October 15, 2024
The Role of the State Extension Advisory Council
Sandy Keas is the 2024 State Extension Advisory Council Chairperson
The State Extension Advisory Council is a group of individuals who have a desire to keep extension moving in a direction that keeps the organization alive and relevant to today’s society.
The members, spread across the state, are folks who have served or are currently serving their local extension board. The committee meets twice a year – usually in February in Topeka and in August in another Kansas location.
The main purpose of the February meeting is to share extension with our legislators. This is done by meeting with our representatives and senators from our home area individually and highlighting extension programs in our local districts and counties. At this meeting, concerns facing extension are also brought to the committee’s attention. These items will also be followed up on at the August meeting.
During the past few years, some of the items of importance have been the retention of extension agents, agent mentoring, K-State 105, Delivering on the Promise, and local unit director responsibilities. In addition, there have been discussions on the differences and challenges of county versus district units.
Meetings also include presentations from K-State Research and Extension’s administrative team and extension agents to keep us informed on what is going on in extension. These presentations are a great way to see and showcase what is being done in different parts of the state.
As a member of SEAC, there is an opportunity to attend the PILD (Public Issues Leadership Development) Conference in Washington DC. This conference is an excellent way to learn about what extension is doing throughout the nation. It is also an opportunity to share with our national representatives and senators the importance of extension.
Your assistance is needed to recruit new members. Nominations are due November 15. The nomination should contain a short biography of the individual's experiences and interest in extension. A picture helps personalize the nomination, but is not required.
Local unit boards across the state get to vote on new members. Please help identify and encourage applicants. Reach out to your regional director for additional information.
Lastly, SEAC members want to stay connected and informed of the great work occurring across the state. Feel free to to send us your newsletter and Making a Difference reports, or invite us to attend your annual meeting or other extension event.
To learn more, visit https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/extension-board-resources/state-extension-advisory-council/.