In his book The Success Journey, John C. Maxwell defines success as a life long journey. The journey is the pursuit of a dream. Maxwell describes the dream as some would define a mission statement in that our dream provides us with focus and direction.

The author goes on to describe what he believes is the key ingredient to having a "successful journey." Maxwell discusses the importance of a good attitude to our ability to realize our dream. Our attitude is a choice we make and our attitude is not the result of someone else’s actions (past or present). Our attitude is a choice of how we react to the circumstances that affect us.

So how would you describe a great attitude? These are Maxwell’s "Seven Signs of a Great Attitude:"

1. Belief in self. 

"When you believe in yourself, you’re free to focus on improving yourself and reaching your potential."

2. Willingness to see the best in others.
3. Ability to see opportunity everywhere.
4. Focus on solutions.
5. Desire to give.
6. Persistence.
7. Responsibility for their lives.

How do we get our attitudes turned around? First, we claim control and accept responsibility. By focusing on the possibilities, we are able to work more towards identifying solutions rather than the roadblocks. We need to be with positive people. Maxwell points out when we spend time interacting with positive people, we see things as an optimist. Stress is an energy drain. Stress relief is up to each individual but releasing stress is actually a positive energy release. As part of stress relief, we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously. Finally, we must actively pursue a positive attitude. By pursuing, Maxwell suggested we "act yourself into changing."

Maxwell concludes his discussion about attitude with these two questions:

"What is the condition of your attitude?"
"Will it take you very far on the success journey?"

As Extension professionals, each of us has accepted the responsibilities of education, mentor/coach, and a facilitator of change. As we plan for future programs to address the needs of our clientele, remember as you go…"keep moving forward on the journey, making the best of the detours and interruptions turning adversity into advantage."

If you need a book to help you with, as the song says, an attitude adjustment, I highly recommend the book used as the resource for this article. Self-evaluation can be a difficult process, but is certainly a key to continuing professional growth and development. We may realize our professional success and job satisfaction is not related to, but what we are doing with our attitude.

Welcome back to old members and greetings to those who have joined our ranks. We have activities planned that will be valuable to all who participate. We think that several improvements are underway which will be beneficial to our chapter. As always, those who participate usually derive the lion’s share of the benefits.

We are working toward informational meetings on effective investing, planning for our retirement and other related topics of vital interest to our families and us personally. We often get so busy helping everyone else with solving their problems and improving their lives that we neglect timely planning for our own needs. Many of these issues need well informed planning and actions sooner rather than later. Note the article at another part of this letter and watch for the announcement of these sessions which will be jointly sponsored with others.

Our chapter’s major goals for this year are:

The National Meeting of Epsilon Sigma Phi will be in Atlanta, GA this year December 9-12.

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Effective Leadership Practices
The Leader As Follower and Collaborator
(adapted from presentation of John McClusky, Director Nonprofit Management and Leadership Program, UMSL at Extension Leaders Regional Workshop in St. Louis)

A. Leadership influences others to work together to achieve common goals.

Motives are:

• perception of rewards, i.e. status, useful ideas, professional advancement
• identification in a positive manner with the activity
• persuasion and information, not coercive force. A valuable result is expected by those we are influencing.

B. Leadership provides TRUSTED INFLUENCE toward achieving those common goals. Effective leadership makes things happen with and through the actions of others. WE DON’T DO IT ALONE!

What is trusted influence? It’s not mysterious but neither is it easy for many people. It is built by practicing four character traits:

1. Reliability - Keeping our promises
2. Showing others that we value them and have regard for them
3. Integrity - Do we practice what we preach?
4. Is our basic pattern one of "broadcaster" or "gatekeeper",   i.e., Do we share information or attempt to control its flow?

Do we involve others in helping make decisions and put them into practice?

1. Do we ask questions rather than giving our already developed answers?
2. Do we provide opportunity for others to lead us?
3. Are we seen as one who engages in real work in support of others as opposed to the perception that we expect others to do our work for us because our time is really important and their time isn’t really valuable.
4. Becoming a "match maker" rather than the "central switch", i.e., a coordinator of needed actions by several people rather than controlling all the details and doing it all ourselves.
5. Seeking common consensus and understanding rather than forcing acceptance of our pre-conceived ideas (even though they may be great and perfectly correct).

Characteristics are:

1. No pre-determined objectives or solutions
2. Must be a peer problem solver, not the "expert"
3. Does not exercise power of our position to force solutions
4. Stake holders are led to trust the "leaders" and build confidence in the process
5. People are led to believe that something can be done to address the problem(s)
6. We convene and catalyze others to create decisions and solutions to problems.

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Politics, Decision Makers and Supporters
Adapted from presentation by Dr.Michael J. Tate, Assistant Director of Extension, Michigan State University.
Given to participants at JCEP Regional Leadership Workshop in St. Louis, February 14, 1998

1. Keep the issue simple and easy to understand
2. Frame the issue in the current political environment
3. Involve appropriate stakeholders in defining and communicating the issue
4. Be prepared for arguments from those who don’t understand the issue or want to redefine it
5. Identify and be supportive of those who become "champions" of your issue
6. Be passionate, persistent, informed and focused.

Dealing With Realities
(from an original 1993 presentation)

Here are a few observations about the policymaking process:

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1998 Committee members are: Marsha Alexander, Tom Keohan, Susan Mills-Gray, Jim Sawyer, Bob Schultheis and Debby Whiston.

The committee has decided to forgo sponsoring a pre-conference prior to Annual Conference this fall. The committee felt that it is difficult for most staff to be away from home an additional day.

Our committee has decided to work with UO/E’s PDE system to co-sponsor a retirement planning conference. Committee is in the process of working with Tom Henderson and Julie Middleton on this project.

The Alpha Tau Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi continues to support growth of the Extension Loan and Fellowship Fund. The earnings of this permanent endowment are utilized to support professional development of University Outreach and Extension staff. Twice a year, staff have the opportunity to apply for funds for this purpose. Recently named recipients for the July-December 1998 cycle are Lynn Pike and Mel Zielinski.

Presently, the "Weekly News" is being used to determine those that should be remembered with greeting cards. There will be some that I have not remembered with a card. Please accept my apology for this oversight. Therefore, notify me with a ccmail message where I should send a card. This year 11 cards have been sent in regard to deaths, illnesses, and get well situations.

Through the remembrance of life’s changes of the entire Extension family, we hope to maintain the attitude of concern for the personal lives of others that has always been provided by the membership of Epsilon Sigma Phi.

Additional information for both of these internal education efforts will be developed and shared by Tom Henderson, Treasurer, Epsilon Sigma Phi.

Did you know that Epsilon Sigma Phi, the National Honorary Extension Fraternity began in Bozeman, Montana in 1927 and was incorporated May 23, 1930?

In 1997, the National Board listed the following investments that they make in its members:

If you know of a friend or co-worker that is eligible, but not active in Epsilon Sigma Phi, please notify the membership chairman Mel Zielinski via E-mail.

Anyone with five (5) years or more of Extension experience and with at least a 50% extension appointment.

New members $36 (includes a $5 initiation fee)
Current members $31 (yearly membership renewal)
Life members $100 (one-time payment when you retire)

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