The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 10, No. 46   September 28, 2004

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Important Health Insurance Information
...Micro Conference in Great Bend, October 18-20
...Just a Little Over Two Weeks to Lights on Afterschool
...2004 Kansas Bankers Award Information on the Web
...Specialists' Quarterly Reports
...4HCCS Product Preview
...Expedited Search for Two Information Specialists
...Community Economic Development Educational Opportunity
...Kansas Association of 4-H Volunteers
...State 4-H Volunteer Forum
...4-H Master Volunteer Training
...Master Schedule 

...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Friday, October 1, is the deadline for submission of all county action plans. I hope agents can look at this reminder and be pleased to have developed, written, approved, and submitted those plans already. I have been asked numerous times what the consequences would be for not having such plans on file. Thus the topic for today's Tuesday letter.

What happens if no action plans are on file as of October 1 for a county or district? My simple answer.... All counties and districts will have a set of action plans developed, written, approved, and submitted.

Plans are required by state statute. Each group (Program Development Committee) shall meet as necessary for the purpose of developing educational program plans on extension work..... All program plans shall be subject to final approval by the executive board of the county extension council. (K.S.A. 2-611)

Plans are required by Memorandum of Understanding. The Council, its Executive Board, and the extension agents will plan and conduct programs in keeping with the principles established in the Smith-Lever Act, Amended, and the County Extension Council Law, Amended. (item 11 in MOU)

Plans were identified as vital as far back as 1922. Leave nothing undone which might contribute toward success. No really worthwhile undertaking has ever been carried to a successful completion without careful and definite plans being made in advance. (The Extension Worker's Code, 1922)

Action plans offer the opportunity to be proactive educators within the local communities. Action plans provide an educational focus for local units. Action plans communicate priority issues and intended outcomes. Action plans serve to engage the public in defining program priorities. Action plans proved a road map for achieving intended outcomes. Action plans are the grant proposal upon which county, state, and federal resources are allocated according to the merits of the work to be completed.

All Extension workers must have an action plan upon which to operate, whether it be to communicate to a department head the priorities of an Extension professor, or to communicate to the Executive Board and the public where the priorities are being focused with the limited time and human resources available within the county/district. 

All counties/districts will have action plans developed, written, approved, submitted and in use in delivering the programs. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@oznet.ksu.edu 

IMPORTANT HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION
The following URL has the plan year 2005 health insurance open enrollment meeting schedule for active employees: http://da.state.ks.us/ps/subject/oemtgs05.htm .  --Joe Younger jyounger@ksu.edu 

MICRO CONFERENCE IN GREAT BEND, OCTOBER 18-20
The deadline for registration for the K-State Research and Extension Micro Conference is October 4. Please get your registrations in before the deadline. To access the conference schedule and registration, go to www.oznet.ksu.edu , then click on Staff Corner.

The reception for Chuck Otte on Monday evening is open to everyone. Come and join your colleagues for a fun evening. The reception will be at the Barton County 4-H Building (six miles north of Great Bend on Highway 281).

We just received notice that the government rate per diem will increase October 1, 2004; therefore, the rate at the Highland Hotel and Convention Center for the K-State Research and Extension Micro Conference increased from $55 to $59. The toll-free phone reservation number for the hotel is 866-212-7122. If you have problems getting through, you can try this alternate number,  620-792-2431.

See you in Great Bend!  --Denise Dias, ddias@oznet.ksu.edu and Carl Garten, cgarten@oznet.ksu.edu,  co-chairs

JUST A LITTLE OVER TWO WEEKS TO LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL
On Thursday, October 14, Kansas 4-H will join with other youth-serving organizations in national, state and local events to recognize the importance of quality afterschool programs. That day, Governor Sebelius is making a proclamation from the Capitol for Kansas Afterschool and the first status report of afterschool in Kansas will be released to state decision-makers, networks and service providers. The report, developed through the Kansas Childrens' Campaign, with support of the Kansas Enrichment Network, is a collaborative effort of many youth-serving organizations including K-State 4-H Youth Development. Reports will be provided to local Extension offices and state partners.

To support local Lights On Afterschool activities, the K-State 4-H Afterschool Team is still accepting requests from local Extension agents for small funds to be used for Lights On and 4-H Afterschool promotional resources. To submit a request for funds, contact Trudy Rice at trice@oznet.ksu.edu .

