Overview of Extension Advisory Leadership Groups Strengthening Extension Advisory Leaders Cathy M. Sutphin, PhD Virginia Cooperative Extension Virginia Tech

Who Makes Up the Group? At least 10 volunteers and faculty/staff

Structure Reflective of the community Include key stakeholders Size determined by work to be done and talents and skills available Committees

Membership Committee

Roles and Responsibilities Identify local issues and prioritize Assess current Extension programs and make decisions Identify opportunities for collaboration Design and implement a plan of action Develop and implement a resource plan Report program results Be an advocate for Extension

Creating a Shared Mission and Vision

A Shared Vision Is Not An Idea

Commitment is Everything

Shared Vision is Necessary to Provide Focus and Energy

The Power of a Vision Personal visions derive their power from an individual's deep caring for the vision. Shared visions derive their power from a common caring.

The Visioning Process Identifying the desired states. Developing a vision. Identifying general goals/strategies for the desired states. Developing specific objectives and strategies Identifying resources needed and if absent, developing a plan for securing them. Communicating the vision, strategies, and tactics to the rest of the organization and other key stakeholders.

Identifying the Desired State What is going well? What is not going well? What would it look like in an ideal situation?

Statement There are not enough young people, in our community, who know about the opportunities available through Extension.

Rewritten Statement Community youth are aware of all the opportunities available to them through Extension.

Visioning … Without Your Own Vision, All You Can Do Is Sign-Up For Someone Else ’ s

Expand Your Ideas What would you do differently? Three wishes What idea has not been tried? What are some opportunities?

Creating the Shared Vision Describe the desired state and how to get there Identify barriers and strategies

Engage Stakeholders

Conducting an Effective Visioning Session Recruit a facilitator Location that avoids interruptions Flipcharts

Idea Generators Where and why have we been successful? What has brought respect? What needs or trends do we see? Ideal program Is there a fit?

Identify General Goals/Strategies Statements about what is needed to achieve your desired future List in order of importance If everything on the list happens, you will achieve what you desire

Specific Objectives/Strategies Specific Measurable Time related Responsibility

Identify Resources Needed Develop plan to secure them if they are not available People, skills, money, equipment, and time

Communicate the Vision

How to Gain Commitment

Gaining Commitment You must be convinced yourself Be honest Let the other person make his/her own decisions

Gaining Commitment Listen when people want to talk Speak wisely when invited

Vision Killers

Toward Reality

Volunteers and Paid Staff Become Partners

Summary Vision is the “ What? ” Purpose or mission is the “ Why? ” Values answer “ How do we want to act, consistent with our mission, in order to achieve our vision? ”

References Board, B. (1999). Local Extension leadership councils. Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension. Senge, P.M. (1990). The fifth discipline: The art and practice of the learning organization. New York, NY: Doubleday. Sutphin, C. M. (2001). On volunteerism: Visioning. Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension. Vineyard, S. (1991). Secrets of motivation. How to get and keep volunteers and paid staff. Downers Grove, IL: Heritage Arts Publishing.