Extension Advisory Committee

FAYETTE COUNTY EXTENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Proposed constitution on June 20, 2002.

ARTICLE I- NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Fayette County Extension Advisory Committee. 

ARTICLE II- PURPOSE

The primary purpose of this Advisory Committee is to advice County Extension Agents and Extension Administration in planning, implementing and evaluating educational programs to meet the needs and interest of county residents in the areas of Agriculture & Natural sources, 4-H Youth Development, Community Development and Family/Consumer Sciences.  This committee serves in an advisory capacity only, has no legal powers to put recommendations into action nor does it have any liability that may result from consequence of actions taken by OSU Extension.  Its effectiveness and influence is the council is provides rather than through legal authority. 

ARTICLE III- FUNCTIONS

The main functions of the committee are program development and evaluation, program support and committee maintenance.  Decisions will be made by a simple majority vote of those present. 

Section 1 – Program Development and Evaluation: In developing effective Extension programs, the Committee assists County Extension Agents with program directions. Specific functions in program development are as follows: 

A. Assist Agents in developing annual and long-term county program plans.
B. Consider and reflect the interests and needs of people:

     a. both expressed and unrecognized, by viewing local facts, researching data, community assessment information and other pertinent data which has a bearing on the most efficient and productive agenda for programming in the future.  C. Assist Agents in reviewing the results of educational efforts to maximize time, utilize resources, and provide effective programs tailored to the community’s short-term and long-term needs.

Section 2 – Program Support: Promoting what Extension is about, how we operate to the public, in essence market what we can and do provide.  
A. Assist Agents in awareness of OSU Extension – its purpose, mission, organization, programs and operations. 

B. Assist Agents in developing budget requests to the appropriate county officials. 

C. Assist Extension Agents in establishing and maintaining modern offices, equipment, and other facilities in keeping with the most modern business offices. 

D. Assist Extension Administration in staffing of county Extension positions by interviewing and reacting to candidates presented by Extension administration.  At least 3 members will be asked to serve on an interview committee for new agents. 

E. Encourage and consider ways and means of assuring that the officers of the committee participate as county delegates in meetings of the District and State Extension Advisory Committees.

Section 3- Committee Maintenance:  The Fayette County Advisory Committee is the most important single Extension advisory group in the county.  Active, informed, enthusiastic members, properly selected and representative of various appropriate interests are essential.  Functions for committee maintenance are: 

A. Members should attend and actively participate in Advisory Committee meetings.

B. Keep informed about Ohio State University Extension and all phases of the Extension program.

C. A prepared agenda for each scheduled meeting, an advance notice of the nature of the business to be conducted, and copies should be sent to committee members prior to each meeting.

D. Review and up-date, as needed, the plan of organization and operation of the Extension Advisory Committee to make it an effective committee.

ARTICLE IV – COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Membership shall consist of Extension leadership in 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Family Consumer Sciences, and community Development, with a fair balance of each.

Section 2: Membership shall include one representative of each Extension Program Committee, at large members appointed by the Executive committee or Extension Agent team (consideration given to business, industry and diversity representation).  The total number of Advisory Committee positions shall not exceed 21.

Section 3: Members shall serve a term of 3 years.  One-third of the membership shall be elected each year (the Commissioner is an exception).  Replacement of inactive members shall be at the discretion of the Executive Committee based on the circumstances of each situation.  Members may serve a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms.

Section 4: A member who cannot attend a committee meeting may send a substitute from the group he/she represents.

Section 5: County Extension Agents and other Extension staff shall be ex-officio members of the committee.

Section 6: The Executive Committee, composed of the OSU Extension County Chair, Advisory Committee officers, the immediate past president, and one Commissioner, shall serve as a standing sub-committee.  This committee shall review past meetings, plan agenda, appoint at-large Advisory Committee members, act on committee reports and emergency matters, and appoint additional committees as needed.  The county delegates to District and State Advisory Committees will be selected from or appointed by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE V – MEETINGS

 The Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the President and County Chairman        (at least twice per year).

ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS

Section 1: The officers of the Advisory Committee shall be President, President Elect, and Secretary.

Section 2: Officers will be elected at the spring meeting.  The Executive Committee will prepare a slate of officers for consideration.  Nominations will also be accepted from the floor.

Section 3: The duties of the officers shall be as follows:
 

A. The President shall preside over all meetings, appoint committees, check on meeting arrangements, and consult regularly with Extension Agents about the County Extension program. 

B. The President Elect shall assume the duties of the President in his absence.

C. The Secretary shall keep a record of the minutes and the membership

ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS

 This Constitution may be amended by a simple majority of the members present at a regular meeting, provided written notice of the proposed amendment is given to all members at least one week prior to the meeting.

RESPONSIBILITIES

      As of member of the Advisory committee you will: 1) access then 
needs of our county for Extension, 2) Evaluate the programs currently planned for the 4 discipline areas [4-H, CD, FCS, ANR], 3) Publicize the effectiveness of Extension, 4) Act in an advisory capacity to help guide this organization, and 5) Serve a one-year appointment [we only meet twice a year. 

ROLE

     Your role is as an advisory committee, and unlike a board you only support and advise our current mission statement as a County/State/Federal organization.  You may be asked to represent our county during budget hearings or other state mandated legislation at the State House in Columbus.  We asked you to be a member of this committee because it is the support from the people, businesses and political associations that provide the foundation for Ohio State University Extension to build upon. 

REASON

    The major reason why OSUE-Fayette has been as successful in our programming is because of the support of this community.  It began with the first county agent in 1923, William W. Montgomery, who built up support and respect for our organization and has been continued with the many good people who have followed him to this day.