Transcript Effective Use of County/State Advisory Councils

Effective Use of County/State
Advisory Councils
Structure and Involvement
Putting knowledge to work for SC
County and State Councils
• Feedback from the general public is essential
to achieving the Extension mission and
Extension Advisory Councils are maintained
to receive that feedback;
• Clemson coordinates a joint State Extension
Advisory Council with 1890 Land Grant and
county level councils in SC’s (46) counties.
Advisory Council Functions
• Assist in identifying the needs, wants and
desires of South Carolinians on which to base
educational programs;
• Counsel and advise in the development of
Extension programs, priorities and policies.
• Communicate and promote the mission and
vision of Cooperative Extension and its
educational programs to key stakeholder
groups;
Advisory Council Functions
• Assist in evaluating the impacts of
educational efforts and provide advice to
guide changes in program emphasis;
• Encourage and support strong Extension
Advocacy throughout South Carolina.
County Advisory Structure
• Representatives from the 5 PSA/Extension
goal areas;
• Representation by both men and women,
attention to urban and cultural diversity.;
• The Regional Lead Agent and the County
Coordinator should give leadership to the
process;
• 25 total members
Council Committees
• Standing committees – standing committees
of the council shall be:
1. Research and Program Development
2. Marketing and Public Relations, and
3. Legislative Advocacy
Member Job Description
• Provide stakeholder merit review of program
issues related to a state Plan of Work;
• Be an ambassador for communications/public
relations and marketing for Cooperative
Extension;
• Be an advocate for Cooperative Extension ;
• Receive training and assist in providing training
for those in leadership roles.
Strong Advisory Councils Should
• Maintain open communications with
extension staff;
• Be composed of members committed to the
council and who understand their
membership roles;
• Provide diverse representation; not just
typical extension clientele;
• Remain actively engaged in meeting,
programs and activities;
Meaningful work may include
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Advocacy efforts
Program Planning
Public relations and marketing projects
Resource development
Speakers bureau
Special events
Program resource identification
Council Meetings
• Minimum of (2) per year; the more , the
better!
• Have a clear purpose and plan for each
meeting;
• No “dog and pony shows”
• Council members are least motivated when
you dominate more than 50% of
conversation;
• Assign action items and set deadlines.