Representatives attending: Kendell Misemer, Becky Dalbey, Greg Biermann, Randy Cole, Leon Hicks, Bud Motsinger, John Murphy, Don Null, Jayla Smith, Tom Hare, and Sandy Sands, MECCLC Board Representative.

Staff attending: Karma Metzgar, Bob Kelly, Rebecca Travnichek and Carol West.

Guests in attendance: Tony DeLong, MECCLC* Chair and Dr. Pat Sobrero, Associate Vice President for University of Missouri Extension.

Meeting was called to order by Kendell Misemer, Chair, at 7:36 pm.

There were no additions to the agenda. Everyone introduced themselves.

Motion to accept the minutes of the February 2003 minutes was made by John Murphy and seconded by Jayla Smith. Motion carried. Minutes located at: http://extension.missouri.edu/nwregion/Councils/council.shtml

A notebook containing New Member Orientation materials was given to each regional council member for their use. Please keep them updated with future materials and pass on to the next regional council representative. All county chairs and county program directors have received copies with directions for copying and distributing to all council members. Training materials that are passed out at the regional meetings are to be placed in those notebooks.

Nodaway County hosted a reception for Dr. Elson Floyd, president of the University of Missouri, on April 2. A variety of regional programs were showcased and photos of the event were passed around. If anyone is interested in having Dr. Floyd visit your county, talk with Karma to see if a visit could coincide with other scheduled visits he would have in the area.

Committee reports:

Regional Staffing Committee: Rebecca Travnichek and Bob Kelly presented an overview of some staffing changes for our region. This was a preliminary report. They have reviewed present staffing positions and county locations, along with programming needs, to develop a new staffing plan for the region. There is discussion to change the title of Youth Education Assistants to Extension Associates and require them to have a minimum number of college hours and/or appropriate experience. Council members were encouraged to visit with councils and forward any comments to the committee.

Dekalb County Council will meet to finalize closing of the county office May 5, 2003. Karma Metzgar, Regional Director, recommended that the .5 FTE YEA position be relocated to Buchanan County, temporarily. Buchanan has the funding and the support staff to make this a viable option. There is currently no youth assistant support in Buchanan County. Don Null moved to relocate the YEA from DeKalb to Buchanan County, Greg Biermann seconded. Motion carried

Communications: Regional council information will be posted on the web page linked to the regional page. (http://extension.msisouri.edu/nwregion) Council members are encouraged to visit the site if they have Internet access. Regional Council minutes and agenda will continue to be mailed by regular mail approximately 1 week prior to the next meeting.

Regional Council By-Laws: nothing has been done.

Motion to accept the slate of officers by Don, seconded by John. Motion carried.

MECCLC Board Report: Sandy reported the last meeting was by telephone. The Governor has signed a proclamation for UOE Week, so it is ready to go. Your county can get materials to use for Extension Week or for other promotions during the year through Sandy Stegall’s office

Regional Director Report: Regional Council Leadership Development Team—Karma will have more on this later. For membership it was suggested to use the officers from the regional council.

Nothing to report on the Advanced Council Leadership Nominations.

NW Region County and Staffing Status:

The Worth County Agronomy Position has five individuals who have applied for the position. Application reviews will be completed April 21. Interviews will be conducted at Hundley-Whaley on May 28. A candidate will be presented to the council at a meeting on May 29. The position could be filled by June 15.

Penalty Mail Discontinuance: October 1, 2003: Each county needs to be checking into the option of converting from a government contract machine to a business contract or finding out through the postal system what will work best in their county (i.e. bulk rate permit, etc.). It was suggested that combining mail lists from several counties would save postage cost.

Old Business: Sandy reminded representatives to discuss the penalty mail at their next county meeting.

Tony mention there are certificates available, on parchment paper, signed by Dr. Turner and Tony, that can be given to commissioners. Need two weeks notice for completion.

Council Leadership Development Committee: Members on the CLDC committee presented a mini-training on Being an Effective Council Member. This was a pilot of the materials and feedback was solicited. The activity asked council members to identify a topic they would need more information on soon and they that topic was matched with a resource that had guidance information. Those present rated the materials and exercise very helpful. Eventually the materials will be available hard copy and on the web. Team members presenting were Tony DeLong, Sandy Sands, Leslie Carroll and Karma Metzgar. Regional Council members were encouraged to return to their councils and conduct a similar activity.

New Business: Karma introduced Dr. Pat Sobrero, Associate Vice President for University of Missouri Extension. She thanked all the members for the job they do and recognized the "tough" times we face in our region. A high priority will be getting the vacant positions filled and working through the process.

Dr. Sobrero gave an overview of the progress of the Revenue Generation Program. They are working on several methods of partnering with collaborators, securing grants and endowments

With no further business to come before the Council, John Murphy moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Tom Hare. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 9:35 pm.

Next meeting will be July 17, 2003, in St. Joseph at the Farm Credit Building at 7:30 pm.

Becky Dalbey, Secretary
Nodaway County

Date Approved: July 17, 2003