Course: CCE New Staff Orientation - Online

  • CCE New Staff Orientation

    Staff who feel confident

    CCE's New Staff Orientation (NSO) is intended to help you to get to know our organization, resources, and tools for success. This is not intended to be a one time, 20 minute online resource. We would like for you to work your way through it over your first few months, reviewing content as needed.  

    You will notice each section below has check-off boxes for you to record and monitor your progress.  As each section is completed you will receive a badge.  Once all sections are complete you will receive a New Staff Experience completion badge and your supervisor will be notified of your success.  To track you progress, earn banges and documentation of your completeion, you must first ENROLL in the upper left hand corner.

    This Moodle Course (NSO Online) is one element of support avaliable to you as a new staff. We also encourage you to register for the monthly Gatherings and Drop-In Session here. As a staff member, you will continue to be a part of the New Staff Orientation Experience (receiving notifications of professional development opportunities for New Staff) for your first year.  

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    • Welcome!
      Handshake - welcome
      This section of the orientation has been designed to introduce you to the organization and each other.  

      Review the video, and engage with each other using Padlet as way to see how we all come together across NYS to help communities thrive! We recognize that online interactions are not the same as face to face...but it can help spark an opportunity to reach out and connect. 

    • Introductions: Take a moment to introduce yourself to other new staff using Padlet. Drop a pin on the map- share your name, county, your start date, a little about your role & your picture. Explore the map to meet fellow new staff! 

      Check off the completion box when you have completed this task.

    • Mission & Vision

      Cornell Cooperative Extension puts knowledge to work in pursuit of economic vitality, ecological sustainability, and social well-being. We bring local experience and research-based solutions together, helping New York State families and communities thrive in our rapidly changing world.   

      CCE continues to grow and change over time but the mission remains consistent.  Take note of the messaging and the information that is published about Extension work.  We have at times been said to be a "best kept secret" in communities - really, there is no need for CCE to be a secret. It will be beneficial for you to familiarize yourself with how to effectively communicate the accomplishments, mission, and vision of our organization, as you will play a significant role in that narrative moving forward.


      Leading the Mission: Welcome from Director Andy Turner


    • Creating a Community of Collective Care

      CCE has a strong commitment to organizational sustainability, in the development of its policies, programming, procedures and practices. Organizational Sustainability centers relationships that promote belonging, cultivate leadership, drive innovation, ensure life-long learning and growth- to cultivate a community of collective care. 

      CCE’s core mission, vision, and values encompasses a holistic approach to human connection and growth, fostering an environment where individuals can thrive and contribute meaningfully while feeling seen, heard, and valued. Throughout this course you will have opportunities to explore the ways which these principles shape our work here at CCE.  

    • History

      Watch: The following video about the history of Cornell Cooperative Extension.  Check the box to indicate completion when done.

       

    • Structure

      Over time you will become familiar with the overall structure as a part of Cornell University, local decision making bodies, the framework of the Shared Business network and area agriculture teams.  For now, review the images and documents below to familiarize yourself with the structure of CCE.  Check the box to indicate completion when done.

    • Documenting our Organization:

      At some point in your career, you may want or need to read more about the documents that chart the course for the CCE mission and actions.  Know that those resources are available to you.  Review the document and note where to find this resource.

    • forum icon
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      Review of Common Links Used by CCE Staff Forum
      View Make forum posts: 1

      Review the websites listed below.  List two resources or sites that will be most helpful to you in your position.  The completion checkbox will automatically be checked once you have posted your comments here. 

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    • Does CCE have standard, across the organization, operating procedures?

      Clipboard representing policy and procedures

      As you learned in the Module 2 section on structure, there are documents that govern how CCE operates.  In Topic 3 you will be introduced to a few of the policies that all CCE employees should be familiar with.   Additional information about policies & procedures will be shared with you later on in this orientation.  Most important in this section is that you become familiar with concepts, language, and where to find additional information.

    • HR Policies and Procedures 

      Each association has local policies and procedures. Check with your Executive Director and/or SBN HR Lead or HR Manager for a copy of your local association policies and procedures. Find your local association office and view the SBN State Map. To contact CCE Administration Human Resources you can email cce.humanresources@cornell.edu.

