December 8, 2015
Blast from the Past: REMEMBER THE "WHY"
Here is a Tuesday message from a couple years back that I continue to believe is a very important message to all of us as we tell others of the significance of our work....
Remember the "WHY." I find it so important that I find ways to continuously tell our story, relating the impacts of the work we do. In meeting with County Commissioners, it struck me that they were emphasizing the importance of understanding why, why was the program a priority for Extension? Their point seemed to be that while they believed we did good work, they really wanted to understand why such work had become our priority among all other things K-State Research and Extension could be doing. And, they also made the point that it was of even greater importance that the thought/opinion leaders within their local communities know the priorities of local Extension.
The take home message I got from that conversation was that any time I convey our program message, I need to be sure my message includes "why," "what," and "so what." In the logic framework, that's situation, outputs, and outcomes. And, to be sure to seek opportunities to tell that story to all potential advocates throughout the state, especially those who don't or won't be involved in local Extension programs. They may be the ones in that casual discussion with a commissioner, legislator, or other stake holder to become a great advocate because they know the why, what, and so what of Extension programs.
I hope you will take to heart every opportunity as well to tell our story from the aspect of why it is a priority that such programs be reaching into local communities.
"...the longer I live and the more experience I have of the world, the more I am convinced that, after all, the one thing that is most worth living for—and dying for, if need be—is the opportunity of making someone else more happy and more useful." -Booker T. Washington
Have a great week!
P.S. For all of you who made a trip to Wichita to see Garth Brooks in concert, the Sunday night performance was awesome!!