Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Investing in Communities through Initiatives: A Strategy to Focus Programmatic and Organizational Efforts
As organizations are faced with reduced resources and increasing impact, new approaches are necessary. Utilizing an initiative approach is an effective method to manage these challenges. Learn about a successful initiative approach from Ohio and how a similar process might be utilized in your organization.

Nate Arnett is the director, Ohio State University Extension educator for Adventure Central, a 4-H youth development partnership in Dayton, Ohio - where he leads a diverse team to implement high-quality out-of-school-time programs for urban youth and their families. Nate has 12 years of experience in Extension in Missouri and Ohio, and he has been highly involved in the Ohio Workforce Preparation Initiative as a member and leader over the past five years. Co-presenters: Graham Cochran, assistant professor, Ohio State University Extension and Department of Human and Community Resource Development; Theresa Ferrari, associate professor and Extension specialist, Ohio State University Extension and Department of Human and Community Resource Development.

Investing in First-Generation Students: Ensuring Success in the First Year
This interactive session will highlight the programs at The Ohio State University that encourage leadership development and community involvement among first-generation college students. The Economic Access Initiative and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and First-Year Experience have collaborated on initiatives that address the unique challenges faced by first-generation students and those from low-income backgrounds as they transition to college, while also providing an opportunity for students to develop personal leadership skills.

Dr. Amy Barnes is an assistant director in Undergraduate Admissions and First-Year Experience at The Ohio State University. She has worked previously in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at The College of William and Mary and in university housing at Ohio State. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in sociology from William and Mary and her Master of Arts in higher education and student affairs from Ohio State. Her doctorate in educational policy, planning, and leadership is also from William and Mary. Co-presenter: Laura Kraus, associate director, Economic Access Initiative, The Ohio State University.

CarryOut Art: Partnering with Art Educators to Bring the Gallery to the Community
By understanding our audiences' needs, the OSU Urban Arts Space has been able to develop meaningful partnerships that increase our capacity to deliver arts experiences throughout the community. This presentation will explore the evolution of one such program, CarryOut Art: "Gallery to Go."

Liz Celeste, interim deputy director, joined the OSU Urban Arts Space in 2008 as a graduate student intern while working toward a Master of Arts in arts policy and administration from The Ohio State University. She then was hired as a student assistant and received the Barnett Fellowship to work and conduct research at the Space. Liz's master's thesis covered the "greening" of arts organizations, particularly efforts the the OSU Urban Arts Space has made with regard to environmental responsibility. She then worked as an events coordinator for VSA Arts of Ohio and editor for the Urban Arts Space before servig as interim deputy director. Liz holds a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from Wake Forest University, North Carolina and worked for Americorps, where she coordinated projects with Habitat for Humanity affiliates in California and Mississippi. Co-Presenters: Valarie Williams, associate dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Arts and Humanities, and director, OSU Urban Arts Space; Shawna Schonauer, education assistant, OSU Urban Arts Space; Jim Arter, associate artist, Community Arts Education, Greater Columbus Arts Council.

Building Collaboration - An Investment in Community
Building a collaborative community takes time and effort. It is an investment for the community's future. Enthusiastic leadership, consistent communication, community values, and an optimistic attitude of citizens are keys in building strong cooperation. Tackling critical community issues or a disaster can also create strong collaboration.

Barbara Brahm is an associate professor and Hancock County Extension educator, family and consumer Sciences, with Ohio State University Extension. She has worked in three other rural and urban counties. During her 36-year career, Barb has initiated and/or developed numerous partnerships/collaborations and trains leaders in collaboration. Under her leadership, Hancock County has been named one of America's 100 Best Communities for Young People four times due to collaboration in the county. Co-presenter: Gary Wilson, Ohio State University Extension.

Shifting Paradigms: Facilitating University and Community Partnerships Within a Changing Environment
Maintaining excellence and relevance in Extension programming is a way to ensure two-way collabor-ative partnership and engagement. Using Archer et al's (2007) criterion of excellence as the lens, we will explore creative strategies that institutions may use to facilitate partnerships in light of changing community dynamics.

Cheryl D. Marcus serves as the self-study coordinator and liaison to the Higher Learning Commission for Central State University. She is a doctoral student with the University of Dayton, and her research interests include issues of access and success for first-generation students and issues impacting university and community engagement.

