February 20, 2024
Meet Me at the Bar
In 30 seconds, think of five locations where you can get a beverage in your community. Go.
You probably thought of categories (bars, convenience stores) or specific locations (coffee shop, vending machine, faucet). Knowing where to access “watering holes” would have been vital to early explorers and settlers. Today, we have numerous choices of beverages and can easily find options with a quick Internet or map search.
Let’s consider that most people know where “bars” are located in a community (even if they are not customers). In comparison, does your community know where the local extension office is located? Do they know what services or programs are offered? Do they know other places where people are finding or accessing similar services? If they are not accessing, what is the impact?
We are educators. It is our mission to share research-based education in our communities. The reality is that we must continually offer education about who we are, what we offer, and why we are vital in our communities.
What steps can your office team and volunteers take to raise awareness of extension? I challenge you to engage your extension council and board members to take an active role in promoting our services and value.
Hint: Various community message boards (physical or electronic), printed media, church bulletins, etc. may be your next outreach tool. Who can connect you with these resources (and then accept responsibility to keep up to date)?
There are those “loyal” extension supporters that expect us (extension professionals) to deliver a program. Our predecessors set a “bar” of expectations. But what happens when new team members want to try different ideas? How can we help them “raise the bar” or even “create a new bar” of expectations?
Hint No. 2: A bar is easier to raise when there is more than one person moving it. Sure, a short bar could be held in the middle and elevated by one person. But with more than one person, the team can raise the bar higher, faster, and can secure the bar for more longevity. It is also more fun to be at the bar with others (read that how you want!).
Our new team members are ready to try new things. And as they try new things, it is an opportunity for others to learn too. Our cooperative extension system was built on introducing new ways to help productivity and the livelihood of Kansans. It is imperative that we continue to educate, innovate and support our communities.
I invite you to meet me at the bar. The “bar” may look different, it may have new partners on the team, and it may be a bit unbalanced at first. But together, we must raise the bar for serving Kansans.