Guide Sheet #12

A County Extension Director’s role in building and maintaining relationships with the elected officials who represent their county is vital to the success of OSU Extension’s overall government relations efforts. Without strong political relationships, OSU Extension’s continued growth and survival are in jeopardy.

To understand the role that County Extension Directors play in the political process, it is important to understand the basic philosophy through which OSU Extension’s government relations program is conducted.

• OSU Extension programs are locally developed and delivered with guidance from a state wide and national Extension system.
• OSU Extension programs are valuable investments of tax dollars that help people improve their lives through life-long learning.
• OSU Extension is committed to being accountable for our use of public funds.
• The best people to communicate Extension’s message to elected officials and the general public are those citizens who benefit from our programs.

OSU Extension has a state wide program of government relations. As a County Extension Director, it is crucial that you work locally in a manner compatible with this established system. Elected officials should be invited to participate in local programs. There are always opportunities to involve elected officials as speakers and create photo opportunities for them. Volunteer and youth recognition programs, and other events with large numbers of constituents provide great opportunities for positive visibility for elected officials. When you want to invite elected officials to programs and events, it is important to notify the Office of Government Relations. This group can provide advice and assistance that can increase your likelihood of success in obtaining the participation of elected officials. They are also required by state and federal law to report any gifts or meals provided to state and federal elected officials by OSU Extension and its employees.

Extension’s government relations efforts address all three levels of government from which we receive funding – federal, state and county. County Extension Directors are expected to cultivate strong working relationships with the Boards of County Commissioners, and are encouraged to involve volunteers and other county staff in that process as appropriate. Regarding the state and federal levels of government, County Extension Directors in urban counties may have several elected officials to work with while County Extension Directors in rural counties who share legislators with other counties may not be heavily involved in the process every year. Strong relationships with elected officials who represent your county, and at all levels of government, are extremely important.

OSU Extension has a lobbying presence at the Ohio State House, in Washington, D.C., and has a liaison position with the County Commissioner’s Association of Ohio. The government relations program is conducted jointly with OARDC and the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Our government relations staff is also part of a campus-wide government affairs team. The part of the advocacy system that involves County Extension Directors includes the following:

Identifying Key Stakeholders (continuously) – County Extension Directors play a very important role, along with their County Extension Advisory/Support Committee, in identifying volunteers who know and support Extension programs, and who have an influential personal or political relationship with appropriate elected officials.

Meetings in State Legislative Districts (January – March for State Representatives; March – May for State Senators in odd-numbered years) - County Extension Directors, in cooperation with the County Extension Advisory Committee, set up local meetings when designated by the Office of Government Relations and their Regional Director to do so. This involves identifying key individuals, facilitating invitation of the legislators and making local arrangements for these meetings. Training for the volunteers is held prior to the meeting, and can be led by the County Extension Director or state personnel. Administrators from Extension and OARDC attend these local legislative meetings. The Government Relations office provides printed materials related to the biennium budget request and copies of county highlights. County Extension Directors can provide additional materials if they want to do so. The local volunteers are encouraged to focus their comments on how Extension has made a difference in their life or business. These meetings are held every other year during the state biennial budget process.

State Legislative Luncheon (March) - Designated County Extension Directors identify key volunteers from their counties to meet with their State Representatives and/or Senators at this event held in Columbus. All members of the Ohio General Assembly are invited to attend. County Extension Directors work with the Office of Government Relations to prepare volunteers to support Extension and OARDC’s budget requests through sharing the value they place on the programs. Training is held the morning of the luncheon for volunteers and County Extension Directors to attend. The event is hosted by the State Extension Advisory Committee and the OARDC Advisory Committee.

Congressional Assistants Tour (August) - This program is designed to inform Washington, D.C. based Congressional staff about issues of national interest and how they affect Ohio. It is also an opportunity to showcase how our programs impact the lives of Ohioans. The program is typically conducted in August. Day one day is individualized in each Congressional District, and the second day is conducted for the entire group and typically rotates between the Columbus campus and OARDC facilities at Wooster. County Extension Directors are sometimes asked to identify a volunteer host for the two-day event, and to plan educational experiences in their county and/or other counties in the Congressional District. Extension Educators and volunteers who attend the Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) conference are often asked to host for this event because they have already met with the Congressional staff person for their Member of Congress.

County Commissioners Days (August) - This event is held in a different county each year and brings together commissioners from across the state to highlight Extension programs. The County Commissioner’s Association of Ohio (CCAO) holds its August board meeting in conjunction with this program. The partnership between OSU Extension and the County Commissioner’s Association is a key part of our continuing relationship with County Commissioners. County Extension Directors are expected to invite their commissioners to attend and actively participate with them. County Commissioners are not invited to this event in any other way, so it is critical that the County Extension Director makes sure this invitation is extended to all three commissioners.

Farm Science Review (September) - Farm Science Review showcases many programs within the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Farmers and other agricultural stakeholders from across the state and region participate. The Vice President’s Luncheon, held on the first day of Farm Science Review, hosts legislators and other stakeholders to highlight accomplishments of the College. State Extension Advisory Committee members and County Commissioners are invited to attend, along with County Extension Directors, and state and federal elected officials.

Ongoing Regular Communications (Year round) - The County Extension Director coordinates this effort with fellow county educators. They provide information to elected officials about Extension programs and priorities within their county. Examples of these types of communications are awards programs, field days, newsletters, educational programs and special projects. Legislators should always feel welcome to stop by their local Extension office to ask questions and seek input on issues of importance to their constituents.

The Message
Messaging will vary according to current political, economic and societal conditions and trends. Overall there are six basic parts of the message OSU Extension tries to convey to legislators:

1. OSU Extension and OARDC are relevant to Ohio’s businesses, communities, individuals and families. They are a worthy investment of public dollars.
2. OSU Extension and OARDC are good stewards of the resources with which they are entrusted.
3. OSU Extension programs have real impacts on real people.
4. OSU Extension is a generator of positive economic impacts for the state of Ohio according to a
   study by Battelle in 2005.
5. Some issues are more important in different parts of the state. Communications should highlight issues of importance in the legislator’s district.
6. Legislators and other elected officials are appreciated.

Assistance Available
The Office of Government Relations (614-292-6165) and your Regional Director are available to assist with and answer your questions about government relations efforts.

Written by: Dr. Daney Jackson, District Director
Reviewed by: Dr. Nikki Conklin, Dr. Gail Gunderson, Dr. Garee Earnest, Bill Owen, Louis Fourman and Linda Kutilek
2003 Revisions by: Dr. Bill R. Haynes
2005 Revisions by: Gwen Wolford
2009 Revisions by: Elizabeth Merkowitz (HR Intern), Dr. Gwen Wolford, Dr. Garee W. Earnest