- Author: Wendy Powers
We had a good conversation during Tuesday's Academic Assembly Council. There was a long list of topics, but we were able to work through the list in the 2 hours we had. Honestly, we could have spent far more time on issues such as expectations of the different academic ranks, future hiring of academics, the importance and challenge of everyone hearing the same message across a large, dispersed organization, the merit and promotion process and time it takes to conduct the process each year, and feedback from across the academic assembly.
Program Council met at the Hopland REC, beginning Tuesday evening for dinner. Wednesday included an overview of the REC, a small slice of the vital work conducted there over the years, and a look at the plans, including opportunities that have resulted from the devastation of the fire. John did a great job with the presentation. We took a walking tour of the lower area of the REC which was very popular with participants. Program Council did have work to do; we spent time talking about what members saw as opportunities for the RECs.
Following Program Council, we headed to Lake County to have dinner with Rachel and Glenn. Thursday started with a good discussion in Lake County. I was surprised, in a good way, to learn that the local Tribal Health has doctors who prescribe Master Gardener classes as part of the diabetes prevention program. That's a powerful statement about the contribution of UC ANR programs to overall health and an excellent justification for working with counties to find support for our programs through Prop 63 funds that are grounded in improving mental health. We learned about how vital UC ANR programs are to a County of 65,000 people with little infrastructure and staggering statistics about the health and well-being of the County residents. UC ANR accomplishes its work through key partnerships. It was a story we had heard before, in other counties across the state.
We went on to Glenn County and learned about the great things going on there; we met a farm family that benefits from some of the work of UC ANR CE Advisors. Now we have a team of Community Educators to advance similar work. There is significant research going on in Glenn County that helps farmers and families, alike, address business and personal challenges.
During the week we learned of the Governor's new budget. UCOP remains flat. It is difficult to hear the news, given the evidence of how vital our work is to the people of California. We need to continue to share our stories, gathering more of them with more concrete impact data. While I am disappointed in the budget outcome, we are by no means defeated. Tomorrow starts another week with its own set of setbacks that don't even come close to competing with all of the successes.
/span>- 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