Meeting Participants
Ron Addis, SC T. Dwayne Hunter, OK Mike Allen, LA Nita Jackson, FL John M. Bentley, GA Barry W. Jones, GA Cliff Bice, MS Thomas W. Knecht, NC Nina Boston, AR Larry Lippke, TX Dan Brook, MS Gloria J. Mosby, TX Angela Corbett, SC Donald W. Poucher, FL Carla Craycraft, KY Bob Reynolds, AR LaRae Donnellan, TN Ellen Ritter, TX Robert Fehr, KY Louie Rivers, KY Mike Futrell, LA Charles Stott, VA Kevin Gamble, NC Willie L. Strain, AL Don Hamilton, GA Neal T. Vines, VA Thomas R. Hintz, FL Fedro S. Zazueta, FL
Officers for 1997-98
Chair--Donald W. Poucher, University of Florida
Administrative Advisor
Billy Hicks, University of Tennessee
PLC Representatives
Don Poucher, University of Florida
John Bentley, Ft. Valley State University
SUMMARY OF MEETING
Items for Information
The Communications Committee also received a report from its Communications Accountability Sub-Committee to 1) identify existing techniques that are available to answer basic accountability questions and 2) to recommend the development of additional measurement techniques especially valuable to accountability efforts. The Sub-Committee essentially recommended dividing accountability techniques and projects by internal and external groups to whom we are accountable. During the next year the Sub-Committee, with the help from members of the Committee at large, will seek to refine research questions and activities centered around measurement of output, outreach, outcomes, and values; reporting on methods of delivering information to internal and external audiences; communicating to Federal and State program systems; reporting against the organization program plans and long-range strategic plans; and how we can promote understanding and appreciation of value-added to internal and external audiences and establishing values for communications. A draft of the final report should be completed by the Accountability Sub-Committee in time for the 1998 meeting in Little Rock. The Accountability Sub-Committee includes Tom Knecht as leader, Ellen Ritter, Texas A&M and Charlie Stott, Virginia Tech.
The Communications Committee also discussed issues related to sharing across state lines. Examples of successful sharing include the Southern Regional Extension Video Producers Group, shared video clips across the region; distance learning projects such as Gee Whiz In Agriculture; and the E. Answers Project, which is a joint regional development of a searchable information database; CD ROM production; and a previously held technology fair at the San Antonio PLC Meeting. Failure of joint projects include hard copy publishing, collaborative publications, and talent sharing pools for various skills. Common barriers to information sharing across state lines include copyright restrictions; credit and identity issues, institutional Jegos, royalty matters, "control" mentalities; and development cost recovery issues. Needs that exist within the region that could be accommodated through sharing across state lines include photography, graphics and information technology training, information technology standards, evaluation toolkits, and a materials clearinghouse.