This Web site provides resources and links to help MSU
Extension educators build strong community relationships and communicate
effectively about our educational programming in Michigan. Additional resource materials will be regularly added.
Strategies for building
strong relationships with public officials
Communicating with Decision Makers: A Role for Everyone outlines the
responsibilities of everyone in the organization to share information and
communicate effectively with decision-makers. PDF
Version
Ten Basic Steps for Maintaining Support for Extension details
fundamental strategies that are imperative for every county office. PDF
Version
MSUE Calendar 2005—Building Strong Extension Relationships lays
out a monthly timeline and suggests strategies for county staff members. PDF Version
Know Your Policymakers is a form asking
the questions that staff members in every county office need to be able to
answer about their state legislators and county commissioners. PDF Version
Tips for Meeting with Legislators provides
suggestions for setting up meetings with your state legislator. PDF
Version
Telling others about Extension
FAQ’s for Media Inquiries lays
out a set of questions and the framework for responding to the media. PDF Version
FAQ’s for Local Government Related Inquiries provides
the framework for explaining MSU Extension to local government officials. PDF
Version
Tips for Responding to Media Calls provides
additional suggestions for working with the media. PDF Version
Tips for Writing Your Partner Report gives
some basic suggestions for thinking about how to tell the story of programming
in your county. PDF Version
Tips for Telling YOUR Extension Story offers
simple suggestions on how to effectively describe the impact of your educational
programming. PDF Version
Tips for Writing YOUR Extension Story gives
basic suggestions for how to think through the important points for writing
the story of your educational programming. PDF Version
Information about MSU Extension
Making an Impact: MSUE and MAES – This
is a summary of short impact statements on our work in land use, literacy
and technology, youths and families, food, nutrition and health, sustainable
(cool) communities, environmental quality, agricultural profitability. It
also provides general information about MSUE and MAES. Pick and choose the
facts you wish to use to strengthen your message on the importance of MSU
research and Extension to Michigan.
A topical area can be copied and distributed as a statement of the impact
of our programs. You can insert localized information whenever relevant. MSWord
Version Web Version
A Three-Way Partnership: Historical Highlights charts the legislative and policy changes that have shaped
MSU Extension through the years. It is available at www.msue.msu.edu.
Briefing Information on MSUE and MAES – A summary of organizational facts about MSUE and
MAES. This was prepared during the 2003 budget crisis, but it still provides
helpful wording to describe the work of these two organizations. PDF Version
Communicating
about Programs and Results
Meeting Michigan’s
Challenges For Children, Youth and Families provides a few examples of
impacts from around the state. PDF Version
Meeting Michigan’s
Challenges in Agriculture and Natural Resources provides
a few examples of impacts from around the state. PDF Version
Talking Points:
Agriculture as an Economic Driver in Michigan provides information related agriculture and
its importance to Michigan's Economy and the armount of funding provided
for research and education for agriculture. PDF
Version
Contributions
to the Michigan Economy - A summary of MSUE and MAES
contributions to improving life for Michigan's citizens by generating
employment, revenues and community benefits from research and extension.
PDF Version
Contributing to Michigan’s
Progress - A series of papers that illustrate the ability of MAES
and MSUE to provide sound research and education around priority issues
for Michigan's citizens.
Reducing Preventable
Economic Losses in Agriculture and Natural Resources
Building Capacity
of Youth
Preparing Communities
for a New Economy
Responsible Use
of Michigan’s Resources through Research and Education
Reducing Health
Care Costs for At Risk Populations
Improving Quality
of Life for Our Families
Ensuring the Safety
of Michigan’s Citizens through Research and Education
Ensuring Efficient
and Effective Government
Results-based Quick
Reference Sheets- A series of quick reference sheets
developed for legislators to show MSUE's and MAES's capacity and past successes
in citizen priority areas and illustrate the level of delivery possible
in the future.
Government is Effective
Improving the Condition of Those Most Vulnerable
People are Healthy
People are Prepared for the New Economy
Natural Resources Are Conserved and Protected
Ensuring that People are Safe Where They Live, Work and Play
The Economy Is Thriving and People Are Working
Kids Are Succeeding
Building a Strong Extension
Council
Working with Your Extension Council provides
a checklist of organizational details to help make the council operate most
effectively. PDF Version
MSU County Councils—Telling
the Extension Story provides suggestions for councils on strategies
for communicating effectively about MSU Extension. PDF Version
Citizen Involvement
Making
Contacts for MSUE and MAES provides
some basic tips for anyone who wants to talk with decision-makers about
the importance of MSUE’s
educational programming and MAES applied research. This piece was prepared
during the budget crisis in 2003, but the basic information remains
relevant. MSWord
Version Web
Version
Tips on Sharing Your Views with Policymakers offers
basic information to help citizens communicate their views on virtually
any topic
to public officials. PDF Version
Budget Issues
Dealing with a County Budget Crisis provides
some practical suggestions on steps to take when the county Extension
budget is threatened. PDF Version
Michigan’s Current Budget gives an overview
of Michigan’s state budget for
2003-04. This will soon be updated.
Understanding the Mandated Service Argument: A Primer
for County Commissioners, by
Gary Taylor. http://www.msue.msu.edu/aoe/slg/materials.html
For information about the state budget, here is the link
to the Office of State Budget: http://www.michigan.gov/budget/
Information about State
Government
The state legislature’s Web site, with links to bills,
legislators, information on the legislative process: http://www.michiganlegislature.org
State government’s Web
site at http://michigan.gov contains
links to all of the departments and agencies of state government.
A
complete 2005-2006 Senate and House Listing - PDF Version
A
complete 2005-2006 Seante and House Committee Listing - PDF Version
Information about Local
Government
The Web site for MSU
Extension’s State and Local Government Area of Expertise team contains several
papers on issues affecting local governments (including a presentation on
the 2004 changes in county revenue sharing): http://www.msue.msu.edu/aoe/slg/materials.html
The three local government organizations:
Michigan Association of Counties— http://www.miaco.org
Michigan Townships Association— http://www.mta-townships.org
Michigan Municipal League— http://www.mml.org
People Who Can Help You
The
Strategic Connections Committee is a
group of CEDs who can share information about budget issues and communication
strategies. Contact Beth Moore
State and Local
Area of Expertise Team provides training for local government
officials and assistance to MSU Extension staff on issues related to
public policy and state and local government. http://www.msue.msu.edu/aoe/slg/
The Communication and Technology Services (CaTS)
Team provides strategic and tactical marketing communications
support to MSUE, MAES and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
(517) 432-1555
More to come…
Look for information on millage campaigns in counties
and examples of the communication strategies used in different county offices,
and more information on other topics as the need arises or suggestions are
offered.
If you have questions or suggestions for this Web site,
please contact:
Beth Moore, mooreeee@msu.edu
Megghan Honke, honkemeg@msu.edu
Laura Probyn, probyn@msu.edu
Kirk Heinze, heinzek@msu.edu
updated: 3/2/05