      Workday, Payroll & Benefits


      Staff use Workday for a variety of their payroll and benefits needs such as viewing paystubs, checking tax and benefits information, verifying addresses, changing legal name, preferred name or preferred pronouns, recording time and time off for hourly employees, etc. CCE Payroll is administered by the Cornell University Payroll Office. If you have a lost or missing check you can contact Payroll directly at payroll@cornell.edu. Tax specific questions can be submitted via a service request form found on the Cornell University Division of Financial Services Tax site.

      Many benefits offered to CCE association employees are administered by Cornell University through the HR Services and Transitions Center (HRSTC). Reach out to their office at hrservices@cornell.edu regarding your specific benefits options; be sure to identify yourself as a CCE Association Employee. Get to know your benefits through the CCE Staff Site Benefits Page.


    • Financial Operations Resource Manual (FORM Codes)

      FORM Codes = Financial Operations Resource Manual. Regardless of your position in CCE, you will hear the phrase FORM Codes used during your CCE career.   While the name indicates that FORM is "Financial", there are procedures documented (including travel reimbursements, organizational procedures and collection and use of program fees)  that everyone should be familiar with.  Take some time to review the documents and note where to find them on the Staff Site.  While skimming the FORM Codes be sure to note items of interest in your role at CCE. Once you've completed this you can check off the completion box for this section in the module.

    • Risk Management 

      The Guide to Risk Management & Related Insurance Issues (FORM Code 1501) summarizes the official liability and accident policies guiding Extension Association activities, primarily managed by P.W. Wood & Son, our insurance and risk management agency. This guide helps CCE associations identify potential risks and liabilities in Extension programming to minimize exposure for the organization, as well as its paid and volunteer staff. Review FORM Code 1501 and note any specific questions you have regarding risk and insurance.

      Visit the CCE Staff Page under Teams & Resources where you will find the Risk Management section for all of your needs related to Risk Management including past and upcoming trainings, resources and contact information. 


    • Volunteer Involvement

      If you have not already, you are likely to soon hear, "our work would not be possible without volunteers!" As one of our core values, we believe volunteerism is a process and desire to give more, reaching beyond the norm and committing to a noble outcome that requires commitment for great reward. Volunteerism provides a path for personal development and fulfillment and can be found throughout CCE, applying to our volunteer educators, board members and community supporters as well as to our collaborators, professionals and faculty.

      The CCE Association Volunteer Involvement Policy brings together our values and demonstrates or commitment to volunteers-setting the stage for a safe and fulfilling experience for all. Supporting all volunteers no matter the program area or stage of engagement. Review the policy and procedures below and, if appropriate to your position in CCE, the other resources available on the staff site.  At the very least - become familiar with the intent of the policy and the expectations for Associations to carry this out.

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    • Information Technology 

      Visit the CCE Staff Page under Teams & Resources where you will find the IT section for all of your needs related to Information Technology including the Knowledge Base and Help Desk Ticket, along with resources, professional development opportunities, and contact information. 



    • Introduction to Personal & Professional Development

      Professional Development - represented by a superhero icon

    • Leadership

      Depending on your position, there are a number of professional development opportunities that will grow your leadership experiences within CCE.  While not all of the opportunities might fit your current role - it is good to become familiar with the leadership building opportunities that exist within the system.

      • If you have Program Leadership responsibilities (if your position is a Resource Educator, Issue Leader, Association Director, Senior Extension Associate etc.) plan when you will participate in the Program Development Leadership Cohort (url) (offered once a year, should be taken following New Staff Orientation)

    • Teaching & Facilitation Skills

      Throughout your career in extension, you will have many opportunities to teach and facilitate. Recognizing that you may have been brought on for your subject matter expertise rather than a background in teaching, it may be helpful to build skills in facilitation, audience engagement, program planning, and evaluation. Understanding the principles of teaching and learning will contribute significantly to your success.

      This section of New Staff orientation is intended to help you know what resources are available to you.  Please make the time to seek additional professional development in these areas as needed.

    • Individual & Group Communication Skills

      Being a clear communicator will help you in your work, regardless of your position.  Communication is a key topic.

      You are encouraged to seek regular professional development in this area:

      • Review:  weekly Extension Insider (url) for upcoming webinars, workshops, and opportunities to grow your communication skills.

