Things to Know

2023 All Organization Conference
Wednesday, November 8–Thursday, November 9, 2023
Wells Conference Center, University of Maine Campus, Orono, Maine

Celebrating Extension: Here, Now and Moving Forward with Intention

Table of Contents:

Agenda

If you would like a hard copy of the agenda, please print it and bring it with you. We’re saving paper by placing QR codes on your name badge and on the table tents. Your name badge will also indicate the breakout sessions and meals you’ve selected. There will be a poster of the full agenda in the lobby as well as other helpful signage with all location information.

Conference Norms

Meeting norms are standards of behavior a team expects of its members and can be viewed as the ground rules for how we collaborate. While we’re gathered, we expect your participation and engagement in this once a year opportunity to connect in-person with all of Extension. Some common norms include:

  • Starting and ending sessions on time as much as possible to respect each other’s time.
  • Meet as many new people as you can.
  • Introduce yourself and share what you do.
  • Be present with the people you are meeting with. Put away phones and other devices during the meeting.
  • Give presenters your full attention by limiting distractions from electronic devices.
  • Engage and participate.
  • Look ahead to positive action – not back on “shoulda, woulda, coulda.
  • Get up, stretch or stand up.

Please share any norms you would appreciate from your fellow colleagues or ones that you promise to uphold yourself.

Dress

Be prepared for the weather since some breakout sessions and employee group meet ups may be located outside of Wells Conference Center (first day) or Minksy Hall (second day). Comfortable shoes are also a good choice for the same reason. Casual attire is fine. We prefer that you are comfortable enough to fully engage in activities and discussions!

It is also good to dress in layers to be prepared for meeting rooms that fluctuate in temperature. The top layer should be warmer than you’d expect to have to wear indoors.

Travel

Central organizational funds will support your mileage and additional meals according to normal travel practices. Chartfield information will be included in the confirmation email that you’ll receive once you have registered for the conference. Please carpool as much as possible.

Soft Money/Grant Staff and Staff Who Work 20 Hours or Less

We want to make sure there are as few financial barriers to attending as possible. Soft money/grant staff members will have their lodging and mileage paid by central funds. Staff members who work 20 hours or less may (with the supervisor’s approval) work your regular schedule in addition to reporting 16 hours to attend the conference. If you or your supervisor have questions or concerns, please contact Beth Hawkyard, beth.hawkyard@maine.edu.

Hotels

You can register to have a hotel room reserved for you at one of the two hotels holding a block of rooms for Extension staff who are attending the 2023 UMaine Extension All Organization Conference.

However, instead of calling the hotels yourself, let us book the room for you by contacting Ella Glatter, directly, at 207.581.2919 or at ella.glatter@maine.edu.

When you contact Ella, please indicate your preferences:

  • Which hotel would you like to stay at? You can find the list below.
  • Please indicate which nights you’ll be staying (November 7-8).
  • Unless you indicate you’d like to share a room with another Extension staff member, your reservation will be for a single room. Please Note: If you are sharing a room, please specify who that person is so that reservations aren’t duplicated.
  • Will you need any specific room accommodations such as a first-floor room?

The two hotels with room blocks reserved for this conference:

Wells Conference Center

Location on Both Days: Wednesday, November 8 and 9, 2023

Wells Conference Center is a versatile, spacious, all-in-one conference facility with on-site catering and three separate event rooms (the two largest can be combined into one) as well as a bright atrium. With nearly 10,000 square feet of conference space, Wells is ideal for medium- or large-scale meetings, banquets, exhibits, and presentations. The Center offers complimentary wireless internet and standard audio-visual equipment.

Directions to Wells Conference Center, Orono Campus

map of reserved conference parking map with wells and corbett buildings singled out
The Wells Lot on Munson Road, directly across from the Wells Conference Center at 131 Munson Road, has been reserved for conference attendees. (Click to Enlarge)

There will be parking spaces, reserved specifically for this conference, in a lot close to Wells Conference Center.

If you currently have a UMaine Staff Blue Parking Permit, please make use of other available lots next to Corbett and Dunn Halls to ensure plenty of parking is available in the Wells Lot for those who are traveling from other areas of the state to attend this conference.

If the Wells Lot is full upon your arrival, please see someone at the registration table or Planning Committee Member Ella Glatter, at the conference, to obtain a temporary parking pass for another lot.

NOTE: The overnight parking ban, on campus, starts November 1. Please do not leave cars in the reserved parking lot overnight and carpool to hotels.

