Effectiveness of Extension Crd Advisory Committees as Perceived by Lay Members and Extension Professionals in Louisiana (Community Resource Development).

Abstract

The major focus of the study was on the perception of lay members and Extension agents regarding the effectiveness of Extension CRD advisory committees. Indicators of perceived effectiveness chosen for the study were the purposes - functions rationale of Pesson and the educational needs and problems in community development work. Empirical data were collected through mail questionnaires from 83 advisory committee members in 14 parishes and 52 Extension agents designated to CRD work. The major findings of the study revealed that a majority of committee members felt that membership of committees was improvement for achieving community improvement, gaining knowledge, self-satisfaction, and self-improvement. Members and agents agreed that cooperative problem solving, non-selfish behavior, and recognizing people for their efforts were significant for successful community development. The democratic decision-making was "the best way" to succeed in community development work was accepted by most of the members and agents. Organizational problems that were significant to both members and agents were lack of participation, apathy and inadequate leadership. Project funds and lack of recreation were cited as major problems in organizing services. Members and agents perceived that committees were largely effective in achieving their purposes and functions. For improving the effectiveness of committees there was a great need expressed in educational material in a variety of community services and facilities. In most of the relationships studied there were no differences in the perceptions of members and agents. In those few cases where differences were statistically significant the perceptions of members were higher than the perceptions of the agents. The lower perceptions of the agents with regard to committee effectiveness could become a positive factor in committee work. Also, if agents have lower perception of committee effectiveness, then, they should be inclined to work toward improving areas of deficiency.