Establishment of the Joint Program Committee Meeting and Program Leadership
Committee
Coordination of programs and sharing resources within the region
has been a long-standing priority of Southern Extension Administrators
and Directors. For years, the Southern Extension Directors looked
to four program committees to share resources and coordinate programs
across the Southern region--Agriculture and Natural Resources, Home
Economics, 4-H Youth, and Community Resource Development. Extension
Administrators.
This worked well until the economic, social, and political environments
in the South and nation began changing so rapidly and frequently
that a new structure was required, one that would enable the system
to respond rapidly with multidisciplinary, issues-based programs.
In 1989, the Southern Extension Directors appointed a Southern
Region Task Force on Organization to make recommendations on how
to organize to meet regional issues and meet multidisciplinary issues.
These members were:
Bill Allen, VA |
Warren McCord, AL |
Walter Walla, TX, now KY |
Jim App, FL |
Bobbie McFatter, LA |
Paul Warner, KY |
Bill Clinkscales, SC |
Jan Montgomery, OK |
Ed Yancy, NC |
Laverne Feaster, AR |
Marilyn Purdie, MS |
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Directors Roy Bogle (OK) and Zerle Carpenter (TX) served as administrative
advisors to the group.
Directors approved the Task Force on Organization's recommendations
at their September 1989 meeting. This action:
- Established a more interactive and multidisciplinary system
for regional committee program planning, implementation, and accountability;
- Established an operating structure that encouraged anticipation
of emerging regional issues and the ability to lead programming
related to both single disciplinary and multidisciplinary programs;
- Created an ongoing dialogue with directors and administrators
related to program needs, which avoided program duplication among
committees; and
- Strengthened state programs.
The task force members and directors from 1989 to 1990 are the architects
for the current Southern Region Program Committee and Program Leadership
Committee.
In 1995, 1890 Administrators and 1862 Directors requested the Joint
Southern Region Program Committee Meeting officially include 1890
partners in each committee. Although 1890 colleagues had been attending
the joint meeting and several committees since the first annual
meeting, the original structure did not specify 1890 membership
on PLC.
The Southern Region PLC developed and approved new structure for
the Southern Region Program Leadership Committee. The proposal was
prepared by an ad hoc group of PLC which included Susan Holder,
Billy Caldwell, Shirley Callaway, and John Bentley. The draft procedure
was also shared with all program committees during the 1995 joint
meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina. The proposal was accepted
by Southern Region Directors and Administrators following the 1995
joint meeting. In 1996, two representatives, an 1862 and 1890 representative,
were appointed from each committee to be on the Program Leadership
Committee.
Mission
Foster and strengthen quality extension educational programming
throughout the Southern Region by anticipating emerging program
issues and needs, and implementing action processes to address them.
Vision
Anticipate emerging societal issues resulting in:
- Engaged Extension educational programming involving public
and private sector partners, and diverse communities;
- A lifelong learning process and learning communities;
- Benefits to individuals and communities; and
- Demonstrated public value.
Expectations of Extension Directors and Administrators
The Southern Region through the Joint Regional Meeting and the
Program Leadership Committee is charged with four primary functions:
Strategic Planning
- Coordinating regional issue identification, development, and
review process, and recommending emerging issues as new regional
initiatives.
Program Leadership
- Providing leadership for anticipating emerging issues and implementing
new initiatives.
- Planning and facilitating interdisciplinary Extension programs,
responding to regional critical issues, and embracing the needs
of diverse communities.
- Establishing and coordinating regional task forces to develop
content and educational plans for new initiatives.
- Developing and recommending a program review process to set
program priorities and improve Extension programs.
- Encouraging multi-state, multi-region, and international programming.
- Establishing and maintaining external linkages to promote and
maintain program partnerships.
Personnel and Staff Development
- Initiating and promoting a regional system for maintaining
professional competence among all employees.
- Implementing staff development to effectively address diversity
issues.
