Jasper County Extension Board

The mission of Purdue Extension is to deliver practical, research-based information that transforms lives and livelihoods.

The County Extension Board’s primary function is to ensure that the mission of Extension is met in the local community.  Therefore, County Extension Boards have the responsibility to help identify and prioritize local educational needs as it relates to Extension programming, including 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Community Development, and Health and Human Sciences.  The County Extension Board also gives feedback on the effectiveness of Extension’s programming efforts, provides input on the annual budget, and advocates for Extension.

The Extension Board is responsible for supporting this mission at the local level by:

• Working in partnership with county Educators to identify and prioritize local educational needs that Extension may address
• Promoting Extension programs to the public and advocating for support of local programs
• Giving input into the annual proposed budget for the county Extension program
• Providing feedback on the effectiveness of local Extension programming
• Serving as the final level to which a county program grievance can be adjudicated
• Assessing its own performance as the leadership body of the local organization

Expectations of Individual Board Members

Each individual board member is expected to:

• Know the organization’s mission, policies, programs, and needs by:
  • Participating in a board orientation
  • Becoming familiar with each Extension educator and his or her programs
  • Attending Extension-sponsored educational events
  • Learning about how the county Extension office is funded
  • Completing the annual civil rights training and helping ensure the local extension program makes all reasonable efforts to reach all audiences
• Serve as an advocate and ambassador for the organization by:
  • Fully engaging in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for Extension to advance its mission
  • Helping identify personal connections that can benefit the organization’s fundraising and reputational standing, and can influence public policy
• Prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in board meetings
• Participate fully in one or more committees

Board Members are Also Expected to

• Follow the organization’s bylaws and policies
• Sign an annual conflict of interest disclosure and complete a volunteer screening form and an adult behavioral expectations form
• Maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of the organization
• Commit to a term of three years. Terms can be renewed once, for a total of six years.