ACE Update – November 2016
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Let’s pull back the curtain a little on behind-the-scene association activities and show you what’s happening right now in ACE.
President-elect Suzanne Steele and Executive Director Holly Young are updating this year’s Critique and Awards entry forms in Submittable, in preparation for entries this January. Suzanne is also coordinating 2018 conference efforts with Ag Media Summit.
Vice president Elizabeth Gregory North is working with a team of ACE members to create a functional, user-intuitive, attractive website design for the organization.
Past president Brad Beckman and his nominating committee are contacting and encouraging ACE members to run for various offices next spring.
Membership director Beth Forbes and state representatives are combining their considerable talents to forge a membership push. We now have marketing materials available, including pamphlets and cards. And we have our new ACE logo to use!
Our Learning Community chairs are the rock stars of the organization. Thank you for your willingness to provide professional development opportunities for members of your learning communities. Learning Community director Mary Wirth has been working to create a process that, once a webinar is scheduled, automatically moves the notice through social media sites and promoted through ACE email routes.
Janet Rodekohr, our retiree director, not only published the November retiree newsletter, but also began initial efforts to write a code of conduct for ACE members and guide association efforts once a member displays unprofessional and/or unethical conduct.
Research director Courtney Meyers is the board’s liaison with the Journal of Applied Communication, whose board is deciding on a new publishing platform. Courtney is also working with the 2018 ACE conference committee to set how and when the Research and Academic Learning Community members will present and explain their posters in New Orleans.
Treasurer Becky Koch has created financial forms for the association that are much more intuitive and easier to understand than what was available.
And development officer Donna Sheffield and her team are creating ways to find and obtain monies to help fund association efforts for its members and are encouraging members to apply for ACE professional development grants.
There are many, many others working in their own areas I have not mentioned, but the association does not exist, does not serve members, does nothing, without your efforts. No other agricultural communication association has the depth and breadth of ACE. I am proud to be a member.
And, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
– Steve Miller, 2016-17 ACE President, University of Wyoming Extension
2016 Journal of Applied Communications (Vol. 100, No. 3)
Here are highlights from three articles in the most recent edition:
Amanda Northfell, Leslie D. Edgar, Donna L. Graham, and K. Jill Rucker
As Millennials graduate from college, cultivating relationships with them can differ from those of generation X and Baby Boomers. This study found that no agricultural alumni were dissatisfied with their college experience, but were unaware of the college’s social media presence. The authors suggest communications’ practitioners identify hindrances to relationship building and emphasize the emotional connection graduates have to their alma mater. Link to full article.
Alexa J. Lamm, Lisa K. Lundy, Laura Warner, and Kevan W. Lamm
Water is critical to a productive society, so it’s important that water users understand the importance of water conservation. This study sought to determine the level of importance associated with plentiful water and the water conservation behaviors of individuals identified as high water users. Findings suggest high water use doesn’t always correspond with perceived importance of water conservation. The authors suggest communicators understand their audience and provide content appropriately, such as by translating information into Spanish. Link to full article.
Amber Krause, Courtney Meyers, Erica Irlbeck, and Todd Chambers
California’s Proposition 37 was a ballot initiative to mandate labeling for products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Although it eventually failed, it generated immense media exposure regarding GMOs and their possible regulatory, health, and economic impacts. This study compared persuasive message factors of Proposition 37 videos on YouTube by looking at for, against, and neutral message videos and how they used various sources, frames, and message appeals. Overall, the videos for the proposal used more emotional message appeals, which can be more effective in persuasive efforts than logical appeals. The authors provide other suggestions for practitioners when creating persuasive videos. Link to full article.
Send submissions, upcoming webinars and ideas to forbes@purdue.edu. Contributors this issue: Steve Miller, Beth Forbes, Holly Young, Courtney Meyers, and Donna Sheffield.
Copyright © 2016 Association for Communication Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences. All rights reserved.