- Author: Wendy Powers
This week, like many, has been full of meetings, though they have been by Zoom or phone. We are preparing for the workshop to identify condition changes that reflect the draft public value statements. The workshop will be a good opportunity to think about what we do and why. I suspect the work will be more of a challenge than framing our impact, at a 30,000 ft level, because it forces us to have data to support the condition changes and moves us past the behavior changes many already measure. But we are up to the challenge. It will be a good workshop.
There's a lot of activity going on with hiring academics; very exciting! It seems every time I look at my calendar there is a new note on it about a start date for a new Advisor or Specialist. There are some departures, too, including some big gaps that need to be worked through. But it is particularly nice to talk with the campuses about 2 searches will be soon underway for economists – something in short supply and much needed. One is a hire from the 2014 position call and the other is a yet-to-be-released position from the 2016 positions.
This week I've been working from home quite a bit so I feel like I am missing out on all of the adventures going on in UC ANR. It turns out I don't really care to stay home and work and actually miss the commute (crazy, I know!). Next week I head to Long Beach for the triennial Master Gardener Conference. I'm not sure how many of the 6,000 California Master Gardener Volunteers plan to attend but I look forward to interacting with the group. Thinking about the meeting had me realize how many of the photos I have posted on this blog are the result of the efforts of Master Gardeners. I'm better suited for taking the photos than I am for caring for the plants, I'm afraid. I'm even slowly killing my favorite succulent! Okay all you Green Thumbs - let me know if you think if the photo suggests too much water. It sits right next to a peony so I can't decide how much water to give it. I'm hoping to hear back that these just go dormant this time of year - wishful thinking? I'm definitely better with livestock but hope to learn a few things at the meeting next week.
I'm still working on completing promotion assessments for faculty other universities. I need to get this off my to-do list this weekend. Then there are the manuscripts from my graduate students at Michigan State, that are piling up awaiting my read through. Without the cold winter nights it's tough to just stay in and read.
- Author: Wendy Powers
In preparation for the Aug 29-30 workshop with Program Team Leaders, SI Leaders, Statewide Program Directors and Institute Directors, I've been working on a couple of logic model examples that illustrate the progression from activities to public value statement. I've used my own past work as an example, because it's what I know best. Take a look at what I've put together:
In the process of this exercise, I've used a fillable logic model template that many of you may recognize; it's from Ellen Taylor-Powell (Emeritus, the University of Wisconsin) and one provided as an example by USDA-NIFA when they have offered grant programs that require submission of a logic model (integrated projects). The concept of a logic model makes perfect sense to me. But I struggle with 3 elements of it:
-
It seems backwards to me causing one to work from right to left. Logically, I would want to know what I wish to accomplish in my work (the ‘so what') and from there determine the path to get there, working from 30,000 ft down to ground level that represents the activities I undertake. After all, I don't use my GPS to tell me where I am; that's not useful when I already know I am lost. Rather, I use my GPS to guide me where I want to go and provide me an ETA. But first I need to know where I want to go.
-
Where does one put the metrics and indicators to be used to measure extent of change? It seems to me this is a critical part of the planning process if one is to be successful. I wrote them in the text associated with the condition change but there they seem buried a bit.
-
Do we actually measure Learning Change in our work? If we are using standardized tests in 3rd grade then perhaps we do have an indicator of knowledge. An certainly when we test someone (history exam, pesticide applicator's exam, etc.) we are measuring learning change that is the result of exposure to information over some period of time. But in my work, I really didn't measure learning. The exception would be to compare pass rates of manure applicators who took our training versus those who took the test without first taking the training. Otherwise, we spent considerable effort asking participants if they felt like they learned something as a result of their attendance. Self-reporting data just isn't a strong metric, in my opinion. Had you asked me if I felt like I learned a lot the first time I took calculus, I would have said ‘absolutely'. But the sad truth is my test scores did not reflect much knowledge in the subject. So I have opted to leave blank the learning change portion of my logic model example.
I still don't fully understand the portions of the logic model about Assumptions and External Factors. Sometimes one just has to sit through a learning exercise multiple times to get it. I eventually aced calculus, not because the instructor or content changed. I suspect attention and attendance had something to do with the improvement (external factors?)
- Author: Wendy Powers
That was a phrase on Michigan TV that referenced sudden changes in winter weather and road conditions. In a broader context, condition changes have been on my mind quite a bit lately, along with responding when conditions change. I still have a logic model example for air quality to complete; it didn't make last weekend's ‘Done' list though it was prominently on the ‘To-do' list. I redirected some effort to address some changes in conditions and there seem to be a number of those going on right now.
Teams from UC ANR have been assembled to develop short-term and long-term responses to upcoming vacancies in the leadership team. We will short term plan with the REC directors tomorrow and the County Directors next week. In that same window of time, or shortly thereafter, we will share a proposal for a longer-term solution with these same groups and a group of academics, seeking alternate and better ideas or support for what is proposed. It's an interesting exercise in that looking back really provides an opportunity to better see forward. And I think it isn't often that there is an opportunity to throw a number of positions/responsibilities into a hat and see what comes of it. The interim plan will rely on a number of people adding some things to their plates and perhaps doing something other than their favorite tasks but it also provides an opportunity to walk in other's shoes, if only for a few steps. Success depends on what I call the Southwest Attitude – being willing to do what needs to get done for the sake of the organization and the people that are the foundation.
