The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 11, No. 6   December 14, 2004

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Leave Balances on Pay Checks
...Marketing Order Deadline this Week
...Poinsettias Available
...2005 Kansas Farm Family of the Year Award
...4-H Afterschool Training Sessions - February 1 and February 3, 2005
...Follow-up to 4-H Updates
...Thank You
...Publications/Production Services Update
...Adult Education Courses Offered this Spring
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives

So what is, or what isn't, professional scheduling? Unclassified employees do not work by the clock. Instead, we work in a combination of fulfilling job responsibilities and normal work hours. In other words, we have a responsibility to generally work normal work hours for our office or department. Yet at that same time we recognize that to carry out the work of the system, most of us are going to be on the job at times outside of the normal work hours. So, the policy says if you are going to be off on personal business or illness for less than 4 hours in a work day, you do not have to turn in that time as either vacation or sick leave. It is a policy to use as a professional, but please do not abuse it!

Certain responsibilities go with such a scheduling policy. As a professional, I must keep my office professional staff informed of where I will be during the workday, or, at the very least, when I will be back in the office or available. "I must take care of some personal business. I then have a work-related stop. I will be in the office by 11:00." Such communication makes my office staff better able and prepared to respond to anyone wishing to contact me.

If your "normal" schedule of work hours is going to be different from normal office hours, that is not the intent of professional scheduling, and should be reviewed with your supervisor for approval of an alternative set of work hours. A common occurrence might be the need to pick up or deliver family members on a regular basis that results in getting into the office later than normal office hours, or having to leave early.

Professionals shouldn't anticipate having to explain professional scheduling. But at the same time, as a professional, I should always be prepared to be responsible for the professional scheduling decisions I make. Professional scheduling is always subject to review and revision by the supervisor. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@oznet.ksu.edu

LEAVE BALANCES ON PAY CHECKS
Some individuals may notice that their leave balance will be incorrect on the pay voucher dated 12/17/04. The correct leave balance will be available at Employee Self Service at http://www.ksu.edu/hr/selfserv.htm#lea .

The pay voucher will be corrected on the voucher dated 12/31/04. --Stacey M. Warner  swarner@oznet.ksu.edu

MARKETING ITEMS DEADLINE THIS WEEK
We will not be filling orders for marketing items from December 17 to January 7. If you need any marketing items to complete this year, or for activities in early January, please submit your orders by Thursday, December 16. From slap wrap koozies and lapel pins, to notepads and sticky notes, we have the K-State Research and Extension marketing items you need. Our Website is  http://intranet.oznet.ksu.edu/marketing/catalog.htm . --Linda Sleichter lsleicht@oznet.ksu.edu

POINSETTIAS AVAILABLE
The KSU Gardens volunteers are selling poinsettias that have been part of Dr. Kim Williams' national research project. There are 70 cultivars being evaluated. To learn more about the project, go to http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp%5Fhfrr/Floriculture/Poinsettia/welcome.htm .

The poinsettias are $6 each with proceeds going to the KSU Gardens. Contact Gregg Eyestone at 770-2145, or Scott McElwain at 532-9344, to make purchase arrangements. --Gregg Eyestone geyeston@ksu.edu

2005 KANSAS FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR AWARD
Letters and nomination forms were recently mailed to Agricultural Agents from Jeff Flora, Chief Executive Officer, Western Farm Show for the 2005 Kansas Farm Family of the Year Award. This newly established award is being sponsored by the South Western Association in cooperation with Kansas State University and the High Plains Journal.

The award will honor the family who exemplifies the best in American agriculture, including demonstrated success and growth, use of progressive farming techniques, proven business management ability, plus family involvement in the farming operation and in community organizations.

Please consider nominating a farm family in your county or district. The deadline for nominations is December 23, 2004. The 2005 Western Farm Show will be held February 26 - 28, 2005, at the American Royal Complex in Kansas City, MO. This award is co-signed by your local farm equipment dealer and the nomination process should start by contacting your local farm equipment dealer to discuss possible candidates.

