Epsilon
Sigma Phi Newsletter2005 Calendar of Events and Opportunities
President’s Message: University of Missouri Extension—Thriver or Survivor?
Alpha Tau Chapter Receives $1,000 Mini-Grant
Nominate Colleague for Awards – Due September 12
Retiree Programs Broaden Horizons
Go For The Gold In Colorado -- Attend the ESP National Meeting, November 9-12
Need Money for Association and Professional Meetings?
Courtesy and Memorials Honor Colleagues
2004-2005 Missouri ESP Board Members
For Newsletter Items or More Information
2005 Calendar of Events and Opportunities
September
12 ESP Awards Nominations Due
October 10-12 Annual Conference -- Columbia
November 9-12 National ESP Conference – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Life Members/Retirees Programs:
October 12 - Columbia
October 13 - Lamar
October 14 - Springfield
October 19 - Gallatin
October 20 - Jackson
President's Message:
University
of Missouri Extension—Thriver or Survivor?
by Dr. Jo Turner, President
In the past months, all of us have anxiously watched state budget discussions in Jefferson City. Everyone who works for state government has felt like a contestant on the television show, “Survivor.” Would we be the next person voted off the island? Would we be the next group to fall under the budget axe?
Extension is a survivor this time, but what must we do to thrive in the future? Rather than waiting for the next episode of “ Survivor-Extension,” what can we as ESP members to do insure a positive, healthy and thriving future for University of Missouri Extension?
First and foremost, we need to develop on-going and active communication with key decision makers. This includes legislators, county commissioners, and others who influence funding and policy. This communication has to show the many ways that Extension is improving lives, enhancing economic development, and benefiting Missouri residents. We need to keep Extension in the public eye and awareness.
Second, we need to build relationships with these decision makers by engaging them with our diverse, high-quality Extension programming. One of our biggest challenges is to help stakeholders understand the value and scope of our work. They need to see, hear, taste and touch our excellent programs.
Finally, we must take time to acknowledge and thank our partners. For the time being, it appears that Extension has indeed survived the latest round of major budget cuts. Many Extension friends, customers and advocates spoke up on our behalf. They demonstrated, again, how much Extension is valued and needed by Missourians. Be sure to take time to thank these folks for their support.
While I firmly believe that Extension can and will thrive in the future, it is up to each of us to make it happen! What are you waiting for?!
Alpha Tau Chapter
Receives $1,000 Mini-Grant
by Barbara Casady,
Professional Improvement Chair
Alpha Tau Chapter is one of four ESP chapters nationally to receive a Professional Development Mini-Grant. The grant of $1,000 is made possible through the National ESP Board. Grant funds will be used to help sponsor a speaker/workshop on Futuring at the University of Missouri Extension Annual Conference this fall. If you have ideas or suggestions for this session, please e-mail or call Barb Casady.
Nominate Colleagues
for Awards – Due September 12
by Dr.
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. 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 Friend of Extension Award, Visionary Leadership Award, and 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: Tom Keohan, Lisa Wallace, Sandra McKinnon, Cathy Allen, Joe Koenen, or Rebecca J. Travnichek (chairperson). A list of past award winners is available via the website, http://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 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 ESP website.
You can also find guidelines for the Team Award. 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 some time to complete the nomination forms. If you have questions, contact one of the other committee members or me.
Retiree Programs
Broaden Horizons
by Jim Ollar, Life
Member Chair
Spring has sprung, summer is almost here and the weather is weird. Cold, rain, hot, dry have already occurred to-date. Have you noticed you must be in a rather specific location to experience the officially reported weather? Suppose we sometimes want the predicted/reported weather and sometimes do not. Regardless the weather can be counted upon to change beyond scientific predictability.
Hope you had the opportunity to take in one of the spring retiree gatherings. John Parker is doing a tremendous job of securing interesting programs for these sessions. At the Columbia meeting we learned, courtesy of Dr. Gary Smith, of the long-running cultural and legal wrangling concerning “evolution and creationism (or intelligent design)”. A most interesting subject, not likely to be resolved in the near future.
My wife and I recently had the opportunity to visit central Mexico. As many of you know Mexico, beyond the border tourist traps and cloistered resorts, is clearly a third world nation with great separation between the few haves and the many, many, many have-nots. It remains somewhat of a mystery how two countries, side by side, develop so differently. Having been there makes very clear why so many from south of our border desire to join us in the “good life”.
Dates and locations have already been set for the 2005 fall retiree meetings. Don’t miss these opportunities to stretch a little and enjoy the camaraderie of former Extension colleagues. They include the following:
October 12 - Columbia - Community United Methodist Church
October 13 - Lamar - Blue Top Restaurant
October 14 - Springfield - Price Cutter Restaurant
October 19 - Gallatin - Gallatin Lions Club Building
October 20 - Jackson - County Extension Office
October 21 - Sedalia - State Fair Best Western Motel Restaurant
Programs and speakers will be announced later in The Weekly News.
Summer will bring many outdoor activities. Get involved, use sunscreen, hats, scarves, long sleeves and bug repellent and make the most of the great weather.
Happy summer! If you have questions or ideas, contact me at 573-442-3023; e-mail - jimooo@charter.net
Make Plans to Attend the ESP National Meeting, November 9-12
by Nancy Flood, President-Elect
What do you hope to get from attending a national conference? According to Nancy Crago, ESP president elect, “If your answer includes cutting-edge knowledge, skill development, opportunity to recognize and share scholarly research, networking, and time for personal growth, then the 2005 ESP National Conference being held in Colorado Springs from November 9 - 12, 2005, promises to be a rich experience for your professional development and personal enrichment.
It’s a great opportunity to learn and/or present. And, there’s something planned for everyone! “Colorado Gold” is the theme and the place is the famous Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. Sessions are scheduled so those interested may follow a program track in Program Delivery or Emerging Leadership. A specialized life member track will offer topics such as travel and financial issues. For conference information, visit the national ESP website: http://espnational.org/ Deadline for the early bird registration fee of $375 is August 15, 2005.
Need Money for
Association or Professional Meetings?
by
Pat Snodgrass, Loan and Fellowship Chair
Are you planning to attend a professional association meeting? If so, consider applying for Loan and Fellowship money. The application is at the Epsilon Sigma Phi website or at http://outreach.missouri.edu/staff/awards/fellowship.htm. Several regional agriculture specialists have applied for these funds to attend the National NACAA meeting in Buffalo New York, this summer. For those of you attending upcoming national association meetings, this fund can also be a resource to you. Applicants must have two years of consecutive employment for UM or LU. The total amount individuals may receive is $1,500 during their tenure. Processing can take up to two months, so don’t wait to apply.
Loan and Fellowship can also be a source of funds for college coursework expenses. A donation to the fund is also a great way to honor or memorialize a colleague. Epsilon Sigma Phi is proud of its long history in establishing, promoting and members contributing to this fund. Contact me at 573-775-2135 or e-mail at snodgrassp@missouri.edu if you have questions.
Epsilon Sigma Phi has a long tradition of providing special recognition to those who served with us. Since December 2004, the following colleagues have passed away:
Roy Hager, Farm Management Specialist
James Edward Holland, Associate Dean for Extension Credit Courses
Cleta Null Rodgers, County Agent
Oscar Ingram, Agronomy Specialist
Paul Lutz, Community Development Specialist
Eileen Lineberry, State Specialist
Marvin Dobbs, Continuing Education Specialist
Leonard Douglas, Director of Extension
John Croll, Community Development Specialist
John Ballard, Local Government Specialist
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