The Impact of Brain Science on Leadership: What We can Learn about Leadership, Change, and Work from Brain Research
Living in a time of constant change puts pressure on everyone. Not only do we need to deal with change, we constantly need to learn new things and work with others. This session explores current brain research and helps leaders apply the findings to elf-awareness, learning/engagement, working with others, leadership strategies, change, and self-development.

Dr. Jerold Thomas serves as the leader, innovation and change at the OSU Leadership Center, The Ohio State University. He is also an associate professor in the Department of Human and Community Resource Development and the 2010 North Central Center for Regional Development Fellow. Jerry's focus is on technology and leadership.

Unleash the Power of Ten in Rural Communities
The Power of Ten is a model that begins the placemaking process for community revitalization. Learn how the West Virginia University Extension Service unleashed this model for rural communities, based on connecting special places that will draw residents and visitors alike.

Kelly Nix is an assistant professor, community-based business development specialist with the West Virginia University Extension Service. She assists West Virginia communities and organizations with all aspects of development, including leadership and team building. Prior to WVU, Kelly was the director of community affairs for the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA), where she was responsible for the development, production and advancement of margin and mission activities among WELCOA's affiliated Wellness Councils located throughout the United States. Co-presenter: Denis Scott.

Ground Rules That Make a Difference for Effective Facilitation
We live in a world where groups of people come together to work on a common problem within a community. Why can some groups tackle tough issues while other can't? "Even when people are talented, motivated, and have clear goals, groups can still be ineffective! One reason is that many people don't use ground rules" (Schwarz, 2005, p.5). Learn about essential ground rules for effective group discussion.

Throughout her 25+ years in Ohio State University Extension, Terri Gustafson has held various positions and worked in several locations throughout Ohio. Terri earned her bachelor's degree in international studies and a master's degree in educational policy and leadership, both at The Ohio State University. In 2008, she received the Professional in Human Resources certifi-cation (PHR) from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM). Terri is now a program coordinator in OSU Extension Human Resources, working with staff development and conference coordination. Co-presenter: Jeff King, director OSU Leadership Center, departments of Human and Community Resource Development and Ohio State University Extension.

Community Action of Compassion: Wired to Serve
Community Action of Compassion is a community initiative in Fairfield, Ohio (Butler County). The purpose is to meet the basic needs of people living in poverty. Basic needs have been met successfully by a process which can be replicated in other communities, thereby creating a stronger community.

Rob Rosenbalm is the pastor of Fairfield West Baptist Church in Fairfield Ohio. Rob has received a Master of Arts in religion and a Master of Religious Education from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Co-presenter: Cari Wynne is the director of the Butler County Success Program. She has a master's degree in social work from the University of Kentucky and is independently licensed in social work.

Urban Teens Take the Student Leadership Challenge
Urban teens from Camden, New Jersey participated in formal leadership development training (based on Kouzes and Posner's Student Leadership Challenge) in the areas of teamwork, communications, leadership, goal setting, and service learning. A youth-led forum or activity was created to address an issue of importance, such as service learning or empowering youth to increase community involvement.

Sharon Kinsey has directed the 4-H youth development program in Camden County, New Jersey, since 2007 as the Camden County 4-H agent. She holds a Master of Arts in strategic communication and leadership from Seton Hall University and a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass media from Cook College, Rutgers University. Kinsey teaches two online under-graduate courses in leadership for Rutgers University, and also previously served on the state staff for the New Jersey Office of Agricultural Education and New Jersey FFA Association.

All Talk and No Action: Overcoming Inertia in the Workplace
This session introduces Kegan and Lahey's "immunity to change" dynamic and its impact upon the frequent failure of good intentions to produce follow-through. Processes and tools for overcoming immunities to change will be introduced.

Kirk Bloir is the program director for family and consumer sciences with Ohio State University Extension. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in child and family studies from The Ohio State University. Kirk's programming and research interests include men's changing roles in families, leadership, and systems change.

"I Am the Community"
The "community" is more than brick and mortar. It's more than a zip code, or a designated area within a larger city limit. It's more than the business and institutions functioning and operating within a boundary or perimeter. The community consists of, and is defined by its inhabitants — the people.