Check out the National Afterschool Alliance website at www.afterschoolalliance.org  to find out the Lights On Afterschool activities being sponsored in your community. Atchison and Leavenworth County Extension offices have already registered their events.

For more information about Lights On Afterschool and 4-H Afterschool, contact Elaine Johannes at 785-532-7720 , or ejohanne@oznet.ksu.edu . --Elaine Johannes

2004 KANSAS BANKERS AWARD INFORMATION ON THE WEB
In an attempt to save time and a lot of money, the 2004 Kansas Bankers Award Information is now on the web, and replaces the packet that is normally mailed out the first week in September. To access it, go to www.oznet.ksu.edu/agronomy/EXTENSION/  and click on 2004 Bankers Awards. For questions or problems, contact Leslye Haller at 785-532-0391 or lahaller@oznet.ksu.edu . --Leslye Haller

SPECIALISTS' QUARTERLY REPORTS
The Specialists' Quarterly Report is online at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/prev/ . Please submit your report to the database soon after the end of the reporting period in September. If you have questions or need assistance, call the Planning and Reporting office at 785-532-6775. --Marie Blythe mblythe@oznet.ksu.edu 

4HCCS PRODUCT PREVIEW
Don't miss this opportunity to become acquainted with all the new and revised materials to be printed in 2005. A total of 13 one and one-half hour workshops will be offered - seven in the morning and the remaining six in the afternoon on Sunday, October 31, the first day of the NAE4-HA Conference in Oklahoma City.

Attendees will receive a complimentary pilot set of the materials used in those workshops they attend. In addition, workshop outlines and other promotional materials will be provided. A buffet lunch will be served.

To register, simply go online at www.n4hccs.org  and link to 2004 Product Preview. You'll find a program and a registration link at the end of program. Complete the pre-registration form by October 1, make a copy and submit with the $50 registration fee to 4HCCS, 15664 Kesselwood Trail, Marshall, MI 49068-9476, no later than October 15. Copies of workshop materials will be printed based on your pre-registrations. --Jim Adams  jadams@oznet.ksu.edu 

EXPEDITED SEARCH FOR TWO INFORMATION SPECIALISTS
K-State Research and Extension has openings for two full-time Information Specialists to assist with the development of occupational safety and health training materials for the food manufacturing industry. These are unclassified term positions. Required qualifications include a Bachelors degree in a field related to journalism, education, safety, or food manufacturing; demonstrated ability to write, edit, and design publications for diverse audiences; and excellent computer skills. See the full position description at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/operations/jobs/InfoSpecPA.htm .  --Kay Lancaster klancast@oznet.ksu.edu 

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
The Extension short course, Creating Economic Opportunities (CED) for the 21st Century, is being offered again this January as a K-State DCE distance based class. The class is designed for those involved in local economic development programs and who wish to learn basic concepts and skills useful to be a productive team member.

The eight week class covers community visions, functions, and cycles. It also covers economic theory and development strategies and ends with goals and outcomes. The text is a K-State multimedia compact disk on CED by David Darling and Gerry Snyder.

To learn more, go to www.agecon.ksu.edu/ddarling , and click on Extension Resources, or contact David Darling, ddarling@ksu.edu , in the Department of Agricultural Economics. --David Darling

KANSAS ASSOCIATION OF 4-H VOLUNTEERS
'Tis the season to share information with your 4-H volunteers and parents regarding the Kansas Association of 4-H Volunteers. Formed in 2002, KA4-HV is a state-wide organization of adult and older youth volunteers (Note: Extension agents can join the association, too!).

It's purpose is to promote, support and strengthen the development of 4-H volunteers. The two major goals for the association are to: 1) facilitate communication of 4-H programs and policies statewide among volunteers; and 2) promote and strengthen opportunities for educational and personal leadership growth. (NOTE: Volunteer development is one of the top three priorities in the five year plan of work)

Membership dues are only $5 (great deal!) and lifetime memberships are available for $50. Members will receive regular mailings and communications, along with discounts to organization sponsored projects and events (i.e., State 4-H Volunteer Forum, Master Volunteer Program). KA4-HV also provides annual staff development scholarships to its members.

For more information about joining KA4-HV, renewing a current membership or to obtain general information and brochure about KAE4-HV, please go to the following web page: http://4-h.k-state.edu/Volunteer/Association .

