Summer 2002 ESP Newsletter

What a lot has happened since our last issue of the ESP news! Since that time, the state budget situation has resulted in severe budget cuts for UOE. The impact of those cuts has created a significant impact for all of us as Extension employees as well as Epsilon Sigma Phi members.

The cancellation of UOE’s annual conference creates several challenges for our organization. We must now adjust our plans for our annual meeting, elections and awards presentations. At the same time, opportunities for professional development provided by UOE have been drastically reduced. As an organization that has the goal of providing professional improvement to its members, we are challenged to consider ways that we can fill in the gap.

And finally, our organizations own financial situation has come to the point where we must consider raising dues for members. Tom Henderson provides information on the dues situation in his article in this newsletter. Please read it and the comments that follow for an understanding of the financial challenges that our organization faces and the reasons for proposing the dues increase.

While these situations may certainly challenge our organization, they also provide opportunities to look for new ways to serve our members and to reach out to others in the Extension organization. We need the best thoughts of all of our members to determine how to meet these challenges. Please help us as we consider: How shall we conduct the business of the organization? How can we support our members’ professional development? How shall we present awards to our honorees in a way that is meaningful?

The Epsilon Sigma Phi board is considering several options, along with the boards of the other Extension affiliated professional associations. Our board will meet on August 27. Please contact any member of the board to share your ideas or concerns. It is critical that we work together to turn these challenges into opportunities for Epsilon Sigma Phi to step forward and take action.

Mr. James sent me the following note after our last newsletter: AI am now 97 years old and retired from Extension in 1971. I served about four years as chemical consultant for a chemical company after leaving Extension. Next, I became involved in the Senior Citizens program; served as chairman of the local county council and delivered Meals on Wheels for six years. I served on the Southeast Missouri Area Agency for several years and was chairman of that organization. My wife, Mildred, and I enjoyed several bus tours including Eureka Springs, Arkansas and the World’s Fair in New Orleans. I feel keeping busy has been partly responsible for my enjoying my good health. W.F. James, Presbyterian Manor, 500 Cayce, Farmington, MO 63640

With all the wisdom and experience garnered from almost 2 years in the ranks of retired Extensioners here are a few observations concerning retirement that I’ve picked up both from watching others and my own activities.

Most of us manage to stay busy (but maybe not rat-race busy) most of the time. This is a time to do, or at least try to find time to do those things we have always thought we wanted to get done but just didn’t get around to. There is opportunity for family to grow closer and share in more activities. We are considerably more selective of what we get involved in. The big change from working is that we generally have more control of our schedules---but not completely. Anytime one is involved in activities including others there has to be give and take when setting times for activities.

Most of us seem to get involved in some things that are awfully close to work and considerable expenditure of physical effort. Some take part-time or perhaps full-time jobs for a while. Others develop the best lawn, or flowerbeds or fruit trees and berries and vegetable gardens around and then end up giving lots of stuff away. Some develop horticultural crops or farming businesses and put all that good knowledge to work for our own purposes, which we shared with clients for so many years.

Some of the stuff we do involves travel; increased visiting with friends and relatives; volunteering at myriads of good things; Church activities, chores and leadership; NARFE, AARP, Extension Retirees, Extension-related activities and other such groups; political, legislative and other worthwhile causes. Most all these efforts are intended to help people and make the world a better place for all Sounds kind of like Extension doesn’t it. We just do it in a slightly different angle and pace. I’m beginning to understand what some old timers mean when they say, “Don’t worry about it. You just aren’t going to get everything done that you thought you would.”

Whatever the path we take in retirement the intent is to do our thing---at our pace.

Last issue we asked for ideas on reducing ESP costs so as to keep this letter coming to retirees. Some of you replied suggesting you could receive the newsletter by e-mail. For all that this is possible please send a note and your e-mail address to either Ina Lynn Metzger or Bob Schultheis.

They may be contacted at MetzgerIL@missouri.edu phone 573-882-4319, FAX 573-884-4225, Address 205 Whitten Hall, Columbia, MO. 65211 and SchultheisR@missouri.edu 417-859-2044, P.O. Box 7, Marshfield, MO 65706.

The ESP Board is addressing the issue of declining balances in our treasury by studying the need for a dues increase. In an effort to assist them and the membership better understand the local and national picture, this summary is being provided. Currently ESP annual renewal dues for Alpha Tau members are $41. Of that amount collected, the local chapter keeps $11 and $30 is returned to the National Office for its work on our behalf. It has been many years since the local chapter portion of the dues has been changed although the national portion increased several years ago and lifetime membership recently increased from a one-time cost of $100 to $150. It should be noted that none of the lifetime membership monies currently stay with our state chapter.

