It has certainly been a full day. You’ve had a quite a lot to take in, and I thank you for being here. I would also like to thank all of those who served on the District Conference Committee and the Program Committee for their hard work in pulling together today’s program.

I’d also like to thank Carolina PR and members of the Core Team and Action Teams for all that they did to lay the groundwork that led to the new directions you have heard about today.

As you leave today, many of you are probably asking, “What will I do tomorrow? How will I get started on this new path that the marketing and change management initiative is taking?”

Earlier today, you received handouts with some information that will guide us on that journey from being a “good” Cooperative Extension to becoming a “great” Cooperative Extension. This material will serve as your “passport,” providing insights into where we have been and where we are going, as well as some target dates for when we expect transitions to take place.

These documents also offer some questions that all of you – campus and county employees – can use to make a firm commitment to this process and to understand how it will affect you and your work. As Joe and Celvia have charged you, we hope you will use these materials to evaluate what you do now against where we want to be.

Throughout Cooperative Extension, there are already programs and initiatives where Extension professionals are working across disciplines to address the strategic priorities found in the “One-Mission, One Vision handout:” strengthening the economy through food, forest and green industry systems; protecting the environment and natural resources; and empowering youth and families.

In striving to reach our goal, we are all somewhere along a continuum – some are there, some are almost there and some are just getting started. But we are all in this together, on our way to our goal of One Mission – One Vision – One Extension.

What will you take away from today’s conference?

Celiva told you, “If you wait too long, I am going to leave without you!”

Jane and Louise asked, “How do we become indispensable to North Carolina citizens and our supporters?”

Karen and Sheilda reminded us change management, programming and marketing are inextricably linked.

Ray told you, “We are in Cooperative Extension because we love what we do, we are educational merchants who positively change people’s lives; we do whatever we can to protest what we love and make it the best.”

Wanda reminded us, “From Good to Great to Very Good to the Greatest!  Disciplined people, disciplined thought, disciplined action.”

Ed shared the concepts, elements and importance of a prioritization scorecard.

Joe said “This journey is about individual commitment to excellence.”

And Celvia said, “A personal commitment to change through self-assessment.”

Ray asked what will you talk about as you ride home?

Remember that our change management and marketing initiative has been a grassroots process, involving more than two years’ work by more than 100 of your most respected colleagues.

Remember our “Hedgehog” “that Wanda talked about:

“A university-based catalyst for progress with educational centers in every North Carolina county – that’s Cooperative Extension. Extension experts address local issues with research-based knowledge and resources, creating opportunities and empowering people to collaboratively solve problems. Our economic engine is our successful programs.” This is who we are and what sets us apart.

Remember how we achieve our mission:

·        By meeting challenges with research-based knowledge and technical innovations made possible by N.C. State, N.C. A&T State and other universities.

·        By our strategic partnerships.

·        By taking an integrated, multifaceted approach to today’s problems.

·        By developing and delivering programs that empower citizens and communities.

·        And by focusing on high-priority needs within our core program areas.

You will find these points in the “One Mission, One Vision” handout.

Two years ago, we started this journey with a roadmap. Now we’ve packed our suitcase. We have our passport. Are you ready? I look forward to seeing you all at our Destination – Success.