CD Weekly Wire - August 12, 2013

AD Update:

Reporting Our Efforts

The past few updates have focused on some of the key elements necessary for our professional growth and development: the OSUE Competency Model, performance management, coaching, and performance and professional goals. For us to get better we need to understand and use these tools to their fullest. We also need to invest in communicating our efforts.

Making the time to report our program impact is one way to communicate our efforts. The time and other resources we invest in program efforts are more valuable than ever. As such, they must be employed in ways that impact measurable conditions (e.g., social, economic, civic, and environmental – see pde-cms.ag.ohio-state.edu/extension-program-logic-model). A change in conditions is possible when our efforts result in changed behavior, practice, decision making, and policies. These changes are possible when changes occur in awareness, attitudes, and understanding or knowledge surrounding a topic; i.e., the focus of our instruction. We can better answer the ‘So what?’ question when such changes can be documented (think retro pretest-posttest, follow up survey, observation, and review of relevant indicators, for example). To go one step further, describing ‘return on investment’ in dollar terms is possible when we can estimate the economic impact of our efforts (e.g., ‘The program resulted in $1.5 million in new personal income.’).

Clearly, not everything we do can be readily and easily evaluated in these terms. Furthermore, I can still recall hearing Tom Archer (former PD&E Leader) saying that we need not formally evaluate every program conducted. But, aside from the programs we do choose to evaluate, there is great value in thinking through the work we do from the LOGIC Model perspective. Key questions that come to mind are: 

  • What am I trying to achieve? To whom does it matter? How can I determine if it has occurred?
  • What do I need to invest to achieve the results? What specific resources will I need?

Such questions can help us focus our efforts. They also help us better communicate to others what we do. These are two things most all of us can do better, and I look forward to working with you to hone our skills in this area. 

Speaking of communicating efforts, you may recall our annual contributions to a summary report compiled by the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD). When scanning a recent report from USDA highlighting outcomes enabled by the 2008 Farm Bill, I was pleased to notice our efforts were included (see page 32) and appreciate you making the time to contribute.

Have a great week!

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

NACDEP at Galaxy IV Regular Registration ends August 15:

Regular registration ($495) ends Thursday, August 15, for the upcoming Galaxy IV Conference (September 16-20 in Pittsburgh). Click here to register. Late registration ($550) will take place through September 1, after which online registration will end and only walk-ins will be accepted. Click here for an updated listing (as of 8/12/13) of community development-related events at Galaxy IV.

Matinees that Matter: "The Strange Disappearance of the Bees" - August 15:

The Wexner Medical Center is hosting the next Matinees that Matter, “The Strange Disappearance of the Bees,” a frightening documentary about how mass deaths of bees have recently swept all over the world, on Thursday, August 15, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. in 170 Davis Heart and Lung Research. If the dramatic decline in worldwide bee populations continues, essential food crops could disappear, along with entire ecosystems. Please RSVP at: LeadershipAcademy@osumc.edu.

CFAES Comm Tech Social Media Workshops:

Take advantage of one of the three remaining Social Media workshops to be held September 3, October 16 (hopefully you will be attending the CD Retreat on this day!), and November 14. All workshops have the same agenda, but will be held at different locations around the state. The next workshop will be held on Tuesday, September 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. Cost is $15, including lunch. Register for this workshop by August 30. Refer to Kim Roush's email of August 8 for complete details, including registration and agenda.

Now that you have read this far, Greg is offering to cover the $15 registration fee and your mileage to attend one of the workshops. Since this workshop will help develop a strategy to interact, share, and market your programs, it is right in line with some of the discussions that we plan to hold during the CD retreat on October 15 -16. Whether you go before or after the retreat is not an issue. There will be advantages either way. When you register, be sure to indicate the correct chartfield: Org 55120, Fund 530801, User Defined PRODEV. Be sure to charge this chartfield on your mileage log, also; just remember to email Greg for approval if he is not your primary approver. If you attended the first workshop on July 31, let Sandy know, and we will cover those expenses as well.

