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IAHCE Guidelines for Cooperation
Guidlines | Timeline
Illinois Association for Home and Community Education
County Association for Home and Community Education
and
University of Illinois Extension
Illinois Association for Home and Community Education (IAHCE), Home and Community
Education (HCE), and University of Illinois Extension (U of I Extension) have
enjoyed a long and rich history with a close working relationship. The relationship
between these organizations varies at different levels and in different situations
throughout the state. These differences are a result of tradition, leadership
maturity levels and leadership styles, level of communication, and personalities
of those involved.
The following guidelines are intended to clarify the appropriate operational
relationships between IAHCE, HCE, and U of I Extension. Moreover they are expected
to provide a framework for continuing mutually beneficial working relationships
between the two organizations.
Overview of the Relationship
The roles of the University
of Illinois Extension faculty and staff are
to:
- develop and teach research based educational programs
- provide consultation for program development
- provide evaluation tools and analysis to measure the effectiveness of programs
- enhance the leadership skills of both members and leaders
- serve as a link to the greater University system in accessing resources useful
to IAHCE
The roles of IAHCE and HCE leaders are to:
- maintain an organization wide community network
- assist U of I Extension in identifying program issues and methods of extending
knowledge to participants
The roles of IAHCE and HCE members are to:
- participate in training
- serve as volunteer teachers for selected programs
- provide organizational leadership for the various levels of their organization
and community organizations
IAHCE, HCE, and U of I Extension have been strong cooperators working on goals
that are mutually shared. The primary shared goal and purpose for maintaining
a strong working relationship with any organization includes extending the research
base of the University of Illinois and the Land Grant University System in order
to enhance the knowledge base and the quality of life for the families of Illinois.
I. Program Planning,
Delivery, and Evaluation
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County
HCE Board
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Unit
Extension Personnel and/or Other Appropriate Extension Staff (Extension Educator,
Extension Specialist)
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Assign and train educational committees
to implement priority programs.
Appoint an overall program committee to
plan and carry out educational programs at the unit level.
Review state and national guidelines for
program of action areas and establish priorities in accord with county needs.
Facilitate local leader training.
Provide the county training responsibility
for IAHCE statewide educational program (Ex. Child Care, Literacy, Waste Management,
and National Issues Forum).
Encourage participation on U of I Extension
Council and committees.
Assist in evaluating educational programs
that relate to priority issues addressed by U of I Extension. Evaluate all other
Association programs and activities that are selected for evaluation.
Collect and/or distribute monies for all
HCE/HEA programs and activities.
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Unit Leader trains and consults with the
HCE board on the program development process.
Educators and Specialists teach and provide
evaluation tools for HCE educational programs that relate to priority issues.
Provide information as needed for total U
of I Extension education and reporting purposes.
Involve key individuals in the U of I
Extension advisory, needs assessment, and program planning processes.
Involve key individuals in the planning
and implementation of University research based programs that are identified by
U of I Extension as high priority for Illinois.
Develop programs that reflect the needs
and interests of diverse audiences in the community
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Program Evaluation
There may be specific reasons for each organization to collect and analyze
program outcome information. This may be for program improvement or to determine
the impact or results from a program. Evaluation activities will be negotiated
case by case.
II. Leadership
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County
HCE Board
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Unit
Extension Personnel and/or Other Appropriate Extension Staff (Extension Educator,
Extension Specialist)
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Provide
leadership training for HCE Unit officers and educational directors.
Involve
IAHCE District Directors and educational directors in leadership development and
information sharing in the county, state, NVON and international organizations.
Identify
and recruit HCE members for organizational and educational leadership positions.
Provide
information to appropriate U of I Extension personnel to keep them abreast of
priority issues and programs being promoted by HCE educational directors.
Encourage
unit members to participate in appropriate meetings at all organizational levels
(county, state, and national).
Share
organizational goals and information with HCE leadership, membership, and others.
Arrange
for recognition (awards) of the achievements of leaders and members.
Assume
responsibility for initiating, understanding, and guiding the Certified Volunteer
Unit Project (CVU).
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Encourage
HCE boards to collaborate with Extension Educator, Community and Economic Development
as well as Home Community Leadership trainers in delivering leadership programs.
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III. Communications
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County
HCE Board
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Unit
Extension Personnel and/or Other Appropriate Extension Staff (Extension Educator,
Extension Specialist)
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Establish
and maintain communication networks within the organization.
Establish
and maintain communication between IAHCE District Directors and county HCE members.
Interpret
legal policies and guidelines affecting the organization (such as legislation
impacting volunteers).
Communicate
to members current policies, budget, and operating guidelines affecting the cooperation
between U of I Extension and HCE.
Prepare
HCE newsletter.
Publicize
the organization's programs, activities, and member involvement to media and interested
persons.
Communicate
on a regular basis local, county, and state program achievements to significant
policy and decision-makers on local, state, and federal levels as well as to all
HCE members.
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Explain
IAHCE/HCE relationship with U of I Extension.
Interpret
current policies and guidelines of U of I Extension education programs as they
relate to IAHCE/HCE.
Interpret
current policies and operational guidelines of the local U of I Extension unit
to the county HCE Board.
Assist
the HCE Board as they communicate local HCE program evaluation results to significant
policy and decision-makers on the local, state, and federal levels as well as
within U of I Extension.
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IV. Organizational Maintenance and Membership
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County
HCE Board
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Unit
Extension Personnel and/or Other Appropriate Extension Staff (Extension Educator,
Extension Specialist)
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Be
knowledgeable of county, state, and national goals, organizational
policies, and education programs that affect IAHCE.
Recruit
new members, take leadership role in organizing new HCE units and in maintaining
established units. Follow through on membership referrals.
Conduct
functions and business of the organization such as:
- call the organization's
meetings
- arrange for facilities
and prepare agenda for monthly, annual, and special meetings
- prepare minutes, appoint
committees, collect dues, and maintain appropriate financial accounts
- recruit and elect officers
and directors
- arrange for HCE sponsored
activities and educational events
- conduct money making
events as necessary
- submit IAHCE and other
reports as requested
- help officers fulfill
responsibilities
- arrange for appropriate
storage of current and permanent files
Maintain
working files of the local organization (arrange for local storage):
- secretarial minutes
- financial records (last
6 years)
- constitution and by-laws
- membership files (ongoing)
- historical material
- program information
- officer handbooks
- legal files
Pay
for printing, paper, secretarial, and postage costs for HCE correspondence, such
as meeting minutes, newsletters, etc. and HCE lesson materials that are not developed
by U of I Extension.
Plan
and conduct county-wide events to keep HCE members involved.
Provide
financial support to resource persons involved in county HCE sponsored events
(as appropriate).
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Be
aware of county, state, and national goals, organizational policies,
and educational programs of IAHCE.
Serve
as consultant to county HCE Board. Make referrals
to appropriate Regional and State Officers or County President.
Communicate
to the county HCE Board what resources and services are available from the U of
I Extension.
Give
guidance and educational support to HCE programs that relate to U of I Extension
priorities.
Provide
annual report of U of I Extension programs and finances as appropriate.
Refer
membership inquiries to County President and/or Membership Chairman.
Consult
in developing strategies to secure membership that reflects the diversity of the
county in which they operate.
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Revised: June 2001 by HCE and University of Illinois Extension
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