Thanks for helping share this exciting opportunity with your 4-H volunteers. --Pat McNally pmcnally@oznet.ksu.edu 

STATE 4-H VOLUNTEER FORUM
Registrations are due October 15. If you are searching for an opportunity for 4-H volunteers to have an incredible staff development experience, please consider sending a team or delegation to the upcoming State 4-H Volunteer Forum.

We're excited about the unique opportunity for participants at KYLF and the State Volunteer Forum to have a shared experience as they focus on the "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership!" Other special features of the Forum include eight fantastic workshops, an outdoor cookery adventure, a community quilting bee and the infamous silent auction. 

Taking place November 20-21 at Rock Springs, the registration deadline is quickly approaching. To take advantage of the best rate, registrations are due October 15, with the absolute deadline date of October 22. Registration forms can be downloaded from the web page: http://4-h.k-state.edu/Volunteer/Forum.htm . --Pat McNally pmcnally@oznet.ksu.edu 

4-H MASTER VOLUNTEER TRAINING
Registrations are due October 1. Earlier this year, (March 3), we announced the launching of the Master 4-H Volunteer Program for the Kansas 4-H Program!!!! This is a project of the Kansas Association of 4-H Volunteers, under the leadership of Linda Henningsen, Saline County 4-H Volunteer.

The second preliminary session (4 hours of training) takes place October 16 in Scott City. The final session (16 hours of training) takes place November 19-20 at Rock Springs. Registrations are due October 1 in the State 4-H Office.

More information regarding the program, along with the registration form, can be downloaded from the web page: http://4-h.k-state.edu/Volunteer/ .

Thank you for giving serious consideration to taking your 4-H program to a higher level by the utilization of Master 4-H Volunteers. Questions? You may contact any of the Area 4-H Specialists, Linda Henningsen,  henningsen@sbcglobal.net , or me for additional information. --Pat McNally pmcnally@oznet.ksu.edu 

VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS. 

Submit corrections to previously submitted items to jzarger@oznet.ksu.edu .

DATES TAKEN FROM THE MASTER SCHEDULE FOR OCTOBER 6, 2004, THROUGH OCTOBER 12, 2004:

Wednesday, October 6
.... NW State Land Judging, Atwood/RA, NW Area, Kent McVay kmcvay@ksu.edu
.... SC Land Judging Contest, Inman/MP, Old SC Extension Area, Kent McVay kmcvay@ksu.edu
.... State Program Coordination, Manhattan (Room 213 KSU Student Union), 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Marie Blythe mblythe@oznet.ksu.edu
.... FNP FY 2005 Update for PAs and NAs, Area meetings-Polycom (Colby, Garden City, Chanute, Douglas Co., Manhattan), 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Karen Hudson hudson@humec.ksu.edu

Wednesday, October 6, through Friday, October 8
.... Environmental Leadership Training, Hutchinson, Statewide, 11:30 a.m., Morgan Powell mpowell@ksu.edu

Thursday, October 7
.... Fall Forestry Field Day, Highland/DP (5 miles NW), Statewide, Gary Cross gcross@oznet.ksu.edu, Charles Barden cbarden@oznet.ksu.edu, and Bob Atchison atchison@oznet.ksu.edu
.... SE State Land Judging, Labette Co., SE Area, Kent McVay kmcvay@ksu.edu
.... SW State Land Judging, Jetmore/HG, SW Area, Kent McVay kmcvay@ksu.edu
.... NE Land Judging Contest, Holton/JA, NE Area, Kent McVay kmcvay@ksu.edu
.... Sericea Lespedeza Field Day, Waverly/CF, NE and SE Areas, Cade Rensink crensink@oznet.ksu.edu

Saturday, October 9
.... State 4-H Fall Shooting Sports Match, Newton/HV, Statewide, Gary Gerhard ggerhard@oznet.ksu.edu
.... SW Youth Leadership Forum, Cimarron/GY, SW Area, Rod Buchele rbuchele@oznet.ksu.edu

Monday, October 11, through Tuesday, October 12
.... KSU Fall Break
.... Pesticide Applicator Recertification Training, Garden City, Statewide, (1.5 days), Sharon Dobesh sdobesh@oznet.ksu.edu

Monday, October 11, through Wednesday, October 13
.... New Extension Agent Orientation, Manhattan, Statewide, 12:30 p.m., Stacey Warner swarner@oznet.ksu.edu

Tuesday, October 12, through Wednesday, October 13
.... Kansas Association of Family & Community Education (KAFCE), Wichita, KS, Statewide, Gayle Price gprice@oznet.ksu.edu

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