Staff Advisory Council presents Buckeye Box Training - September 12:

Engagement Scholarship Consortium Conference Registration Deadline and Travel Grants:

The 14th Annual Conference of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium to be held Tuesday and Wednesday, October 8 - 9, at Texas Tech University will include the following five tracks:

  • Community development and regional prosperity
  • Pre-K to 20 education
  • Human relations, well-being and health
  • Sustainable environments and natural resources
  • Global engagement

Register at go.osu.edu/esc13 by Thursday, August 22, to receive early registration rates. The Office of Outreach and Engagement has travel grants available to support faculty, staff and students participating in the meeting. If you have questions, please contact: outreach@osu.edu.

Upcoming eXtension Web Sessions:

Visit eXtension Learn (learn.extension.org) to view and register for the many upcoming webinar sessions available throughout the next couple of months. Topics include:

  • Moodle Meet-Up - August 28 at 2:30 p.m.
  • Online Training Delivery Tricks & Tips - September 25 at 1:00 p.m.
  • Moodle Meet-Up - September 25 at 2:30 p.m.
  • Digital Risk and Safety - September 26 at 2:00 p.m.
  • Moodle Meet-Up - October 30 at 2:30 p.m.
  • Working with and Communicating Across Generations - November 19 at 12:30 p.m.

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SCHOLARLY / CREATIVE / OPPORTUNITIES:

NCRCRD FY13-14 Policy Projects - Call for Proposals due September 12:

The North Central Regional Center for Rural Development has announced a call for FY 13-14 policy projects. These are single- or multiple-investigator projects, and must be led by personnel from a land grant institution within the 12 North Central States. Land grant graduate students and others not employed by land-grants may join a project led by an eligible land grant employee. All projects should plan on starting in November 2013 and submitting a first draft by March 1. Webinars will be scheduled upon final approval of the other outputs.

Suggested Topics (one per proposal, multiple proposals from the same individual are permitted), with a maximum of $15K budget per proposal, are:

  • Land Tenure in the Upper Midwest (12 North Central States)
  • Land Tenure in Tribal Areas (12 North Central States)
  • Community Impacts of Non-Fuel Mining in the Upper Midwest (12 North Central States)
  • Alternative Funding for Food Systems Development
  • Rural Skills Gap in the Upper Midwest (12 North Central States)
  • Opportunities and Threats of Low River Levels in the Upper Midwest
  • Rural Schools-Best Practices in a Changing Environment

Proposals should be received no later than September 12. Email proposals to Scott Loveridge (loveridge2@msu.edu) and use “NCRCRD Special Project Proposal” in the subject line. Click here for complete information, including guidelines, detailed explanation of topics, and cover page.

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REMINDERS / UPDATES / NEWS:

Director's Short Report Video - Educational Technology Specialists:

A new Director’s Short Report video has been posted online. Please note that this is an internal announcement for viewing by OSU Extension professionals. The video provides an update about the Educational Technology Specialist Pilot Program and includes background about the program, the names and contact information for our interim educational technology specialists, as well as comments from each specialist.

New BuckeyeBox-friendly Mobile Apps:

The Office of the CIO’s BuckeyeBox team has tested and synched with three additional mobile applications to unite with Ohio State’s cloud collaboration tool: CloudOn, Notability and iAnnotate. These apps help you review, edit, and share your BuckeyeBox files with your group from anywhere, at any time. For more information, visit: ocio.osu.edu/blog/.

Photo Library Available:

Check out the CommTech photo library at: photolib.cfaes.ohio-state.edu/. No need to obtain permission or credit the source when using these photos.

Administrative Research Council August Newsletter posted Online:

The August issue of ARC Notes is now available at go.osu.edu/arcnotes. This issue includes information and registration for upcoming events and programs, access to funding resources and the Research Development and Grant Writing Newsletter, and other announcements relevant to the research administration community.

Articles of Interest:

 

 

 

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Ohio State University Extension Community Development helps communities enhance their well-being.


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