Minsky Recital Hall: Directions and Parking

Location on Thursday, November 9 (Day 2)

Located adjacent to the Collins Center for the Arts in the Class of 1944 Hall, the 276-seat Minsky Recital Hall is home to our Chamber Music Series. Please only bring sealed water into this hall as this is a food and drink free location. 

Directions to Minsky Recital Hall/Collins Center of the Arts, Orono Campus:

On Thursday, November 9, we’ve reserved parking at the Belgrade Lot which is located in front of the Collins Center of the Arts (the most direct route to Minsky Hall).

Program Sharing | Poster Session

Many new staff are interested in learning more about the programs, research, and organizational activities offered by Extension staff. We encourage you to share information about your programs and organizational activities. 

We have two wonderful opportunities this year. First, as in years past, we’re inviting folks to have an informational poster about their program, an area of research or a project they’d like to share with fellow colleagues. We welcome these posters to be set up for the full first day of the conference in Wells (set up anytime, but prior to 9:00 is preferable). 

After lunch on the first day, we’ll host a Speed Sharing session, in which folks will present to the full group in 3 minutes or less using slides, video or talk! Committee members will be available during breaks and lunch to assist with set-up. Please see the objectives and guidelines below. The number of accepted presentations will be capped at fourteen as time for this session is limited.

Objectives

  • Share a project you’re passionate about with the organization.
  • Inspire others with unique program approaches.
  • Highlight needs assessment, program development, program delivery, or evaluation approaches.
  • Share administrative tools, methods, or topics that could benefit others.
  • Learn about potential collaborations and overlaps in areas of work.
  • Gain a better understanding of what UMaine Extension is about.

Guidelines

  • This is going to be a fast moving session.
  • Talks will be no more than 3 minutes each.
  • If using slides, the file must be sent to the session facilitator no later than Monday the 6th.
  • If focusing on a program, be sure to highlight the aspects of the program that could be helpful to others outside your area of expertise. Focus on unique approaches of your needs assessment, program development, and/or outreach activities and reporting.

Interested in joining in? Session facilitator, Jason Lilley is leading these program sharing opportunities and will contact you to confirm your participation and needs after you’ve registered. When registering, please indicate your program / focus area. Any questions, please contact Jason Lilley at jason.lilley@maine.edu.

Evening Events, Cash Bar/Music

We invite you to join us at an optional pre-conference social will be held at Bangor Beer Co., 330 Bangor Mall Boulevard, Bangor, Maine 04401 (Directions, Google Maps) on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be provided, however (alcoholic) beverages will not be provided. You are welcome to purchase your own. 

If you have already registered for the conference, please R.S.V.P to the optional pre-conference social by October 20, 2023:

R.S.V.P. – 2023 Pre-Conference Social at Bangor Beer Company

Dinner, socializing and Jeopardy at Wells on the first night, Wednesday, November 8, will be hosted with a cash bar. 

More details to come!

University Photo

The Planning Committee is hoping to arrange to have a UMaine photographer at Wells Conference Center during the conference so that Extension staff members can have their photos taken to be added to their staff directory listings. More details coming soon.

Contact Ella Glatter, directly, at 207.581.2919 or at ella.glatter@maine.edu.

Rec Center Access and Directions (New Balance Student Recreation Center)

Why not spend some of your free time, getting in a work-out, in the afternoon of Wednesday, November 8 or end of conference on Thursday, November 9? Maybe an early morning session? The Rec Center is a great place to move!

How to Obtain Rec Center Access

If everyone is employed here then they just need to make sure they have completed their online waiver.  They will need to go to “Employee Self-Service” under MaineStreet in the myCampus portal (see screenshot below) and then click on the box for “UMS Recreation Release Form” and complete it. Once they have completed this task the box should have a green circle with a checkmark.  This will ensure they are able to swipe in when arriving.

Everyone will need to have their MaineCard or some type of Photo ID with them.

a screenshot of the area to gain rec center access on MaineStreet of the myCampus portal
For access to the recreation center, please go to the myCampus portal, MaineStreet Employee Self Service screen, and click on UMS Recreation Release Form to sign the Recreation Center waiver.

Cancellations

If you need to cancel your registration, please cancel by Friday, October 20, 2023 if possible. This will help prevent us from being charged for your food.

Contact Ella Glatter at ella.glatter@maine.edu if you need to cancel your registration.