The meeting was called to order by President Jim Ollar at 10:35am. Board members present via telephone were: Jim Ollar, Karla Spencer, Tom Henderson, Bob Schultheis, Eldon Cole, Gail Carlson, David Lindell, Pat Snodgrass, and Susan Mills-Gray. Absent were Mel Zielinski and Dale Hagerman.

Minutes of the November 24, 1998 board meeting were approved as e-mail distributed by Bob Schultheis.

The treasurer’s report was given by Tom Henderson. As of 2/1/99, the savings account balance is $3770.83 and the checking account balance is $1564.37 for a total of $5335.20. There are no outstanding bills, with some membership income still to be deposited. Bob Schultheis moved and Eldon Cole seconded to accept the report. Motion passed by virtual show of hands.

In Mel Zielinski’s absence to Costa Rica, Tom Henderson and Jim Ollar gave the Membership Committee report. Updated active and life member lists will be mailed to board members by Jim. Jim suggested, with general agreement by the group, to initiate a letter to the 50+ inactive members to encourage them to renew their ESP membership. Dues collected should be sent to Tom Henderson. Jim will also distribute within the next month a list of those Extension people who become eligible, as of 8/31/99, to join ESP.

Susan Mills-Gray gave the Professional Development Committee report. She encouraged everyone to reserve December 2, 1999 for another ESP-sponsored national satellite downlink. Details will follow as they are developed. The Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) Conference is scheduled for April 18-21, 1999 in Washington, DC. Early bird registration deadline is March 12, 1999. Those going from Missouri (and the association they represent) are Rick Mammen (UMEA), Bruce Beck (MACAA), Patty Fisher (MAE4-HYW), and Susan Mills-Gray (MEAFCS). (See more about this in the President's Report below.) She needs a list of active members to email within the next 2-3 weeks. Bob Schultheis will visit with John Myers at ETCS about setting up a UOE mailgroup to simplify this process.

Discussion followed on the plans for association meetings to be held following October's Extension Annual Conference in Columbia, and on the merits of a pre-conference workshop hosted by ESP. Karla Spencer reported that a teleconference is planned for association presidents to discuss these issues and get the details.

Gail Carlson gave the Recognition and Awards Committee report. A committee of Karla Spencer, Joan Hickman, Brenda Proctor, Ina McClain, Jim Sawyer, Mark Stewart, Al Black, and David Hill has been assembled to promote and judge the awards this year. An invitation letter will be sent to members in early May.

David Lindell gave the Courtesy and Memorials Committee report. He has sent 10 cards (two birthday and eight sympathy) since Annual Conference. He will contact board members for better addresses as the need arises, so cards can be sent to the home and not the office.

Pat Snodgrass gave the Loan and Fellowship Committee report as the new chair. She reported the good news that Miss Frances Pringle, upon her death, willed 15 percent of her estate to the Loan and Fellowship Fund. The dollar amount is unknown at this time. She mentioned the need for a list of all names on the plaques as a way of promoting more contributions.

Eldon Cole gave the Annalist report. Records are still in the hands of Larry Hale, so Eldon is not sure of the magnitude of records involved. Larry will be encouraged to make the transfer soon.

Jim Ollar gave the President's report. He has a request from DeaAnna Adkins, who is working on a Masters degree in Journalism, for a contribution toward the $2000 needed to conduct a statewide survey to see where farmers get their information. By general agreement, the Board decided to focus it's limited resources on supporting professional development of members and life members, and not start a precedent of funding special projects like this. Eldon Cole mentioned that results of a similar survey done a few years ago in southwest Missouri are available to share with her by contacting him.

Jim Ollar asked Susan Mills-Gray if she would be willing to serve as ESP representative to the April PILD Conference in Washington, DC. She agreed. Cost of attending is about $850, of which $300 is already covered. A motion made by Eldon and seconded by Bob to cover half the remaining $550 cost (shared with MEAFCS) was approved by voice vote.

Discussion followed on recruiting an editor for the ESP newsletter. Karla Spencer volunteered that adding this job to the President-Elect's duties might be a way of assuring timely publishing of the newsletter. She agreed to serve as editor on a trial basis and review after the next issue how well the process works. A deadline of May 1 was set for getting newsletter articles to Karla.

In other business, Bob Schultheis requested input on items that should be added to the ESP webpage, which he has arranged and begun at http://outreach.missouri.edu/esp . Suggestions included links for awards applications and deadlines, board meeting minutes and newsletters, member lists, and loan and fellowship information. Bob asked that contributed information be sent in Word97 format, if possible.

Due to a conflict with the CAFNR ITV update on June 8, the next Board Meeting was rescheduled to Wednesday, June 2, 1999, starting at 10:30am at Rolla. Pat Snodgrass will make the room arrangements.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:35am.

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Schultheis, Secretary