Shenandoah County Extension Leadership Council

Mission of the Extension Leadership Council:

An ELC is composed of a diverse group of salaried and volunteer staff who truly own an ever-changing Cooperative Extension program in their planning area.  The ELC assumes responsibility not only for identifying the needs and concerns that exist in their planning area, but share a commitment to determining solutions, implementing them, and evaluating and reporting results. The diversity of the group enhances discussions, deliberations, and actions. In addition, there is a recognition that each person brings unique experiences and information that will contribute to the process.  The ELC serves as a advocate for Extension and its programs. To develop and implement a program plan that will direct Extension's resources toward the resolution and identified issues and concerns.

Functions of the Extension Leadership Council:

1)  Identify community problems, issues, and concerns which Extension can and should address, and prioritize according to need and available resources.

2)  Assess current programs and activities of Extension and decide which ones should be continued, eliminated, or modified in order to more effectively address the identified needs.

3)  Identify other community organizations/agencies that are addressing some of the same needs and look for opportunities for cooperation and collaboration (to avoid duplication).

4)  Report on program progress, issues, and concerns to appropriate groups, i.e.., area and state Extension Leadership Councils, funding sources, and local residents.

5)  Be an advocate for Extension, its programs, and the results of those programs.

Current Members of the Extension Leadership Council:

Mike Jones, Chairman

Pete Benedetto

Philip Bowman

Lance Braun

Bob Carlton

Carmen Conard

Glenn Keller

Terry Martin

Dennis Morris

Karen Peer

Shelley Schechtel

Lisa Shetter

Jeff Sonafelt

Steve Zirkle

Chris Dellinger

Paul Dellinger

Extension Staff

How to Get Involved:

Contact Karen Poff, Unit Coordinator, at 540-459-6140 or kpoff@vt.edu.

Upcoming Meetings:

September 28, 2010

November 23, 2010

January 25, 2011

All meetings are held at 7:00 p.m., in Room 100A at the Shenandoah County Government Center in Woodstock.