The annual meeting of the Alpha Tau chapter was held at Winderemere Conference Center, Camdenton, MO, beginning at 5:30 p.m.  Beverly Coberly, president, welcomed the members.  She noted that the meeting time was short due to the upcoming reception that ESP was sponsoring for the Galaxy Conference attendees.  She thanked the past years officers for their service to the association during the past year and asked each to pick up a note holder as a token of her appreciation when they gave their annual reports.

Minutes – Nancy Flood distributed the minutes from last year’s Annual Meeting and noted that minutes of the executive committee meetings during the year were posted to the ESP website.  Bill Casady moved the minutes be approved.  Georgia Stuart-Simmons seconded.  Minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s Report - Bob Schultheis reported that we currently have $4,334.42 in available operating funds ($633.82 in checking; $3404.60 in money market; $305.05 dues and $9 outstanding check). 

He also presented the total accounts balance of the previous 5 years to show a comparison:

            9/30/99                           $ 4,539.09
            9/30/00                           $ 3,016.17
            9/30/01                           $ 2,686.94
            9/30/02                           $ 2,685.05
            9/30/03                           $ 2,720.55

Our active members are 49, up 7 from Nov ‘03.  Our goal for 2004 for was 45 members.   We have 103 life members, down 8 November ’03.  Annette Fitzgerald moved the report be accepted.  Terry Egan seconded.  The motion passed.    Bev thanked Bob for the extra service he has provided to ESP by maintaining the website.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Nominating and Elections Committee:  Barb Casady reported that Nancy Flood had consented to serve as President-Elect, Cathy Allen as Secretary, Van Ayers as Annalist.  Election was held by e-mail with mail ballots sent to retirees.  Continuing officers will be:  Jo Turner, President; Bob Schultheis, Treasurer; Beverly Coberly, Past President. 

Installation of Officers:  Barb Casady installed the new officers with the exception of Van Ayers who was not present.  She used a rainbow theme to recognize the characteristics and responsibilities of each office.

New president, Jo Turner, received the gavel from Bev.  She welcomed all of the guests who are not ESP members, encouraged them to join the fraternity, and explained its benefits.  She said Epsilon Sigma Phi is made up of “People who have made a commitment to the profession of Extension.” 

Awards Committee Report:  Rebecca Travnichek said that ESP would be presenting four awards at the Galaxy award ceremony.  They are Outstanding Regional Specialist Female – Sandra McKinnon, EC Region; Team Award - Southwest Region News Service; Meritorious Support, Sherri Helm, Business Development Associate; and Visionary Leadership - Thomas A. Henderson, Interim Director.  She noted that the team award would recognize 30 people.  She encouraged members to apply for the awards in the future.  ESP has nearly 15 awards available.

Loan and Fellowship Report:  Bev Coberly reported for Pat Snodgrass.  She said the purpose of the Loan and Fellowship Fund is to award monies for professional development and serve as a funding source to memorialize or honor our colleagues.  Epsilon Sigma Phi is proud of its history in starting and promoting this fund for several decades.

As of 11/09/04, the principal balance is $123,606.79.  The following is the complete financial information for FY04:

We have received only one donation in the last couple of years to the fund:  $60 in memory of Emalyn Turner and Jewell Grady.  Please remember this fund in your estate plans, as a memorial, and in recognition of a colleague's service to Extension and the University of Missouri.

Membership:  Eileen Yager, chair, was not in attendance.  Bob Schultheis reported that we had 1 new member and 48 renewals, exceeding our membership goal of 45.

Professional Development:  Barb Casady reported that ESP has co-sponsored the Galaxy conference and donated $200 toward a punch reception.  She has served on the Galaxy planning committee and assisted in hosting an ESP reception at the Missouri State Fair this summer.

Retirement:  Jo reported for Jim Ollar who is our liaison to life members.  Many retirees and life members attended annual conference this year.  Meetings will be held in spring ’05 across the state.

Memorial:    Wilma Jean Lower noted that she will give her report during this evening’s reception and will conduct a short memorial at that time to honor the deceased members.  She encouraged the membership to send her the names of colleagues who pass away.

OLD BUSINESS

Change of ESP Year:  The Executive Committee recommended that the ESP year be changed to Sept. 1 – Aug. 31, because there is no consistent time for annual conference now.  Bev Coberly moved to make this change.  Bill Casady seconded.  Motion carried.

National ESP Conference:  Dave Hill was our delegate to national ESP conference in Davenport, Iowa.  National chapter has been working on the future direction of the organization.  There was great emphasis on ESP as the Extension professional’s only umbrella organization nationally.   Noted changes:  Dues payable by Feb 1 annually; failure to pay dues for 3 consecutive years moves one to the past member database; association business may now be conducted via e-mail.  Dave felt the meeting was very good.

NEW BUSINESS

Induction of New Members:  Jo Turner inducted Cathy Allen and Rick Mammen as new members of Alpha Tau Chapter.  She announced that Bob Broz, Cassy Venters and Donna Clavin Mistler will also be new members.   Jo said that membership in Epsilon Sigma Phi demonstrates commitment to Extension work as a career.  Building human capital and helping people reach their potential is what ESP is all about.  She also said that Alpha Tau chapter will help new members build relationships, increase self worth and build interdependence.  The membership welcomed the new members by jointly reciting the Extension Creed.

President’s Message:  Jo challenged the membership to renew their commitment and to determine how we will promote Extension to decision-makers.  She challenged members to decide what each will do.  She charged each member to recruit a new member.  Dues will be due by Feb. 1.

The meeting adjourned to the lodge for a reception.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Flood
Secretary

| Home Page | Officers | Committees | Members | Benefits | Loan & Fellowship | Awards |
| Minutes | Newsletters | Photo Gallery | Bylaws| Handbook | Associations | Archives |

Web Manager:  Bob Schultheis Webster County Extension Center Email comments to: schultheisr@missouri.edu Last revised: 11/05/09