- Author: Wendy Powers
The new Public Value Statements (PVS) have been posted. While I certainly wouldn't state that these are ‘forever final' they are what we are going to work with for the foreseeable future. This version is markedly improved over the first draft, which were an impressive product given the timeframe provided to develop (a single 2-day meeting with no follow-up editing) and the fact that this was the first time leaders across the division were asked to come together and craft a set of PVS that reflected the breadth of ANR. If you think about it, that first draft was really a remarkable accomplishment! The most recent version of statements are a reflection of considerably more time to contemplate the draft statements, followed by several rounds of editing. The process as a whole resembles an ‘ideation' activity whereby the original brainstorms are improved upon in an iterative process. Had we been committed to the original draft statements, and unwilling to change, we would have missed the opportunity to use these improved upon statements.
When I think about change I am often drawn back to a conversation with a sibling and Bank of America's business model that embraces change. But it's not just Bank of America that seeks change as a key element of continuous improvement. Should you happen to be on a Southwest flight over the next week, take a look at the current issue of the magazine and see how the concept is embodied in the philosophy of Google as well. Heidi Zak's husband, a former Google employee, reflects that "this is how Google works. It's all about change; they're constantly changing the way they work because it creates room to innovate". A colleague sent this to me yesterday. As difficult as change can be, it's heartening to see that it can be effective (as well as a bit scary!).
The value of the PVS extend beyond the intended goal of helping us see how we can focus our efforts by spending time where we can derive the greatest impact. When Nancy Franz joins us in June for the WebANR, she plans to share with us success stories of how PVS have been used in Extension, to help us all better understand the opportunities before us now that we have 7 remarkable ‘elevator pitches' to share with those who don't really know the work and impacts of ANR. Our listeners might include ourselves (those of us who haven't had the chance to really get to know all of the work of ANR because we are so busy with our own work), prospective ANR colleagues, potential partners and allies in our efforts, and supporters who share our values and goals.
I think we are on the edge of something that is more powerful than any one of us could have imagined. So take a look at the PVS and find your own story in them. In the near term, we'll be sharing how the PVS connect to the 24 condition changes. Academics have provided feedback how their work connects to the condition changes and we know that programmatic staff connect to them as well. We're working to close the loop and determine how best to capture staff and academic impacts that move the needle on the condition changes.
Thanks to all for the contributions and feedback!
- Author: Wendy Powers
Thanks so much to all of the Program Team Leaders and member, the Statewide Program Directors and the Strategic Initiative Leaders for the hard work they completed to review and improve upon our division-wide condition changes. The timeline was short; it's never long enough, the timing was poor; end of summer is not a good time to pull people together, and the work was a challenge; something new for UC ANR to do this at a division level, but they did a tremendous job and really stuck it out despite the challenges!
These groups have submitted their ideas for condition changes to be coded into Project Board. Katherine Webb-Martinez, Mark Bell and I have reviewed the recommendations and compared the proposed variations for the original 19 that were proposed by multiple groups as well as new condition changes that were recommended. The recommended changes were not drastically different from the original but changes were proposed and adopted with the final list is now a bit longer but still manageable. The next step is for a group of self-identified 12 (Program Team Leaders, SI Leaders, Statewide Program and Institute Directors) to work together and, using this new list plus the 2025 Strategic Vision, revise the Public Values Statements drafted back in May. I so appreciate those that have stepped up to continue this work process – not surprising given the commitment and leadership ingrained in so many across UC ANR!
I suspect this iterative process of drafting and revising is a bit frustrating for many but, as we use this information to convey the importance of your work to those who don't know us and we seek to find increased support for your work, it is important to put forth compelling Public Value Statements and be able to ‘bucket' our impacts so that the stories behind the condition changes are readily available to share with decision-makers, prospective funders, and each other. These benefits are above and beyond that which comes from aligning our work with the 2025 Strategic Vision in order to position ourselves to achieve the Vision and support our achievement with stories of how we have made a difference even to those who don't know us. So THANK YOU to all for the commitment to the process and the enthusiasm you've demonstrated for continuing excellence in UC ANR!
