Memorandum of Understanding
Between Maine Extension Homemakers Council and University of Maine Cooperative Extension
I. Mission
A. Extension Homemakers Council: to develop leadership and promote Cooperative Extension’s educational programs in all parts of Maine; to provide a communication link between community, county, and state.
B. Cooperative Extension: to help Maine people improve their lives through an educational process that uses research-based knowledge focused on issues and needs.
II. Terms of Agreement
A. Educators shall
- initiate annual discussion about how we (county and state homemakers council and Cooperative Extension) are going to work together;
- provide and/or help identify training materials, programs and resources as they relate to the educational goals of Cooperative Extension;
- be a source of research-based information and sound subject-matter expertise;
- encourage the development of leadership skills;
- provide opportunities through the County executive committee for input into the county plan of work and for negotiation of time dedicated to homemaker groups;
- maintain positive, open lines of communication;
- provide information about current issues and trends and about Extension’s accomplishments;
- negotiate copying and mailing according Cooperative Extension policies;
- participate in county advisory board meetings to provide input and feedback, and to help with planning and locating resources.
B. Homemaker groups shall
- provide programs each year that relate to the educational goals of Cooperative Extension;
- represent Cooperative Extension in the community by being informed about Extension’s programs, and by providing programs that are current, educational and research-based, where appropriate;
- extend Cooperative Extension programs into the community each year;
- attend and participate in county advisory board meetings;
- meet current civil rights guidelines;
- maintain positive open lines of communication;
- provide information about activities and accomplishments to the county educators.
III. General Considerations
This Memorandum of Understanding should be reviewed periodically and updated to meet the needs of both partners.