March 1, 2022
Adding to Your Toolbox of Skills: Trained Facilitator
KSRE is looking for interested Extension professionals to be part of a KSRE facilitation initiative that starts with a formal training April 27-29 at Rock Springs. A limited number of KSRE employees are being accepted at this time and your application is encouraged. All costs are covered with the exception of travel expenses to Rock Springs Ranch.
To apply, go to https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/community/leadership/facilitation/.
Recently, I got to visit with a private family foundation that was directed to me because Extension agents were respected local professionals responsible for helping our communities be better places. They heard this theme in most places they inquired. It was an indirect compliment that many past and present Extension professionals were deserving of, so take the compliment with gratitude. The point being, your presence at the local level is very meaningful to local communities. We have been very good about delivering scientific subject matter to our clientele in crops, livestock, families and youth development. We will continue to do so. But the issues our local communities face have become more complex and difficult to handle. Within our specialized subjects, parenting, healthy living, crop production, livestock management and even how and what to teach our children have different perspectives and effects on individuals and organizations.
Resolving complex issues requires interaction with many people within Extension and external to our organization. There is an enormous need for skilled facilitators!! Just look around you and see if anyone is filling this niche in your community. Extension has successfully facilitated statewide conversations in the past. So we know it’s possible. You might have some great leaders that practice excellent communication and mediation skills, and you might see someone being successful at true facilitation. However, there are very few trained professionals in Kansas that can bring people together for a common goal. Facilitation skills continue to be valued and needed from small to large issues.
Last week, State Extension Advisory Council members were in Topeka to visit with legislators. A couple board members discussed with their legislators the effort being taken by KSRE to create stronger facilitation skills within our system. The response was extremely favorable! The legislators recognize the need for these skills and the ability to resolve issues even at the local level. And who better to do it than an organization with a reputation of being unbiased. True facilitation has no opinion, just guides a conversation to consensus. Keep in mind, it isn’t always successful, but the skills can be used in everyday life. Becoming a trained facilitator has endless benefits from dealing with our colleagues and disapproving parents at the fair to highly complex community issues like water quality and quantity.
The opportunities to use trained facilitation skills are huge!
For questions, contact any member of the KSRE Administrative Facilitation team including, Trudy Rice, Carla Nemecek, Jason Hartman, Wade Weber and Chris Onstad. Please send completed application to Chris at constad@ksu.edu.