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Distribution via Outlook Session 2: E-Newsletters & Email Marketing Platforms This session will showcase, for both new and seasoned users, the benefits of taking your traditional newsletter to the next level! We’ll take a broad look at the platforms that are out there and see that all provide a suite of tools that can create time-saving efficiencies for the busy user. Efficiencies that will allow you to work smarter, not harder – and extending the work you are already doing for maximum impact (Read: no more fat PDF files to push out!). Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Data Management Session 1: Microsoft Excel Basics for Rookies Learn more about foundational topics like parts of a spreadsheet, formatting, sorting, filtering, find/replace, basic math functions, and more. After a quick 25-minute lesson, you will be given the opportunity to practice what you have learned and to ask questions. Session 2: Excel Features & Techniques to Help Compile & Aggregate Data Efficiently This presentation will focus primarily on 3 basic concepts including basic formula building, pivot tables and the VLOOKUP function. Microsoft Outlook: Tech Tips for Time Management and Calendaring Session 1: Maximizing your productivity with your Outlook calendar – Tips and tricks you may have overlooked – Using forms to streamline your workflow – Mass email for clear communication Session 2: Maximizing your productivity with your Outlook calendar – Using Microsoft Viva and To Do to manage your Inbox and Tasks Go Hybrid: Taking your programming to the next level Session 1: Conducting Hybrid (Live & Virtual) Programming in Extension Education. Session 2: How to handle registration for Hybrid Programming Gathering Responses after the Hybrid Program Teams Experience Panel Live Audience Polling Session 1: Conducting Hybrid (Live & Virtual) Programming in Extension Education. Session 2: How to handle registration for Hybrid Programming Gathering Responses after the Hybrid Program Teams Experience Panel Using Qualtrics: A Powerful Survey Tool for Effective Issue Identification – This video explores the purpose and processes for identifying issues through a provided Qualtric Form Canva 101: Your design BFF when it comes to branding! Session 1: Why Canva? – What problems does this software solve for our organization – Software features and strengths – Sharing made easy: How to collaborate using Canva – Where to learn more: CanvaDesign School – MarComm Template library: A growing collection inspired by you! – Extension Show and Tell: a friendly review and recognition of Canva projects created by Extension employees like you! Session 2: Designing with the AgriLife templates – tricks to design like a pro – ditch the stock photos! and use our AgriLife Photoshelter for better, more authentic and engaging imagery Microsoft Teams: Making the platform work for you We want you to be successful in utilizing the tool to better your programming efforts. Session 1: Teamwork Collaboration / Project Management – Internal vs External users – Building a Team – OneDrive – how to sync and use it – Collaborating on Documents – Adding a Calendar to your Team – Settings – Notifications – Setting up your mic and webcam Session 2: Meeting and Programming – Meeting vs Webinar vs Live Event – Differences, Pros and cons – Differences from Zoom – How to schedule each – Tips and Tricks for helping with participants – Tips and Tricks for helping with Speakers – Moderators – After the fact” Attendance, Surveys, and Recordings – CEU’s and the Honor Code Featured AgriLife Learn Courses These resources are here for Texans, but can also be valuable educational complements to your in-person programs. Check out the latest offerings, developed by your colleagues! For questions involving customer support or account access, please contact: learnonline@ag.tamu.edu or check out their FAQ’s here . For the full list of AgriLife Learn course offerings, visit https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/ Do Well Be Well This course is designed to help people with diabetes do well and be well. Our experts walk through the basics of diabetes, how to make helpful choices, and the basics of medicine. Generation Next: Our Turn to Ranch The Generation Next curriculum targets new landowners, those who are inheriting land, or those who are looking to start a new agricultural operation on an existing ranch. Butterfly Gardening This online course covers the types of butterflies in Texas and how to attract them. Homeowners or garden enthusiasts will learn to invite new fluttery friends to the neighborhood. Learn, Grow, Eat and G o: Early Childhood This easy-to-implement curriculum was specially designed to encourage outdoor and hands-on learning for early childhood. Hot Topics: AgriLife Extension Questions & Answers ASK A QUESTION READ MORE HOT TOPICS 6/1/2021: Can the agency increase trainings, resources, and tools related to technology and digital education to enable employees to effectively educate clientele virtually? Can the agency prioritize the training needs assessment currently being planned by the Tool Box Unit? • Yes, increased resources and products have been developed by professional services units to support virtual education delivery. • Professional services have revamped their websites to be more comprehensive and easier to navigate. • Implemented Tech Tuesday Trainings . • Human Resources provided several resources via e-news that are still available in the archives section ( https://agrilifeas.tamu.edu/e-news/ ). 6/1/2021: Can the agency strengthen communication about agent job priorities/expectations to focus their workload ? • As a part of the agency strategic plan position descriptions are being reviewed and updated. • The agency reviews and applies COVID protocol as the Governor’s guidance, Texas A&M University System and CDC guidance is updated. Job expectations are adapted based on ability to deliver virtual programming and guidance regarding face-to-face delivery. • Regional Impact reports highlighted the response and adaption to COVID. These types of adaptions were considered when annual performance evaluations were conducted. 6/1/2021: Can the agency explore concerns regarding perceived inconsistent standards and treatment of employees depending on position, manager, district, etc. and seek solutions as appropriate ? • Central Leadership Team has been made aware of perceived inconsistencies. Associate Directors continue to review process and monitor decision making for the most consistent application of policy and treatment of employees. 6/1/2021: Can the agency actively promote an agency culture and management that encourages employees to utilize their earned time off to avoid burnout. • This month the agency working in conjunction with administrative services will engage supervisors and their employees in planning and tracking their leave through the fiscal year. • The agency awarded administrative leave to employees who have gone beyond the scope of their work in the response to COVID. Administrative leave was awarded in December and will also be awarded in August. There is also a renewed commitment to encourage employees to fully utilize their vacation leave, which was also a challenge prior to COVID. AgriLife Extension Service: Impacting everyday Texans through the years Corn Club in 1940 Brothers Chris and Gerald Coale proudly show off their calves for the camera in Brazoria County, Texas, 1940. Texas 4-H has been a mainstay of Texas Traditions with Extension being a proud partner since its inception in 1915. For the history buffs… T.M. (Tom) Marks, county agricultural agent, organized the first boys’ corn club” in Jack County in 1908. Marks often told folks he was more successful teaching new production technology to the youth than to the adults! Within a matter of years, pig clubs,” beef calf clubs” and girls’ tomato clubs” were also initiated in other counties across the… Read More Hassler Siblings in the 1940s No better...