Epsilon Sigma Phi Newsletter
Fall 2003

President's Message
by Ina Metzger Linville, ESP President

As fall nears, it is time to think of transitions.  For youth, summer is over and school has begun.  For families, all of the back to school hyper-activity has been survived another year.  The gardeners are planting bulbs and mulching beds for the approaching winter.  On rural roads, one can see combines in action as crops are harvested.  Urban highways are busy with commuters who are now at their usual pace versus a slower summer rhythm.  For all of us, the leaves will soon turn their brilliant colors.  With this time of year, it is time for our organization to elect and transition to your new Epsilon Sigma Phi. 

Let me say, it has been a genuine privilege to serve as your president this past year.  The team providing leadership to the organization has shepherded it through non-conventional times.  Momentum for the new organization year is building as we look forward to the Missouri Galaxy Conference, November 18 – 19 at Windermere Conference Center, Roach, Missouri. http://www.windermereusa.org/Default_2.asp. Barb Casady, Annalist and Professional Development Chair, is working hard with a team representing the other associations to make this event a top-notch professional development event.  Our annual meeting will be held during this event at 10:30 in the Lakeview Lodge.  Come join us as we discuss and conduct business, recognize and initiate new members, honor our award winners, and install our officers.

The national ESP conference will be part of the Galaxy Conference, September 21-25, Salt Lake City.  This is ESP’s 75^th Year nationally.  Wilma Jean Lower has been engaged with the national conference to help it be the festive event for the milestone anniversary.  I will serve as your voting candidate.

Communications to our members is important. Beverly Coberly, President-Elect, has done a wonderful job with the newsletter.  She makes us all sound literate and adds extra tidbits to keep the newsletter engaging and entertaining.

Our Past-President, Georgia Stuart-Simmons, was the shepherd that kept the organization vibrant during a year of major changes.  The year of no-annual conference provided both challenge and opportunity.  See the ballot for the awesome candidates she has recruited!

Nancy Flood has been a wonderful secretary.  Her institutional wisdom and role as the coordinator for new employee orientation helps us connect to other parts of the UOE organization.

Bob Schultheis has been a phenomenal treasurer and web-master.  We appreciate him stepping into the treasurer role upon the retirement of Tom Henderson and being the technology expert for the rest of the leadership team.

Our committee chairs have been awesome.  Pat Snodgrass indicates that the Extension Loan and Fellowship Fund had awarded funding to a record number of individuals.   Rebecca Travnichek, Award Committee Chair, has been diligent seeking nominations for our organization’s awards.  We look forward to the fruits of her committee’s work.  Jim Ollar has been wonderful at helping us connect to our life members and his institutional wisdom is invaluable. Eileen Yager has been helping us keep the opportunity for membership out to our faculty and staff.  Wilma Jean Lower has helped to remember and honor our departed colleagues the Courtesy and Memorial chair. 

As the year has past, I have come to greatly appreciate the talent and commitment of the ESP leadership team. They have truly exemplified professionalism. Let me express my sincere and heart-felt thanks to all of you.

It is now time to transition.  Under the guidance of Beverly Coberly, your president beginning November 1, we look forward to an even better year!

Membership Dues Now Being Accepted
by Bob Schultheis, ESP Treasurer

This is your annual reminder that Epsilon Sigma Phi dues for the 2003-2004 year are now being accepted. In lieu of the traditional membership table ESP has had at previous Annual Conferences, we must rely on e-mail, the ESP website, and members talking with each other to get the word out.

Point your Web browser to http://outreach.missouri.edu/esp/archive/members/application.html. Dues for the coming year are $50 for continuing and returning inactive members, $55 for new members, and $200 for Life Members (retirees only). Print the membership renewal form and send your completed form and dues check to:  Bob Schultheis, ESP Treasurer, Webster County Extension Center, P.O. Box 7, Marshfield, MO  65706.

Just for Life Members
by Jim Ollar, Life Member Chair

“For Lifers”

Happy fall. The inevitable change of seasons is time to anticipate and embrace the changes taking place all around us. An improving economy, international situation and beautiful fall weather are all part of the positive changes that are upon us. One of my favorite personal comments is “I have seen lots of changes in my time and I have been against most of them.” But in fact dealing with change is what a good, full life is all about. In Extension fashion, let’s get informed and involved and help make positive changes for ourselves, families and communities.

The following are the dates, times and places for the fall retirees meetings. Understand the NE group is not gathering this fall. Hope you make time to get to one of these sessions.

Central - Wednesday, October 8, Community United Methodist Church, 3301 West Broadway, Columbia, 11:30 AM
Speakers:  Michael Kenny, MU Coordinator of Retiree Programs, Dr. Lucille Salerno-Ragtime Jazz

Lamar - Thursday, October 9, Blue Top Restaurant (Old Highway 71 and Highway 160 junction), Lamar, 11:30 AM
Speaker:  Judge Frank Conley, "Murderers I Have Known"

Southwest - Friday, October 10, Price Cutter Restaurant, 3260 East Battlefield Road, Springfield, 11:30 AM
Speaker:  Judge Frank Conley, "Murderers I Have Known"

Northwest - Wednesday, October 15, Gallatin Lions Club Community Building, 801 West Grand, Gallatin, 11:30 AM
Speaker: Bill Berry, Missouri historian, "The Trial of Jesse James"

Southeast - Thursday, October 16, Cape Girardeau County Extension Center, 684 W. Jackson Trail, Jackson, 10:30 AM,

Speaker: Robert Beasley, retired reporter, "Reminiscences of Harry Truman"

Sedalia - Friday, October 17, State Fair Best Western Motel & Restaurant, South 65 Highway, Sedalia, 11:30 AM
Speakers: Linda and George McCollum, program of music performed on dulcimers.

