Extension Advisory Councils Steps to Recruiting & Engaging Members

Where Are We? What Does Our Feedback Tell Us? Report from the State Extension Council Reports from Agents

Building Your Advisory Group The Board Building Cycle--- BoardSource

Building A Diverse Group Avoid tokenism Accept that inclusivity will widen perspectives and opinions Ask “What do we need and what do we want?” Evaluate— “What is the current composition?” “What characteristics, skills, and backgrounds do we need?” “What are the gaps?” “What are our priorities for recruiting?” Identify

Member Characteristics to Consider Ability to... Willingness to... Willingness to develop... Possess... Identify

How and Where to Find Council Members Where to find suggestions for members Colleagues, other groups, media, staff, other members, volunteer and leadership groups, subordinate or collaborative groups Whom to consider for membership Current or past clientele and collaborators, community leaders, representatives of clientele groups, corporate volunteers, people in professions related to your mission, people with needed traits, skills, interests, etc. Where to look for prospective members Faith-based groups, professional and civic associations, organizations representing other groups Cultivate

Motives to Join an Advisory Group to help others to give back to the community to meet new people to fill a personal void because it is a tradition to learn new skills the ability to influence others Volunteer Management 101 John Lipp Recruit

Orienting New Members Current programs Finances History Plan of work Organizational structure Roles and responsibilities of members Operations of the group Membership lists Skills to possess or develop Orient

Engaging Advisory Council Members Train them Build trust, relationship, and communications Identify interests and skills and assign accordingly “Level the field” Engage new members “early” Involve them in meaningful activity and wisely use their time (committee work is important) Involve

Extension Program Committees C-MAP Task forces Educational activities Involve

Barriers to Member Involvement Group is too large for the work to be done— under-working The overall group is too small—over- working Subordinate groups are overshadowed by the larger group Insufficient communication and orientation Weak agendas or no agenda Feelings of not being involved gainfully Lack of social glue Involve

Developing Members by Education Council assessment Review of the mission statement Formal trainings Retreats Electronic – teleconferencing, , web sites Staff Educate

Evaluation Council reflection Evaluation forms for the group and for the individual Evaluate

Rotate Keeping the group fresh Using term limits Saying good-bye Removing a difficult advisory member Rotate

Celebrate Appreciation and Recognition “In conscious celebration we create moments that illuminate the deeper meaning of our lives and guide our footsteps for the future.” Cathy DeForest Transforming Leadership from Vision to Results Celebrate

Credits -BoardSource (formerly National Center for Nonprofit Boards, -Nonprofit Leadership Initiative at the University of Kentucky, (859) www.kynonprofits.org -Kentucky Advisory Council System web site, (270) Ext. 220,