News and Notes: February 18, 2020

Another important ongoing area of concern centers around work-life balance and employee morale considerations. This isn’t an easy issue to resolve; and it offers a variety of complexities in an organization such as ours, but it’s time to attempt to find some strategies for succes. If you are interested in contributing to the conversation and the identification of solutions for improving work-life balance and employee morale, please email me directly to indicate your desire to be included. My goal is to have representation from all program areas, position types, and levels of experience in Extension. I hope to hear from many of you soon, but no later than March 6. 

Preliminary nominations are due by Friday, March 20 (close of business). For the North Central Region, please use only the attached nomination form. All nominations from the North Central Region should be sent directly to Robin Shepard, North Central Cooperative Extension Association executive director, at nccea@uwex.edu. If you do not receive an email confirmation of your submittal within 24 hours, call Robin directly (608-890-2688). Two North Central applicants will be selected for national submission. NCCEA and your state Extension director will inform you if you have been selected; and if so, it will be necessary to submit all national nomination materials by May 1. For additional background/information, visit aplu.org. *NOTE: For North Central Region applicants --- this website has background information you may find helpful. 

The National Extension Diversity Award also is accepting nominations by May 1. Information can be found at aplu.org/CESAwards.  

Becky Nesbitt, Extension community development educator, received the 2019 National Distinguished Career Service Award from the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP). Becky has worked for OSU Extension for 32 years. Currently, the topics she is most focused on relate to organizational development – strategic planning and alignment, facilitation, navigating group dynamics, and guiding focused discussions. Becky partners with colleagues as well as groups and organizations that are interested in creating a new path to achieve their evolving needs and goals. She works with external groups – such as nonprofits, community groups, local leaders, and civic organizations, as well as internal groups – such as OSU Extension teams, units, or other departments in CFAES. Becky is located in southern Ohio, but her responsibilities are statewide. 

We have great news! The new and long-anticipated OSU Extension onboarding program will be launched on March 4. There has been a great need to ensure that our new professionals have all of the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in their new roles. The program will require attendance at one-day sessions during eight consecutive weeks, and it will be held at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. Another session will be held in fall 2020, with plans to offer spring and fall sessions each year. 

Educators and program coordinators who were hired since 2017 will receive an invitation from Teresa McCoy, director, Learning and Organizational Development, to register for either the spring or fall 2020 sessions. These program employees must plan to attend one of the upcoming O.N.E. programs. Their supervisor will be informed as well. If you have questions about this program or any costs associated with attending, contact Jared Morrison in the LOD unit (morrison.332@osu.edu). If you have received an invitation to register for the program, please act quickly and register for one of the sessions.