Telling the MSU Extension Story
The success of any organization is built on the individual successes of its team members. Connecting with policymakers and stakeholders to share those successes helps increase community support. In a complex organization such as Michigan State University (MSU) Extension, every member of the team must take responsibility for maintaining positive relationships with legislators, key decision-makers, stakeholders and media in their community and throughout the state.
The “Expect to Connect” toolkit is designed to help prepare all MSU Extension staff members to embrace this role and responsibility. It is designed to help staff members feel more comfortable in looking for and taking advantage of opportunities to tell the MSU Extension story.
Many assume that maintaining relationships is the job of a district director and the MSU Extension administrative team. While that is true, this task doesn’t fall solely on their shoulders. Local connections are as imperative as those at the state level. The local policymakers and stakeholders that you work with today directly influence local policy and funding, and may one day represent your area in state or federal government.
Don’t wait until stakeholders get to Lansing to start telling them about the strength of MSU Extension. These people are county commissioners, township supervisors, directors of local food banks and presidents of local Farm Bureaus today. Use the tools in this kit to connect with key leaders now.
Also remember to document your contact and communication with policymakers by completing the MSU Extension policymaker contact form.
Connecting with Legislators
For MSU Extension staff members inexperienced or uncomfortable with with government officials, check out our recorded webinar on Connecting with Legislators.
Also remember to document your contact and communication with policymakers by completing the MSU Extension policymaker contact form.
Download the complete Expect to Connect Toolkit
Expect To Connect Toolkit
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Complete Expect to Connect Toolkit
Published on January 31, 2020
Download all 11 guides that make up the Expect to Connect Toolkit. -
FAQs for Local Government and Media Inquiries
Published on February 1, 2020
Key messages and historical information about what MSU Extension is and why it matters when you receive questions from stakeholders and the media. -
Know Your Government Bodies and How They Relate to MSU Extension
Published on February 1, 2020
An overview of MSU Extension’s relationship to local, state and federal government bodies. -
Knowing Your Policymakers and Stakeholders (Interactive)
Published on February 1, 2020
MSU Extension staff members can use this questionnaire to gather more information about their policymakers, including federal, state and county officials. Interactive Version. -
Knowing Your Policymakers and Stakeholders (Print)
Published on February 1, 2020
MSU Extension staff members can use this questionnaire to gather more information about their policymakers, including federal, state and county officials. Print Version. -
Maintaining County Support for MSU Extension in 10 Basic Steps
Published on February 1, 2020
Ten steps to help staff members ensure the relationship between MSU Extension and county leaders remains strong. -
Meeting With State Legislators
Published on February 1, 2020
Suggestions for MSU Extension staff members meeting with state legislators. The same principles apply for meetings with local and federal officials. -
Public Policy Education Principles and Guidelines for MSU Extension
Published on February 1, 2020
Outlining the role for MSU Extension staff members in public policy education and the principles of the MSU Extension approach to discussing public policy. -
Reporting Impacts to County Leaders
Published on February 1, 2020
Tips on how MSU Extension staff members can report impacts they are having in their community through county annual reports and other ways of sharing information. -
Responding to Media Calls
Published on February 1, 2020
Media members know MSU Extension is a source of trusted, unbiased information and has a wide range of expertise to offer. This guide contains helpful tips to keep in mind when the media contacts you. -
Strategic Communication Tools: What and When to Use with Decision-Makers
Published on February 1, 2020
A guide to the most strategic use of various communications tools when connecting with decision makers. -
Telling Your MSU Extension Story Through Public Value Statements
Published on February 1, 2020
Helpful tips so MSU Extension staff members can effectively tell their MSU Extension story and build relationships with stakeholders with MSU Extension's public value statements as a guide.
Strategic Connections Team
The Expect to Connect Toolkit was updated by the MSU Extension Strategic Connections Team.
Any one of these MSU Extension and MSU colleagues can help you navigate these tools, find support for your strategic connections needs or do both:
Anne Baker, (amb@msu.edu), MSU Extension Learning and Talent Development Specialist
Patrick Cudney, (cudney@msu.edu), MSU Extension Associate Director
Cheryl Howell, (chowell@msu.edu), MSU Extension Strategy and Partnership Program Leader
Dru Montri, (dnmontri@msu.edu), Director of Government and Stakeholder Relations, MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and College of Veterinary Medicine
Jeremy Reuter, (reuterje@msu.edu), Director for Statewide Advocacy, MSU Government Relations
Eric Scorsone, (scorsone@msu.edu), Associate Professor & Director of the MSU Extension Center for State and Local Government Policy
Shari Spoelman, (spoelma4@msu.edu), MSU Extension District 6 Director
Beth Stuever, (stuever@msu.edu), MSU Extension Director of Public Affairs
Heather Triezenberg, (vanden64@msu.edu), MSU Extension Specialist and Program Leader, Michigan Sea Grant Extension
Eric Walcott, (walcott3@msu.edu), MSU Extension State Specialist, Government and Public Policy Programs