Along the lines of “identify the performance objectives and then determine the design” that I have talked about previously, I've been thinking about the upcoming 2018 Position Call. Program Council has discussed the process a few times and soon we will need to have that nailed down. Below are what I believe to be the key attributes of the ideal process
- Considers needs/gaps across the state and across program areas
- Engages clientele/stakeholders in the need identification process
- Seeks input from all UC ANR academics
- Builds recognition of needs across program areas through a collaborative process
- Results in decisions that reflect ‘hearing' academics, partners, stakeholders
- Makes it easy for Program Council (PC) to recognize high priority positions
What am I missing? Thanks in advance for your feedback!
- Author: Wendy Powers
Here we are to Thursday and this is my first post for the week. I continue to work my way through reviewing the merit and promotion packages – some really good stuff in the dossiers! We seem to have a large number of last names beginning with ‘D','M', and ‘S'. Not as many ‘R's' as I would have expected. While the reviews seem to take, on average, about 60 min each it's a great way for me to learn what everyone is doing. I still have a goal of getting to every county office at least once every other year, but, until I make my way around the state at least once, these dossiers are helping me get to know everyone. Though truth be told, I really thought I would be more familiar with everyone's work and know the name and program area of every advisor by now. When I left high school, knowing at least the name and something about all 750 of my classmates, I assumed I would do the same at Cornell. I'd say I eventually knew everyone in my major but perhaps my goal of knowing everyone in my graduating class was a bit ambitious. And perhaps my current goals are a bit ambitious, but given the importance of individuals to UC ANR, I'd say it's a worthy aspiration. So if I haven't been to your county yet, please give Kathryn Stein a call and she will work on arranging a visit to you and some neighboring counties. Scheduling fall visits to the campuses is underway right now so it's a good time to fill the calendar.
Next week is my 1 year anniversary! Despite DMV's best efforts I do now have a CA driver's license and am now eligible for all the benefits of living in California. My anniversary falls on the same day as the Town Hall webinar to update everyone on plans and processes for Goal 5 of the strategic plan:
- Tuesday, June 20, 2017, from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- Join by Zoom at https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/369866693
- Join audio by phone at +1 408 638 0968 | Meeting ID: 369 866 693
Following, there will be a series of information sessions held around the state. These meetings aren't just for academics – everyone is encouraged to attend but please register so there is an accurate head count and sufficient chairs. The webinar next week will be just an hour long with very brief Q&A. The information sessions, however, will include open conversation time after lunch with Mark Bell and I. As busy as summer is, I hope we have a good turn out and insightful conversation at the information sessions.
We will share the Public Value Statements in their current form during the information sessions. But here's a preview. Note I have done some minor wordsmithing from what the groups actually developed, not changing intent but phrasing them consistently. We will work on these more at the workshop in late August for program team, strategic initiative, institute, and statewide program leaders.
UC ANR Public Value Statements – as of June 15, 2017
- UC ANR helps enable Californians to pride themselves on a culture of innovation and willingness to adapt
- UC ANR contributes to sufficient, safe, healthy food for all Californians
- UC ANR Contributes to safe and healthy environments
- UC ANR develops a qualified workforce for California
- UC ANR ensures a safe and healthy California for all people and communities
- UC ANR helps meet California's climate goals and build communities resilient to extreme weather
- UC ANR contributes to reduced racial and ethnic inequality
- Author: Wendy Powers
We are starting to see some progress on implementation of the strategic plan. This weekend I need to spend some time updating status of the 3 goals that I ‘own'. The ownership is really a misnomer for each of these goals (#1, 2, and 5) because they each are so heavily dependent on everyone in UC ANR if we are to achieve them. The exciting part about it is that if we do accomplish what has been laid out in the plan, we will be able to look back and say “Wow!” What's more, and what's even more exciting – our clientele will say the same!
Did you know that there's a website now where you can check in for updates on the strategic plan progress? It's new, and an outcome of recommendations from the VP Council (great idea Council members!). I will be loading some recent happenings in the next couple of weeks; I need to get caught up on some things in the Inbox first.