I was on a Southwest flight yesterday and it really had me wondering why it is that the flight attendants are so much funnier on that airline. I wonder what the interviews are like. And is the humor just inherent in the employees or is there something about the company itself that is reflected in employee behavior? The attitude seems to pass on to the passengers perhaps making tolerable the fact that, clearly, I will clearly always be in boarding group C.
The status of our house sale in Michigan has suddenly changed. So that's both exciting and a bit hectic all at the same time given the timeline. But it will be a welcomed change in conditions. And the timing is actually quite good because it syncs with other changes such that everything in Michigan is wrapping up in an almost coordinated manner. Good to know that not all condition changes are from rain to sleet to snow.
I had better get on that logic model before my thoughts are redirected.
- Author: Wendy Powers
It turns out there is far more to the UC Master Gardener Conference than talk about gardening! I was unable to attend as many talks as I had hoped but those I made were great – filled with timely information from UC ANR Advisors. Despite the outstanding venue, the talks were well attended, reflecting the strong commitment to continued education by the volunteers. Rachel Surls gave a nice overview of the Search for Excellence First Prize Grow LA Victory Garden Project, complete with evaluation data that demonstrated the personal benefits one achieves due to gardening. There was a nice awards ceremony complete with Silent Auction and a Marketplace. Apparently Master Gardeners are passionate about shopping, in addition to gardening. Considering I once managed to buy 2 pairs of shoes while attending the World Pork Expo, it should be no surprise I returned home with a few items from both the Marketplace and the Silent Auction (thanks Lauren for transporting my items that were not plane-suitable!).
The most coveted item at the Silent Auction was a beautiful redwood garden bench made by our own Jim Downer – and it was mine until the final minute of the auction! Alas, I drowned my sorrow by winning a few gift baskets well stocked with regional wines and then brought home a beautiful ceramic pumpkin made by Master Gardener Liz Burns of Monterey County. When I get to that county I will be sure to try to meet her. Overall, it seems that Master Gardeners are quite a talented bunch, especially those in Ventura County. Must be the salt air.
On the flight back from Long Beach I took a look at the Southwest magazine and had some of my earlier questions answered, right there in the message from the CEO. As I read through the magazine I came upon another article that gave me an ‘ah-hah' moment and the start of an idea. More on that later. I don't mean to keep us all in suspense but now I really must get that logic model done. The workshop to identify condition changes associated with the public value statements that were developed by the Statewide Program and Institute Directors and the Strategic Initiative Leaders is Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Thus my procrastinating is over.
I was a bit surprised to see that one of the promotion portfolios I reviewed for a faculty member seeking promotion from assistant to associate professor included a logic model for the candidate's research and Extension program. I wouldn't say it was the best logic model I have ever seen. However, this was the first time I have seen one in a promotion package. I can't help but think this demonstrates a movement in academia, or at least Extension, away from conducting activities as they present themselves to a more deliberate planning of work and efforts in order to achieve intended outcomes. What I found particularly astute, especially for an assistant professor, was that this candidate gave consideration to trends in funding and in societal and stakeholder needs and how those trends and needs might redirect the candidate's efforts in the future despite strong success up to the present. Despite the time it takes to review promotion documents for candidates outside of the UC system, there is great value in not only seeing what candidates across the U.S. are up to but in also seeing how portfolios are prepared – what's emphasized and how accomplishments are conveyed. I suspect that was my last review for this promotion year.
- Author: Wendy Powers
A week or so back I was contemplating what it is that makes Southwest flights seem a bit more laid back with employees that displayed a great deal of humor. I even wondered what a flight attendant interview might be like. It turns out my answer was not far away. The next time I flew Southwest (a week or so later) I happened to read the CEO and Chairman's greeting in the August issue of the Southwest magazine where it was explained that three characteristics were sought in Southwest employees: a Servants's Heart, a Fun-LUVing Attitude, and a Warrior Spirit. Combined, these three traits are referred to as “Living the Southwest Way”. The result is a company and its personnel who are recognized for their incredible acts of kindness, ability to take the competition seriously but not themselves, and success in finding ways to beat the competition. To me, this very much sounds like a brand promise.
Strategic Communications has shared their strategic plan with the Communications Advisory Board (CAB) for feedback before a broader release. The plan includes efforts to intentionally weave the UC ANR promise into and throughout communication efforts for the division. This means highlighting the relevant elements of the UC ANR promise by perhaps establishing common vocabulary or sections of communication pieces (i.e. sections of a magazine that appear in every issue with the content within a section changing in each issue). Once widely distributed, take a look at the strategic plan and the UC ANR promise and see where your own efforts weave in.
Along those same lines, the Southwest magazine takes the approach of having regular sections in each issue that include an employee feature, a passenger spotlight, stories to support the Servant Hearts of the Southwest employees, and a community outreach article. This month's community outreach piece talked about the airline's Heart of the Community program that partners with local organizations to create spaces and opportunities to bring people together with an intended outcome of strengthening communities. That concept of building relationships in order to facilitate collaborative problem solving sounds very familiar, doesn't it? There weren't any cities in California identified as having received any of the $6.4 million invested by Southwest to date. But given the prominence of the airline in California, coupled with some overlap in core values and mission, it seems like there is some potential here.
It's shaping up to be a very bust next 7 days. True to its name, Labor Day is shaping up to be a bit laborious. I'm not sure when I will get back to another post – perhaps not until after Labor Day. If that's the case, I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend and official end of summer (can't believe we are facing September already!). In the meantime, I will be processing the conversations and discussion that took place during the workshop we held with program team leaders, SI leaders, statewide program and institute leaders to develop condition changes that reflect the public value statements developed by these leaders back in May. Great discussion but a lot to absorb.