The mission of University of Missouri Extension is to improve Missourians' lives by addressing their highest priorities through the application of research-based knowledge and resources. As an integral part of the land-grant mission, University of Missouri Extension is a joint venture of University of Missouri campuses; Lincoln University Cooperative Extension; the people of Missouri through county extension councils: National Institute for Food and Agriculture of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and other stakeholders and partners.
As a county extension council member, you play a vital role in meeting these educational needs. County extension councils are statutorily created to work with the University in carrying out the local extension program (Sections 262:550 to 262:620, Revised Statutes of Missouri).
County Council Roles and Responsibilities
The county extension councils were established by state statue and have a unique set of roles and responsibilities in assisting in the delivery of Extension Programs throughout the State of Missouri.
- Orientation Powerpoint presentation (PPTX)
- Council's Role in Setting Program Priorities and Implementation (PPTX)
- Recruiting Candidates for Effective County Councils (PPTX)
- County budgets and fiscal reports (PPTX)
- Council elections Powerpoint (PPTX)
Online course
As an elected or appointed council leader and dedicated advocate for MU Extension in our state, we want to arm you with the most accurate and timely information possible. We have designed this course so you have the educational information, guidelines, by-laws and tools you need to carry out your duties and serve the constituents you represent as a council leader.
Select the course link below based on your region:
In person/virtual training
These modules will assist new council members in understanding...
- their role as a county extension council member.
- the county extension council's relationship with the university.
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Module 1: Orientation for new council members
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Module 2: Be an effective county council member
Effective county extension councils are a prerequisite for an effective local extension program that meets the high-priority needs of people in the county. This training module explores the characteristics of effectiveness. As a result of completing this module, council members will identify characteristics of an effective extension council member, understand the responsibilities, and identify needs and available resources.
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Module 3: Recruiting candidates for effective county councils
Any citizen who is of voting age may be nominated for the office of county extension council member. This module will help county extension councils comply with statutes, identify potential candidates, and develop a consistent message.
Recruiting Candidates for Effective County Councils (PPTX)
County council recruitment and nomination brochure (Download PDF & choose "Edit PDF" in "Tools" to customize)
Recruiting Candidates for Effective County Councils- council member handout (PDF)
Council candidate worksheet (PDF)
Recruiting Candidates for Council- Trainer Notes and Council Activity
Consent to be nominated (DOCX)
Be an Educational Leader recruiting brochure (customizable DOCX)
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Module 4: Extension Council Youth Leadership
The Extension Council Youth Leadership (ECYL) module is a seven-part training for Extension councils seeking to formalize a role for young people on the council. Training topics include the benefits of councils partnering with young people, exploring assets of various generations, planning for youth involvement, revising bylaws, recruiting and selecting youth to serve, and supporting youth members through adult mentorship. Councils completing the module will emerge with an action plan for expanding youth and/or young adult involvement.
The module is designed to be a fun and interactive planning process, which councils can complete at a weekend retreat, in two evening sessions, or at monthly meetings over several months. Module activities are designed for a mixed group of adults and young people who councils invite to join in the process. A county program director, council chair, or combination of staff and members may facilitate module sessions.
Extension Council Youth Leadership brochure (PDF)
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Topic 1: County extension councils are youth-adult partnerships
This topic introduces councils to youth-adult partnerships and stimulates discussion on the benefits for youth, adults, and councils.
ECYL Adult-youth partnership (YAP) Powerpoint (PPTX)
ECYL Adult-youth partnership (YAP) handout (PDF)
Learning objectives, handouts, action steps and additional resourcesECYL Adult-youth partnership (YAP) facilitator tips (PDF)
Facilitator instructions, tips and activities - Show/Hide
Topic 2: Understanding and working with multiple generations
This topic explores generational differences and stereotypes, and how councils can tap the assets of the various age groups around the table.
ECYL Working with multiple generations Powerpoint (PPTX)
ECYL Working with multiple generations handout (PDF)
Learning objectives, handouts, action steps and additional resourcesECYL Working with multiple generations facilitator tips (PDF)
Facilitator instructions, tips and activities - Show/Hide
Topic 3: Creating youth non-voting representative roles and expectations
This topic walks through the nuts and bolts of formalizing a role for youth on councils, including bylaws revisions and job description for youth representatives.
ECYL Creating youth non-voting representative roles Powerpoint (PPTX)
ECYL Creating youth non-voting representative roles handout (PDF)
Learning objectives, handouts, action steps and additional resourcesECYL Creating youth non-voting representative roles facilitator tips (PDF)
Facilitator instructions, tips and activities - Show/Hide
Topic 4: Recruiting and selecting youth representatives
This topic digs into the motivations that young people have for serving on a board, and how councils can find and choose young people to serve.
