Epsilon Sigma Phi Newsletter
Spring 2000

President's Message
by Karla Spencer, ESP President

Recently I have been experiencing some changes in my work environment. We are moving our office temporarily due to some construction in our courthouse, thus the need to relocate. Although this is the best choice for us, the change is still uncomfortable. As I try to take the move and all that goes with it in stride, I still feel the stress of the little uncertainties of our move.

As L.W. Lynett said, "The most effective way to cope with change is to help create it." I hope you will take this opportunity and help create change in University Outreach and Extension.

ESP Awards Nominations Due Sept. 8
by Brenda Procter, ESP Awards Committee Chair

The Epsilon Sigma Phi Awards Committee issued a call for nominations for Year 2000 awards on May 31. Awards include:

Start the process now. Think of one or two colleagues that you believe are deserving of recognition. Then look at your calendar and block a few hours off to complete the nomination forms. To find out if your potential nominee is an ESP member, to receive a complete set of awards guidelines, or to get a list of past recipients, contact an Awards Committee member. You may also refer to the list of active members available on the web at: <http://outreach.missouri.edu/esp/archive/members/active2000.html>.

Year 2000 Awards Committee members are Wilma Schuh, Gail Carlson, Ina McClain, Karma Metzgar, Phyllis Flanigan, Linda Rellergert, David Hill, Janet LaFon and Brenda Procter (chairperson). Nominations are due to Brenda Procter by September 8, 2000.

National ESP Increases Dues
by Gail Carlson, ESP President-Elect

National ESP has voted to increase dues from $20 to $30 for active members and from $100 to $150 for life members as of January 1 2001. There will be no increase in the state portion of the dues, which is $11 for active members. Missouri does not have dues for life members over and above those charged by national. As a result of this increase, dues for Alpha Tau Chapter members will be $41 for active members and $150 for life members. Members will notice this increase later this year when they pay their 2001 dues during annual conference.

News from the Professional Development Committee
by Joan Hickman, ESP Professional Development Committee Chair

The November 30, 2000 ESP Downlink will feature extension programs of excellence from across the nation. Missouri has submitted for inclusion in the downlink the "Water Quality Education in the Classroom" program. This program received the 1999 Missouri Alpha Tau Chapter ESP Team Award and has been submitted for the 2000 national ESP Team Award. As more information becomes available about the content of the downlink, the regional committee contacts will be helping decide about the number and location of downlink sites that will offer the program. Stay tuned . . .

Epsilon Sigma Phi -- Extension Loan and Fellowship
by Pat Snodgrass, ESP Loan and Fellowship Committee Chair

The Missouri Extension Loan and Fellowship Fund provides you and other professional extension staff:

• Financial help to carry out advanced study programs.
• A way for you to help your colleagues advance themselves professionally.
• An opportunity to recognize a colleague or friend.

With many upcoming UOE retirements, the Loan and Fellowship Fund is a great way to honor a friend or colleague.

ESP Reestablishes Retirement Committee
by Gail Carlson, ESP President-Elect

ESP President Karla Spencer has appointed Barb Froke as chairperson of the ESP Retirement Committee. Barb is in the process of forming a small committee and has developed the following proposed plan of work.

1. Communicate committee work and retirement issues through the ESP Newsletter on a regular basis, starting with the Fall 2000 issue of the newsletter. 
2. Using the ESP newsletter, keep ESP members updated on changes in the UM retirement system or the Civil Service system. 

3. Work with others to develop feature stories about retiree’s and their activities. Use the newsletter to highlight these activities and when appropriate nominate individuals for the State Retiree Award.
4. Survey all Life Members letting them know about the committee and asking for their input about content for the newsletter and topics they would like covered at the retiree’s meeting associated with Annual Conference. This information will be shared with the Annual Conference Planning committee. Information about the ESP web page will also be shared. Life members will be asked if they have e-mail and would like to have their electronic address listed on the web page.
5. Send congratulatory letter and certificate to new retirees on a regular basis.

ESP has 119 life members and with the early retirement program an increase in this number is anticipated. Reestablishing this committee is an appropriate way to recognize the importance of this retiree group to our fraternity.

National PILD Conference Encourages Partnerships
by Roxanne T. Miller

I was pleased to represent our Epsilon Sigma Phi chapter at the Public Issues Leadership Development Conference (PILD) in Washington, DC, held April 2-5. What a super experience! I learned a lot and also enjoyed touring the various Washington sites (especially my first trip to the Holocaust Memorial Museum — powerful and simply incredible!).

• Sen. Richard Lugar, chair, Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee, spoke about "agricultural America" at a legislative breakfast. He said he’s one of only two on his committee with farming experience, and "the rest are advocates." "I respect the work of extension in our state (Indiana) and the country," he said. "These are serious times in agriculture. You take this seriously, and so do I."
• Charles Laughlin, administrator, CSREES/USDA, stressed three priorities for extension: partnerships ("our slogan should be ‘Partnerships are us!’"); diversity ("we’re challenged to communicate with more diversified groups in our communities"); and impact of technology ("as virtual educators, how are we set up to give information when and where people want it, not how we’ve always done it?"). He stressed, "I truly believe creativity, innovation and imagination are here with all of you (in extension). You don’t leave your footprints in the sand — you leave them in concrete."
• Barry Flinchbaugh, Kansas State extension state leader in agricultural economics, explained that in the public policy arena, "the educator’s key role is to increase the body of fact and to decrease the body of mythology." He said the most efficient way to get this done with legislators is "in five minutes and one page."
• Cindy Bigger, University of Minnesota extension educator, said extension professionals must tell stories in a strategic way to elected officials, showing impact on individuals. "A good story can be told in 30 seconds," she said. "And don’t forget the importance of a short hand-written note after talking with a legislator."
• C. Randall Nuckolls, a Washington attorney who grew up on a farm in Georgia and represents educational institutions, said, "Congressional staffers have no clue about extension or partnerships, nor do they necessarily agree that government should be involved in what we’re involved in." This means that "we always have to prove ourselves to Washington." He said that with "all the noise" of the current political issues of gun control, trade with China, energy prices, Elian, and Microsoft, "it’s very difficult to get anyone to listen about the Cooperative Extension Service."
• Laurel Kubin, national Epsilon Sigma Phi president, urged ESP chapter members to:1) get involved in national committees; 2) attend the Year 2000 National ESP Professional Development Conference, Salt Lake City, Nov. 30-Dec. 2 (and remember the conference is for all extension professionals, not just ESP members); 3) visit the national ESP web site, http://esp-nat.tamu.edu; 4) remember annual scholarships are available for retirees and administrators to attend the national ESP conference; and 5) note that the national conference will probably change permanently to September, beginning with the Sept. 20-22, 2001, conference in Albany, NY.

Thank you for the opportunity!

Dates to Remember

• October 23-24, 2000 -- Extension Annual Conference, Columbia, MO
• November 30 - December 2, 2000 -- Year 2000 National ESP Conference in Salt Lake City. The theme for this year’s conference is ANTICIPATE EXCELLENCE - PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS.
• November 30, 2000 --The ESP National Professional Development Downlink. This year’s program will highlight outstanding programs and successful projects.
• September 20 - 22, 2001 -- Year 2001 National Conference, Albany, New York

For More Information
For newsletter items or information, contact:
Gail Carlson
University Outreach & Extension
University of Missouri-Columbia
2401 Lemone Indus. Blvd. (DC345.00)
Columbia, MO 65212
Phone:  (573) 882-4107
Fax:  (573) 882-5666
E-mail: carlsonga@health.missouri.edu

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1999-2000 Alpha Tau Board Officers

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