Spring 2005 ESP Newsletter

April 17-20            Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) Conference, Washington, D.C.
May 20                 Submit articles for Alpha Tau newsletter
September 12      ESP Awards Nominations Due
October 10-12     University of Missouri Extension Annual Conference – Columbia
November 9-12    National ESP Conference – “Colorado Gold”, The Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Have you looked at our new crop of Extension professionals lately? In case you missed it, more than 36 new regional extension specialists have been employed since 2003, and there are more to come. If you want to learn more about these new colleagues, visit the Extension website at: http://outreach.missouri.edu/staff/orientation/ and select “Meet our New Faculty.” You’ll find photos and brief bios on each individual. Chances are, one of these folks is headquartered very near you.

In next three months, I challenge every active and Life ESP member to contact at least one of these new colleagues. As veteran Extension workers, we can make a huge difference in helping a new specialist learn the ropes and gain a sense of belonging in our organization. You can be an important resource, mentor and positive role model for a new specialist, and that can make all the difference in job satisfaction and retention. These new colleagues are Extension's future, and we Extension "veterans" need to support and encourage them.

As President of the Alpha Tau chapter, I’m sometimes asked, “What’s can Epsilon Sigma Phi do for me?” This year, let’s turn this question upside down and ask, “What can I do for Epsilon Sigma Phi and University of Missouri Extension?” Please take time to contact a new specialist and be sure to mention that Epsilon Sigma Phi sent you!

Greek letters seem to carry with them a veil of mystery. Thus, some of our colleagues wonder, “What is this ESP fraternity and why do we even have such an organization?” ESP might very well stand for Extension Service Professionals. We are the professional association that celebrates Extension as a career. We subscribe to the Extension Worker’s creed. Let me quote it in part, “I BELIEVE that Extension is the link between the people and the ever-changing discoveries in the laboratories. I BELIEVE in the public institutions of which I am a part. I BELIEVE in my own work and in the opportunity I have to make my life useful to humanity. Because I BELIEVE these things, I am an Extension professional.”

In February, I attended the North Central Joint Council of Extension Professionals Conference in Milwaukee, WI. The theme, “Effective Strategies for Building Support with Decision Makers ---Getting from Good to Great,” stimulated great discussion among Extension professionals in the north central states about how we can be more effective in the political arena. It’s a place we all need to be proactive --- our future and the future of Extension depend upon it. As an ESP member, I hope you’ll seek opportunities to get involved --- attend Legislative Day; invite legislators to attend or participate in your programs; keep your Extension Councils, County Commissioners, and other supporters informed about what you are doing to improve people’s lives.

Alpha Tau chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi encourages you to get involved. Join us in our efforts to make Extension the best it can be and to develop our staff to its finest. Improve yourself by taking advantage of our award opportunities, Extension Loan and Fellowship, and the professional development we support on both the national and state basis.

Spring is on the horizon so time to start planning out of doors activities. While many have taken the winter opportunity to get away to more temperate climes, spring remains the time to truly get involved with budding nature. Seed catalogs have been perused and orders placed, landscaping changes diagramed, fishing trips planned and golf clubs repaired/replaced. We must keep moving to avoid rust, both physical and mental.

I trust that many are following news about potential changes in Social Security. Those participating in Social Security must stay aware of changes. Those participating in a federal retirement plan should be aware there is so little public understanding of such plans that Congress is under constant pressure to diminish benefits. Anyone not a member of NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association) should seriously consider joining as this is the primary organization working to maintain federal retirement benefits. Information is available on-line at http://www.narfe.org

Spring meetings for Extension retirees have been set. Specific times and places will be announced in the weekly newsletter and in letters to past participants. These are great opportunities to maintain contact with colleagues. Please join us.

Retirees are always welcome at the annual Legislative Day in Jefferson City. This session is scheduled for Wednesday, March 16. Contact a local Extension office for information.

If you have ideas for information you would like to see in the ESP newsletter or activities ESP should consider, contact me or any board or committee member.

Jim Ollar
Chair- Life Members Committee
1251 W. Covered Bridge Rd.
Columbia, MO 65203
573-442-3023

At the 2004 Missouri Galaxy Conference, several of our colleagues were honored as award winners.

Dr. Thomas A. Henderson, Interim Vice Provost and Director of Cooperative Extension, was selected for the 2004 Visionary Leadership Award.

The themes of partnership, vision, opportunity, decision-making, accountability, empowering staff, moving forward, and caring for faculty and staff repeat themselves in both documents and testimony describing Tom Henderson’s work and leadership in University of Missouri Extension. His leadership has resulted in new programs, new revenue sources, the establishment of policies and procedures that lead to empowering staff and accountability and timely decision-making. He clearly accomplishes a great deal. He clearly is a visionary who takes and creates opportunities. However, many leaders accomplish a great deal. And some leaders are visionaries who create and can respond to opportunities. But, to accomplish a great deal and be a visionary and, at the same time, do this with the care and concern for individuals that he demonstrates, is the skill of an exceptional, visionary leader.

Dr. Henderson’s award application packet has now been submitted to the National ESP Office to be considered for regional recognition in the Visionary Leadership category.

Other award recipients were: Sherri K. Helm, Administrative Associate, Business Development Programs, 2004 Meritorious Support Award; Sandra K. McKinnon, East Central Consumer & Family Economics Specialist, Outstanding Regional Faculty Award; and Southwest Region News Service Team, 2004 Team Award.

Congratulations to each of these Extension professionals who deserve our thanks for the service they provide, not only to Extension, but more importantly to the people of Missouri.

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, ask the individual, or contact one of the Awards Committee members. Committee members are Tom Keohan, Cathy Allen, Sandra McKinnon, Joe Koenen, Lisa Wallace, and Rebecca J. Travnichek (chairperson). A list of past award recipients is available via the website: extension.missouri.edu/esp

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 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 do not need a picture at this point. 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 12, 2005. 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.

Thanks to all who have helped recruit new members into Missouri Epsilon Sigma Phi so far this year. Anyone with a 50% or greater Extension appointment and three or more years of service as of August 31, 2004, is eligible to join. For those who haven't yet renewed their membership, we are still accepting dues.

To join or renew, print out and complete the application/renewal form on the ESP website at

Officers
Jo Turner	President
Nancy Flood	President-Elect
Beverly Coberly	Past President
Cathy Allen	Secretary
BobSchultheis	Treasurer
Van Ayers	Annalist

Committee Chairs
Roxanne Miller	Membership
Rebecca Travnichek	Awards
Barbara Casady	Professional Improvement
Pat Snodgrass	Loan and Fellowship
Wilma Jean Lower	Courtesy / Memorials
Jim Ollar	Retirement
Ina Linville	Nominations