      CCE Communications

       Visit the CCE Staff Page under Communications where you will find resources for all of your communications needs, including brand guidelines, media relations and multimedia resources, digital accessibility best practices and more. Please reach out via email for any questions: cce-communications@cornell.edu 

    • Networking, Collaborating & Working with Teams

      Collaboration, networking, mentoring relationships are all important for the work that we do and your growth as a staff person.  You will have many opportunities to grow your abilities in these areas - scan the following links and create a plan for how you will grow your network.

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    • An Introduction to Connecting with Campus

      Connecting to Campus

                    • The strength of Cooperative Extension is that our organization is positioned between communities and research institutions.  We help to elevate issues that need thought partners, and bring vetted responses and curriculum to audiences.  That said - there are many players and partners that make this a complicated model at times.  "Connecting" campus to counties and counties to campus can be tricky, but it is critical to our mission - and worth the investment of time.  

                    • Learning to navigate the partnerships and relationships required to make connections will help you to succeed in your role within Cornell Cooperative Extension.  Below are a few strategies to get you started.

    • Extension Administration

      • At some point you will likely have a need to connect to individuals who work within Extension Administration, other Associations, or Area Ag Teams.  To find contacts - explore the https://staff.cce.cornell.edu/staff-directory  (url). 
      • While exploring, note questions you might have and who might help you with these questions. 


    • Program Leads on Campus - Program Contacts

      There are several program leads on campus - some that serve as Extension Administration Program Contacts (url). This team is also known as our CCE Critical Issue Leaders.  They function to:

      • Provide liaison between departments, centers, institutes, and programs
      • Provide leadership for selected statewide extension program initiatives
      • Foster research and extension integration
      • Foster professional development opportunities for CCE educators
      • Support Program Work Teams 


      Review: the list of Program contacts (url) and note potential connectors to help you to build relationships.  

    • Program Leads on Campus - Department Extension Leaders (DELs)

      Department Extension Leaders (DELs) are appointed by the Department Chair with the approval of the Director of Extension.  Responsibilities of the DEL may vary by department and depend upon the size of the department - but essentially the DEL is the primary liaison with CCE Administration in matters related to Extension.  A DEL may be of professorial rank or a Senior Extension Associate.  

      • Find out who the DEL is in a Department that you are likely to connect with.  
        1. search by Department name to find the DEL listed, then 
        2. click on Reports, Exports & Maps (find in navigation ribbon on top of page), and open the Campus Contacts (Excel) for a full list of Department Contacts.

    • Program Work Teams (PWTs)

      PWTs were mentioned above in Topic 5: Personal & Professional Development.  Becoming a part of a PWT is, indeed a good way to get to know other staff from campus and Associations that have similar interests to you.  In a survey done in 2011, staff referred to PWTs as "the best way to form campus/county partnerships and get things done".  

      The idea for PWTs came out of a need to encourage communities of learning that bridged research and extension work.  They are defined as "affinity groups involving faculty and staff, extension educators, and external stakeholders". PWT's provide a mechanism through which faculty and extension educators connect with stakeholders in identifying issues, studying needs, creating educational materials, and designing learning experiences that address these issues and needs within specific content areas. 

      Getting added to the list for a PWT can mean that you tune in to list serve conversations to stay informed, or when you are ready - it will mean that you will work with others to lead efforts, events, or educational opportunities.  It does not have to be consuming, but it will broaden your network.

    • Finding Connections

      A common question is "how do I find out who is doing what on campus (or in Associations)"?  While it depends on what you are looking for - there are a number of simple ways to begin to answer that - particularly once you have a lead on a Department, topic or person.

      Set your timer for 20 minutes and poke around the following methods for finding connections:

      • Cornell People Search (url) - search any name, topic or Department at the top of the main Cornell page.
      • CCE Organizational Report (url) - search by Association, Area Ag Team, Department, or Program Work Team.  You can see full lists of names and contact information by clicking on "show all staff".  For Departments who have received Federal Capacity Funds - you will see a report about recent projects.
      • Projects that have been supported by NIFA's Federal Capacity Funding for research and extension work:
        • Smith-Lever (Extension projects) Reports (url) - Search on past reports, plan of work topical areas, by faculty (PI) or Department.  Results are shown by year that project was reported.  This is a great place to read up on a project or the work of Department.
        • Hatch (Research projects) Reports (url) - See list of all currently active projects with the PI noted, or see impacts of projects that have recently finished up.

