From the Desk of the Director Winter 2022
Marlin Bates,
County Extension Director
Last month we gathered with you at our annual breakfast celebration as a way of reflecting on 2022 – celebrating our accomplishments and thanking all of you who have worked alongside us. This time of year offers a unique opportunity to look back, learn from our experience and plan for next year. As we reflect on 2022 we have much to celebrate including the addition of several new faces on our team and the impact that we have had on our communities here in Douglas County. Looking forward to 2023, we are c
onfident that our work is as needed as it has ever been.
We recently unveiled our Strategic Plan for 2023-2025. This guiding document affirms our vision, mission and values and prioritizes our operational and programmatic efforts for the coming years. I encourage you to review the plan then assess where you or your organization could help us realize the goals that we have set for ourselves and for our communities. After all, we recognize that much of this work is not ours alone, but that of the community through collaboration.
Whether by participating in one of our flagship volunteer programs, partnering with us to tackle issues of community-wide importance or serving as an advisor to one of our Program Development Committees, there are abundant opportunities for you to engage with us and help ensure that our work is appropriate, effective, and inclusive. I hope that you’ll reach out if you have a skill to share, an interest in giving back to your community, or experience in one of our program areas: Community Health, Youth Development, Land Stewardship, and Community/Economic Development.
A more direct way of helping us achieve the goals within our strategic plan is to join our team. Currently we have two full-time positions open, both with excellent benefits including health insurance and paid time off. Our 4-H Youth Development Program Assistant offers an opportunity to plug into America’s largest youth development program and positively influence young people across Douglas County. Our SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator position is one of two such positions here in Douglas County aimed at educating limited-resource individuals and families, helping them create healthier meal decisions with their limited food budget. Both of these positions will join our dynamic team here in Douglas County to directly influence positive change in our community at the individual and systems levels. If you or someone you know might be interested, please visit https://www.douglas.k-state.edu/about/join-our-team/join-our-team.html to learn more.
