Spring 2004 ESP Newsletter

May 18-20                   University of Missouri Extension Annual Conference – Columbia
June 9                         Submit articles for Alpha Tau newsletter
August 16                   ESP Reunion Celebration – Missouri State Fair - Sedalia
September 6              ESP Awards Nominations Due
September 15-18       National ESP Conference – Moline, Illinois

April 14 – Central, Columbia
April 15 – Southeast, Jackson
April 16 – West Central, Sedalia
April 28 – Northeast Missouri, Troy
May 12 – Northwest Missouri, Gallatin
May 13 – Southwest, Lamar
May 14 – Southwest, Springfield
May 18 – Statewide – Retirees Session at Annual Conference

This promises to be a good year for ESP! Your ESP Board is working hard to revitalize our organization and has plans that are moving forward. We are conducting membership drive campaigns (such as the Renew by 2-22), creating a strong presence at Annual Conference, revitalizing the ESP brochure, working to connect with retirees, and seeking new membership opportunities. Be sure to read this newsletter all the way to the end so you have the information about all of the ESP activities and benefits that planned by the working committees.

The number one question your ESP Board challenges itself with is the question of “what is the benefit of being a Missouri ESP member?” We continue to cite the professional development opportunities in our organization and the role that ESP has played to get those opportunities into place. Now, we are looking for new and exciting ways to engage our membership. In this newsletter, you’ll find information on activities designed to revitalize the Alpha Tau Chapter.

At our March 31, 2004 Board meeting, we identified four possible action strategies to increase ESP vitality this year. These ideas will be developed and board action will occur on them at our June 9 board meeting. The ideas are:

As you can see, we have a very active board and we need your help! We are attempting to add value to the ESP membership in Missouri while addressing organizational needs within our state. Please share any input you have about these with your ESP Board Member.

Along with the Missouri ESP Board’s desire for increased vitality, the National ESP Board has several exciting projects. One that is particularly interesting is the “National Initiative to Internationalize Extension”. Check out this website to see what wonderful global opportunities are available. http://www.uwyo.edu/ces/esp/espinternational.htm

The ESP National Website also has several great links to other important Extension organizations and initiatives. One of the frequently-asked questions about ESP is “What benefits will I receive from being a member of ESP?” Take a look at Benefits on our website http://outreach.missouri.edu/esp as you recruit your colleagues to participate in ESP.

We look forward to your assistance and help. I hope to see you at Annual Conference, the State Fair and the National ESP Conference this year.

We are looking forward to seeing all ESP members at the MU Extension Annual Conference, May 18-20 in Columbia. On May 18, be sure to stop by the ESP booth to pick up a sticker identifying you as an E S P member. You can also find out if you are a winner in the “Renew by 2-22” drawing, and pick up your prize. All active members who paid their dues by February 22, 2004 are eligible for the prize drawing. Check to see if you are eligible at Members Eligible for "Renew by 2-22" Prize Drawing, http://outreach.missouri.edu/esp. Annual Conference is an excellent time to acquaint your coworkers with the benefits of Epsilon Sigma Phi membership, so bring a potential member with you when you stop by the ESP table. See you in Columbia!

Active membership currently stands at 49 members, up from 42 last year. Thanks to all ESP members who were involved in recruiting! We currently have 109 Life Members. Applications for ESP membership for 2004 are still being accepted, so if you know of someone in your region with a 50% or greater Extension appointment and three or more years of service as of August 31, 2003, invite them to join or renew their membership. You can print out and have them complete the application/renewal form on the ESP website at http://outreach.missouri.edu/esp/archive/members/application.html, and send it along with their dues check to Bob Schultheis, ESP Treasurer, Webster County Extension Center, P.O. Box 7, Marshfield, MO 65706.

Mark your calendars for Monday, August 16, to meet and mingle with your fellow active and life ESP members at the Missouri State Fair. Plans at this time are gather at the tent next to the 4-H building at 10:00 a.m. for refreshments and camaraderie (and shade). There will be ample time to take in the events of the fair prior and after our reunion. Come join your fellow extension colleagues on August 16 in Sedalia.

