Organizational Goals and Objectives
Diversity
Goal: Texas Cooperative Extension will strive for diversity among its personnel, volunteer corps, and program participants to be representative of the people of Texas.
Statement of Support: The state of Texas is one of the two most diverse states in America. In order for Texas Cooperative Extension to ensure relevant programs are developed and implemented across the state, the agency must embrace diversity and pluralism.
Objective 1: Increase and sustain diversity and pluralism among the Extension work force and in the work environment.
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Strategy |
Timeline/Measure(s) |
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Lead supervisors in a review of current policies, including EEO/AA, that support this strategy. Ensure inclusion of this strategy in supervisor position descriptions. |
ANNUAL. |
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Charge supervisors and personnel officers to assess and analyze current work force demographics and census data. |
2007–2012: Confer with administration on hiring priorities for target locations based on assessment of work force demographics. |
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Examine current processes for recruitment and selection of executive, administrative, and managerial-level positions. |
2007: Recommendations made to administration after examination of process is complete. |
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Provide diversity and cultural awareness training for employees to help them adjust to changes in the work force/state demographics. |
2007–2012: Training recommended by Diversity Catalyst Team and others made accessible and promoted annually. |
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Adapt current system for evaluation and accountability of supervisors to reflect expectations regarding diversity. |
2007: Implement as part of review process. |
Objective 2: Increase and sustain diversity and pluralism among Extension volunteers and in their work with each other, with clientele, and with Extension employees.
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Strategy |
Timeline/Measure(s) |
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Charge Volunteer Steering Committee to assess current volunteer demographics and census data. |
2007- 2008: Plan developed by steering committee for reviewing volunteer demographics in each Extension district. |
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Plan or adapt methods of recruitment, retention, and development of volunteers from diverse groups. |
2007: Plan completed. |
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Develop an evaluation program to assess volunteers’ opinions of their experience as an Extension volunteer. |
2007: Evaluation program implemented. |
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Administration will examine overall diversity of Extension volunteers and recommend changes and targets to improve volunteer diversity. |
ANNUAL. |
Objective 3: Increase and sustain diversity among participants of Extension programs.
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Strategy |
Timeline/Measure(s) |
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Conduct training segments about the importance of diversity among both Extension volunteers and program participants to include Faculty On Boarding programs. |
2007-2012: Training segments included in biannual New Employee Training and New Extension Agent Self-Study Guide. |
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Develop faculty training resources on: how to determine current and potential audience composition; market programs to diverse audiences; and work with diverse audiences. |
2007–2008: Resource bank established, made accessible, and promoted. |
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Incorporate diversity targets in performance evaluations and offer rewards and incentives for achieving targets. |
2007–2012: Introduce during 2007 performance review process and implement during 2008 program planning. |
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Encourage professional associations to incorporate diversity training and support diversity achievements in annual meetings. |
2007–2009: Administrative letter sent to officers addressing Extension diversity priorities and encouraging promotion. |
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Provide agency support and encourage program planners to cross-market additional Extension programs to participants of the Better Living for Texans program (BLT) and Expanded Nutrition Program (ENP), as well as other existing avenues that reach diverse audiences. |
2007–2009: Administrators for BLT/ENP programs review and develop marketing/communications plan. |
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Select planning committees that include individuals from diverse groups. Enhance efforts to encourage program development groups to consider diversity during the program development process. |
2007–2011: Annual program compliance reviews conducted for select counties in each district. Annual inclusion in performance review conference conducted by supervisor. |
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Enhance cooperative programming between Texas Cooperative Extension and Cooperative Extension Program at the state and county levels. |
2007–2011: Annual program review and planning session held. |
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Administration will examine overall diversity of participation in educational programs. |
2007–2011: Annual inclusion in performance review conference conducted by supervisor. |
Table of Contents
Index of Organizational Goals and Objectives
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Contact:
Director
Texas Cooperative Extension
112 Jack K. Williams Administration Building
7101 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-7101
Ph: 979-845-7967
Fax: 979-845-9542
September 2007