As representatives of their community, extension council members are in the best position to discover what local people want and need from Missouri's land-grant university. MU Extension professionals and council members, acting as the front door to every unit in the University, put residents in touch with those who can help. Together, faculty and local citizens shape MU Extension programs to enhance the local quality of life.

MU Extension faculty and council members have access to a wide range of expertise through collaboration with state agencies and other organizations and groups. As members of the nationwide Cooperative Extension System, MU Extension faculty can draw from research and knowledge centers across the nation and the world.

If you choose to be nominated for this partnership and are elected, you will be expected to:

• Understand and advocate for the goals, aspirations and concerns of people of your county.
• Provide regular, thoughtful participation in MU Extension programs and to assist MU Extension faculty and educators in reaching their goals.
• Be an advocate for access to education that empowers people.
• Learn about the wealth of resources provided by MU and the University of Missouri System.
• Assist with council elections.
• Work with MU Extension faculty and others to generate support from outside sources.
• Secure and administer the county's share of funding for MU Extension programming in collaboration with the legislature of your county and other outside resources.
• Advise and consult with University administration concerning the assignment of MU Extension faculty to your county.
• Commit 1-3 hours every other month to attend bi-monthly council meetings, committee meetings, and training opportunities.

Many people gain great satisfaction as an MU Extension council member.

First, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are making a positive difference in the lives of people in your community.

Second, you will enjoy the friendship and camaraderie of other knowledgeable leaders.

Here is what you, as an extension council member, can expect from MU Extension:

• A continuous flow of information about University and council programs, resources and activities.
• Social and economic data that outline trends and conditions in your county and surrounding area.
• Opportunities to learn about your role, responsibilities and opportunities through county, regional and state training and other experiences.
• A network that connects you with people in other counties and states.

MU Extension cannot fulfill its mission of extending the educational resources and knowledge base of the University of Missouri to people without a full partnership with local residents.

Each year we have opportunities to recruit new council members to join County Councils. Once nominees are approved by the council, elections are held every January. Election dates for St. Clair County are:

• December — Select nominees, at least two for each elected position and secure nominee’s approval. Dec. 3, 2024 deadline to receive nominations.
• December — Provide public notice of nominees (Section 262.620) “not more than 50 days or less than 30 days” per state statutes (Section 262.577). Notification will be published in the St. Clair County Courier/Journal publication on Dec. 11, 2024.
• January — Announce dates/times for voting. Voting will be open on respective County Council webpages. Voting will be open from Jan. 19-25, 2025.
• January — Notify elected and appointed members of date, time and place of the Annual Council Meeting. New members will be notified by Jan. 31, 2025.
• February — Hold Annual Council Meeting to organize governance, elect council officers and set dates of council meetings. All council officers of the council shall within five (5) days after their election, take and sign the usual oath of public office, which shall be filed with the county clerk. (Section 262.583.2 and 262.583.3) This may be done at the annual meeting.
• March — Term for newly elected Council Members begins March 1, 2025. The first Council Meeting will take place on April 1, 2025.

The St. Clair County University of Missouri Extension Councils consists of elected representatives and mayoral appointees from St. Clair County.

Council members, both elected and appointed, serve a two-year term and can be reelected or reappointed to a second two-year term. County extension councils are statutorily created to work with the University in carrying out the local extension program (Sections 262:550 to 262:620, Revised Statutes of Missouri).