MCE 2009 Annual Pre-Conference

Nick Place Associate Dean and Associate Director

Maryland Cooperative Extension Monday, March 23

Moving Forward in Times of Change

MCE 2009 Annual Pre-Conference

Think of a program or some type of work you are passionate about …what do you enjoy doing … what is your area of expertise?

Hold on to those thoughts! --More to come …

Opening thought…

    “We can’t change the direction of

the wind, but we can adjust our sails

to always reach our destination.”

- Jimmy Dean

MCE Drivers - Focusing on our Results

Critical issues Resources Accountability Identity

Moving Forward in Times of Change

How does this structure position MCE? Relevancy – Focus on

Most critical issues What do we want to be known for… Signature Programs, such as …

Have to work smarter!

Moving Forward in Times of Change

Resourcing Properly: Investing in people and programs Build upon strategic strengths to address

continuing & emerging issues Attract external funding Be great stewards of public resources

Value-added people and programs!

Moving Forward in Times of Change

Accountability: Agree on statewide impacts & measures Outcomes rather than outputs Report program efforts against these

measures Communicate the return on investment to

MCE stakeholders

Create highly satisfied customers!

Moving Forward in Times of Change

Effective Marketing Increase audience awareness &

appreciation Enhance customer service Establish a strong MCE brand

No longer the “best kept secret!”

Positioning MCE For the FutureMCE Impact Areas

Triple Bottom Line!

EconomyCommunity

Environment

Impact Team:FoodSmart

Impact Team: Community

Leadership & Civic

Engagement

Impact Team: HealthSmart

Impact Team: Natural Res. Conservation

& Sustainability

Impact Team: Community Resource & Economic

Development

Impact Team: MoneySmart

Impact Team: Energy

Conservation &

Sustainability

Impact Team: Agriculture &

Natural Resources

Profitability

Resilient Communities

Healthy Living

Environment & Natural Resources

Local Food & Agriculture Systems

Impact Areas & Impact Teams …

How do you, programs, and existing teams fit

into the picture?

Moving Forward in Times of Change

What are Impact Teams? Extension Specialists, Educators and

Stakeholders Provide overall statewide programmatic

leadership with state program leaders Enable state programming to become more

dynamic and responsive Ensure focused, outcomes-based

programming Proactively seek partnerships and resources

Moving Forward in Times of Change

Transition Step 1: Need faculty team co-leaders—one field-based educator; one regional or state specialist Work with Program Leaders to:

Facilitate Team process & communication Identify team resource needs Seek funding Develop collaborations Identify “signature” programs

Do you see

yourself in this role?

Moving Forward in Times of Change

Work with Program Leaders to: Facilitate program development and

evaluation process Identify team training needs Evaluate team outcomes Identify research needs

Do you see

yourself in this role?

Moving Forward in Times of Change

Why be a Co-Leader? (just to name a few!) Influence program decisions Impact organizational success Develop new skills Engage in professional development Create a career ladder Contribute to your P&T

Do you see

yourself in this role?

Moving Forward in Times of Change

Transition Step 2: Identifyteam expertise needs & interests/expertise of faculty educators Survey (this week) to identify areas of expertise & where you have passion about Extension work

What were those programs or areas you thought of at the start of this session?

Moving Forward in Times of Change

Transition Step 3: Embrace Change & Move Those “Mental Boulders” Out of the Way!1.What about the work we are doing now—our existing teams—such as FSNE or Master Gardeners?2.What about new initiatives, such as Grow It, Eat It?

1999 Phoenix Open with Tiger Woods

Moving Forward in Times of Change

What are these changes all about… Reframing MCE for a viable and

sustainable future

Envision Yourself in the Picture

Working Collectively,Being More Focused, &Having Greater Impact

Name Change MCE Plan of Organization 4-H Assistant Director AGNR Faculty & Staff Excellence

Awards

Updates

A principle about change…

    “Life is inherently risky. There

is only one big risk you avoid

at all cost, and that is the risk

of doing nothing.” - Denis Waitley

Moving Forward in Times of Change

Change can be Stressful & Create Uncertainty

Discuss concerns internally with colleagues, administrators

Communicate externally to MCE stakeholders with positive, consistent messages (can ask for help in crafting a message, if needed)

It is important that we all are invested in a strong future for MCE

Closing thought…

    “Change the changeable,

accept the unchangeable,

and remove yourself from the

unacceptable.” - Denis Waitley

April 1, 2009Martin’s Crosswinds

See you there!