John Lawrence’s message from Nov. 18, 2019
I changed my personal Twitter username a few weeks back. Now you can follow me at @John_D_Lawrence. My old username had included ISU, which I discovered was violating Iowa State policy. (And this was only one of the ways I had been breaking the rules!)
Over the past year, Iowa State’s Office of Internal Audit reviewed ISU Extension and Outreach operations in several areas, including information technology processes and social media protocols. The auditors recommended we set social media policy and best practices related to personal use. The leadership team followed the auditors’ advice and developed a policy and best practices with one goal in mind: to protect the integrity and reputation of our organization and programs.
Did you know? Our new Social Media Personal Usage Policy covers prohibited uses and political activity. Our new Social Media Personal Usage Best Practices includes the purpose, scope and definitions, and a list of best practices for tagging and posting information. (You can download the documents from the links in this message. Staff and faculty also can log in to MyExtension for access to the documents.) I encourage you to read both documents. I also want to call your attention to a few key points.
- Your social media accounts are personal accounts. This is true for me and for every one of you. If you are posting extension-related content to your personal account, then follow a best practice and add this disclaimer in your bio: The views expressed on this site are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iowa State University (or Iowa 4-H).
- Don’t use ISU Extension and Outreach or Iowa State University’s trademarks, logos, symbols, names, graphics or service marks in your account name or avatar. This includes using Iowa State University, ISU, Cy, Cyclones, 4-H, the clover or any of the institution’s trademarks.
- Don’t use your official Iowa State email address for social media purposes unless specifically authorized to do so by ISU Extension and Outreach.
- The best social media best practice for all of us to follow is to think before we post.
It’s likely our best practices will continue to evolve, just like social media evolves. We will revisit these best practices often and provide updates as needed.
Goodbye … and welcome
In October, we said goodbye to the following individuals who left ISU Extension and Outreach:
- Alexandria Merk, Boone County executive director.
- Erin Pedersen, Humboldt County office manager.
- Courtni Siela, Benton County youth coordinator.
We welcome the following new staff:
- Lexy Davies, Page County youth coordinator.
- Evelyn Ganfield, Adams County youth coordinator.
- Brigham Hoegh, Cass County wellness coordinator.
- Stephanie Kosman-Baker, Monroe County, AmeriCorps.
- Denise Lupkes, Lyon County office assistant.
- Jamie Neff, Palo Alto County program coordinator.
- Eva Woods, Montgomery County youth coordinator.
- Alona Zermeno-Lechleidner, Woodbury County, AmeriCorps.
- Dawn Krause, accountant II, Community and Economic Development.
- Jonni Lenzini, program assistant II, Conference Planning and Management.
- Malissa Tritsch, 4-H office manager, 4-H Youth Development.
More notes
- Resources from County Services are available to councils as they make decisions regarding Structured for Success. County Paid Staffing Structure (June 2018) lists duties, responsibilities, and recommended qualifications for certain job categories. County MOU Shared Services Support has links to FY2020 maximum tax computations and FY2013-2019 annual reports of expenses for centralized services.
- All extension staff are invited to participate in Epsilon Sigma Phi Alpha Mu Chapter’s book study this winter on “Finally Out: Letting Go of Living Straight,” by Des Moines psychiatrist Dr. Loren OIson. The book was selected as a way to build inclusivity by learning more about the needs of the LGBTQ community. The cost for extension staff who aren’t ESP members is $20, which includes the book. Participants are encouraged to form small groups to discuss the book during January-March. The study will culminate with a face-to-face discussion with the author on March 31. (This is the day before Annual Conference.) To participate, register online by Dec. 18. For more information, contact Barbara Dunn Swanson, ESP Alpha Mu Chapter president, bdswanso@iastate.edu.
— John D. Lawrence
Iowa State University Vice President for Extension and Outreach