Jim Ollar, ESP Life Member committee chair
1251 Covered Bridge Rd
Columbia, MO   65203
jimooo@charter.net
573-442-3023

Courtesy and Memorials
by Wilma Jean Lower, Courtesy and Memorials Chair

FORMER COLLEAGUES TO BE HONORED

The names of twenty one (21) retired and former colleagues have been presented to Courtesy and Memorial Committee chairman Wilma Jean Lower during the past year.  These persons, whose death occurred since last October, will be recognized at the Missouri Galaxy meeting in November are:  (* denotes life Epsilon Sigma Phi member)

Please notify the committee chairman if there are additions are corrections to be made to this list. 

Wilma Jean Lower

471 Highway 32

Fair Play, MO. 65649

Telephone: 417-654-2496

E-mail: fwjlower@alltel.net

Professional Development
The Missouri Galaxy Conference

November 18-19,2003

Sponsored by Missouri Extension Professional Associations

by Barb Casady, Annalist 

Epsilon Sigma Phi, along with the other Missouri Extension Professional Associations, is sponsoring the first annual Missouri Galaxy Conference, Nov. 18-19, at Windemere Conference Center, Lake of the Ozarks.

The 2003 Missouri Galaxy Conference is a professional development event designed by and for UO/E faculty and retirees. Through this conference, participants from all UO/E disciplines will have the opportunity to acquire new professional tools and resources, develop working partnerships, and recognize each other's accomplishments, as well as have fun, relax, and network with colleagues.

The Epsilon Sigma Phi Annual Meeting will be held with the conference – at 10:30 a.m. on November 18.  We hope members will make plans to attend for all or part of the conference.  It will be a great time for us to connect and to work toward the goals of ESP.

The event will conclude with a joint association luncheon and awards ceremony.

Mark your calendars for this great conference, and a more detailed schedule and registration information will be available soon.

Loan & Fellowship
University Outreach and Extension Fellowships
by Pat Snodgrass, Loan and Fellowship Chair

Are you looking for some dollars for a professional development opportunity?  Recent examples include approved funding for the following:

• Shaping a Health Future II Conference

• Leadership St. Louis Program

• Galaxy II Conference

• Educational Classes/Doctoral Studies

• Public Issues Leadership Development Conference

• Agricultural Leadership of Tomorrow

• Six Seconds Certification Level I – Emotional Intelligence

• National Association of Farm Business Analysis Specialists

• Asia/Oceania Regional Congress of Gerontology

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Certification Training

• Internship with Green Chimney’s Children’s Services

These fellowship monies are available to university faculty and professional staff members from UM campuses and LU in continuing their professional development.  Applicants must have two years of consecutive employment with UM or LU.  The total amount individuals may receive during their tenure is $1,500.  Applications are reviewed monthly and individuals selected to receive fellowships are notified within 45 days.  Vivian Mason serves as chair of the overall Fellowship and Awards Committee.  Applications can be completed at this website:  http://outreach.missouri.edu/staff/awards/fellowship.html/.

Epsilon Sigma Phi’s role has been to promote this great funding resource to all staff members.  This fund has also served as a memorial to a colleague and to honor staff upon retirement from the university.  If you choose, consider adding this fund to your personal list and let appropriate people in your life know about the Loan and Fellowship Fund.

Epsilon Sigma Phi Awards
by Rebecca Travnichek, Awards Chair 

Giving recognition is an important function of professional organizations like Epsilon Sigma Phi.  Such recognition is only possible if members assume their responsibilities of membership by participating in the awards process.

Committee members Roxanne Miller, David Hill, Rhonda Gibler, Janet LaFon, Kevin Allen, Georgia Stuart-Simmons, and Rebecca J. Travnichek (chairperson) are currently reviewing application packets.  Award winners will be recognized during Missouri Galaxy, November 18-19, 2003.

2003 ESP Annual Meeting and Notes
by Ina Metzger Linville, ESP President

The annual meeting for 2003 will be November 18 at 10:30 a.m. at Camp Windermere.

More information about the annual meeting will be forthcoming. 

This is a good time to renew your membership in Epsilon Sigma Phi.  Membership information and forms are available at http://outreach.missouri.edu/esp/archive/members/application.html.  We appreciate your commitment to Professional Development through ESP. 

Goals for ESP:  Explore ways that ESP can support Extension professionals in this time of budget crises, possibly by enhancing our contribution to professional development; motivate mid-career Extension professionals to become involved with ESP.

Epsilon Sigma Phi
Alpha Tau Chapter
Board Members
2002-2003 

For More Information
For newsletter items or information, contact:
Beverly Coberly
University Outreach and Extension
3003 E. Chestnut Expressway
Springfield, MO  65802
Phone:  417-865-0707
Fax:  417-865-0186
Email:  CoberlyB@missouri.edu

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