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Building a United Team: Increasing Attendance and Participation During Staff Meetings

Extension Education

Grantly Ricketts
County Extension Director and Commercial Horticulture Agent
UF/IFAS EXTENSION, ST LUCIE COUNTY
Fort Pierce

Abstract

Situation

Through evaluation, the new St Lucie County Extension Director (CED) found that staff meetings were not meeting the needs of staff. Communicating with other county extension directors, revealed that many other offices were also having unproductive staff meetings. Many agents scheduled trainings during staff meetings resulted in low meeting attendance. Some CED’s had been encouraged by staff members to email information instead of having meetings.

Methods

Support staff sent survey to agents to decide the best day of the month for staff meetings. Survey results determined that with adequate notice and consistent monthly date, agents could schedule accordingly. After monthly date was decided, each agent was responsible to take ownership of the meeting by providing an off-site meeting location which would highlight their program areas. Each agent provides a 15-minute educational presentation showing direct involvement with selected site and impact created. Upon completion of presentation, agenda items are discussed at the site. Lunch may be provided, depending on availability of CED program development funds. For future meetings, each agent will select a new site and an outside presenter. A CED job performance evaluation was given at the end of six months on the job.

Results

As a result of off-site meetings, there has been an increase in staff meeting participation. Agents attend scheduled meetings, taking ownership, and learn about programs their colleagues offer. Meetings are engaging and staff are learning more about the community they serve. Meetings are providing agents with collaborative opportunities, due to the new awareness of similar programing or community connections being made. Staff commuting together to off-site locations has also created staff unity and teambuilding due to new connections and conversations. Lunch after the meetings gives the opportunity to spend time with each other and increase morale. CED evaluation helps with staff development

Conclusion

Giving agents a role in staff meetings create a sense of ownership, which will result in an increase in participation. Providing consistent meeting dates and times will decrease scheduling conflicts. Lastly, offsite locations encouraged staff members to learn more about their community and what other agents are providing to community members.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted only for display at AM/PIC. Poster is not to be judged, but the abstract will be published in the proceedings.

A poster file has not been provided

Authors: Grantly Ricketts, Tanya Binafif, Kenneth Gioeli, Kate Rotindo, Amir Rezazadeh, Carol Roberts, Vincent Encomio
  1. Ricketts, G. County Extension Director and Commercial Horticulture Agent, University of Florida /IFAS Extension, Florida, 34945
  2. Binafif, T. 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent, University of Florida /IFAS Extension, Florida, 34945
  3. Gioeli, K. Natural Resources Extension Agent, University of Florida /IFAS Extension, Florida, 34945
  4. Rotindo, K. Residential Horticulture Agent, University of Florida /IFAS Extension, Florida, 34945
  5. Rezazadeh, A. Agriculture Extension Agent, University of Florida /IFAS Extension, Florida, 34945
  6. Roberts, C. Community Development Extension Agent, University of Florida /IFAS Extension, Florida, 34945
  7. Encomio, V. Sea Grant Agent, University of Florida /IFAS Extension, Florida, 34945