Tag: benefits

Happy ISU Extension and Outreach Week

sternweis

John Lawrence’s message from April 13, 2020

While many things have changed drastically for Iowans in recent weeks, one thing that has not changed is ISU Extension and Outreach’s commitment to serving all Iowans. I am so proud of all you as you’ve stepped up during this crisis. Office doors may be locked, and events may be canceled, but you have been finding ways to continue engaging Iowans with research-based information and education. Neither working remotely nor physical distance nor anything else will stop us from building a #STRONGIOWA together!

Did you know? “Change is the only constant in life.” That quote might be from an ancient Greek philosopher or a cereal box, depending on the results of your internet search. (Note: My searches have said it was Heraclitus.) We don’t know yet what additional changes the COVID-19 pandemic will bring here in Iowa, throughout the country or around the world. But we do know that time and again, ISU Extension and Outreach has been there to help Iowans and their communities during a crisis.

Dealing with COVID-19 isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. ISU Extension and Outreach will continue serving Iowans online, over the phone, through email and text messages, whatever way we can. And when we get the “all clear” from our government and health officials, we will be serving Iowans in person and face to face once again. That’s something Iowans can count on – during this immediate crisis, during recovery and long beyond. Because we are always serving Iowans. Have a happy, safe and healthy ISU Extension and Outreach Week!

MyData update

  • Pilot participants have through June 2020 to test the MyData reporting system. (For those in the pilot, this is an ideal time to focus on MyData features and provide feedback on user-friendliness.)
  • Three online training modules are being developed to help staff and faculty understand MyData’s value to ISU Extension and Outreach, how MyData is organized, and users’ roles and responsibilities. After staff and faculty have successfully completed online training, they’ll receive their MyData license along with training on the practical details for using the system.
  • Rollout of MyData will be staggered across program units and county services during 2020–2021. Given the unpredictability related to our current state of physical distancing, all timeframes are tentative: November 2020, county services (regional directors); December 2020, human sciences; January 2021, community and economic development; March/April 2021, agricultural and natural resources; and September/October 2021, 4-H youth development. Additional rollouts will be set for ISU Extension and Outreach administrators and regional county staff.

Benefits and retirement sessions

  • Jane Walter, with University Human Resources, will be hosting a County Benefit Conversation with Councils on Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m.
  • Jane also will host an ISU-Paid Employee Retirement session on Wednesday, May 6 at 3 p.m.
  • To participate in either session, go to https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/benefits. Both sessions will be recorded.

NCCEA speed meeting series

The North Central Cooperative Extension Association is offering three online speed meetings about mental/behavioral health (April 30), entrepreneurship (May 1), and rural community development (May 6). The series will highlight programs, success stories and partnerships in these key areas that have been identified as regional issues. Gain ideas and find others who you may be able to partner with on future programming. All speed meetings begin at 12 noon Central time. For more information and to pre-register for each session visit the NCCEA speed meeting series webpage.

PPSI fellowship opportunity

The Partnerships in Prevention Science Institute is seeking a qualified individual to fill a fellowship position supporting the development of the National Behavioral Health Extension Network. The NBH E-Net’s primary goal is to improve community prosperity and quality of life by increasing access to proven programs and services designed to enhance youth and family behavioral health and to prevent substance misuse. The fellow will provide expertise of relevance to the development of infrastructure and resources as part of the NBH E-Net Hub Organization, in collaboration with eXtension. For more information, review the position timeline, description, roles and responsibilities.

One more note

Remember to check the new homepage in MyExtension to find what you need to know about issues affecting our organization.

— John D. Lawrence
Iowa State University Vice President for Extension and Outreach

Partnerships , , , ,

Working differently, inspiring each other

sternweis

John Lawrence’s message from March 30, 2020

Welcome to week 3 of working remotely. As we continue to adapt to an ever-changing situation, we continue to engage Iowans with research, education and extension experiences. However, did you know? We also inspire each other.

“We’re working differently,” says Janet Smith, director of Region 20. “I couldn’t be more excited and proud of the innovative, virtual education that our staff are trying, social media posts, the professional development that’s occurring and the virtual meetings. I couldn’t be prouder of the innovative, can-do spirit that’s going on. Staff are playing with the cards they were dealt, and even staff who have been hesitant to try new technology are jumping in. We really are ‘open’ for business — but in a different way.”

I agree with Janet 100 percent! I am inspired by every example of extension professionals finding new ways to serve Iowans during this pandemic. A friend and colleague in North Dakota shared a Charles Darwin quote and said that he thought it also applies to extension: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.” I agree. Our people are adapting and taking care of ongoing business, innovating to solve problems and creating new ways to engage and educating Iowans.

Only the doors are closed on our offices. ISU Extension and Outreach is open for business, just a bit differently. By the way, Advancement has posted some new sign templates on MyExtension so everyone understands that we are continuing to serve Iowans.

Internal Communications update:

Last week we launched a new homepage in MyExtension where you will find what you need to know about issues affecting our organization. This is in response to a recommendation from the Internal Communications Task Force. The task force recommended we develop a centralized (internal) website or “front page” for leadership communications. Here you will find links to my daily updates, announcements, other news for staff, newsletters, and (coming soon) meeting agendas and notes from the Leadership Team.

More notes

  • County staff who are considering ISU benefits programs should review the new County Extension Benefits webpage for more information. There also will be an optional benefits webcast 1 p.m., April 1 for interested county staff.
  • April 15 is the last day you can order computers and have them billed for this fiscal year. This allows EIT time to receive the computer from Dell, set it up and complete the billing. You can still order a computer after April 15, but EIT cannot promise that it will be billed this fiscal year.
  • Advancement is launching a new Did You Know? staff training video series. Three videos are now available on MyExtension, and more will be added in the coming weeks. Advancement also will offer a webinar for all staff at 10 a.m., April 3 on Did You Know? Creating Videos for Facebook. It’s a deeper dive into the lessons in one of the new videos, and will include suggestions for additional tools and equipment, as well as Q&A. The link for the webinar is https://iastate.zoom.us/j/344060951.

I look forward to “seeing” you at our virtual Annual Conference on Wednesday.

— John D. Lawrence
Iowa State University Vice President for Extension and Outreach

Partnerships , ,

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.