Extension Leadership Team Minutes April 4, 2016

April 26, 2016 ELT Minutes

Extension Leadership Team Minutes
April 4, 2016
Farmhouse, Room 11, University of Maine at Augusta

Facilitator: Richard Brzozowski
Note taker: Jon Prichard

UMaine Admissions and 4-H

UMaine Admissions is providing greater visibility to 4-H in recognition of its value.  Students applying to UMaine through the mobile app will from now on be able  to check off if they were in 4-H.  Also the admissions staff is willing to attend our 4-H programs and meet with students.  The $40 application fee will be waived if the youth apply to UMaine using the mobile App and with the assistance of the admissions staff attending the 4-H event.

UMaine NSFA Intern Program for Maine Farmers

Dick is working with UMaine College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture to develop an internship program on Maine farms by UMaine students.  Working toward an online process for matching student interns with Maine farmers.

Farmer Veteran Coalition of Maine

Dick met with the Executive Director of Farmer Veteran Coalition of Maine.  Exploring how we can further support Veteran Farmers.

Recent Extension Ag Events

By all accounts the recent Livestock 101 (Orono campus) and Rural Living Day (Waldo County) weekend events went very well.  Staff did a great job.

Maine State 4-H Public Speaking Event at UMaine April 9

This is the first time that youth from almost all of the 16 counties in Maine will be participating in the statewide program at Orono.  Very strong registration with over 40 youth participating.

Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Centers Enrollment

Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Centers are seeing very good enrollment numbers for their summer camp programs, thanks to the hard work of the staff as well as good marketing efforts.

IT Transition

Lisa is continuing to work with relevant IT folks to support the transition.

Extension’s Online Registration Process

Michele joined the ELT to discuss Extension’s online registration process for Extension programs and address some ways to improve customer experience.

Some recommendations are:

  • Staff are encouraged to simplify and thoroughly test forms before registration goes live. The more user-friendly the registration, the more likely the customer will have a positive experience and a successful registration.
  • Use online registration for free events as well as events that require payment.
  • Contact Michele for training on creating an event and generating reports.
  • Allow at least 4 weeks of lead-time before your event for promotion and registration (to help eliminate the last minute demands that throws off everyone’s work)
  • iPET can help you with your promotion and registration needs!
  • Utilize the newly created iPET Checklist for promoting your event. The checklist is on Plugged In at https://extension.umaine.edu/plugged-in/technology-marketing-communications/marketing/event-checklist/.

Updating Extension Website to Include Administration link

Most Departments at UMaine have a staff page that indicates who the leadership are. Extension does not.  We do have a staff directory but it is not searchable. We decided to create a page that identifies UMaine Extension administration and contact information.  The page will also include a welcome message from John Rebar.

Executive Committee/County Coordinator Survey Update

Recently the ELT surveyed Executive Committee Presidents and County Coordinators to gather feedback regarding how the ELT communicates with County Executive Committees.  We were seeking to learn if there is anything more we can be doing to facilitate communication between the ELT and Executive Committees, and also among and between County EC leadership from different counties.  The survey was completed by 3 EC Presidents and 14 County Coordinators.  The survey questions were multiple choice and respondents could choose more than one response.  Among the findings:

  • How EC members receive information about Extension
    • EC meetings (89%)
    • Periodic web-based updates from John Rebar (78%)
    • County staff reports (67%)
  • Most valuable information for EC and County Coordinators to receive from ELT
    • Strategic planning (72%)
    • Staffing Plans (72%)
    • Financial/budgetary (67%)
    • Programming (50%)
  • Best way for EC and/ CCs to receive information from ELT
    • Email (64%)
    • Via County staff and/or Program Administrator (47%)
    • Password-protected website (18%)
    • US mail/postal (6%)
  • Would you attend periodic meetings with ELT members as a means for being updated on current information pertinent to Extension?
    • No (6%)
    • Yes, in person in a central location preferred (53%)
    • Yes, County offices Tandberg preferred (41%)
    • Yes, regional meetings preferred (29%)

Position Search Updates

4-H STEM Professional (Bryant Pond)  – accepting applications

Assistant Extension Professor and Food Scientist (Orono) – accepting applications

Assistant Extension Professor/Extension Livestock Educator (Orono) – accepting applications

Administrative Specialist (CL2) Oxford County – reviewing applications

Announcements:

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


Dates            Facilitator     Notes        Location
April 29 Sulinski Phelps Orono – 102B
May 12 Phelps Rebar Orono – 102B
May 26 Rebar Prichard Augusta – Farmhouse Room 11
June 30 Prichard Harrington Orono – 102B
July 14 Harrington Brzozowski Augusta – Farmhouse Room 11
August 23 Brzozowski Sulinski Orono – 102B