| 1 |
Engage legislators in a planning process for our programming and strive to directly meet (some) of their identified needs. Invest them more deeply in OSUE's success and the factors which influence it (move them from observer to influencer/participant). Provide them with positive bulleted impacts that they can claim (take credit for - as a result of their support) as they talk with constituents, campaign for reelection, etc. Obviously not all legislators will participate, but perhaps a critical mass could be achieved. As a CED, I carefully practiced this with the county commissioners. During that time, the commissioners significantly increased our county budget (more than 30%) with general funds and directed more than $100K from DJFS funds to Extension to support staff and programming. As a CED, I NEVER forgot that the county commissioners funded our program. As I developed a close relationship with them and was aware of the issues they faced, I often asked (and volunteereed) how Extension could assist. My goal was to make Extension their "go to" organization for problem solving, planning, information, etc. Could a similar philosophy be utilized, on a much larger scale, with the state legislators?
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| 2 |
To show impact we need to be collecting state-wide data on programs that all counties are conducting, such as quality assurance, pesticide training, 4-H camp, older youth programs, food safety training, junior fair work, 4-H club impact, etc. This could be readily available across the state, unlike signature program data that doesn't exist in every county and makes extra program work for a limited staff.
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| 3 |
More frequent updates from counties would be good.
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| 4 |
Put lobbyists who are more effective in place.
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| 5 |
I don't know what is done now so that question is difficult to answer.
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| 6 |
Focus on what we do best, and have state wide surveys that capture that information
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| 7 |
We need to make sure every extension volunteer has a one page summary of the results of the Battelle OSUE and OARDC studies so they can show legislators at the local, state and national levels that the the public funds invested in OSUE and OARDC generate jobs, savings, and income and a higher quality of life for Ohio citizens.
We need to continue to encourage our clientele to tell their legislators on an ongoing basis how OSUE has assisted them.
We are encouraging our clientele to go to county commissioner meetings and say something positive about OSUE on a regular basis.
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| 8 |
Personal stories directly from clientele to legislators will have more impact than just reporting same.
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| 9 |
Maybe weekly e-mail correspondence to let them know what activities (signature programs) are being conducted in their counties? Local partners voicing Extension presence and impact in the communities
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| 10 |
Improve Extension visibility with legislators'.
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| 11 |
Involvement and understanding of county programs: This is where it happens!
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| 12 |
Establish common indicators to track for impact areas and signature programs. Something the impact area leaders would have been really helpful in developing. Maybe we need to establish some teams to identify well defined objectives, which can be translated to indicators for each of the impact areas. Maybe this is already happening and is just not widely known.
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| 13 |
Letter writing campaigns from clientele.
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| 14 |
We need to spend more time working with non-agriculture based legislators without abandoning our traditional agriculture based ones! Pointing out that we can service small business needs and development of new businesses is essential. Stop doing the "feel good" things of helping people cope with stress, urban youth at risk, etc. as these are not the real economic engines that will get Ohio going again!
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| 15 |
set up regular informal/relaxed meetings with legislators' to keep them posted on what Extension is doing now .... relate programs to their own counties/districts, then expand overall state-wide picture
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| 16 |
Actively involve and engage our legislators in programs at the community level. Let them experience first-hand the work we are doing and let them hear from the program beneficiaries themselves. The Legislative Luncheon needs to be revised- this is not an effective venue to reach our legislators in a meaningful way.
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| 17 |
Get aquanted with the legislators so we can make them aquanted with what extension does.
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| 18 |
Population size should impact funding and staffing structure. If money is diected toward areas of large population, positive community impact will increase.
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| 19 |
Go back to what we ought to be doing as opposed to trying to feel where the wind is blowing.
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| 20 |
More letters from and visits by constituents.
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| 21 |
Extension Day at the legislature, invite constituents to the state house to talk about how Extension has made a difference in their lives, business, community.
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| 22 |
We make great efforts to educate legislators. Sometimes the impact isn't going to be seen unless it comes directly from constituents, and this is presents a challenge.
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| 23 |
Up to date and exciting website that hihlights program outcomes and links all various websites OSU Extension has...youthful leg. assists will be doing prep of legisilators.
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| 24 |
Continued marketing of the progress and positive impact statements that each county is doing for the benefit of their residents and clients.
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| 25 |
We need not only county and state Extension Advisory Committees, but also county and state program committees (such as county & state 4-H Advisory Committees, state & county FCS Councils, etc.) And we need to consider expanding the range of stakeholders we invite to serve on these committees to include public office holders such as legislators and/or their staff members and senior campaign officials.
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