Strategies for Achieving Impact

Getting Beyond the Meeting

Strategies for Achieving Impact

Getting Beyond the Meeting

Signs of an Ineffective Advisory Council

• Exist only on paper

• Meet once or twice a year to say nice things

• “Rubber stamps”

• Exist only because of a mandate

Source: Teitel, Lee (1994).

Objective

You will be able to identify effective strategies to empower advisory council

members to move to action

Talking PointsTalking Points1. Building a foundation

2. Framing the process

3. Examples of a strong structure

1. Building a foundation

2. Framing the process

3. Examples of a strong structure

Building a Foundation

• Orient members to the organization

• Set clear expectations

• Select the right people to serve

Building the Foundation Orientation

• The Cooperative Extension System

• The Land-grant Connection and Philosophy

• Organizational Chart

Building the FoundationSetting Clear Expectations

• Responsibilities of council members– Advocacy– Relationship Marketing– Program development– Leadership

• Service terms• Attendance at meetings and events

Building the FoundationSelecting the Right People

• Look for people who are willing to:• Ask• Lead• Be open • Share• Be passionate

• The right Chairperson is essential

Framing the Process

• Empowerment

• Delegation

• Engagement

Framing the ProcessEmpowerment

• Build their knowledge base– Keep the council informed– Match passion with skill set– Allow council to take part in programming– Offer regional training/sharing opportunities

Framing the ProcessDelegation

• Allows room for ownership

• Builds a sense of trust

• Promotes growth and development

• Utilize skills

• Create new ideas

• Expand the possibilities

Framing the ProcessEngagement

• Examples of engagement– Offer program feedback for organizational

improvement– Design a plan to strengthen the advisory

system– Present impacts to stakeholders

Strong Advisory Council Structure

• Examples of advisory councils in action– Defend staff positions– Support for new positions– Planning and implementation of a regional conference– Secure resources for Extension

– Agricultural center– Vehicles– Capital outlay

– Sponsor and plan Farm-City Week

Signs of an Effective Advisory Councils

• Comprised of knowledgeable and committed individuals

• Conduct regular meetings• Has sense of ownership• Well informed about the organization

– Can offer useful advice and support• Clearly understand their role

Source: Teitel, Lee (1994).

Volunteers are not paid – not because they are worthless, but

because they are priceless.Author unknown

References

Groff, Judy (2003). Seal 2003 Training Curriculum. Being an Advocate. http://srpln.msstate.edu/seal/03curriculum/index.html

Groff, Judy (2003). Seal 2003 Training Curriculum. Relationship Marketing. http://srpln.msstate.edu/seal/03curriculum/index.html

Staton, Joy (2005). Advisory Leadership System Operations Manual.http://als.ces.ncsu.edu/

Teitel, Lee (1994). The Advisory Committee Advantage. Creating an Effective Strategy for Programmatic Improvement.http://www.ericdigests.org/1995-2/advisory.htm