Epsilon Sigma Phi Newsletter
Fall 2004

2004 Calendar of Events and Opportunities 

September 15-18           National ESP Conference – Moline, Illinois
September 17                ESP Awards Nominations Due
November 11-12             Missouri Galaxy Conference – Windermere, Lake of the Ozarks
                                    Epsilon Sigma Phi Annual meeting

Life Members/Retirees Programs:

September 21                Springfield – Gary Smith - “Scopes Monkey Trial”
September 22                Lamar - Gary Smith - “Scopes Monkey Trial”
October 13                    Gallatin – Daryl Hobbs - “Globalization”
October 13                    Columbia – Rex Campbell – historical topics
October 15                    Sedalia – Bill Berry - “Trial of Frank James”
October 22                    Jackson – Bill Berry - “The Civil War in SE MO”

President's Message
by Beverly Coberly, President

This has been a very good year for ESP.  Your board members have been busy working with several events and activities to keep our organization connected to many events and opportunities.  ESP took the opportunity to participate with Annual Conference and used that forum to create continued interest in our organization by encouraging mature members to pay their dues and for new folks to join our organization.  ESP promoted the event and provided prizes for members who participated and assisted the organization.  Another good event was the recent reception at the Missouri State Fair.  This event was a fun reunion and event for those who attended.  Ina Linville, Barb Casady and Jo Turner are to be commended for their efforts to make this event happen.  I hope that as we move forward into the future that our membership will take greater advantage of opportunities to network and engage with others in our work.  Another event opportunity for ESP will be the Missouri Galaxy this fall.  ESP will grow as the membership engages in the networking and professional development opportunities afforded us.  

In this newsletter are awards opportunities, professional development reminders and information regarding national meetings.  These opportunities are available through ESP because ESP is nationally networked.    Also, in this newsletter note when the retirees meetings are.  It’s important that we don’t forget the professionals who built the foundation of Extension.

University of Missouri Extension became a much larger program this year with the integration of the Off Campus Operation along with the Continuing Education side of Extension. As members of ESP, please look for opportunities to include and invite all of Extension to be a part and participate with ESP.  Jo Turner will be taking over the helm of ESP this year as our new President.  Let’s prepare to work and support her efforts next with ESP.

Hope to see I will see you at Missouri Galaxy conference in November!

Plan to Attend Missouri Galaxy Conference
November 11-12, 2004
by Barb Casady, Professional Development Chair

ESP members – both retired and currently employed – will want to join MU Extension Professional organizations at the second Missouri Galaxy Conference.  Two days of fun, fellowship and professional development all in the beautiful Ozark setting of the Windermere Conference Center (located in Roach, Missouri – just south of Camdenton).   All of the Missouri Extension Professional Organizations will be in attendance.  Last year, over 100 MO Extension Professionals attended the conference – it was a great time to connect with co-workers and friends, learn by participating in workshops and celebrate while honoring co-workers for outstanding service.

On November 11, Alpha Tau chapter will host a reception for attendees, recognize new members and initiate new officers.   The tentative evening activities include:

          5:15 – 7:00        Epsilon Sigma Phi Activities - All Galaxy Conferees invited to attend
          5:15 - Reception and refreshments
          6:00 - Memorial for Extension Colleagues
          6:05 - ESP Business meeting and installation of officers
          6:30 - Honor Induction Ceremony for New ESP members 

Be sure to put the dates on your calendar.  For questions, contact Barb Casady – CasadyB@missouri.edu or 573-882-2680

Nominate Colleagues for Awards – Due September 17
by Rebecca Travnichek, Awards Chair

It’s time for you to nominate a colleague for an award!  Giving recognition is an important function of professional organizations like Epsilon Sigma Phi.  Nominations are due by September 17, 2004, so start the process now.  Nominations are sought for:

State Certificate of Recognition
     Regional Faculty (Woman)
     Regional Faculty (Man)
     State Specialist
State Friend of Extension Award
Distinguished Service Award
Mid-Career Service Award
State Early Career Service Award
State Retiree Service Award
State Meritorious Support Service Award
Team Award
Visionary Leadership

The ESP website at http://extension.missouri.edu/esp/awards.html includes award guidelines and a list of past award winners.  Contact one of the Awards Committee members, Richard Sparks, Nancy Flood, Gail Carlson, Pat Snodgrass, Tom Keohan, or Rebecca J. Travnichek (chairperson) for more information. 

The Missouri Alpha Tau Chapter makes it easy for you to nominate someone.  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 will 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. 

For Team awards, don’t be shy in nominating a team of which you are a member!  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.

I hope that many of you take this opportunity to recognize and honor your colleagues and friends.  If you have questions, contact our committee.

It’s Easy to Renew ESP Membership

by Bob Schultheis, ESP Treasurer

Fall is the time to renew Epsilon Sigma Phi membership for the 2004-2005 year.  Why not take a moment right now to check this important task off your to-do list?  To renew, simply go 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.

To stay current on ESP information, people, and the benefits of belonging to this professional association, click on http://outreach.missouri.edu/esp.

Life Members – An Unusual Summer?

by Jim Ollar, Life Member Chair

Does anyone remember a summer requiring weekly lawn mowing right through August (it’s raining as I write this)? When a sitting Governor lost a primary? When a war was “won” but fighting and killing continued daily? When the price of gas was $1.75+? When float streams were continuously floatable (yea rain)? When the USA Olympic basketball team was struggling? When a company that sells nothing but Internet searches was the hottest thing on Wall Street?

