Leading the Total Extension Program

1. Leading the Total Extension Program How many balls can you juggle at one time?

2. Objectives • Identify 7 balls extension middle managers juggle every day in leading the extension program • Identify strategies for keeping the balls in the air

3. 7 Balls Middle Managers Juggle Every Day • Leadership • Administrative Management • Office Management • Fiscal Management • Personnel Management • Program Management • Public Relations & Marketing

4. Leadership • Provide leadership and direction for the overall extension and help others to understand the mission and vision of extension and its relationship to other agencies and institutions.

5. How you do that… • Promote the vision & mission • Support the strategic plan • Explain the land grant system • Communicate the history, philosophy & contemporary nature of extension • Create an atmosphere for positive working relationships & teamwork • Promote positive working relationships with research & 1890 personnel • Model personal accountability

6. How you do that… • Inspire positive attitudes, professionalism & leadership among personnel • Set high expectations for performance • Seek to improve personal self • Effectively manage conflict • Promote critical thinking • Demonstrate exemplary work ethics • Effectively manage groups

7. Administrative Management • Effectively and efficiently manage all office, fiscal, personnel and programmatic issues .

8. How you do that… • Follow extension & university policies & procedures • Comply with Civil Rights, Equal Opportunity Employment (EEO), Affirmative Action (AA) & other appropriate employment laws & policies • Facilitate effective communication (both written & oral) among extension personnel at the local, district & state level • Understand and promote diversity

9. Office Management • Maximizes the use of all resources to promote professionalism and efficiency for the extension program.

10. How you do that… • Keep the office open and equipped • Maintain a professional & safe business atmosphere • Conduct well-organized staff conferences, keeping thorough records • Maintain effective communications with all personnel in office • Involve personnel in decision-making • Keep the office clean, neat & presentable to the public

11. Fiscal Management • Effectively secures and utilizes financial resources.

12. How you do that… • Follow all accounting policies & procedures • Secure sustainable funding to support extension programs • Maintain current cooperative agreements for all partners • Ensure proper invoicing of partners • Prepare and defend annual budget to partners and stakeholders • Maintain accurate financial records • Involve extension personnel in budget development & purchasing decisions

13. Personnel Management • Provides an environment that allows for the continued growth and development of all extension personnel.

14. How you do that… • Orient new staff. • Conduct effective annual performance evaluations & provide positive feedback • Foster courteous & productive co-worker relationships • Follow personnel policies and procedures • Support extension personnel in personal & professional growth • Motivate extension personnel to do their best work • Reward exemplary performance • Help prepare extension personnel for promotion • Work with appropriate individuals to promptly address poor performance, policy violations & similar issues • Hold extension personnel accountable for work hours

15. Program Management • Ensures the extension program effectively addresses issues of concern to stakeholders by providing high-quality educational, research-based programs.

16. How you do that… • Align program plans with identified issues • Be sure that outcomes accurately reflect the impact & results of program efforts • Be able to explain extension’s program development theory & cycle • Submit reports on time • Support extension educators in the development & maintenance of effective program advisory councils/committees. • Attend local program advisory council meetings • Encourage the recruitment and effective use of volunteers

17. Public Relations & Marketing • Effectively promotes the value of the extension and develops and maintains strong partnerships.

18. How you do that… • Build strong partnerships and collaborations • Promote positive image of self and extension • Promote the brand identity of extension • Attend appropriate government meetings • Report progress to stakeholders and partners • Have a public relations strategy • Establish rapport with key individuals • Use all media outlets to tell extension’s story • Participate in commodity & civic organizations & associations

19. Keeping the Balls in the Air • Initiative • Fairness • Objectivity • Personal accountability • Positive attitude • Responsiveness • Attention to detail • Caring • Integrity • Respect for diversity • Perception • Sensitivity • Behavioral flexibility • Assertiveness • Professionalism • Organizational skills