Problems Uploading Impacts? Last minute tips

Ok guys, if you are trying to upload impacts today here are a few last minute tips:

-Make sure your impact's name has NO SPACES. AIMS doesn't like spaces.

-If it just sits there and doesn't seem to be loading, first make sure you clicked on the "upload/replace" link after you have selected your file and then if you did that, you may have to compress your pictures because the file is likely too large. Instructions for that is here:  http://aimshelp.blogspot.com/2014/09/problems-with-your-impact-not-loading.html

-Also, if you have more than one impact in a single program area (i.e. 2 SNAP or Ag impacts), you will either need someone else in the county to upload the 2nd one for you or email the 2nd one to aimshelp@uaex.edu so we can get it in there. AIMS only wants one impact per person per program area.

Need more help? I'm here until AIMS closes at 4:30 pm, so email me at dmashburn@uaex.edu or call at 501-671-2351 (leave a message if I don't pick up because I may be on the other line).

Problems with Your Impact Not Loading?

Is your Program Impact not wanting to load? It may be one of two problems:


First, is it a naming issue?
If the system is giving you a message about only wanting letters, numbers, or underscores, double check that there are no spaces in your file's name.
So if you named your impact FY2014 ANR Arkansas.pdf the system will not take it, so go ahead and either take out the spaces and make it FY2014ANRArkansas.pdf or change the spaces into underscores to make it FY2014_ANR_Arkansas.pdf. Either one of these versions will be accepted into AIMS.


Second, is the system either taking forever uploading or even giving you messages that it's timing out, the connection was reset, or you cannot view this page?
This may mean your file is large, which can be fixed by condensing your picture.
This is very simple to do:
-Locate the picture file you will be using in your template.
-Right click on the file, go down to "Open With...." and select "Microsoft Office 2010" or "Microsoft Picture Manager."
-Once in the program, click on "Edit Pictures" and a menu will come up on the right side of the screen.
-Click on "Compress Pictures" and then select compress for "documents."
-Click "Apply" and then use "Save As..." to rename your picture (this keeps you from losing your original picture file".
-Once you are finished, when you close the program, it will as if you would like to save changes, click "don't save" so you do not lose your original file.
-Go back into your impact template and insert the new compressed picture(s).
-Save the edited impact.
-Upload the finished impact into AIMS.



If neither of these tips help and you still need assistance with the impact templates, contact Diane Mashburn at 501-671-2351 or at dmashburn@uaex.edu.

UPDATED: How Much is a Volunteer's Time Worth?

I am hearing that many of you are working on your impact reports and starting to take a look at your year as a whole. One great indicator is the amount of volunteer time has been contributed to your programs and how much that time is worth.

This year, the amount an hour of volunteer's time is worth has been adjusted. So please use this figure in all your reports and impacts that you create.

For FY2014, one hour of volunteer time in the state of Arkansas is worth $22.55. 

The value of a volunteer's time is calculated by Independent Sector, which is a Washington, D.C. think tank who establishes a dollar value of a volunteer's time and the Arkansas Division of Community Service and Nonprofit Support (a division of DHS) utilizes this figure.

So please use this figure in all your reports and impacts that you create. If you have any questions about the current figure, feel free to contact Program and Staff Development at 501-671-2086.

FY2014 Impact Templates Uploaded and Ready to Use!

It's time to put your program impacts on display with our updated FY2014 Impact Report Templates! 

Remember:
-Each county is required to have at least 1 impact report submitted for each program area.
-All impact reports must be uploaded into AIMS by 4:30 pm on October 5th.
-Counties do have the capability to upload more than 1 impact report within a single program area (i.e. for ANR, you can submit a hort impact as well as a livestock impact).

Impact Templates have been uploaded to the Extension MISC Templates Page and the Program & Staff Development Impact Page.

We have created two resources to assist you in working within the impact templates.
Using the FY14 Impact Template- video
Using the FY14 Impact Template- PDF

If you have questions about the impact template, contact us in the Program and Staff Development Office at 501-671-2086. If you have questions about content to put within the various sections of the impact template, please contact your program leader.

Impact Reporting Doesn't Begin in September

Impact reporting doesn't begin in September, it starts when your programs are being planned.  It continues along every step of your program.  Since we are preparing for the final stages of this year's impact reporting... I wanted to share a few tips found on North Dakota State University Extension's site:

As you think about what was accomplished, ask yourself these questions:

Impact Still Relevant

While not everything from 2003 is still relevant...
When it comes to Impacts and Program Development, this Journal of Extension article still is: 

 

Just a little heads up - impact reports will be due on October 5th again this year.  I will do my best to have information to get your prepared here on the AIMS Help site.

 

"Because funding is no longer 'automatic,' proving value and relevance is more important than ever." (Diem, 2003)

 

Follow the AIMS Help blog to keep up with the latest in regards to the Arkansas Extension impact.