Tagged With "my money and me"
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It's situational and it's not...
My brother & I talk a lot and it has brought us closer, especially during our "philosophical" discussions. We like to dive deep into our passion areas, share what we've learned from books, articles, Ted Talks, work situations, parenting, etc. We just go with whatever is on our minds in a healthy banter. One thing keeps coming up regardless of topic is leadership & its close relationship with character . We agree on one point...leadership is situational but character isn't. Character...
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Collaboration & Competition
I’m just Karl... I'm from Branson, Missouri... I’m human... I’m going to make mistakes. Every decision I make will be what’s best for the team. It may not be what’s best for me (or you) but if it’s good for the team then it’s the best choice. At work, at home & in our communities we find ourselves on a "team" of some sort. The experience we have comes in how we approach them. Competition It's a myth that you have to work hard to beat the competition. Competition is the opposite of...
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A Conversation with Dr. Scott Reed, Extension Foundation Catalyst
Scott Reed is an emeritus of Oregon State University (OSU), where he served in various College of Forestry roles. He was a professor, executive associate dean, Extension program leader, and Dean and Director of OSU’s Extension Service. Scott served as the OSU’s Vice Provost for University Outreach and Engagement. He pioneered the innovative Open Campus, linking educational resources to advance college and career readiness, degree completion, and community development. Scott holds BS and MS...
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Need more empathy?
Psychology Today says Empathy is... "...the ability to recognize, understand, and share the thoughts and feelings of another person, animal, or fictional character. Developing empathy is crucial for establishing relationships and behaving compassionately. It involves experiencing another person’s point of view, rather than just one’s own, and enables prosocial or helping behaviors that come from within, rather than being forced." We all connect with the concept of empathy in a different way.
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Non-Versation
Had a few ineffective meetings in preparation for this post as I'm sure you have as well. One of the most memorable was one that lasted over an hour and at best, left most of us confused. We branded it the "lipstick on a pig" meeting. Instead of galvanizing our team efforts it eroded faith in our leadership. It was a huge missed opportunity which we rarely had. There were many other ineffective words/phrases used as well. Every word spoken might as well have been in a different language.
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NTAE Program Spotlight: Digital Technology in Extension Education ePublication
As we get closer to kicking off a new year of our NTAE Accelerator program , we will catch up with past program teams to share their project stories and outcomes! This week's program spotlight features Dr. Rose Hayden-Smith , the Extension Foundation's 2020 Fellow for Technology in Extension. During Rose's fellowship, she created the first version of the Using Digital Technology in Extension Education ePublication , which provides a digital platform for aggregating content, tools, and...
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Leadership Language
The words we choose matter. They matter a lot. What if there were things to help people remember our message? Good news! There are! Here are some rhetorical devices taken straight from a TEDx Verona talk by Simon Lancaster to help you speak like a leader! The Language of Leadership Asyndeton/Tricolon Look left, look right, look center, stop, listen... This mimics hyperventilating. President Obama used it…”a world at war, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a generation.” Three...
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Extension in the 21st Century: A Conversation with Chuck Hibberd
Dr. Chuck Hibberd. Image Credit: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Charles "Chuck" Hibberd is an emeritus professor of the University of Nebraska, where he held several academic positions, including Dean of Cooperative Extension. His email tagline reads "Chuck Hibberd, retired Extensi on Director (but not done yet)." He directed the University's Panhandle Research and Extension Center for 13 years. Chuck also served as Extension director, associate dean of agriculture, and assistant vice...
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Reminders
You're smart. You don't need me going on about, well, anything really. Most of the time what we all need is just a reminder. Here goes... What we tolerate we condone. What is rewarded is repeated. Think about it...
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New! Climate Partnership and Development Assistant Position
Colleagues, Please share! As a project of the ECOP Climate Priority Action Team (PAT), the Climate Partnership and Development Assistant Position will help advance the Cooperative Extension System in expanding our footprint of work from a national perspective in Climate. The Extension Foundation (ExF) is seeking an individual to work with our Partnership and Development Coordinator to further design and develop new partnerships and funding sources, serve as project coordinator, and be key...
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Bob wasn't my boss, but...
Received this in my email today from one of my mentors... Only knew Bob for a short few years, but the statements below are the way he lived his life. I am grateful he was able to influence me. He never lectured. He led by example. His example to be a better person. I miss him in my life. He was kind and generous. A man full of grace. "When you help others, your life starts to have meaning and purpose. Real joy comes not from material possessions but from people. When we give our hearts in...
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In Conversation with Dr. Rick Klemme
Dr. Rick Klemme grew up on a farm in east-central Illinois. He received his BA in economics and math from Illinois State University. He later earned an MA and Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Purdue. Rick began his nearly four-decade Extension career as an agricultural economist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW). He later became Dean and Director of UW Extension. Rick transitioned from that assignment to serve as the Executive Director of Extension’s Committee on Organization...
