Plugged In: For UMaine Extension Staff and Volunteers

ELT Minutes: January 19, 2016

Extension Leadership Team Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2016
102B Libby Hall

Facilitator: Lisa Phelps
Note taker: John Rebar

Online Learning

Peter Schilling, Executive Director for Innovation in Teaching and Learning within the UMaine Division of Lifelong Learning, joined the ELT to discuss the needs of our faculty/programming professionals regarding developing online learning resources for our customers. Understanding the learner and their needs is critical for success. Peter shared examples of UMaine faculty who are using various methods of online learning. A staff development opportunity to help Extension faculty and program professionals understand the technology and resource people that are available and the process for creating online learning opportunities for our customers is a likely next step. Fran will follow up with Peter and Dennis is inviting Peter to visit some of our facilities that can be used for enhancing online learning opportunities.

Best Practices

Anna Soule-Williams, MBA graduate student in an internship with Extension, is working in our Finance office for approximately six months. She is developing best practices for the actions of Extension employees with the management of county appropriations to local Extension Associations. The group reviewed a survey that will be sent to county staff who work with the funding of the local Extension Associations. Anna shared a timeline for connecting with the local county Extension offices during the spring of 2016.

4-H Update

Ryder Scott will join the ELT for the annual update from the 4-H camping programs (Feb. 3). Susan Jennings will meet with the ELT for an update from the Maine 4-H Foundation (Mar. 1).

Plant, Animal and Insect Lab Update

The Plant, Animal and Insect Laboratory planning has shifted to purchasing an existing facility at 17 Godfrey Drive in Orono. Buying an existing, yet underutilized facility will be far more cost effective then building a new lab. The existing facility would need to be modified to meet the needs of the new lab, but this can be done within the budget available and create a better facility then was being proposed. The proposal to purchase the facility has been approved by the Facilities, Finance, and Technology committee of the UMS-Board of Trustees. Permission to pursue the purchase will likely be granted at the UMS-BOT meeting on January 25.

Employee Group Meetings Outcomes

The ELT will meet with the employee representatives on January 27 (January 28 snow date) to review the employee group meetings that were held in November and December 2015. Jon and Fran have developed an agenda and plan for the day. The group reviewed the agenda and made assignments for who will lead which parts of the agenda. The data collected in the employee group meetings will be distributed to the staff representatives. It is hoped that the proposed process can be carried out in a single day meeting.

Future Meetings Between ELT and Executive Committee Presidents

The ELT used to hold periodic meetings to which we would invite all County Extension Association Executive Committee Presidents, as a way of updating them on Extension, and creating a sense of communication and connection among Committee Presidents and also between them and the ELT.  Technology has made it easier to connect to them, and there have been some regional meetings among County Executive Committee officers. Jon Prichard will conduct a needs assessment of presidents to determine if a meeting is desirable and how such a meeting would be implemented (one face-to-face session, regional meetings, video conference, conference call).

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 highlights.

Search Update and Welcome New Staff Members:

• Program Coordinator – 4-H Maine Community Central Professional – Reviewing Applications

ELT Meeting Dates –2016: Meetings are from 9:00 am to 3:30 PM, unless otherwise noted.