HAPPY SPRING! Spring is about change and University Extension is right in the vogue with making changes. As we all learned (and then taught) change is inevitable and when studied, prodded, and ultimately embraced is almost always for the best. Our University of Missouri Extension is moving ahead with new ventures, enthusiastic staff and a continuing bright future. The changes may not be what you or I might have envisioned but the current context is not what we experienced so it is a challenge (at least for me) to make comparisons with the “good old days”. I expect most of you would agree with me that right now is the good old days.

All are invited to the 2004 Annual Conference, May 18-20 in Columbia. There will be a program for retirees the afternoon of the 18^th, coordinated by John Parker. You will receive a mailing with registration and program information. This is another good opportunity to renew, both friendships and information about Extension.

The spring retirees meetings are scheduled at times and places noted below. You should receive information about a session close to you. These are great opportunities to gather with colleagues, enjoy some fellowship (and food) and maybe even learn something new.

April 14 – Central Missouri, 11:30 AM, Community United Methodist Church, 3301 West Broadway, Columbia
April 15 – Southeast Missouri, 10:30 AM, Cape Girardeau County Extension Center, Jackson
April 16 – West Central, 11:30 AM, State Fair Motel & Restaurant, South 65 Highway, Sedalia
April 28 – Northeast Missouri, 11:30 AM, Woods Fort Country Club, just outside of Troy
May 12 – Northwest Missouri, 11:30 AM, Lions Club Community Building, Gallatin
May 13 – Southwest, 11:30 AM, Blue Top Restaurant, Lamar
May 14 - Southwest, 11:30 AM, Price Cutter Restaurant, 3260 E. Battlefield Rd., Springfield

If you have questions, contact me at: Jim Ollar, 1251 W. Covered Bridge Road., Columbia, MO 65203; jimooo@charter.net

The annual National ESP Conference is in our backyard this year and we are hoping for a strong showing from the Missouri Alpha Tau chapter. Plans call for a van from Columbia to defray travel costs for those interested in attending. ESP members can also apply for Professional Development funds to attend this conference. The “Midwest Magic on the Mississippi River” will focus on extension nationally and the changes that are occurring. Speakers include Orion Samuelson, Communicating with Your Stakeholders, Dr. Sharon Anderson, Extension in the 21^st Century, and Dr. Gary Weaver, Challenges for Leadership in a Multicultural, Global Society. The conference allows for greater networking with national leaders who make decisions about extension on a national level. If you have not gone to a National ESP meeting…..try this one! For conference information, visit the national ESP website: http://espnational.org/ Watch for details in future Alpha Tau newsletters.

Are you looking for dollars to support a professional development opportunity? Extension Loan and Fellowship monies are available to university faculty and professional staff members from UM campuses and LU in continuing their professional development. Recent examples include approved funding for the following:

Applicants must have two years of consecutive employment for 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 you life know about the Loan and Fellowship Fund.

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. Please take time to nominate a fellow ESP member or colleague for an appropriate award.

For most awards, the person you nominate must be a member of Epsilon Sigma Phi. However, there are a few exceptions such as the Friends of Extension Award, Visionary Leadership Award, and the State Meritorious Support Service Award. To find out if your nominee is a current member, check the ESP website. Awards Committee members are Richard Sparks, Nancy Flood, Gail Carlson, Pat Snodgrass, Tom Keohan, and Rebecca J. Travnichek (chairperson). A list of past award recipients is also available via the website: http://outreach.missouri.edu/esp/awards.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. Award guidelines are also available on the website.

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 on going 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. Completed nominations are due to me by September 6, 2004. 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 other committee members or me.

Epsilon Sigma Phi has a long tradition of providing special recognition to those who served with us. 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

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

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
TBA	Professional Improvement
Pat Snodgrass	Loan and Fellowship
Wilma Jean Lower	Courtesy / Memorials
Jim Ollar	Retirement
Ina Linville	Nominations