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Virtual and In-Person Volunteer in Trinidad and Tobago
While some travel restrictions are still in effect, there are opportunities for virtual and/or in-person volunteer through USAID’s Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) project in Trinidad and Tobago. During the COVID-19 pandemic, how we implement the F2F program has had to adjust and is temporarily offering virtual/remote assignments that will meet the needs of Trinbagonians. Currently, the borders are open to visitors and they are currently distributing COVID vaccines with the hopes of vaccinating ~70%...
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September Historic Day
Each year inspiration hits me again after reading this story, enjoy! ___________________________________________________________________________________ It was on September 13, 1814 that Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the words to " The Star Spangled Banner " by witnessing the British attack on Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor. It had been a dark summer for the young United States. Just three weeks earlier, on August 24, British troops had set fire to much of Washington D.C.,...
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New Job Opening: Manager, Climate-Smart Ag Interactive Programming - Farm Journal's Trust In Food
I'm sharing the following opening in case anyone in the Extension community might have recommendations for a great person to fit the needs of this role -- recognizing you all work with so many fantastic collaborators across the U.S. Please feel free to email any questions or recommendations to me at NBirt@FarmJournal.com. Thank you! -Nate Birt, Vice President, Trust In Food , a Farm Journal initiative Trust In Food, a fast-growth startup division of 145-year-old Farm Journal, seeks a...
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Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care
Has anyone worked on a Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care Designation Program, or created/provided child care training on breastfeeding wellness policy in child care; safe handling of breastmilk; creating lactation space; supporting breastfeeding moms? I'm working on a project in NJ and would love to hear from other Extension Educators. Thanks! Contact me at brill@njaes.rutgers.edu . Michelle Brill, Family & Community Health Sciences Educator, Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
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ATTITUDE
Found this in some of my Dad's stuff he wanted me to have... The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts, it is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every...
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Healthy Relationships Matter for Military Families
Healthy relationship skills can make a big difference for the strength and resilience of military families. Military Family Service Providers and Extension Educators are a unique position to be able to provide research-based skills for couples and co-parents that will help them strengthen their relationships. Learn about an upcoming 5-part webinar series that will provide you with information, tools, and resources to help military families nurture and maintain a healthy relationship.
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Gone not Forgotten
We all have things in common, especially loss. Those who have gone before us have shown us the way. No one is truly gone who is not forgotten. Personally, Colin Powell helped me make sense of our nation's place in the world. Here's an excerpt from his book "It Worked for Me" In a lifetime of studying leadership, this is still one of my absolute favorite pieces on the topic: The Essence of Leadership Cooperative Extension professionals are drawn to the work to serve. They selflessly serve...
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ICYMI: Shop Simple with MyPlate and More MyPlate Updates!
Last week, we were joined by the MyPlate team from the USDA Center of Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) for a preview of two MyPlate tools that will help Americans make healthy food choices. Big thanks to @Barbara Jirka from USDA-CNPP for helping to organize this! New to the USDA - Shop Simple with MyPlate , allows individuals to find cost-saving opportunities in their local area and discover new ways to prepare budget-friendly foods. The panelists presented the background on the...
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Re: Bob wasn't my boss, but...
This is so true. I learned this from my mother who spent lots of time volunteering at a women's homeless shelter and got me involved in empowering these women. They just need someone to look at them help them see their potential.
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It's Worth Repeating!
For me, leadership comes down to 2 things. It's not about you & it's all about you. It's about how you serve others and how your behaviors provide evidence of your authentic intentions. Inspiration and help for the latter came to me from a friend during a tough time. It has proven to be one of the best gifts I've ever received. Today, this book is one I've gifted to others the most. It's "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz . There are situations every day where at least one of them...
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Professional & Amateur gap
Developing our leadership is a lifelong pursuit. It takes constant learning about ourselves and awareness of the influence we have. If you're like me, you enjoy reading, watching, listening to something on leadership most days. It's a good habit for continued growth as we get diverse perspectives from everything we digest. One of the things we can do to help integrate new learnings into our lives is to take notes on what is important to us from these books, videos, articles and podcasts we...
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Teamwork Part 1: Making Recognition a Resource
If anyone knows about leadership & teamwork it was Pat Summit, Hall of Fame basketball coach from the University of Tennessee. In her book "Reach for the Summit" she says: “The amount of success you are capable of enjoying and the pleasure you are capable of feeling is equal to the number of people you are willing to share it with.” Sharing doesn’t come naturally though. We’ve all seen this when we watch kids playing; the crying starts when they have to share their favorite toy. Diagnose...
