Advisory Groups - UMass Extension Board of Public Overseers

The UMass Extension Board of Public Overseers was created in 1997 to give stakeholders in UMass Extension areas a formal advisory role. The Board, a majority of whose members are appointed by the Governor, advises the Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Extension staff on goals, budget, and program. 

Upcoming Meetings:

The meeting that was to be held on Thursday, November 17, 2022, from 2:30 to 4:00PM is being rescheduled. Please check back soon for updates. 

Agenda for the next meeting

Previous Meeting Agendas & Notes

Please note that meeting notes are posted after they have been reviewed and approved by a quorum of the Board. This can sometimes result in delayed posting.

Review meeting notes

Responsibilities & Membership

The appointed members of the board serve for terms of five years, except for those appointed to fill a vacancy for unexpired term. The board holds its annual meeting in January and meets at least three other times during the year. The University of Massachusetts Extension director attends all meetings of the board and serves as secretary but has no vote in its deliberation. Eight members of the board constitute a quorum.

Members are nominated as follows:

• Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation – 4 members from among 12 nominations
• Massachusetts Arborists Association – 2 members from among 5 nominations
• Massachusetts Audubon Society – 1 member from among 3 nominations
• Massachusetts Forest Alliance, successor organization to the Massachusetts Forestry Association – 1 member from among 3 nominations
• Massachusetts 4-H Foundation – 1 member from among 3 nominations
• Massachusetts State 4-H Council – 1 member from among 3 nominations
• Massachusetts Nutrition Board – 1 member from among 3 nominations
• Massachusetts Commissioner of Agricultural Resources
• University of Massachusetts President’s Office
• University of Massachusetts Amherst Chancellor’s Office
• UMass Extension Director’s Office (ex-officio)

In creating the board, the General Court gave it the power to adopt a policy for the conduct of business, including constitution of board membership. Policies may be amended or repealed by a two-thirds vote of its members. In December, 2005, the board adopted bylaws. Those bylaws create an Advisory Board of between five and fifteen members, including representatives of the Center for Agriculture, the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and the Massachusetts Senate.

The bylaws also created standing committees on Membership and Bylaws,
Planning and Evaluation, and Budget and Policy Advocacy.

Members

As of January, 2023

• Enabling Legislation
• Bylaws