The highlight of updates related to Goal 5 is that I spent the last 2 days in a workshop with the Statewide Program and Institute Directors and Strategic Initiative Leaders to develop a set of Public Value Statements. We were led by two facilitators, Nancy Franz who has worked in this area with Extension for over 15 years and Raj Kapur who worked with UC ANR when the division first moved into the Davis building. Raj will be with us through the next few months of Goal 5 so if you haven't met him, you will have a chance at the Goal 5 information sessions throughout the summer. The workshop was tiring and inspiring at the same time. I can't tell you how impressed I am at how well the group worked together towards a common goal despite the skepticism, in trepidation, and curiosity that came with the participants. If you've ever pulled together a group of people that came from different perspectives and had never worked together to achieve a defined outcome in a short period of time, you know how difficult it can be. But while personalities and perspectives were evident, overall the group seemed comfortable with the outcome. Nancy did tell us that the group was perhaps the most critical thinkers she had encountered. We took her a bit out of her experience by doing this at a division level rather than a program level, adding to the complexity of the process. But I knew that if any land grant institution could do this, it's UC ANR. Similarly, I firmly believe that if any Cooperative Extension system can impact the lives of every person in the state, it's UCCE.
The public value statements, in their current state, will be posted on the strategic plan website by Memorial Day – I will likely be the hold up in getting them posted. Be sure to check back on the website but also talk with any of the participants and your colleagues to determine if we've missed anything that is critical to achieving the 2025 Vision.
In late August we will be inviting in the same participants plus a leader from each of the Program Teams to develop condition changes associated with the public value statements – now would be a good time to refresh ourselves on the logic model with learning (short) , behavior (medium) and condition (long term) changes? I need to get that invitation out as well - a weekend task.
The peer review committee met this week. I didn't get in to say hello but I ran into Mark, Jim and Ben in the parking lot. It sounds like the meeting (2 ½ days) went well and Chris and Kim kept things moving along such that all 70+ portfolios were reviewed and recommendations developed on schedule. Thanks to everyone who reviewed merit and promotion packages, wrote letters for packages, or helped colleagues pull their materials together. It's a ton of work but the process contributes to the caliber of the people and the division.
I have more meetings today. I realize now that I need to do a few things that generate some nice photos to break up all the text in these posts. Perhaps there will be more bees in Davis to result in a photo.
- Author: Wendy Powers
As always there are many great things going on at UC ANR. Last week was the Academic Assembly Council meeting. This was the first time I attended the meeting in its entirety. Jim Farrar ran a great meeting. There were a large number of topics including a proposed salary plan for advisors, to accompany the plan that has been approved for staff. The advisor plan has yet to be finalized and approved but everyone agrees it is needed and now is the right time. We planned for the salary adjustment when we made position decisions at the end of 2016. And it is very much part of the thought process as we continue to review budget requests for the upcoming fiscal year. We will be reviewing budget requests again tomorrow and bringing final recommendations to Vice President Humiston the first week of June.
Last week we had a good meeting with County Directors. A guest speaker came in and gave us some tips on time management. As busy as the County Directors are with both administrative and academic responsibilities every tip helps. The CDs worked in small groups to develop some action items that followed a meeting in February, including strategies to ensure success of newer CDs in managing multiple priorities.
If you are looking for an interesting read, consider this article on research integrity that Kathy Nolan sent me. Mentoring of graduate students is a key theme throughout the article. Some of the points made had me remembering an exercise during our strategic planning meetings to identify values of UC ANR. Integrity was one that rose to the top and gained consensus of the group almost immediately. The article has me thinking that we need to work to keep integrity at the forefront of everything we do and not take for granted that it is inherent in our work. The article is a quick read and worth the time, regardless of how tight on time we all are.
The pollen in the air is driving me crazy to the extent that I look forward to a reprieve when I am in the concrete jungle (Oakland). But without the pollen there wouldn't be all the cherry stands in the Lodi area or the strawberry stands throughout the state. It seems strawberry season is in full swing. Congratulations to Surendra Dara and team for a successful strawberry field day. During the event the hosts were visited by a local news station. With over 160 attendees there is no doubt there will be strong outcomes from the event.
Ricky Satomi starts tomorrow as the new Forestry and Natural Resources advisor based in Redding with program responsibilities in Shasta, Trinity and Siskiyou counties. Like Larry and Steve, we are excited to have Ricky on board.
I am looking forward to seeing the Statewide Program and Institute Directors and the Strategic Initiative Leaders this week when we craft public value statements. I think these will have many uses, not just Goal 5. I will let you know how it goes.