ECYL Recruiting and selecting youth representatives Powerpoint (PPTX)
ECYL Recruiting and selecting youth representatives handout (PDF)
Learning objectives, handouts, action steps and additional resourcesECYL Recruiting and selecting youth representatives facilitator tips (PDF)
Facilitator instructions, tips and activities - Show/Hide
Topic 5: Engaging young adults in voting positions
This topic examines the motivations and roadblocks young adults face in serving on a board, and how councils can engage prospective members.
ECYL Engaging young adults in voting positions Powerpoint (PPTX)
ECYL Engaging young adults in voting positions handout (PDF)
Learning objectives, handouts, action steps and additional resourcesECYL Engaging young adults in voting positions facilitator tips (PDF)
Facilitator instructions, tips and activities - Show/Hide
Topic 6: Mentoring and retaining youth and young adults
This topic identifies what youth and adults need in order to make mentoring partnerships successful.
ECYL Mentoring and retaining youth and young adults Powerpoint (PPTX)
ECYL Mentoring and retaining youth and young adults handout (PDF)
Learning objectives, handouts, action steps and additional resourcesECYL Mentoring and retaining youth and young adults facilitator tips (PDF)
Facilitator instructions, tips and activities - Show/Hide
Topic 7: Planning for councils as youth-adult partnerships
This topic wraps up the module by compiling council discussions and action steps into an action plan.
ECYL Planning for councils as youth-adult partnerships Powerpoint (PPTX)
ECYL Planning for councils as youth-adult partnerships handout (PDF)
Learning objectives, handouts, action steps and additional resourcesECYL Planning for councils as youth-adult partnerships facilitator tips (PDF)
Facilitator instructions, tips and activitiesECYL Planning for councils as youth-adult partnerships energizer activities (PDF)
ECYL Planning for councils as youth-adult partnerships additional resources (PDF)
ECYL Planning for councils as youth-adult partnerships works cited (PDF)
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Module 4 Credits
Information in this module is used with permission from:
The Innovation Center for Community & Youth Development
Youth on Board, Inc.
National 4-H Council - 4-h.org
Campaign Consultation, Inc. - www.facebook.com/CampaignConsultation
Marston Communications - www.marstonsc.com/Authors and contributors
Authors/Trainers
- Steve Henness, Project Coordinator, 4-H Center for Youth Development
- Tony Delong, County Extension Council Coordinator
- Leanna Baumer, Youth Project Coordinator
- Melissa Scheer, MU Graduate Student
Steering Committee
- Bud Reber, East Central Region Director, University of Missouri Extension
- Ina Linville, Program Leader, 4-H Youth Development
- L. Jo Turner, Interim Vice Provost, University of Missouri Extension
- Bev Coberly, Program Director, Off-Campus Relations
- Sam Hawkins, Chair, Missouri State Extension Council
Contributors
- Sherri Kempf, Cooper County Extension Council
- Deanna Crocker, Boone County Extension Council
Module Development
- Jana Thies, MU Graduate Student
2011 Module updates
- Steve Henness, Project Coordinator, 4-H Center for Youth Development
- Mary Jo Moncheski, MU Graduate Student
- Leah Stotts, MU Student/ State 4-H Council
Special thanks
- National 4-H Council and Surdna Foundation
- Missouri 4-H Foundation
- Carole MacNeil, National 4-H Youth in Governance Initiative
- Shep Zeldin, Dept. of Child and Family Studies, UW-Madison
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Module 5: County council elections
A comprehensive summary of conducting annual election in accordance with state statutes and providing opportunity for participation.
Conducting elections handout (DOCX)
Elections timeline worksheet (DOCX)
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Module 6: County budgets and fiscal reports
An outline of state statutes governing the county extension council's fiscal obligations, as well as fiscal management and reporting requirements.
Funding for University of Missouri Extension is a shared responsibility among the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the University of Missouri and county extension councils. As a council member, you and your council have responsibility to oversee and account for all funds received and used by the local office for its operation and program expenses.
This module will help you understand: Sources of funding for extension work; your role in fiscal accountability; reports the council is required to provide.
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Module 7: Program development
Three modules exploring how the council participates in setting priorities, program implementation, and evaluating programs and reporting outcomes..
As representatives of their communities, county extension council members are knowledgeable about local educational needs. This module will help you understands your role in setting priorities; implementing outcomes; and evaluating and reporting outcomes.
What Is the Council's role in setting priorities for program development? (PPTX) | Handout and trainer notes (PDF)
What Is the Council's role in program implementation? (PPTX) | Handout and trainer notes (PDF)
What Is the Council's role in evaluating and reporting outcomes? (PPTX) | Handout and trainer notes (PDF)