In studying other states and their dues structures, the state portion of their dues range from a low of $2.50 in Nevada to a high of $30 in Minnesota and Illinois. Ten states currently collect $10/year and eleven states collect $20 or more for local purposes. In addition, seventeen states collect additional one- time dues for lifetime members that range from $6-200 with $50 being the mode across the country.

Our ESP budget has been constricted in recent years by the growth of lifetime members in part because of several successful early retirement programs at the University of Missouri and a decreasing number of renewals. Our chapter has amended its membership requirements to be more inclusive and has arguably stayed among the most active chapters in terms of our purposes in the country. Rather than sacrificing our work in support of Extension issues of professional development, recognition and leadership, we have slowly and thoughtfully drawn down the chapter balances.

The point is approaching for board and membership consideration that will require adjustments in our historic efforts or our means of annual support. The somewhat unique loan and fellowship fund sponsored by ESP is alone worth our continued support. If anyone has further questions or seek clarification about membership or budget information they may contact Tom Henderson at (573) 882-7478 or hendersont@missouri.edu/

As a result of the financial situation described above, the Epsilon Sigma Phi board voted at their January 10 meeting to propose the following dues increases:

The result of this dues increase would be an estimated additional $685 for the chapter’s annual budget (based on estimated annual membership of 65 and two new life members). For the current year, the budget is anticipating a $587 deficit. This proposal will be presented for a vote of the members at the 2002 annual meeting.

Missouri Epsilon Sigma Phi members are invited to point their Web browsers to http://outreach.missouri.edu/esp to stay up-to-date on ESP people, information and benefits. The site offers listings of the state officers and committee chairs, both on-line and downloadable versions of member newsletters and board minutes, plus links to other professional associations. Requirements for scholarships, loans and mini-grants are listed under the "Benefits" section. Click on the "Members" button to get a membership application form or see who the other ESP contacts are for your region.

Anyone with suggestions on ways to make the site more user-friendly can e-mail me at schultheisr@missouri.edu. Please send any information you wish to contribute in Word2000 format, if possible.

Please take time to nominate a fellow ESP member or colleague for an appropriate award. For most awards the person you nominate must be an Epsilon Sigma Phi member. However, there are a few exceptions such as the Friends of Extension Award, Visionary Leadership Award, and State Meritorious Support Service Award. To find out if your nominee is an ESP member, contact one of the Awards Committee members or refer to the current list of active members available on the web at: http://outreach.missouri.edu/esp/archive/members/active2002.html. A list of past recipients can be found at: http://outreach.missouri.edu/esp/archive/awards/awardees.html

A copy of the nomination guidelines is available on the ESP website at: http://outreach.missouri.edu/esp/archive/awards/2002_Nomination_Form.html. National ESP Guidelines indicate that nominations for all awards are limited to no more than two pages. In order to simplify the process at the state level, we are willing to accept nominations that are shorter in length as long as they outline the individual’s key professional and program accomplishments and include a short statement of support. We don’t need a picture at this point either. If nominations are in categories that will go on for regional and national consideration, the committee will work with recipients to develop a more complete nomination packet.

Guidelines for the Team Award are also included on the web site. The team award was designed to recognize outstanding efforts of extension staff teams in responding to one or more of the national initiatives identified by the Cooperative Extension System. In order to be successful at the regional and national level programs need to be ongoing efforts that show impact. Explaining who benefited and how individuals or communities were changed is a critical component of the nomination.

I hope that many of you take this opportunity to recognize and honor your colleagues and friends. Nominations are due to Karen Funkenbusch by September 6, 2002. 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. If you have questions, contact one of the committee members.

Courtesy and Memorials

Please remember to share pertinent information about your current and former colleagues with the Courtesy and Memorial committee. Information can be sent submitted to:

Upcoming Dates

National ESP Headquarters

The location of our national office / contact is:

Linda D. Cook, Executive Director

Epsilon Sigma Phi, Inc.
Espnational.org

PO Box 357340
Gainesville, FL 32635-7340
Phone: 352-378-6665
Fax: 352-375-0722
E-mail: ldcook@mail.ifas.ufl.edu

For More Information
For newsletter items or information, contact:
Ina Lynn Metzger
University of Missouri - Columbia
212 Whitten Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: 573-882-4319
Fax: 573-882-4225
Email: metzgeril@missouri.edu

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

Officers
Georgia Stuart-Simmons	President
Ina Lynn Metzger	President-Elect
Gail Carlson	Past President
Roxanne Miller	Secretary
Thomas A. Henderson	Treasurer
Robert Schultheis	Annalist

Committee Chairs
Rex Ricketts	Membership
Karen Funkenbusch	Awards
Karla Deaver	Professional Improvement
Pat Snodgrass	Loan and Fellowship
Wilma Jean Lower	Courtesy / Memorials
Dale Hagerman	Retirement
Gail Carlson	Nominations