- Reviewing and recommending proven methods of delivering Extension
programs.
- Encouraging multi-state professional improvement.
Commitment to Committee and PLC
- Demonstrating engaged participation in all committee and joint
meetings.
- Continuously serving the committee to which appointment is
made by the Extension Administrator or Director.
- Demonstrating engaged commitment when appointed to serve on
the Program Leadership Committee.
Joint Southern Region Program Committees
Annual Joint Meeting
Annually, the seven program committees meet jointly for sessions.
The meeting is planned by the SR-PLC based on recommendations by
committees. The annual meeting includes joint sessions of all committees
and concurrent individual committee meeting times. All participants
are expected to attend both joint sessions and committee sessions.
The purpose of joint sessions is to address emerging issues common
to all committees and to encourage networking and partnerships among
participants. Committee meetings are focused on subject-matter specifically
related to the committee assignment. Committees are encouraged to
work together when issues involve more that one committee.
Committee Membership
There are seven regional committees. Each land-grant institution
may send a representative to each committee. They are:
- Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Leaders Committee,
- Communications Program Leaders Committee,
- Community Development Program Leaders Committee,
- Family and Consumer Sciences Program Leaders Committee,
- 4-H Youth Development Program Leaders Committee,
- Middle Management Program Leaders Committee, and
- Program and Staff Development Program Leaders Committee.
Each committee will elect a chair and vice chair of the committee.
Elected chairs and vice chairs serve one year beginning the day
after the annual meeting in which they were elected and continuing
until the end of the annual meeting in the subsequent year. Vice
chairs often become the committee chair following their term as
vice chair.
All institutions have the opportunity to send a program leader
representative to each committee. The decision for participation
is based upon mission and direction of the institution.
Each committee elects two Program Leadership representatives. One
is from an 1862 Land-Grant institution and one is from an 1890 land
grant institution. The term of appointment on PLC is three years.
Each committee has an internal process for this election and appointment.
Leadership of each program committee will be shared between 1862
and 1890 institutions.
The 1862 Extension Directors and the 1890 Extension Administrators
will each appoint an individual to serve as an advisor to each program
committee. Advisors to program committees will be co-administrative
advisors.
Program Leadership Committee
Membership
The Southern Region Program Leadership Committee (SR-PLC) is authorized
by and is administratively responsible to the Southern Region 1862
Extension Directors and 1890 Extension Administrators.
- Membership of the SR-PLC includes:
- one 1862 representative;
- one 1890 representative from each of the seven Extension
program committees (Agriculture and Natural Resources, Communications,
Community Development, 4-H Youth Development, Family and Consumer
Sciences, Middle Management, and Program and Staff Development);
and
- an administrative advisor from 1862 and 1890 to each of the
program committees.
- Members are selected or appointed by respective program committees
and are appointed to three-year staggered terms to provide continuity--one
representing 1862 institutions and one representing 1890 institutions.
For more complete membership information, read the SRPLC Guidelines
for Operation in this document.
- One-third of individuals rotate off each year.
- The SRPLC selects a chair and vice-chair from the membership
of appointed representatives. Each serve for one year. Term of
office begins at the end of the annual joint meeting and continues
for one year through the end of the annual meeting the following
year. A new chair is selected from the committee representatives
each year. The chair and vice chair are responsible for communication
to the system (institutions/systems), and this is a jointly shared
responsibility.
- The 1862 directors and the 1890 administrators select one administrative
advisor each. Their role is to advise SRPLC and communicate with
regional administrators and directors. The two will serve as CO-administrative
advisors.
SRPLC Responsibilities
The Southern Region Program Leadership Committee:
- Provides leadership for development of Southern region multi-program
area proposals that address existing or emerging issues. These
issues are identified by program committees in the form of proposals
or information.