      A summary of these suggestions for your files can be found here (pdf).

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    • Knowing what you can and can't do in CCE

      Program Definitions and Standards

      • Cornell Cooperative Extension is a national leader in creating positive change on behalf of families and communities through rigorously-tested extension programs. It doesn't happen by chance - there is a methodology for creating and delivering programs and there are standards set to help staff understand what those expectations are.  This section will cover in greater detail - what some of those expectations are.

      • It is important to note that the very core of what we do in Extension is bring educational programs to communities.   If you have responsibilities in program planning and design - you are expected to continue your professional development by participating in the Program Development Leadership Cohort.  See Topic 5: Personal & Professional Development.  

    • Program Definition & Standards

      CCE Program Definition and Standards helps Associations establish priorities and decide on funding opportunities.  The CCE Program Definition & Standards establishes the current definition and standards for CCE programs in order to provide specific guidance about what comprises “extension work” and identify current standards for high quality, high impact extension programs. 

      Program Definition and Standards:

      1. Describes what comprises “extension work”.
      2. Identifies current standards for high quality, high impact extension programs. 
      3. Provides the basis for CCE Administration to carry out its legal obligation to provide oversight of local programs, including determining which programs receive system-level supports and benefits.
      4. Informs the CCE Association Accreditation standards.

    • Program Planning & Development

      An Art & Science to Program Development Work

      There is an art and a science to Program Development (PD).  The ‘art’ is what you ‘know’ works and the ‘science’ is based on research, and the evaluation of practice. In a recent survey of CCE Association Directors and Program Leaders, many acknowledged not considering a framework for program development when planning, implementing and evaluating local CCE programs. That said – we see many examples of intentional programming and good work that fit the description of PD shared by staff.  PD is happening but perhaps without a systematic approach.


      This may beg the question - if a program works, attracts people, why should we apply program development theory?

      You might recall that in the section above about Program Definition and Standards - it is required that CCE programs are based on local needs, are designed around measurable objectives, follow the guidance found in evidence-based practices, and include evaluation.  Applying a PD model - will help meet these requirements and will help you to achieve more consistent, predictable results.  

      Research and practice show common elements in successful programs. Descriptions and ‘how-to’ for these common elements can be found in PD Models and the frameworks that we might use to think through the steps of PD.  Many PD models are similar to each other even across disciplines like planning and community development, Cooperative Extension PD, and educational/instructional design.

      The PD process broadly consists of determining the current state and needs of the learner, defining the end goal of instruction, and creating some "intervention" to assist in the transition. Often the process is informed pedagogically (process of teaching) and by research.


      The central questions for PD include:

      • What is the purpose of the program? (for whom? To do what? What need is it filling? Are there system or local outcomes you are working towards?)
      • What experiences are you going to provide to get the participants to said outcomes?
      • How can you effectively/efficiently deliver the experiences? What is the delivery?
      • How are you going to know that you got to the outcomes?

      There are many instructional design models

      There are many PD models, many based on the ADDIE model (includes 5 phases: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation). Most models come with references and resources (like logic or pathway models) to help the user to think through the steps needed to reach your intended outcomes.  CCE resources are arranged by the ADDIE phases but reference other models – so that our educators can be versed in the theory and pick and choose resources that are most beneficial for the moment. 

      Review: Take a few minutes to review resources on the staff site focused on Program Development Concepts and Models including the Video Short linked from the page (url). This topic is aimed at helping you to become familiar with PD models.  When you are finished, check off the completion box for this topic.


    • Program Data Reporting & Success Stories

      Staff are required to report on program data so that we can collectively talk about the impacts of our organization.   

      The Program Development and Reporting tool is the place to report local plans and data.   It also allows for exporting local and regional data and summarizes statewide data - making it useful to counties, regional programs, and CCE Administration to make data-informed decisions. Reporting data is used to report to funding partners and to assist with Association accreditation reviews. Your time and persistence in helping to collect sound data will you to succeed in your role and will help the larger organization to tell an accurate story of our collective success. Training and resources are available.  

      Set your timer for 15 minutes to review the following links  related to reporting:

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