Board Excellence Newsletter, October 2026

 

From the Director for Extension:

Telling the Extension Story

As we look toward the 2027 legislative session, K-State Extension ispreparing for important opportunities to help legislators and other state leaders gain a deeper understanding of who we are, what we do, and the impact we have in communities across Kansas.

This effort centers on telling the Extension story, which is most compelling when shared by the individuals, families, businesses, and communities that experience Extension’s impact firsthand.

Beginning in December, K-State Extension will host six regional events titled Connecting Communities and the Statehouse. These events will bring together Extension representatives, elected officials, and key local and state stakeholders. They aim to strengthen awareness of our local, regional, and statewide efforts: providing decision-makers with an opportunity to hear directly from those whose lives we have impacted.

Event Dates:

• December 1 — Ulysses
• December 2 — Hays
• December 3 — Wichita
• December 8 — Topeka
• December 9 — Parsons
• December 10 — Olathe

Each will feature testimonials from local Extension program participants, an overview of Extension, and interactive displays highlighting programs, partnerships, and measurable impacts across Kansas.

Your Role as an Extension Board Member

Extension board members play a vital role in communicating the value of Extension. As leaders within the communities we serve, you understand local opportunities and challenges and have witnessed firsthand how Extension helps address critical needs.

When you hear a compelling Extension success story, share it with decision makers. When you meet someone whose life has been positively impacted by an Extension program, help us connect with that individual. When opportunities arise to introduce Extension to community leaders or elected officials, your support in making those connections is invaluable.

Board members may also be invited to participate in our new Coffee with a Legislator initiative. These informal conversations will provide another meaningful opportunity to build relationships, foster understanding, and share how Extension contributes to the vitality and success of local communities.

Why This Matters

You do not need to be an expert on every Extension program to be an effective advocate. Your experience as a board member and your understanding of local needs provide a powerful perspective. Simply sharing, “Here is what I see Extension doing in our community, and here is why it matters,” can have a significant impact.

K-State Extension has a long and distinguished history of helping Kansans solve problems, strengthen communities, and improve quality of life. However, we cannot assume that each of those legislators and senators who are responsible for shaping the future of our state fully understands the breadth and depth of Extension’s work.

As policymakers evaluate priorities and consider public investments in Extension, it is essential that they have a clear understanding of the value communities receive from those investments.

This requires us to tell our story clearly and consistently, using authentic examples that demonstrate Extension’s impact across Kansas.

I am grateful for the dedication, leadership, and service of our Extension board members. Your voice carries credibility because it reflects the experiences and needs of the communities we serve. Together, we can help ensure that state leaders understand not only what Extension does but also why its work remains essential to Kansas' future success and prosperity.

Extension and Engagement Annual Conference Keynote

Board members and State Extension Advisory Council members are invited to join this year’s Extension and Engagement Annual Conference keynote address on Wednesday, October 21, at 8:30 a.m. Ben Steffen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln CARET representative, will deliver the address titled “Relentlessly Relevant”, his perspective on ensuring a strong future for extension. This event will be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/live/f8Nt6pY53uY. The event will not be recorded.

State Extension Advisory Council Nominations Due Soon

The State Extension Advisory Council (SEAC) consists of 20 members. There are four members from each of the four extension administrative regions (Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western) and four member representatives from counties with populations of 100,000 or more. (Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee, Wyandotte and Douglas).

SEAC is seeking nominations for open positions. There are two positions open in the Northern Region, one in the Eastern, one in the Southern, three in the Western, and two from metropolitan counties.

Each elected SEAC member shall have served a minimum of two years and currently be serving or have served on a County Executive Board or District Governing Body within the last two years. The term lasts four years and includes an opportunity to visit Washington, DC, to attend the Public Issues Leadership Development national conference.

SEAC serves as a consulting group to the director for extension. The group traditionally meets in Topeka in February and at a rotating location in August, with occasional opportunities for further involvement.

Your nomination should include a short biography outlining your experience and interests related to extension. A picture of yourself helps personalize your nomination, but is not required. The nominees' information will be circulated to local units in their respective regions for voting by those units.

Please submit nominations to Penny Adams by Nov. 16. Election results will be available by mid-December.

Your Words Matter: Agent Performance Reviews Are Coming Up

Watch your inbox for an email from PEARS Support letting you know that agent performance reviews are open. This is your chance to recognize what your agents have accomplished over the past year and to help shape where they go next.

Agents place real weight on board member feedback, and they want to hear what you saw as their strengths and how you view their work overall.

Selecting a rating only tells part of the story.

Your written comments give agents the context behind the score, and that's where the most useful feedback lives. When you recall a moment where an agent really shined, describe it. Specific recognition helps agents know what's working so they can keep doing it. If you see room for growth, share it respectfully and with enough detail that the agent understands what could be done differently. Clear, constructive suggestions are the ones most likely to lead to change.

Each survey question is written around the core responsibilities of an agent's role. As you work through them, try to connect each question to something you personally observed, such as a program you attended, a conversation you had, or a project you watched unfold. Those memories make your comments more meaningful. Keep in mind that your feedback becomes part of the agent's overall evaluation, so take care in how you phrase it.

Thank you for the time and thought you put into your role as a board member, and for all you do to support your local communities.

 

Board and PDC Orientation Modules

Serving on an extension board is an important job, and there is a lot to learn. The New Board Member Orientation module can help. It explains what board members do and shares more about K-State Extension. We encourage both new and returning board members to go through the module before they start their term and attend their first meeting.

You can complete the module on your own, or your board or Program Development Committee (PDC) can go through it together at a meeting. Either way, it's also a good idea to learn about your local unit. This includes how it runs, its budget, its staffing plans and each agent's action plan.

PDC Orientation module

 

Support Local Agents' Professional Association Memberships

Learning never really stops, and that's true for extension employees too. At K-State Extension, lifelong learning is something we value not only for the communities we serve, but for our own staff as well.

Professional development helps good employees become great ones. One of the best ways for agents to grow is by joining a professional association. These groups give agents a chance to build new skills, share ideas and connect with extension professionals across Kansas and beyond.

Local boards can play a big role by helping agents join these associations. While tax dollars can't be used to pay membership dues, other local funds can. Most local units have money set aside from gifts, grants and registration fees that can go toward this purpose.

Dues are usually under $150 per association, and agents may choose to belong to more than one. Supporting these memberships is a smart investment in your agents and in the work they do for your community.