The Council’s Role in Building Stakeholder Relationships County Extension Council Training Module Missouri Council Leadership Development — a partnership of the University of Missouri Extension State Council and University of Missouri Extension May 2005 © 2005, University of Missouri Board of Curators

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May Objectives Understand role in: – Establishing, maintaining stakeholder relationships: County Commissioners Other County Officeholders State Legislators City Government Officials Local Funding Partners – Communicating value of extension programs

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May Extension Stakeholders Decision makers: – Have ownership for supporting extension programs – Along with their constituents, benefit from programs – Have capacity to generate goodwill – Can obtain resources to support Extension mission

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May State Statutes Section — Financial budget for extension programs “... council, in cooperation with the county commission and the university, shall prepare an annual financial budget covering the county's share of the cost of carrying on the extension services … ”

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May State Statutes Section — Monthly requisitions on county commission “ …council shall requisition the county commission for the estimated amount of the month's expenditures” and “…submit to the county commission a certified, itemized statement of all expenditures...”

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May State Statutes Section — Names of council members and officers given university and county commission “ …council shall present … a list of members of the council and of its officers with statements signed by the chairman of the council certifying that the named officers have been duly elected …”

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May State Statutes Section — Annual report to county commission “ …council, through its secretary, shall make an annual detailed report to the county commission, covering all receipts and expenditures, together with a summary of work undertaken and results accomplished. …”

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May Commissioner Focus Group Commissioners want: Ongoing communication: Succinct Instigated by councils, faculty, staff Programs to assist: Their decision making County residents’ lives

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May How to Build Relationships Listen, listen, listen – Informal conversation/formal interview – Capture important points – Share findings – Approach with respect

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May How to Build Relationships Practice good listening skills – Listen with your face – Establish eye contact – Concentrate – Don’t interrupt

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May How to Build Relationships Treat stakeholders as clients – Ask about their concerns, problems – Suggest how extension can help – Refer to faculty, Web sites and other resources – Answer WIIFM?

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May How to Build Relationships Invite stakeholders to programs; host events – Co-sponsor open houses, coffees, breakfasts, receptions – Work with MU Alumni Association and other local entities – Provide tour of local programs

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May How to Build Relationships Invite stakeholders to serve on council committees – Match their talents/skills with leadership roles and program needs

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May How to Build Relationships Recognize stakeholders for their achievements – Send clippings from paper with congratulatory note – Keep scrapbook of extension articles and display at events – Honor with awards, certificates

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May How to Build Relationships Recognize stakeholders’ subgroups – Establish “Extension Heroes” – Recognize someone in ag, business, government, etc. in stakeholder’s group – Garner media attention

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May How to Build Relationships Communicate throughout the year … not just at budget time! – “Adopt” one or more stakeholders Develop profile of person Create plan to communicate regularly Visits Phone, Mail Events

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May How to Build Relationships Communicate throughout the year … not just at budget time! – Stay current with stakeholder’s concerns Read commission minutes Read/watch news coverage Discuss issues with stakeholder’s neighbors, friends Determine extension connection

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May How to Build Relationships Communicate throughout the year … not just at budget time! – Ask commissioner on council to report about county concerns and how extension can help – Drop by to visit – Share program impacts, testimonials

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May How to Build Relationships Communicate throughout the year … not just at budget time! – Share copies of newsletters, fliers, pass-along card, other materials as appropriate – Send thank-you notes for program support

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May How to Build Relationships Communicate throughout the year … not just at budget time! – Participate in local fairs, displays, events – Participate in Legislative Day – Share relationship ideas with other councils

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May How to Build Relationships Communicate throughout the year … not just at budget time! Be enthusiastic !!

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21 st Century Programs, Governance and Membership May Produced by the Council Leadership Development Committee  a partnership of the University of Missouri Extension State Council and University of Missouri Extension The Council’s Role in Building Stakeholder Relationships County Extension Council Training Module University of Missouri Extension does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or status as a Vietnam-era veteran in employment or programs.