Building Staff Competencies and Selecting Communications Methods for Waste Management Programs.

The Waste Management Institute provided in-service training to interested County Extension agents in North Carolina to enable them to provide leadership in developing and delivering a comprehensive county-level waste management program. Training included technical, economic, environmental, social, and legal aspects of waste management presented in five sessions. Specific objectives of the Institute were for participants to: (1) become knowledgeable about local conditions in waste management, including identifying problems and issues that need attention; (2) review and assess potential programs and strategies available for addressing the identified problems and issues; (3) develop an action plan that focused on a major program in waste management; and (4) develop and integrate a system of evaluation throughout the process. Participants were encouraged to select specific issue areas, such as recycling programs or household hazardous waste, for development of their individual educational plans. Each participant developed a plan of action that included types of educational activities, as well as dates and specific communication techniques to be used in delivering the planned educational messages. While 37 communication techniques were identified, traditional extension delivery methods were most frequently chosen. It is suggested that extension agents select a proper mix of communications techniques to reach broader audiences. (KS)