.  This is an opportunity to share with the ELT and the rest of the organization any of the following:

• Notable programmatic accomplishments
• Development or fundraising success
• Significant new partnerships and/or opportunities
• Important transitions

Please take the opportunity to share your good works through this avenue.  Keep it brief… approximately two to four sentences would be appreciated. To submit an announcement, please contact your PA or appropriate member of the ELT.

Please remember to visit University of Maine’s news site for additional University of Maine Cooperative Extension highlight.

Search Updates:

Blueberry Cove Camp & Learning Center Director – Advertising until 11/14/14

ELT Meeting Dates – 2014 & 2015 – Meetings are from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm – unless otherwise noted