Dear Extension Family,
Watching the Junior Dairy Showmanship class during the first week of the South Carolina State Fair brought back fond memories of my youthful days at the fair. If you are not familiar with what our sprawling Clemson Cooperative Extension exhibit in the Ellison Building offered—including hydroponics, an interactive topography sandbox, pollinator and beef cattle education and more—please watch the impressive video clip WLTX News19 aired. Hats off to Dr. Lance Beecher and Ms. Becca Hedden for all their hard work and devotion to our presence at the fair.
I have a lot of information included below as I would like to share several vital reminders and updates below about our Extension Emerging Leadership Initiative (EELI), South Carolina Joint Cooperative Extension Conference, Salesforce, OnBase Performance (new EPMS system) and Concur (new p-card/travel system). Please take the time to read through this information thoroughly.
For those interested, the deadline to apply for the 3rd cohort of the Extension Emerging Leadership Initiative (EELI) has been extended but is quickly approaching. Applications will be accepted through next Monday, October 31. Eligibility criteria and application information can be found on the website.
We launched a very informative website for our first Joint South Carolina Cooperative Extension Conference in Clemson, December 5–7. You may view the conference agenda and pre-register for break-out sessions. All Extension staff are expected to attend and participate in the conference. You will have the opportunity to learn new information that can be used in your personal and professional lives. Only extenuating circumstances pre-approved by your direct supervisor will excuse you from the conference. All county Extension offices will be closed for these three days. I look forward to seeing everyone and meeting newer team members. Join me in welcoming our newest hires listed in our new hires Blog post.
The Salesforce implementation across Extension is evolving. Salesforce is a client relationship management (CRM) software that will enable our staff and faculty to leverage client relationships and decrease reporting burdens. We currently have the Livestock and Forages Program team fully onboarded in Salesforce, and they have been instrumental in troubleshooting the system to allow for a better user experience. We are evaluating the onboarding of the phase I group and preparing to initiate phase II, which will include more users across Extension. Salesforce offers many capabilities that will transform the way we work with clients and stakeholders in the future. Below is a high-level overview of tasks Salesforce will manage for Extension:
- Integrate Data from multiple existing software platforms (In-Person, EventBrite, CUMIS, etc.).
- Manage clientele lists (mailing, mailing labels, and email lists)
- Manage and target stakeholder interests
- Automate email communication processes
- Manage product data (publications, videos, courses, etc.)
- Provide reports (clientele, course, product, organization activity)
- Provide customer support email system for use in county offices
- Improve team communications (with Salesforce Chatter)
- Ensure compliance with USDA-NIFA privacy, opt-out and customer contact policies
By now, you are all aware Clemson University is phasing in a new online Staff Performance Management tool called OnBase-Performance. OnBase-Performance includes an online planning and evaluation form. You should have received an automated email on September 1 from The Office of Human Resources with instructions for completing your planning stage using the new tool. Be on the lookout for OnBase-Performance notifications and reminders throughout your performance period. The Staff Performance Management website provides access to the OnBase-Performance tool, FAQs and additional resources. Please follow up with your supervisor if you have further questions.
I want to remind everyone we have a new procurement card and travel system called Concur. All employees need to update their profile in the new system and add their accountant as a delegate, even if they aren’t a p-card holder. A mobile app is available for laptops and cell phones. Concur will be used to process travel reimbursements and non-travel reimbursements. For training documents and more information, visit the new travel website. You can also contact the District Lead Admin in your area for assistance. Contact Ms. Renee Watson, Extension Business Manager, if the Lead Admin is unavailable. One-on-one training sessions are also available by filling out the online form on the Concur website. Additionally, Ms. Watson has created several helpful user guides you can access through the Blog post.
In closing, if you haven’t read the Clemson News story about the largest single award from a federal agency in the history of both Clemson University and South Carolina State, please take the time to learn about the $70 million investment into this new partnership. The funding will incentivize South Carolina farmers to implement selected climate-smart production practices. It will impact farmers in various production sectors, including vegetables, peanuts, beef cattle and forest products and will ensure meaningful involvement of small and underserved producers, enabling them to implement selected climate-smart production practices.
As always, please take good care of yourselves and your families, and thank you for what you do for Clemson Cooperative Extension.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
