Overall goal:
Helping build Michigan communities through interdisciplinary and customer-focused educational programming and processes.
Objectives:
1.Continue with development of the Building Community Capacity modules
2.Redevelop and update the CD AoE website
3.Begin updating the Community Profile for each county
4.Support Community Assessment Team (CAT) initiatives
5.Partner with LeadNet for issue identification focus group assessments
1.Our primary activity for the 05/06 year was work on the Building Community Capacity modules. We piloted the first four modules internally to MSUE staff and externally to AARP volunteers. We began work on the next two modules which were presented as pilots to MSUE staff at fall conference 2006 and to AARP volunteers in March 2007.
We have developed a three year plan to write and deliver the modules,have reviewed evaluations from pilot sessions,have applied for and received competitve grant funds to assist with this project, are exploring how to incorporate these modules into MSUE new employee training,and are making plans for an external release of the modules when all are complete.
Full versions of modules 1-6 are being offered to all interested MSUE staff at Kettunen Center in 2007 (modules 5-6 May 2, modules 1-2 June 20, and modules 3-4 July 10).
Teams are currently designing modules 7 and 8. AoE members will meet June 7-8, 2007 for our annual retreat. Continuing development and delivery of this curriculum will be among the topics discussed.
2.Redeveloping our website has been another focus this year. We have hired a support staff person with web design experience to assist us in this endeavor. Writing of content information for various pages has been assigned to CD AoE members. We plan to have an annual review of the site.
3.Community profiles were identified by AoE team members and other MSUE staff statewide as a very valuable tool with many requests for them to be updated with current data. Again, we hired support staff to devise updated profiles, developed marketing and evaluation plans, and applied for competitive grant funds to assist with this project. We did not receive the competitive grant funds but AoE members agreed that the profiles were an essential tool and decided to offer each county the opportunity to have their profile updated for $200. Fifty-two counties requested an update which included a copy of their file on cd and ten hard copies mailed to them. The updated profiles were completed and delivered by February 2007. We were able to pay all costs associated with the project, make our 10% PREF payment to the university and have some funds left to apply to other AoE needs.
4. A community assessment team (CAT) visited Tuscola County in December 2005. The major theme of the visit was community-based approaches to economic development. The eleven member team included several individuals from campus, MSUE field staff, partner agencies, and the private sector. The team retuned for a follow up visit in July 2006.The Tuscola CAT report is downloadable from the web at http:web1.msue.msu.edu/cdnr/tuscolacatreport.pdf
5. Partnered with LeadNet to conduct two off-campus and one on-campus focus groups as part of the statewide MSUE issue identification initiative during early 2006. A report was written and filed online on behalf of the CD AoE by George Rowan.
1. Feedback from attendees at pilots for the first four modules have been positive and enthusiastic. We've utilized constructive comments to refine the modules and help guide work on the remaining modules.
2. Information on our website in terms of current projects, activities, team members, co-chairs,etc. is now accurate,up-to-date,and thus more useful than the previous version.
3. Though the community profiles, CD AoE members are looking forward to once again having this very valuable tool that community partners often request from MSUE staff. These profiles offer Extension yet another vehicle to be seen as a key contributor, a go-to organization.
4. Tuscola County is implementing recommendations from their December 2005 CAT to create better systems to support entrepreneurs and has formed a number of task forces to move forward on other recommendations.
5.Through the issue focus groups conducted jointly with LeadNet, the CD AoE has identified emerging issues and trends related to community and economic development. The CD AoE has studied the report filed by George Rowan and will utilize the findings in planning future activities and programs.
At the annual CD AoE retreat held June 2006, the team agreed that our 2006/2007 goals would be :
1.Continue work on Building Community Capacity modules
2.Complete the update of our website
3.Complete updating and distribution of the Community Profile for each county
4. Continue to support the CAT initiatives
These goals will be reviewed and updated as needed at our annual retreat June 7-8, 2007.
Submitted by:
Elaine M. Bush, Community Development AoE off-campus co-chair for 2006/2007
(updated March 22, 2007)