The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 10, No. 50   October 26, 2004

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Extension Volunteers and the Tort Claims Act
...Benefits Enrollment Deadlines
...More E-mail Scams...Be Vigilant
...State Agritourism Conference to be held in Great Bend November 3-4
...4-H Afterschool: State Report and February Trainings
...Resources to Enhance Local Extension Programming Workshops Postponed
...Last "Free" Grassroots Community Development Training Offered
...It's Time to Join the Kansas 4-H Agents Association
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives

I right away began to think of someone who wins the lottery and to watch whether that winner spends everything on himself/herself, or if much is given to those greater societal causes and needs. Only problem is, there are so few winners that one can't really learn much from making such observation. Just like I would suggest one won't learn much from those in professional sports or Hollywood.

Instead, it's the more normal experiences in life where one can learn from others about values and convictions. It's when you see someone who has just lost a job, got a promotion, became deathly ill, received an award, had a life threatening accident, got that research paper accepted by the journal, or watched a hail storm destroy the uninsured crop and life's earnings. You can think of thousands more such roller coaster situations in life.

Again, it isn't feeling happy, proud, sad, or pitying persons who have those experiences, but to learn from HOW they respond after the event has passed. I marvel at those who persevere and change very little from before the experience. It is those persons who have mapped out their lives with meaning and conviction such that no matter how great or how terrible the experiences he or she is dealt, their values and convictions win out. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@oznet.ksu.edu

EXTENSION VOLUNTEERS AND THE TORT CLAIMS ACT
At the recent listening sessions and again at the Micro Annual Conference, questions were raised regarding county/district extension volunteers and who is responsible for providing their liability insurance.

Cheryl Strecker, Sr. Associate University Attorney, reviewed prior University Attorney and Kansas Attorney General opinions and reconfirmed that county/district extension volunteers are covered under the Tort Claims Act as employees of the extension council or district governing body, BUT not of the state (or Kansas State University). Therefore, responsibility is with the local extension entity to defend and insure them, whether it be through general liability insurance or self-insurance. Since extension councils and district governing bodies normally do not have sufficient funds to self-insure, they should purchase commercial liability insurance to cover their risks.

Our recommendation has been in the past and continues to be that extension councils and districts purchase both general liability insurance and public officials liability insurance to provide protection for employees, board members and volunteers.

Because each local extension unit is a separate entity from every other unit, a "group" liability policy is not available. Whatever insurance company insures the local county government would be a possible source of insurance. Also, local independent insurance agents have access to companies that provide coverage for organizations and governmental entities.

In Kansas, we pride ourselves on the investment of time and energy contributed by our local volunteers. It is of utmost importance that we provide the liability insurance protection for these volunteers. I consider a local extension entity to be placing themselves and their volunteers at risk by not providing the appropriate liability insurance.  --Fred Cholick fcholick@oznet.ksu.edu

BENEFITS ENROLLMENT DEADLINES
Remember that open enrollment for state health insurance plans and the KanElect Flexible Spending Accounts ends on Monday, November 1.

See the September 17 letter from Joe Younger, K-State Division of Human Resources, for additional information.  --Joe Younger jyounger@ksu.edu

MORE E-MAIL SCAMS...BE VIGILANT
This information was forwarded to the Deans and IET from Beth Unger's office:

"Colleagues --
The number of pfishing attacks has been increasing dramatically.  This sort of attack uses social engineering to get credit card and social security numbers from people. These attacks include messages from places that look like your bank, credit card company, etc . One this week comes from what looks like a credit card company and explains they need you to respond immediately to verify that you made a large charge. They ask for your credit card number and SSN. Call the company before you answer any such e-mail requests.

Please be aware of this newer type of attack and inform your department heads also.

The "Nigerian" type attacks seem to have picked up a bit and we are having trouble stopping all the variants of these attacks at the border just now.

Beth"

If you have questions, please call IET at 785-532-6270 .  --Roger Terry rterry@oznet.ksu.edu 

STATE AGRITOURISM CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN GREAT BEND NOVEMBER 3-4
The "Fields of Green: Building Agritourism So They Will Come" conference will be held November 3-4, at the Highland Hotel in Great Bend. This first-ever statewide conference on agritourism will feature experts giving practical information about how to finance, start, and grow an agritourism business. Participants will hear from successful operators and tourism professionals who have benefited from this growing trend.

The two-day conference is part of the Kansas Agritourism Initiative launched this year by the Kansas Department of Commerce. Also included is "A Taste of Success," an informal reception which will offer Kansas food products that are promoted through the From the Land of Kansas program and learning stations.

The $40 registration fee (additional family members of farmers and ranchers may attend for the discounted fee of $30 per person) includes all sessions, all materials, and all meals during the conference. For more information, or to download a registration form, visit http://www.kansascommerce.com/ , and enter "agtourism" as a Connect Code; or phone Janna Dunbar at 785-296-8132. The deadline for registration is October 26. --Steven Graham sgraham@k-state.edu

4-H AFTERSCHOOL: STATE REPORT AND FEBRUARY TRAININGS
Last week's Lights On Afterschool was successful with over 100 local Kansas "Lights On Afterschool" events registered nationally.

During the celebration at the Kansas Capital, the first report of the status of Kansas afterschool was released. That report and its Executive Summary is now available at www.kansasenrichment.net . Full reports are now being distributed to all afterschool partners and decision-makers. Look for yours in the mail soon!

Want to learn more about getting 4-H involved with after school programming in your community? The state 4-H Afterschool Team will be conducting two training sessions: February 1, 2005, in Scott City; and February 3, 2005, in Emporia. More details will be coming, but reserve these dates on your calendar now.

For more information, contact Diane Mack, dmack@oznet.ksu.edu ; or Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@oznet.ksu.edu . --Elaine Johannes

RESOURCES TO ENHANCE LOCAL EXTENSION PROGRAMMING WORKSHOPS POSTPONED
The workshops "Resources to Enhance Local Extension Programming," scheduled for November 16, in Great Bend; and November 17, in Emporia; have been postponed.

Contact: beckman@oznet.ksu.edu --Jana Beckman

LAST "FREE" GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRAINING OFFERED
USDA Rural Development and the Kansas Rural Development Council are offering the fourth round of "Grassroots Community Development" training. The training will take place on November 15-18, in Junction City at the new Courtyard by Marriott.

This conference, a four-day training opportunity to expand your skills in local and regional community development, is offered to you at no cost. The conference program, including presenters and training materials, will be provided by USDA Rural Development. You will only be expected to pay for your meals, lodging, and transportation for the conference. This is the last "free" training USDA Rural Development will offer in Kansas, so take advantage of this opportunity.

For more information about the conference, registration and lodging information, etc., please contact Harold Alford at the USDA Rural Development office in Topeka by e-mailing harold.alford@ks.usda.gov , or by calling 785-271-2791.  Registration and Room Block guarantees must be in by November 8. --Steven Graham sgraham@k-state.edu

IT'S TIME TO JOIN THE KANSAS 4-H AGENTS ASSOCIATION!
There are several membership options. A membership form can be found at: www.oznet.ksu.edu/mcpherson , or you can contact Treasurer Shawna Mitchell, McPherson County 4-H Agent, for more information. --Shawna Mitchell smitchel@oznet.ksu.edu

Top