- Receives, reviews, and comments on program committee (Agriculture,
Communications, Community Development, 4-H Youth Development,
Family and Consumer Sciences, Middle Management, Staff Development)
reports and makes recommendations to Southern Directors and Administrators.
Copies of program reports, with recommendations, are sent to the
chair of the SRPLC prior to forwarding to the Southern Directors
and Administrators.
- Monitors the needs for regional and national programming in
the Southern region including:
- the establishment of regional task forces or committees,
- monitoring and recommending approval of multi-program area
regional activities,
- monitoring and recommending approval of regional activities
originating in the program committees, and
- reporting and recommending of approval/disapproval of activities
to the Southern Directors and Administrators on a semiannual
basis.
- Assures that information related to regional multi-program area
activities is distributed to program committee representatives
as well as Southern Directors and Administrators. This information
includes SRPLC actions and task force reports. Program leadership
committee representatives will distribute this information to
their respective program committee chairs and members as appropriate.
- Coordinates and plans the annual Joint Southern Region Program
Committee meeting.
- Evaluates and approves all program proposals that involve two
or more committees.
- Submits approved proposals to administrators and directors for
approval before they can be initiated.
- Communicates continuously with Southern Region Administrators
and Directors regarding important information items, proposals,
the progress of task forces, and emerging program direction.
- Communicates the status of proposals to appropriate program
committee representatives or to the task force chairperson after
action has been taken by administrators and directors . The SRPLC
also gives oversight to implementation and success of the proposed
actions approved.
Annual Joint Southern Region Program Committee
Meeting
A joint Southern region program committee meeting is held annually.
It is typically scheduled at the end of August or beginning of September.
Meeting sites rotate around the region and are recommended by SRPLC
and approved by Extension Administrators and Directors.
Each land-grant institution in the region may send a delegate to
each of the seven program committees. The program committees meet
concurrently and jointly for multidisciplinary issues. Directors
through the Association of Southern Region Extension Directors and
1890 Administrators may choose an Administrative Advisor to each
program committee. Advisors will serve as co-advisors and communicate
program needs to their respective group of peers.
In addition to the general sessions; planned by SRPLC; time is
allocated for individual program committees to meet during the SRPLC
annual meeting. Committee chairs and co-chairs set the agenda for
committee business. Participants are expected to fully participate
in sessions for joint meetings and committee business.
Annual Meeting Sites, Themes, Chairs, and Significant Actions
Building an Extension Agenda in the Southern Region
1989-90 SRPLC
Birmingham, Alabama, September 5-7, 1990
Chair:
R. Warren McCord
Community Resource Development Committee
Alabama Cooperative Extension Service
Vice Chair: Jimmy Richardson
Program and Staff Development Committee
Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service
Significant Actions:
- Established an Extension Work in Urban Counties Task Force
chaired by George Hadley, Georgia-- Southern Region 1890 representatives
were invited to participate. A proposal was developed.
- Implemented the organizational structure of the Southern Region
Program Leadership Committee and established an annual Joint Southern
Region Program Committee Meeting where program committee met concurrently.
Cultural Diversity/Technology Trends and Application
1990-91 SRPLC
Atlanta, Georgia, September 1991
Chair:
Jimmy Richardson
Program and Staff Development Committee
Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service
Vice Chair: William A. Allen
Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
Virginia Cooperative Extension Service
Significant Actions:
- Established "Task Force on the Working Poor," with
Martha Johnson, Alabama, as advisor.
- Established "Task Force on 4-H Health Curriculum,"
with Sharon Roland, North Carolina, as chair.
- Established "Water Quality/Waste Management Task Force,"
with Horace Hudson, Georgia, as advisor.
- Established "Ad Hoc Group on Cultural Diversify,"
with Meatra Harrison, Texas, as advisor.
Changing Environment for the Cooperative Extension Service
1991-92 SRPLC
Nashville, Tennessee, September 1992
Chair:
William A. Allen
Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
Virginia Cooperative Extension Service
Vice Chair: Horace Hudson
Community Resource Development Committee
Georgia Cooperative Extension Service
Significant Actions:
- Approved a health initiative that later became a SERA and the
basis for a new national initiative, "Decisions for Health."
