As we complete the Performance Reviews for last year, I have been asking for an updated job responsibilities assignment form to be reviewed and signed by each agent. This is our agreement of identifying the lead person for the many tasks that we complete for the new year. This form will not be on the greatjobs website, this will be maintained at the district office. If you did not have this completed at our recent PAS conference please complete the form and send it in ASAP. Those counties that still have not gone through your performance appraisals please have an updated form ready to review at our upcoming conferences. If you need a new form contact Barbara Moretich at the district office.
Hot Topics
The southern region administrative team lead by our RPD's have scheduled a "Hot Topics" training Series via Centra. The topics have been identified by the administrative team and I am encouraging you to make time on your calendar to attend.
March 15th, "Evaluations" Monty Dozier and Jeff Ripley
April 12th, "Volunteer Management" Elaine Fries and Courtney Dodd
May 17th, "Tour of EDEN" Monty Dozier and Janie Harris
You can expect a "Hot Topic" each month stay tuned for more soon. These would be excellent professional improvement topics especially for agents under 3 years of service. More information later on registration for the sessions.
Legislative Interpretations
Each month I will be compiling a report to the state office of interpretations conducted by agents in District 11 for state legislatures. If you have any formal interpretation or a education program that you know your state representative or senator will be attending please let me know ASAP. It is important that you invite your state legislatures to any significant showcase program in your county during this critical legislative budget year. Some of you have sent me information on other events that you know your legislatures will be attending, please continue to let me know if they will be in your county.
"Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity"
New Webinar series: Making Schools the Model of Healthier Environments
Go to this link to register: Information provided by Gloria VanZante
http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=0dbac5f26ad18ac67959e871d&id=0ad0923cfe&e=95790e1be7
“Keys to the Courthouse” County Government Curriculum
Last week I attended the Annual Judges and Commissioners Conference hosted by the VG Young Institute of County Government in College Station, I visited with many of your County Judges and Commissioners , District 11 had a large group of participants at the conference. This was an excellent time for me to visit with your county officials on your programs in your counties.
“Keys to the Courthouse” county government curriculum was premiered by Director Smith during his update to the court members. The Texas 4-H Program also hosted a booth that allowed the judges and commissioners to preview the curriculum and receive an informational flyer about the enrichment program. Many of the judges and commissioners who reviewed the curriculum had positive comments and expressed an interest of working with Extension to implement the curriculum back in their county schools. Because of the potential for an educational partnership between the Commissioners Court and Extension we want each County Extension Agent and Office to the information shared in case a county officials or school superintendent mentions it. This new county government curriculum will replace the one produced by Extension some twenty-five years ago.
The new curriculum will focus on the grades of 7th and 12th and include five lessons, along with activities appropriate for both grade levels. Additionally, the curriculum is written so an elected official, or educator, can use components of the curriculum with civic groups/adult audiences to explain the role of each elected official and county government. The bound curriculum will include the curriculum lessons, activities for both 7th and 12th graders, a Texas county wall map, and a DVD with videos about county government and the activities for easy printing.
Currently, the curriculum is in the final stages of development and printing and will be distributed through your District Extension Administrator in May, 2010. It is our hope that it will be fully utilized during the 2010-2011 4-H Year.
This curriculum was the collaborative effort between the Texas Association of Counties, County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas, V.G. Young Institute of County Government, and the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program. Please look forward to additional information about this new curriculum in the following months.
D11 Personnel News: A prospective candidate has been identified for the San Patricio County 4-H agent position and will met the court on March 1st with projected start date on March 15th. The Calhoun County FCS and 4-H agent positions have been opened internally. The Bee County FCS position is waiting administrative approval to be opened internally. I have been getting much interest about our paid internships some of you will be contacted in the future if I identify you as a prospective host county for an intern this summer.
Performance Reviews for next week: Bee, Karnes, Fayette, and Calhoun.
