Interpreting Programs to Newly Elected Officials

Smith-Lever logoA prerequisite to effectively implementing any of the components related to our Making a Difference Interpretation Initiative is establishing effective working relationships with the elected officials on the part of agents and central managers. With the primary elections on March 4 there will be many outcomes of races in Texas determined which will result in the election of  new elected officials at the county and state level. Therefore ,it is important that our agents have a plan that includes targeted interpretation for newly elected officials.

As District Extension Administrators , County Extension Directors  and Regional Program Leaders work with agents  it will be important to ensure that there is a county strategy to implement the Making a Difference  interpretation initiative related to providing quality interpretative efforts for newly elected officials. The following are some suggestions to establish relationships with newly elected officials that should be considered by District Extension Administrators, County Extension Directors and agents:

  • District Extension Administrator/County Extension Director and/or Agent could send a congratulatory letter to the new elected officials for those elected officials who are successful in the primary and have no opponent in the general election . This letter could provide an overview of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and briefly outline their specific responsibilities related to working with Commissioners Courts. Be sure to include a business card in the letter. Scott Durham does an excellent letter to his newly elected official that I am sure he would be happy to share. 
  • Provide personal visit to newly elected officials who are successful in the primary and have no opponent with an overview of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and briefly outline the District Extension Administrator responsibilities related to working with Commissioners Courts.
  • Conduct formal meeting shortly after introductory meetings and letter is sent with County Extension Agent(s) to provide briefing of Extension programs in that county that are specifically of interest to newly elected official who are successful in the primary and have no opponent that specifically outlines measurable outcomes . For example, if the newly elected has a high percentage of individuals in their precinct who are under served and at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and hypertension, focus of the conversation may be on the recent results and public value of Extension’s Do-Well-Be-Well with Diabetes or Walk Across Texas programs.
  • County Extension Directors or agents in larger populated counties may provide information to newly elected officials who are successful in the primary and have no opponent that are  specific to their precinct–such as Extension in Precinct #3.
  • Conduct newly elected officials reception or Extension Open House for the purpose of enhancing the newly elected official’s knowledge and understanding of Extension’s relationship.

District Extension Administrators, County Extension Directors and Regional Program Leaders should ensure that every county has a interpretation plan that includes formal interpretation events, involvement of elected officials in “show case” educational events and other appropriate interpretation methodologies in 2014. It is imperative that District Extension Administrators /County Extension Directors provide confident leadership by articulating that a focus on Texas  A&M AgriLife Extension Services’ interpretation efforts is  building relationships that will Make a Difference!

This Article was Posted by Drs. Darrell A. Dromgoole and Susan Ballabina, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Categories: Reinforce Accountability and Interpretation