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Looking Back: Arkansas Family’s Farm Legacy and a New Era of Opportunities for Landowners Of Color
We are highlighting a story from a Farm Journal Story Lead contest that focused on stories of 1890 Land-Grant Universities who are making a measurable impact in the lives of farmers or ranchers. The contest-winning story was "Landowner Furthers Family Farm Legacy Through Partnership with UAPB Forestry Program," by Will Hehemann of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The story spotlights Shane Boler, a landowner, and participant in the University's Keeping it in the Family (KIITF)...
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A Philosophy for Working on Wicked Problems
A wicked problem is a term used in policy analysis to describe an environmental situation where no matter what policy actions are taken there are still going to be unacceptable losses. Examples of wicked problems can be found in climate change, endangered species, invasive species and environmental justice issues. In order to deal with the psychological stress of threat and uncertainty associated with wicked problems many people are tempted to take a strong position, such as moral outrage.
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Let's Talk Money
University of Illinois Extension is providing a series of six free online workshops to help families learn about personal finances as well as strategies for talking about money. The workshops are held each Thursday evening beginning May 5. The one-hour sessions start at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required at go.illinois.edu/TalkMoney to receive Zoom connecting information. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate, contact Camaya Wallace Bechard , Extension consumer economics...
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Mindfulness and Money | April 21 @ 2:00 PM3:00 PM CDT
Discover Wellness in 2022 with Lessons for Living presented by the University of Illinois Extension. Register here to receive a Zoom link to the webinar: go.illinois.edu/L4L Mindfulness and Money March 21, 2022 @ 2:00 PM 3:00 PM CDT Mindfulness can play an important role in our everyday decision-making. It centers on focused attention, remaining open, and practicing acceptance. In this lesson, we will discuss the relationship between mindfulness and money behaviors. We also will explore...
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The "Doctor" is in!
Sport provides such fertile ground for life lessons. There is immediate feedback constantly. You made the shot or missed it. You completed the pass or it was incomplete. You won or lost. The scoreboard is just the start to all the statistics. AND... Since we can't participate and evaluate at the same time, there's always a coach. One of my favorite coaches is Glenn "Doc" Rivers in the NBA. In a Netflix series called " The Playbook " he and 4 other amazing coaches give us their take on " A...
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Keeping the (Social) Work Growing this Month and Onward
The services provided by social workers are crucial to creating and cultivating individual and family wellness. During this time of insurmountable stressors at home and abroad, social workers are pillars in providing vital mental health and behavioral health services. Services that can aid family members in navigating daily anxiety, worry, and trauma. National Social Work Month March was Social Work Month, and the 2022 theme is The Time is Right for Social Work. Over the past three years,...
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What I learned from a 5-day challenge...
These days it seems everyone is doing some kind of "challenge". Truthfully, these make me pretty skeptical and after they try to sell something to you for the first 20-minutes I'm out. This time I stuck with it! Just finished reading " Soundtracks " by Jon Acuff and was curious to learn more about his work. BAM! His Overcoming Overthinking Challenge appeared on his feed and I signed up. Here are the nuggets from each session... Opening The 2 most powerful word in the English language are "me...
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Re: What I learned from a 5-day challenge...
The most important day topic for me was day one - empathy; particularly for myself. I can be very self-critical, which I know is not useful. Self empathy seems a necessary step for me!
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New EXCITE Podcast: The Role of 1890 & 1994 Engagement Coordinators
We’re excited to share a new podcast episode about the important work of the Extension Collaboration on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE) program. EXCITE is creating a framework that will model new ways for the Cooperative Extension system to engage and reach Extension programs across all three regions. The EXCITE team has developed practices to ensure that under-represented regions are included in the design of the new system-wide effort and that their institutions will be...
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Leadership from "Band of Brothers" Commander
Major Richard "Dick" Winters , a native of Ephrata in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, was the Commander of "Easy Company", 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Division, in World War II. They have affectionately become known as the " Band of Brothers ". On D-Day (June 6, 1944) he parachuted behind enemy lines into Normandy, France. 156,000 other American, British and Canadian forces were involved in "Operation Overlord" that become the turning point in...
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Re: What I learned from a 5-day challenge...
Thanks, Karl! What you gleaned are important lessons for us all. Makes me curious, now, to read the book!
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Three Keys to Sustainable Change: The Path toward Social Justice and Supporting the Well-being of Diverse Families
The path of change towards social justice and supporting the well-being of diverse families may, at times, be difficult for professionals who serve families.
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Shifting Your Mindset from a Deficit Ideology
In the second MFRA course, “Family Service Providers: Recognizing and Responding to Inequities”, Dr. Alison De Marco introduces the deficit ideology framework and provides ways to move beyond this mindset.
