It's a summer tradition that I report on the interesting organizational facts that I discover while surfing SOARS, Extension's electronic Stories, Outcomes, and Accomplishments Reporting System. Love it or hate it, you have to admit that SOARS is a treasure chest of good news about OSU Extension's work across the state. SOARS is the primary source for all federal and state reports, briefings and presentations; the annual academic report to the Provost; budget support materials at all levels; press releases and media alerts; marketing and social media efforts; and many more communications efforts. Thanks to each of you who contributed to our good news bounty through entering your 2012 information and impact statements to SOARS. If you haven't recently checked Extension's home page and our impact on Oregonians, go to the Bridges website where many of your impact statements are featured.
As promised, here are a few interesting facts I discovered while surfing SOARS:
In 2012, OSU Extension had 174.5 FTE paid on federal and state dollars. This represents 46 fewer FTE than when the recession began in 2008 and 19 less than 2011. We've managed through these difficult times by tightening our belts, utilizing attrition to our financial advantage, and downsizing Extension's administrative footprint. This decrease in workforce has placed a heavy burden on all Extension faculty, staff, volunteers and community partners. As we enter a new fiscal biennium, we are hopeful that this 174.5 FTE of dedicated people will serve as a strong foundation for building a future OSU Extension Service that will thrive in a leaner economy and support Oregonians in ways not yet imagined.
Over 14,000 volunteers (14,062 to be exact) helped Extension deliver educational programs across Oregon . . . Extension can achieve greater results and build community capacity with the help of volunteers. Even though the number of Extension employees has decreased, the number of volunteers has stayed consistent. We value the public good that comes from collaborating with volunteers, a contribution of over a million hours of service – the equivalent of about 567 FTE.
2,040,878 Oregonians engaged at some level with Extension, compared to 2,130,824 reported in 2011 for a 4.2% decrease . . . These numbers include contacts made in group educational events or via phone, interactive video, mail, e-mail, newsletters, site or office visits. They do not include web hits or mass media. I wouldn't be surprised if we increased our outreach via the web by more than the loss of 90,000 direct contracts during 2012 as Ask an Expert and the “virtual Extension office” become the new normal.
Extension enhanced community outreach and engaged scholarship through 223 grants, resulting in over $17 million of revenue. The grants varied in size from a few thousand dollars to million-plus figures. Leveraging state dollars is one of the key objectives that our state funders use to measure Extension's success. These extramural funds are possible because base capacity is provided by state and federal appropriations.
Extension faculty authored 142 scholarly publications and 84 peer-invited presentations. Scholarship is defined as intellectual and creative work validated by peers and communicated . . . The medium and the review processes varied greatly, but the creative and intellectual work of OSU Extension faculty is being adopted and integrated by peers and publics beyond the university and the state.
Extension faculty and staff received 129 awards recognizing their good work. These included 6 local, 42 state, 20 regional, 33 national and 12 international awards from community organizations, professional associations and academic societies, as well as 5 college honors and 10 university achievements. Some awards of note:
It is a continued privilege to work with such a dedicated and high performing group of people.
Marion County Extension office will begin new office hours starting July 19th, 2013
Master Gardeners will be available on Fridays starting August 1st.
Language Line Solutions provides translation services for over 200 different languages. A complete list of languages interpreted and translated is available on the Language Line website: www.languageline.com/customer-service/languages/
The quick reference guide provided by Language Line Solutions contains our 6-digit client ID number and all the dialing instructions you need to access an interpreter. It also includes helpful tips to effectively work with an interpreter.
Please share this information with faculty & staff in your office. This account is intended for Extension/Outreach & Engagement purposes only. It will be billed to and paid by Extension Administration.
Congratulations to our OSU Extension colleagues who have articles published in the June 2013 issue of the Journal of Extension (JOE):
To learn more about publishing in JOE, see the JOE Submission Guidelines and Help for JOE Authors.
Congratulations to the four Oregon 4-H teams recognized with regional awards from NAE4-HA:
The OSU Extension Service Strategic Plan and our Division of University Outreach and Engagement (O&E) Diversity Action Plan are in alignment with the core values articulated in the University’s strategic plan: We recognize that diversity and excellence go hand-in-hand, enhancing our teaching, scholarship, and service as well as our ability to welcome, respect, and interact with other people.
Each of you are encouraged to visit our diversity website to learn more about diversity in Extension and to read through the O&E Diversity Action Plan and make a personal commitment to advancing diversity among our learners and our workforce!
OSU Extension Service's 4-H youth development program inducted four longtime volunteer leaders or retired staff into its Hall of Fame at the annual OSU 4-H Summer Conference on June 28. The Oregon 4-H Hall of Fame was established in
2004 to recognize people who have made a significant impact on the Oregon 4-H program.
This year's inductees:
The Easleys have contributed to 4-H for more than 40 years. Mona started in her youth as an OSU Extension 4-H member in Umatilla County. In the early 1970s she worked as a 4-H home economics specialist in Polk and Union counties, later volunteering as a club leader. In the early 1990s, Mona joined the state staff of Oregon 4-H, coordinating statewide events. Tom has worked by her side throughout those years, giving countless hours of time and skills. He transports, constructs, designs, paints, sets up and cleans up at fairs and events.
Prineville's Frazier served nearly 30 years as a 4-H leader. She volunteered in several roles in Lane County for nearly 15 years. She served as fair superintendent, County 4-H Leader Association member and taught home economics. She was instrumental in helping the state 4-H Leaders Association rebuild itself in the 1990s.
Moore of Baker City worked as a 4-H specialist in Malheur County for more than 25 years. She helped develop shooting sports, outdoor cookery and ranch horse programs. She taught science classes to more than 10,000 youth. Since retiring, she has volunteered as a program coordinator for Baker County's Field to Fork Agriculture Field Days, serving more than 1,000 fifth-graders.
OSUEA Board and O&E Administration are dedicated to providing opportunities for your professional development, networking with colleagues, and recognition of achievements. Based on your feedback about Spring Training and the O&E Conference, we are trying something new (and a little tried & true) for 2014. Please hold the dates for the following events:
Please let Drea Zigler know suggestions for Extension Training sessions or activities for the Conference.
Training Days, sponsored by the OSU Finance and Administration Division, provides a focused set of learning sessions designed to help Oregon State University staff and faculty get work done more knowledgeably and efficiently, and find practical, healthful solutions for life. This no-cost, two-day event includes presentations that range from learning more about functions pertaining to human resources, finance and administration, grants, and other business activities to personal finance, budgeting for retirement, and developing healthy lifestyles.
Training Days 2013
You can look forward to expanding your skills, being updated on changes that impact the way you do business, gaining insights into the multitude of resources available to you as an OSU employee, and meeting colleagues from across campus.
View the "Save-the-Date" announcement
Provided by UABC-HR