Thus the committee member with little knowledge of the situation contributes little in the way of advice, counsel, and decision making. Extension expects the advisory committee member to be a leader. The member does not have to be the most dynamic person in the community but must nevertheless have some leadership skills. The member is expected to be able to communicate Extension's programs and needs to the public and also to be a good listener, to the target audience as well as to others in the community. The member should be able to account to the public for what county Extension programs are accomplishing.
Extension expects committee members to regularly attend advisory committee meetings.
Poor attendance of committee meetings is a good indicator that Extension ranks low on a member's list of priorities. Poor attendance results in a lack of knowledge of Extension programs in the county, which means the committee member will likely find it difficult to communicate accomplishments to funders and others concerned. Committee members are expected to believe in the mission and philosophy of Cooperative Extension. That is, an advisory committee member is expected to provide leadership, advice, and counsel in the context of improving the lives of people by providing them with useful scientifically based information. The concept of volunteerism and sharing of information is inherent in the philosophy of Cooperative Extension, and committee members are expected to hold these values.