Overview of Extension Advisory Leadership

Groups

Strengthening Extension Advisory Leaders

Cathy M. Sutphin, PhDVirginia Cooperative Extension

Virginia Tech

Who Makes Up the Group?

At least 10 volunteers and faculty/staff

Structure

Reflective of the community Include key stakeholders Size determined by work to be done

and talents and skills available Committees

Membership Committee

Personal Characteristics

Sex Age Race or Ethnic Origin

Location

Access to Community

Sectors

Skill Areas

Current

Extension Involvement

Names

Male

Fe

male

Yo

uth

20-35

36-45

46-65

Over 65

African A

merica

n

Asian

Hispanic

Am

erican Indian

White

Other

Area #1

Area #2

Area #3

Area #4

Bu

siness/Industry

Ed

ucatio

n

Local Go

v't

Hu

ma

n Services

Re

ligious Com

munity

No

n-profit Sector

Media

Other

Re

source De

v.

Co

mm

unity P

lanning

Pu

blic Relations

Program

Ma

nagem

ent

Vo

luntee

r System

s Mgt.

Other

Program

area: AN

R

Program

area: 4-H

Program

Area: F

CS

No

n-users of program

AN

R A

gent

FC

S A

gent

4-H A

gent

Se

cretary

Te

chnician

Roles and Responsibilities Identify local issues and prioritize Assess current Extension programs and

make decisions Identify opportunities for collaboration Design and implement a plan of action Develop and implement a resource plan Report program results Be an advocate for Extension

Creating a Shared Mission and Vision

A Shared Vision Is Not An Idea

Commitment is Everything

Shared Vision is Necessary to Provide Focus and Energy

The Power of a Vision

Personal visions derive their power from an individual's deep caring for the vision. Shared visions derive their power from a common caring.

The Visioning Process Identifying the desired states. Developing a vision. Identifying general goals/strategies for the

desired states. Developing specific objectives and strategies Identifying resources needed and if absent,

developing a plan for securing them. Communicating the vision, strategies, and

tactics to the rest of the organization and other key stakeholders.

Identifying the Desired State

What is going well? What is not going well? What would it look like in an ideal

situation?

Statement

There are not enough young people, in our community, who know about the opportunities available through Extension.

Rewritten Statement

Community youth are aware of all the opportunities available to them through Extension.

Visioning …

Without Your Own Vision, All You Can Do Is Sign-Up For Someone

Else’s

Expand Your Ideas

What would you do differently? Three wishes What idea has not been tried? What are some opportunities?

Creating the Shared Vision

Describe the desired state and how to get there

Identify barriers and strategies

Engage Stakeholders

Conducting an Effective Visioning Session

Recruit a facilitator Location that avoids interruptions Flipcharts

Idea Generators

Where and why have we been successful?

What has brought respect? What needs or trends do we see? Ideal program Is there a fit?

Identify General Goals/Strategies

Statements about what is needed to achieve your desired future

List in order of importance If everything on the list happens,

you will achieve what you desire

Specific Objectives/Strategies Specific Measurable Time related Responsibility

Identify Resources Needed

Develop plan to secure them if they are not available

People, skills, money, equipment, and time

Communicate the Vision

How to Gain Commitment

Gaining Commitment

You must be convinced yourself Be honest Let the other person make his/her

own decisions

Gaining Commitment Listen when people want to talk Speak wisely when invited

Vision Killers

Toward Reality

Volunteers and Paid Staff Become Partners

Summary

Vision is the “What?” Purpose or mission is the “Why?” Values answer “How do we want to

act, consistent with our mission, in order to achieve our vision?”

References Board, B. (1999). Local Extension leadership

councils. Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Senge, P.M. (1990). The fifth discipline: The art and practice of the learning organization. New York, NY: Doubleday.

Sutphin, C. M. (2001). On volunteerism: Visioning. Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Vineyard, S. (1991). Secrets of motivation. How to get and keep volunteers and paid staff. Downers Grove, IL: Heritage Arts Publishing.