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 4-5 hours per month to attend 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.

Clay County

Clay County contains no districts. Extension council representatives represent the entire county.

Jackson County

Election district descriptions for Jackson County are as follows:

District 1 – Western Jackson County

• West border is the Missouri/Kansas State Line. East border will be Interstate 435 to the Grandview Triangle and then Highway 71 south to the county line.
• South border for all districts is the Jackson/Cass County Line.
• North border for all districts is the Jackson/Clay County Line.

District 2 – Central Jackson County

• West border is Interstate 435 to the Grandview Triangle and then Highway 71 south to the Jackson County Line. East border is Highway 291.
• South border for all districts is the Jackson/Cass County Line.
• North border for all districts is the Jackson/Clay County Line.

District 3 - Eastern Jackson County

• West border is Highway 291. East border is the Jackson County Line.
• South border for all districts is the Jackson/Cass County Line.
• North border for all districts is the Jackson/Clay County Line.

Platte County

Election district descriptions for Platte County are as follows:

District 1 - North Platte R1, East Buchanan, and Smithville

• Borders are defined by the North Platte R1, East Buchanan, and Smithville school districts

District 2 - West Platte

• Borders are defined by the West Platte School District.

District 3 - Platte County R3 and North Kansas City

• Borders are defined by the Platte County R3 and North Kansas City school districts.

District 4 - Park Hill

• Borders are defined by the Park Hill School District.

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 vary based on counties and county events.

• November – December - Select nominees, at least two for each elected position and secure nominee's approval.
• 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).
• January - Announce dates/times for voting. Voting will be open on respective County Council webpages.
  Clay County Election | Jackson County Election | Platte County Election
  Notify elected and appointed members of date, time and place of the Annual Council Meeting.
• 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.

The University of Missouri Extension Councils consists of elected representatives and mayoral appointees from the cities in Jackson, Clay and Platte Counties including: Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Independence, Raytown, Grandview, Lee's Summit and Kansas City.

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).

These state statutes indicate that any city in the county over 10,000 residents in the last 10-year census is eligible to appoint a member to the local extension council.

The Platte County Extension Council approved their slate of nominations for the 2021-2022 election term at their December 7, 2020 Council meeting. Additional interested candidates have until January 4, 2021 to submit a petition to the Platte County Extension Offices in order to be named as a candidate for vacancies. This petition must include signatures of 25 qualified residents within their respective district in order to be placed upon the final ballot for the election period starting January 25 and ending on January 30. Contact the Platte County Extension Office for more information and/or the petition form.