Martha Johnson, Alabama was appointed advisor.
- Approved and conducted a regional workshop, Tennessee Valley
Authority Regional Training. Horace Hudson, Georgia was chair.
- Established a Communities in Economic Transition, chaired by
Larry Graves, Mississippi.
Moving the Extension Vision Forward
1992-93 SRPLC
New Orleans, Louisiana, September 1993
Chair:
Horace Hudson
Community Resource Development Committee
Georgia Cooperative Extension Service
Vice Chair: Bill Schimel
Communications Committee
South Carolina Extension Service
Significant Actions:
- Reviewed all regional committees and SERA's.
Frameworks for Change
1992-93 SRPLC
San Antonio, Texas, September 1994
Chair:
Horace Hudson
Community Resource Development Committee
Georgia Cooperative Extension Service
Vice Chair: Bill Schimel
Communications Committee
South Carolina Extension Service
Significant Actions:
- Extension Director, Zerle Carpenter, Texas, and Administrator,
Lawrence Carter, Florida, drafted a new charge related to involvement
and membership in SRPLC.
Empowerment Through Change 1994-95
SRPLC
Charlotte, North Carolina, September 1995
Chair:
Bill Schimel
Communications Committee
South Carolina Extension Service
Vice Chair: Susan Holder
4-H Youth Committee
Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service
Significant Actions:
- Formed an "Organizational Structure Task Force,"
co-chaired by Susan Holder, Mississippi, and Billy Caldwell, North
Carolina. Drafted a proposal that was approved by SRPLC, directors,
and administrators.
Taking Responsibility 1995-96
SRPLC
Birmingham, Alabama, September 1996
Chair:
Susan Holder
4-H Youth Committee
Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service
Vice Chair: Patricia Ganter
Family and Consumer Sciences Committee
Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service
Significant Actions:
- Implemented changes in the SRPLC structure.
- Established an "Ad Hoc Group on Accountability" to
address concerns of directors, administrators and committee representatives.
This ad hoc group was chaired by Patricia Ganter, Tennessee. It
developed a strategic plan and action steps. The plan was approved
by administrators and directors. The 1996 joint meeting focused
on this theme. As a result there was a recommendation to develop
a regional workshop on accountability that would include GPRA.
The implementation of this workshop was delayed until GPRA goals
and indicators were fully developed.
Building Collaborative Partnerships 1996-97
SRPLC
Tallahassee, Florida, August 24 - 27, 1997
Chair:
Patricia Ganter Sobrero
Family and Consumer Sciences Committee
Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service
Vice Chair: Gregg Taylor
Community Resource Development Committee
Texas Agricultural Extension Service
Significant Actions:
- Asked the Program and Staff Development Committee to oversee
Diversity programming.
- Asked the Middle Management Committee to oversee Urban programming.
Retired the Urban Task Force.
- 4-H Health Task Force successfully completed the health curriculum
and began implementation. The SRPLC requested information at the
December 1997 meeting reporting implementation results.
- Retired the Ad Hoc Accountability Group and established a Task
Force on Accountability to include SRPLC members and representatives
of Directors and Administrators. The task force developed and
presented an accountability framework model during the 1997 joint
meeting and proposed it become a Southern Region model to encourage
a common language for demonstrating program accountability at
county, district, state, regional, and national levels.
- Approved and conducted a regional workshop on water quality.
- Approved a regional Rural Health workshop. Greg Taylor was
chair.
New Relevance, New Challenges 1996-97 SRPLC
Little Rock, Arkansas, September 1998
Chair:
Greg Taylor
Community Resource Development Committee
Texas Agricultural Extension Service
Vice Chair: Michael Ouart
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Mississippi Cooperative Extension
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