Urban Extension
GEORGIA URBAN INITIATIVE
Submitted by: Joan Marsh
The "Synopsis of Models for Improving Extension Program Delivery"
document indicates the following options:
"Focus on all program areas developing programs
for urban areas without super-imposing an organizational structure
that would classify urban counties differently."
"Create an "urban initiative" with
a state-level coordinator similar to the current program area coordinators
and state staff from all the program areas focused on supporting
agents and activities responding to urban issues and opportunities."
"Organize all the urban and
densely suburbanized counties into one or more "urban district."
If there is only one "urban district," those counties
which are not geographically co-located (for example, Chatham,
Richmond and Fulton) could be in the same CES district."
We will address Urban issues through an Urban Initiative and not
a separate Urban District. The modeling teams identified the need for
Extension to determine the most effective way to address increasing
urbanization in Georgia. The options discussed basically revolved around
(a) separate, but non-contiguous, district or, (b) programmatically.
The reasons for this decision are several but include, (1) concern
that the establishment of a “separate” urban district would
have a polarizing effect on the organization i.e. why not a “rural” district
or a “suburban” district, (2) belief that we can address
changing demographics such as urbanization or increasing Hispanic population
through program development and delivery without changing our organizational
structure and, (3) the organizational structure should encourage interaction
of programs.
A steering committee has been formed with support from
administration. The committee has met several times to develop objectives
and a structure for a Georgia Urban Initiative, focusing on program
delivery methods and resources. The following plan has been approved
by administration. A decision on a state level coordinator has been
deferred to a later date due to budgets constraints.
To provide program delivery training and resources to agents in urban
suburban counties.
- Design and implement training programs focusing on volunteer development,
collaboration, resource development, legislative outreach, technology
and marketing
- Establish a baseline for each county:
- funding sources
- personnel
- volunteer programs
- volunteer participation
- Design and implement an annual conference
- Designate an agent team responsible for conducting a site visit
Steering Committee:
Provides leadership, guidance
and resources to the Working Group.
- Joan Marsh
- Bo Ryles
- Mel Garber
- Gil Landry
- Tony Tyson
- Jorge Atiles
Working Group:
Develops and implements strategies related to the objectives.
| Committee |
Co-Chair |
Co-Chair |
Support |
| Resource Development |
Kim Siebert |
Peggy Bledsoe |
Joan Marsh |
| Volunteer Development |
Anthony Jones |
Cynthia Cochran |
Lori Purcell |
| Collaboration |
Susan Culpepper |
Marie Trice |
Sue Chapman* |
| Legislative Outreach |
Robert Brannen |
James Reaves |
Tony Tyson |
| Technology |
Willie Chance |
Todd Hurt |
Sheldon Hammond |
| Marketing |
Jackie Ogden |
Mandel Smith |
Faith Peppers |
* and/or Northwest/Northeast PDS
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