For a nomination form, visit the Western Farm Show website at www.westernfarmshow.com  and click on Farm Family Nomination form. --Pat Murphy jmurphy@ksu.edu

4-H AFTERSCHOOL TRAINING SESSIONS - FEBRUARY 1 AND FEBRUARY 3, 2005
K-State Research and Extension has a track-record of strong 4-H Afterschool program delivery and community collaboration. In recognition of this, Kansas was one of 15 states to receive a grant to train Extension professionals.

It is not feasible for Extension professionals alone to meet all the after-school program needs for youth in their communities. However, existing programs would benefit from Extension's expertise and resources.

Come explore what role you may serve and what forms or shapes programming efforts can take, on Tuesday, February 1, in Scott City; and Thursday, February 3, in Emporia. Sessions will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 3 p.m.

Topics Will Include:

What makes programming efforts "4-H"?
Creative Ideas to train after-school staff
Identification and use of curricula to develop Project Activity Kits
Junior Master Gardener Program - A Great Fit
Evaluating program accomplishments

Lunch will be provided on site. With funding from J.C. Penney through National 4-H Council, there is no cost to attend, but we need you to register by January 21, 2005 by calling or e-mailing Elaine Johannes at 785-532-7720; ejohanne@oznet.ksu.edu . For more information, contact either Johannes or Diane Mack at 785-532-5833; dmack@oznet.ksu.edu .

Look for the 4-H Afterschool informational flier at www.4-H.K-State.edu . Look under "What's Hot." --Diane Mack

FOLLOW-UP TO 4-H UPDATES
We were pleased that many of you were able to attend our series of 4-H Updates.

Use the "Growing 4-H - Looking at Critical Numbers" homework assignment and Stacey Warner's "County Statistics" survey at your next 4-H PDC meeting. These two resources will help show the big picture of 4-H Youth Development programming efforts that are needed as you begin to implement your 5 Year Action Plans.--Diane Mack  dmack@oznet.ksu.edu

THANK YOU
Thank you for all the cards, words of encouragement, prayers, and memorial contributions that Bob and I received when my father and uncle died last month. Your kindness proves that we work with a great group of caring people. --Gloria Holcombe gloria@oznet.ksu.edu

PUBLICATIONS/PRODUCTION SERVICES UPDATE
Publications Cancelled
"Stocker Goats" MF-2599 was not completed this year as indicated on the Farm Management Guide order form. Orders will be cancelled. "Microwave Magic," part of the 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System publications, also was not completed this year, although it was listed on the CCS order form. Those orders will be cancelled as well.

Title Change
One of the herb fact sheet titles has changed. MF-2611 is "Evening Primrose," NOT "Chinese Licorice," as originally stated. There is no "Chinese Licorice" publication, since that plant was combined with other licorice varieties in MF-2616 "Licorice." --Nancy Zimmerli nancyz@ksu.edu

ADULT EDUCATION COURSES OFFERED THIS SPRING
Kansas State University's Division of Continuing Education will be offering courses for educators interested in Adult Education this spring in Overland Park and Wichita. Courses that are required for a graduate degree in adult education, as well as elective courses in adult education, are offered. Enrollment for these courses may be completed online at http://www.dce.ksu.edu/ , or by calling the Division of Continuing Education at 1-800-432-8222 or 785-532-5566.

Three courses will be taught in Overland Park, including The Role, Organization, and Function of Community Colleges, and two seminar courses, Adult Learning and Motivation and Social Foundations. Three courses will also be offered in Wichita. These courses include seminars on Social Foundations and Organization and Administration of Adult Education, as well as Introduction to Adult Education.

If you are interested in adult education or would like to work toward an advanced degree, visit K-State's College of Education's website at http://www.coe.ksu.edu/adulted-offcampus  or e-mail Cheryl Polson at cpolson@ksu.edu . --Continuing Education

VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS. 

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