News and Notes: February 18, 2020

OUR VISION: Ohioans have the knowledge and resources they need to actively engage in creating conditions in which they thrive.

OUR MISSION: We create opportunities for people to explore how science-based knowledge can improve social, economic and environmental conditions.

  1. Thoughts from the Director

    We Heard You, and Your Voice Matters: During the last interim director’s video, I mentioned that we would be continuing to share the themes we discovered during the evaluation of the road show listening session comments and suggestions. The key themes that emerged included: branding, communication, diversity and inclusion, Extension administration, area leaders, stewardship, professional development, programs, promotion and hiring, finance and IT, publications, and work-life balance and morale. Our leadership team is taking a look at each of these specific areas of input and looking for opportunities to make progress in addressing each of them as quickly as possible. Some of the topics and questions will be addressed in a forthcoming frequently asked questions summary, so everyone is privy to the same information and interpretation of the response to questions. We will share more information about the FAQs in an upcoming issue of News and Notes. 

    We also have finalized the representation on our Extension Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, which will have its first meeting next week. My thanks to Laquore Meadows and Nicole Debose for their willingness to co-chair this important task force. 

    Upcoming communication: Save the date for video updates on March 19 at 9am and May 5 at 9am; and look for the next “print” News and Notes in early March. 

  2. Call for OSU Extension Work-Life Work Group

    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. 

  3. Submit a Nomination for the Engagement Scholarship Consortium Awards

    The Engagement Scholarship Consortium (ESC) is accepting nominations for its 2020 Excellence Awards Program, which recognizes exemplary engagement scholarship by faculty, students and community partners. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, March 20. Award recipients will be recognized during the 2020 ESC annual conference in Philadelphia in Sept. Ohio State is a founding member of ESC. For more information on nomination procedures and submission, visit Engagement Scholarship website

  4. Consider Nominating Faculty and Staff for the National Excellence in Extension Award

    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.  

  5. Workday – When Will I Get Training?

    Prior to the formal launch of the Workday system around July 1, the university will offer extensive training in various methods, including on-demand videos. Training will be tailored to specific roles, so you will get training based on whether you are a supervisor, financial approver, asset manager, grants manager, travel requestor, etc. All Ohio State employees will get at least basic training. Many of the trainings will be available online or as a remote session for staff not based in Columbus. Anticipate April and May being the primary months for training. For more information about Workday as part of the university’s enterprise project, visit enterprise-project.osu.edu

  6. Becky Nesbitt – 2019 National Distinguished Career Service Award Winner

    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. 

  7. Award Winners for Community Development Educational Programs

    Also at the 2019 NACDEP conference, Brooke Beam received the Cross Program Award for her work on Using Virtual Reality in Educational Programming; and Meghan Thoreau received the Educational Technology Award for her work with the Scholastic High School Drone Racing League Program. Brooke and Meghan were also North Central regional winners, as well as Amanda Osborne with the Educational Materials Award for her work developing the Produce Perks Toolkit for Farmers Markets. 

  8. O.N.E. Extension – Onboard. Network. Excel.

    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. 

  9. Call for Proposals: Engagement Scholarship Consortium Conference

    The Engagement Scholarship Consortium (ESC) seeks proposals for its 2020 conference, “Envisioning Engaged Scholarship.” Proposals are due March 13. The conference will be held Sept. 13-14 in Philadelphia. This year, special emphasis will be placed on proposals that look to the future of engaged scholarship and community engagement. Ohio State is a founding member of ESC. Read more at Engagement Scholarship website.