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The SEED Method - Engaging Martinsville Podcast Interview
Communities throughout the nation have been greatly affected by the opioid epidemic, and it was deemed a public health emergency nationwide in October 2017. Since many factors contribute to this crisis, addressing it requires solutions involving every level. Cooperative Extension has collaborated at the local, state, and federal levels to help communities address this critical issue. The opioid epidemic has heavily impacted Southwest Virginia. The town of Martinsville has one of the nation's...
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Teaching Children About Money
Financial education courses notwithstanding, children’s strongest financial influence is most likely their parents. Below are tips for Extension educators to share with parents interested in teaching their children about money:
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Extension Foundation Announces Year 4 (2022-2023) New Technologies for Ag Extension Projects
Fifty-seven applications were submitted by 36 Land-grant universities in response to the RFA shared by the Extension Foundation in April, 2022, for New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE). The Extension Foundation will be supporting 39 projects across Cooperative Extension as part of its fourth year of the NTAE program. This program is made possible by funding from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through a partnership with Oklahoma State University and the Extension...
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GPCAH Acadenuc and Community Pilot Grants Due Dec 1
The GPCAH is now accepting proposals for pilot projects intended to promote innovative outreach and research efforts to prevent agricultural injury and illness in our Midwest region. Learn more and apply at https://bit.ly/Pilots2022 . The pilot program offers two funding tracks (see below) and supports both community-based organizations and academic researchers , especially new investigators and trainees, and encourages applications from those newly interested in agricultural health and...
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Money-Saving Tips for Uncertain Times
Between a four-decade record high for inflation and rising interest rates, many Americans are being squeezed financially.
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Here’s the best stuff I heard from the NTAE Showcase...by Catalyst Dr. Scott Reed
On September 22nd, a "showcase" for NTAE year three projects was held to recognize their outstanding work over the past year. The NTAE teams presented an overview of their project f or past and current NTAE teams, Directors & Admin, NTAE grant support staff, Extension Foundation staff, and others. Following the presentation, the Extension Foundation Catalyst Scott Reed sent teams observations from the project showcase and words of inspiration. After hearing from all the project teams Dr.
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It's time again...
It's time again to talk about time. It's time for a reminder that time isn't a renewable resource. My absolute favorite simple time management tool is this: Don't touch anything twice. When you read that email/text, deal with it then, don't wait. When you take the clothes out of the dryer, fold them, and put them away. You get the point. If you were to add up all the time you take to think about and take action on things you've already touched it would be a bit depressing. Like most of these...
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What Does FREEDOM Mean To You?
Some of the most cherished memories from my military career are centered around the privilege of visiting with Veterans. Connecting with one of the last WWI veterans, Robley Rex , was amazing. Hearing individual accounts of WWII directly from members of the greatest generation, including Pearl Harbor survivors, was a gift. Stories from Korean War veterans, Vietnam veterans, Gulf War veterans, the many who we served alongside after the attacks on September 11, our allies, and even veterans of...
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Creativity and Imagination
Was reminded of this story Dr. Ken Robinson told in one of his TedTalks... It's the story of a little girl who was in an art lesson. She was drawing. She was six, and at the back of the classroom. The teacher said she hardly ever paid attention but in this lesson, she did. The teacher was curious. She walked over to her, and asked, "What are you drawing?" The girl said, "I'm drawing a picture of God." The teacher stated, "But nobody knows what God looks like." The girl replied, "They will in...
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Practicing Gratitude and Building Better Thoughts
For service providers and clients alike, life is a winding road of good things here and bad things there. Actively working toward wiring your brain to acknowledge the good and appreciating those good things can help individuals shape personal strengths and build protections. Creating protective factors which can help cultivate positive mental health and generate an asset-based outlook that reaches all aspects of life. November is National Gratitude Month Gratitude is the practice of being...
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Building Public Health Partnerships and Telling Extension's Story
Recently, @Adam T Hughes from Cornell University asked me to join him and their Public Health Program Work Team (PWT) in a quarterly meeting to discuss how Mississippi State University Extension is connecting with public health partners here. That gave me reason to take a step back and consider what approaches have led to our success in health-related work. These are some of the things I shared with them that undergird my thinking and efforts in this area. 1. Extension has a history of work...
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RFA: ECOP Health and Workforce Program Action Teams: Resilient Economies and Community Health (REACH)
ELIGIBILITY: Competitive opportunity available to ALL Land-grant universities (LGUs) (1862, 1890, 1994) by completing a simple online application. The Extension Foundation in partnership with the ECOP Health and Workforce Program Action Teams, is offering two opportunities to apply and be selected to pilot a community development initiative in a community of their choosing. More specifically, successful applicants will have the opportunity to pilot test how Cooperative Extension can catalyze...