April 4, 2017
Reflections
Partnership meetings have a long tradition within K-State Research and Extension. At one of the first that happened under my leadership, board members shared some key thoughts and suggestions for improving the K-State Research & Extension system. I summarized a few take home messages from the Extension Board members in attendance for all of us to consider. Extension Board members stressed the importance of:
- building stronger relations with County Commissioners.
- finding ways to raise a greater awareness for K-State Research & Extension through effective marketing.
- gaining greater access to the good thinking of Extension Board members from other parts of the state.
- increasing the effectiveness of all program development committees, especially the economic development committee.
- keeping information flowing about districting. Still much is misunderstood, or poorly understood regarding the process and ultimate strengths it brings to local delivery.
- breaking down cultural barriers and improving our reach to underserved and minority audiences.
- increasing the quality and quantity of professional development opportunities for Extension agents, PDCs, boards, and volunteers through the appropriate and effective use of distance technologies and web-based training.
- seeking ways to increase the educational opportunities for more in-depth training and development for Extension agents, board members, PDCs, and volunteers.
- providing greater assistance to more effectively write grants and gain resources through alternative revenue streams for stronger programming.
- working to broaden our base of program reach through all the relationships we have or need to build with partnering agencies, organizations, and the private sector.
These were just a few notes that I took in conversation with the Extension Board members attending. These board members portrayed a true commitment and passion for achieving the mission and goals of K-State Research & Extension in its delivery of educational programs and information to the people of Kansas.
Amazing to read those and reflect upon where we have been and where we are today. You can find this post in the Tuesday archives, February 1, 2005!