Constant change continues to amaze me. New opportunities, new approaches, new solutions, new people all make for a wondrous mosaic all around us. It will stop raining and drought will ensue. We will have a women governor (maybe not in 2005 but before long). The peace will be won. The price of gas will no longer be $1.80 (more likely $2.00+). The Olympics will be back in four years with ups and downs for our competitors. The stock market will continue to confound all logic.

Having the opportunity to live in a land that allows peaceful reflection on all that is going on around us is such a privilege. Knowing that change is likely in numerous facets of our lives but that changes can and will take place without undue turmoil or danger makes life in these Unites States different for us than for most of the world’s inhabitants. We can handle “unusual” summers or winters or falls or springs with confidence that “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is ours to behold.

Remember to pursue some happiness by attending at least one of the regional sessions for retirees this fall. These gatherings are scheduled as noted below:

September 21.......Springfield..........Gary Smith speaking on “The Scopes Monkey Trial” 
September 22.......Lamar................Gary Smith speaking on “The Scopes Monkey Trial” 
October 13............Gallatin..............Daryl Hobbs speaking on "The Causes and Effects of Globalization" 
October 13............Columbia............Rex Campbell speaking on historical topics 
October 15...........Sedalia...............Bill Berry speaking on "The Trial of Frank James" 
October 22.........Jackson..............Bill Berry speaking on “The Civil War in Southeast Mo.”

Hope to see you there.  Go Cardinals, Go Tigers and Go Vote!

Jim Ollar, ESP Life Member Chair, 1251 W. Covered Bridge Rd., Columbia, MO  65203-9408; jimooo@charter.net 

David Hill to represent Missouri at National ESP Conference

by Jo Turner, President-Elect

David Hill, Extension Community Development Specialist, and ESP member from the Northeast region will be Missouri’s voting delegate at the 2004 National ESP Conference in Moline, Illinois.  The Conference will be held September 15-18, involving ESP members from across the nation.  Thanks for representing us, David!

Monies Available…FREE!
 by Pat Snodgrass, Loan and Fellowship Chair

Any university faculty or professional staff member with two years of consecutive employment with UM or LU is eligible to apply for professional development monies from the Extension Loan and Fellowship Fund.  This fund has been established decades ago by Epsilon Sigma Phi members.  The total amount individuals may receive during their tenure is $1,500.  Funds should offset expenses not covered through other sources.  Applications for the monies are reviewed monthly.  The application form can be found at http://outreach.missouri.edu/staff/awards/fellowship.html or on the Epsilon Sigma Phi website at http://outreach.missouri.edu/esp.   Consider the Loan and Fellowship Fund when thinking about national meeting expenses, a specialized training or seminar or advanced degree work. 

You can also honor or memorialize a colleague with a donation to the Fund.  Persons honored are added to a plaque.  Plaques are displayed for all of us to remember the friendship and valuable contributions of a fellow colleague.

Courtesy and Memorials Honor Colleagues

by Wilma Jean Lower, Courtesy and Memorials Chair

Epsilon Sigma Phi has a long tradition of providing special recognition to those who served with us.  Since December 2003, the following colleagues have passed away:

Bill Purnell, 4-H Youth Specialist
Elmer R. Kiehl, Dean of the College of Agriculture
Bonnie Fahrenbrink, senior Accountant in Administrative Management
Jewel Grady, Home economist/Clothing Specialist
Erwin C. Null, Business and Industry Specialist
Ray Day, Extension Agent
Homer Sewell, State Extension Specialist
Roy Jean Carter, 4-H Youth Specialist
Glen Patton, Area Director
Emalyn Turner, Professor Emeritus, Home Economics
Lois Deneke

If you would like to contact family or friends of these deceased colleagues, contact me for details.  Also, please send information regarding the death of any former colleague to:

                Wilma Jean Lower. Chairman
                471 Highway 32
                Fair Play, MO. 65649
                Telephone: 417-654-2496
                E-mail: fwjlower@alltel.net

Thank you for helping us continue this tradition of honor and respect.

National ESP Headquarters The location of our national office / contact is: Linda D. Cook, Executive Director ldcook@mail.ifas.ufl.edu Epsilon Sigma Phi, Inc. espnational.org PO Box 357340 Gainesville, FL 32635-7340 Phone: 352-378-6665 Fax: 352-375-0722

Epsilon Sigma Phi - Alpha Tau Chapter
2003-2004 Board Members

Officers
Beverly Coberly	President
Jo Turner	President-Elect
Ina Linville	Past President
Nancy Flood	Secretary
Robert Schultheis	Treasurer
Barbara Casady	Annalist
Committee Chairs
Eileen Yager	Membership
Rebecca Travnichek	Awards
Barbara Casady	Professional Improvement
Pat Snodgrass	Loan and Fellowship
Wilma Jean Lower	Courtesy / Memorials
Jim Ollar	Retirement
Ina Linville	Nominations

For Newsletter Items or Information Contact:
 Jo Turner
Phone:  573-882-7430/fax 573-884-4225
Email:  TurnerLJ@missouri.edu

---

| 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