Extension Leadership Team Meeting Minutes June 13, 2022
Extension Leadership Team Meeting Minutes
June 13, 2022
Virtual Meeting 8:30-10:30 AM
Facilitator: Ryder Scott
Note taker: Fran Sulinski
Please note: Due to the confidentiality and sensitivity of some agenda items, these ELT minutes do not represent the full content of each meeting.
Updates
NEED/NERA Meeting Debrief
UMaine hosted this meeting of Northeast Extension and Experiment Station Deans and Directors. Jason Bolton presented information about the process of innovation and facilitated an innovation process session. The focus on innovation, networking, civil rights and more were beneficial and attendees spoke highly of the meeting content and enjoyed their time in Portland.
Associate Dean Position, DLL Transitions, Positions
The Associate Dean position is at the president’s level awaiting approval with the Vice Chancellor of Finance approval the next and last stage.
Extension Connections Overview
Hannah presented an overview of the items that she will cover in the Extension Connections this afternoon.
County/Program/Office Visits
Hannah shared information about her recent visits and talked about the value of getting to hear from our staff. She appreciates the time the staff members are taking to be a part of these meetings.
Congressional Directed Spending Requests (Earmarks)
Extension was successful in our requests. The topics are support for our work on ticks, PFAS, food innovation and forestry.
ExtensionCorp
Hannah and Fran were approached about a web platform that would host temporary job opportunities that retired staff members might be interested in and well qualified to take on. The platform is built and would need some tailoring. Go to: www.theboomerinstitute.com)
Advice/Discussion/Action
Search Committees
UMaine Extension has an unprecedented number of searches happening at this time. The ELT would like staff to know that Fran and Beth are available to support search chairs in any way. If you are new to acting as a search chair or would like a refresher, Fran provides a search committee process briefing by request. Please do not hesitate to reach out.
Information
Salesforce Update from Monica Palmer
Many conversations continue as several groups from Extension are moving forward with implementing Salesforce. Others have stepped forward to learn more about Salesforce and how it can help their area.
- A custom solution has been built in Salesforce to support volunteer management. This includes tools for tracking specific volunteer events (i.e., Farm to Table Camp) as well as program-level information (i.e., Master Gardener). It also allows for tracking of an individual’s participation in one or many volunteer programs. The solution is intended to be an easy way to get volunteer information in one place that will allow for better tracking and reporting of volunteer efforts. A demo will take place in July for representatives across Extension who work with volunteers. A screenshot of the custom solution (draft) is included below.
- The Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab (PDDL) internal portal continues to thrive. Improvements are being made as the group gets more familiar with the tool.
- Food Testing Services (FTS) is continuing in conversations around specifications for their Salesforce solution. Necessary tools have been identified (such as a document generation tool) and meetings with vendors have taken place. Expected go-live is September.
- A suite of tools has been identified that will provide Extension with a web-form builder, document generation, payment integrations with TouchNet and (eventually) event management. These tools are necessary for the work the PDDL and FTS are doing. The event management piece will replace the CDMS. Procurement is underway.
- Plans continue to be made around migrating Extension email users to Mailchimp and what onboarding and continuing training will look like.
Announcements & Congratulations
In the Governor State of the State address, Governor Mills mentioned marine scholarships and Blueberry Cove and Bryant Pond were successful in acquiring these funds.
Congratulations to Dr. Alicyn Smart for the subaward agreement of $30,000 from the US Dept of Agriculture for the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) program- Maine. Alicyn Smart will function as the State’s NPDN liaison to spearhead the First Detector program in Maine to identify plant pathogens and share findings with others as a functional gatekeeper to protect agricultural interests in the region.
Congratulations to Jason Lilley for the award of $184,013 from the University of Vermont for the project Covering Ground: Assessing Effectiveness of Interseeded Cover Crops in Late Season Vegetables to Enhance Soil Health in the Northeast. This project will investigate best management practices associated with planting cover crops into standing, late-season vegetables. The goal is to educate farmer audiences and promote ecologically, and economically sound practices to improve soil health in crop and vegetable operations in Maine.
Search Updates
Progressing to HireTouch / Approval in HireTouch:
Associate Dean of Extension
Operations Manager, Tanglewood / Blueberry Cove
4-H Community Education Assistant CL2, Cumberland
Admin Specialist, Highmoor Farm
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Manager
4-H Community Education Assistant, Waldo (paused)
Admin Specialist CL3 80%, Cumberland
Admin Specialist CL3 – Solutions Support Analyst, Orono
Admin Specialist CL3 – Customer Relationship Management, Orono
Posted:
Accounting & Operations Professional, Orono
Coordinator, Bryant Pond / Greenland Point 4-H Centers
Director, Bryant Pond / Greenland Point 4-H Centers
Parent Education Professional, Maine Families Visitor, Knox/Lincoln
Asst. Ext. Prof., Maine Sust. Ag & Hort & Maple Industry Educator, Southern Maine
Admin Spec CL1, Hancock
4-H Community Education Assistant CL2, Oxford
4-H Community Education Assistant CL2, Washington
Admin Specialist CL2, Tanglewood & Blueberry Cove
Community Education Assistant CL1 EFNEP
Community Education Assistant CL1 EFNEP
Interviewing:
Dairy Forage Educator
Sustainable Ag & Hort Professional, Aroostook
4-H Youth Development Professional, Aroostook
4-H Science Professional, TBD
Offer stage / Verbal acceptance:
Admin Specialist CL2 Libby Hall, Offered
Hired:
Webmaster, Orono Michelle Snowden
Community Education Assistant CL2, Magic Lantern, Rebecca Mosley
Admin Spec CL2, Cumberland, Maire Lenihan
Community Education Assistant, Hancock, Leah McCluskey
Sustainable Ag & Hort Professional, Somerset, Brett Johnson
Sustainable Ag & Hort Professional, Franklin, Nick Rowley
2022 ELT Meeting Dates
| Dates | Facilitator | Notes | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 11 | Sulinski | Arndt | Virtual |
| August 8 | Arndt | Bailey | Virtual |
| September 12 | Bailey | Bolton | Virtual |
| October 11 | Bolton | Carter | Virtual |
| October 20 | Fall Retreat | 10 AM – 2 PM | TBD |
| November 14 | Carter | Dill | Virtual |
| December 12 | Dill | Harrington | Virtual |