EVALUATING A DISTRIBUTED MASTER GARDENER LEADERSHIP MODEL THROUGH A JOINT SELF ANALYSIS PROCESS
Extension Education
Richard Gibson
Extension Agent, Agriculture
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
CASA GRANDE
Abstract
Extension garden and landscape programs in Pinal County, Arizona are conducted with the assistance of Master Gardener volunteers. Our county is large (5,374.09 mi2, 13,918.8 km2) and driving times can reach 2 hours one way. Volunteers are assigned to serve in 1 of 5 community working groups, each group focusing on projects important to the community. Our challenge and stated goal is to maintain a consistent, high impact and unified countywide educational program while embracing the diversity of the individual communities. This goal is achieved by using a distributed leadership model that engages the agent, the working group chairs and the vice chairs in a shared governance structure. To evaluate the effectiveness of the model, the leadership team participated in a self-review focus group to identify model strengths and challenges. The committee listed 9 positive strengths and three challenges. These were ranked in order of importance. Knowing the model strengths, members of the leadership team build for the future. Aware of the challenges, they strive to find valid solutions for common problems.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
A poster file has not been provided
Authors: R. Gibson
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Gibson, R. Extension Agent, Agriculture, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, Arizona, 85122