R. Kelly Cameron is an assistant director of cooperative education with Northeastern University's College of Professional Studies. He has a Bachelor of Science in aviation and management from Bridgewater State College, a Master of Science in leadership from Northeastern University and is a fellow of the Emerging Leaders Program, a professional leadership development program at the Center for Collaborative Leadership, University of Massachusetts-Boston. Kelly is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at Northeastern University.

Partnerships Between Extension and County Government: A State-Level Opportunity to Strengthen Local Relationships
Funders are key partners for government-supported organizations. Extension systems in some states and state associations of county commissioners have partnered to strengthen ties at both the state and county level. Learn about ideas from a few states and examples of how members of both organizations have benefitted.

Dr. Gwen Wolford is the director of government relations for Ohio State University Extension and The Ohio State University's experiment station. She spent 13 years as a county educator and has been in her current role since 2000. Gwen works with state, federal and county elected officials representing agricultural Extension and research, and she is a liaison between Extension and the County Commissioners Association of Ohio. Co-presenter: Larry Long, executive director, County Commissioners Association of Ohio.

Can You Hear Me Now?
Faculty don't need to change, they need to re-think course delivery! Creating a community of online learners can happen! It just takes the right tools, guidance and a little practice. Using the Community of Inquiry model, this interactive session focuses on creating a community of learners without losing course content.

Lynn Trinko has been designing, teaching and facilitate communities of learners for more than 10 years at The Ohio State University. She currently is the director of distance education at The Ohio State University-Lima campus. Her research interests deal with coaching and feedback in the online world, creating meaningful learning online environments and building online communities.

Extension-Led Economic Development Organizations
Communities are challenged with staffing, funding and sustaining collaborative economic development organizations that provide the full range of programming. Extension-led organizations, because they are tied to university resources grounded in research, education and without jurisdictional bias, can build public trust and partnerships that broaden funding support for economic development programming. Learn about a case study of two rural Ohio counties (Van Wert and Wyandot) that have implemented successful Extension-led economic development organizations.

Nancy Bowen-Ellzey

Co-presenter

Eric Romich

Effective Coaching and Emotional Intelligence: Building Your Capacity for Leadership
Understanding and applying the dynamics of emotional intelligence and effective coaching will enable leaders to inspire commitment, motivate others, and build lasting relationships. Learn how to optimize one's coaching skills as related to elements of emotional intelligence and strengthen one's overall leadership capacity.

Dr. Jeff King is the director of the OSU Leadership Center and an associate professor with Ohio State University Extension and the Department of Human and Community Resource Development. He received his doctorate in Extension education and his master's and bachelor's degrees in agricultural education from The Ohio State University. Jeff teaches leadership and administration classes in the Department of Human and Community Resource Development. Previously, he worked for 20+ years in 4-H youth development as a county educator, associate state 4-H leader, and state 4-H leader. Co-presenters: Karen Argabright, graduate research associate, departments of Human and Community Resource Development and Ohio State University Extension; Nate Arnett, Extension educator, Ohio State University Extension.

Building Community Leadership: "Step Up to Leadership" Graduates Tell Their Stories
In the face of growing challenges in rural America, it is increasingly becoming critical to identify and build upon internal community assets, such as the development of community leadership and entrepreneurship capacity. Community leadership programs provide an avenue through which to build effective rural leadership. Key words: community leadership, capacity building, community development, educational program, confidence building.

Dr. Wilson Majee works as a community development specialist for the University of Missouri Extension. He serves a six-county region in the northwestern part of the state. His programming areas include Experience in Community Enterprise and Leadership, Step-Up to Leadership, and Healthy Lifestyle Initiative. Born and bred in Zimbabwe, Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in economics from the University of Zimbabwe and a doctorate in develop-ment from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Co-presenter: Scott Long ,CEO, Green Hills Community Action Agency.

Who Goes There? Building and Leading Partnerships and Collaborations

Dr. Mickey Carlson is the Iowa housing policy liaison at the Center for Town/Craft, jointly funded through Iowa State University (ISU) and Iowa Finance Authority (IFA). The T/C mission is to change the rural landscape, helping small communities imagine alternative futures. Previously, Mickey served as the Wells Fargo national director of market intelligence and managed homeownership programs for IFA. She earned her doctorate from UI&U, her MBA from ISU, and undergraduate degrees from Loyola. Co-presenter: Craig Hertel.