The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 11, No. 32  June 21, 2005

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Status of Faculty Positions
...FY 06 Travel Rate Changes
...Unclassified Vacation Leave Accrual
...Reception for Connie Hoch
...Kansas 4-H Centennial Corner
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
K-State Research & Extension is pleased to welcome the formation of four new Extension Districts effective July 1, 2005. Those new districts include:

As we continue to see this transition from county-based to district-based Extension program delivery, the way in which we work together to serve the needs of the clientele will change as well. I was pleased to see the River Valley District Extension Agents together last week working on their plans for serving the program interests and needs of the clientele across the district in the true sense of teamwork.

We believe such change will bring many benefits to the clientele we serve and to the stability of the Extension program delivery in those geographic areas now served through district structure. The opportunity for an extension agent to specialize to the extent possible within a district creates opportunity for greater focus to programs. The opportunity to work with a larger set of Extension agents will create a more comprehensive coverage of programs tied to the interests and needs of that multi-county unit.

For Extension agents, moving to a district programming approach will require giving up and letting go of certain program leadership, and taking on a new set of roles and responsibilities. Anxiety may set in for some agents when you realize you will be there in that same office, but working with new clientele, volunteers, and leaders from beyond your county border. You will also have that clientele in your county of whom you know and have grown close to being served by someone other than you! Such changes represent the tip of the iceberg if the commitment is to truly achieve operating as an integrated district unit.

I applaud the Extension agents who have braved the discussions with their Executive Boards, PDCs, County Commissioners, and all stakeholders across their county to look fairly and objectively at the opportunity to come together with multiple counties to form a district and develop an operational plan to assure success in such an organized structure for delivery of an innovative, relevant, high quality, and sustainable Extension program for the people of Kansas.

I know many discussions have taken place with varying outcomes. I repeat my appreciation for engaging in such discussions. I am encouraged by the number of local Boards and Commissions who are continuously looking at the options and seriously considering the pro's and con's of partnering with other counties in the delivery of a comprehensive Extension program.

For those four new districts getting started on July 1, I wish you all the success and anticipate many challenges, questions, and problems. But, you will also be blessed with surprises, excitement, and opportunities. May your commitment to change and make better the service you provide to your colleagues and your constituents across the district bring out the best in what you have to offer through the resources of K-State Research & Extension. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@oznet.ksu.edu

STATUS OF FACULTY POSITIONS
To check the status of faculty positions that are currently in the search process, see the K-State Research and Extension Job Opportunities website at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/main/jobs.asp . Click on "Employment Status of KSRE Faculty Positions." Search committee chairs - contact Dorothy Ireland in the Extension Operations Office at direland@oznet.ksu.edu , or 785-532-5787, to keep the information updated. --Stacey M. Warner swarner@oznet.ksu.edu

FY 06 TRAVEL RATE CHANGES
The Kansas Department of Administration in Topeka has announced the new travel rates effective July 1, 2005.

The rates are updated on the Extension Operations website at: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/operations/travel.htm . --Stacey M. Warner swarner@oznet.ksu.edu

UNCLASSIFIED VACATION LEAVE ACCRUAL
The payroll period which ended June 4, 2005, and which was paid on June 17, was the last pay period of  the fiscal year. Unclassified employees don't earn vacation leave for this pay period (unless they were first hired during FY 2005).

However, there was a computer error which made it appear on some individual pay stubs that they did earn vacation leave. The correct leave balances can be reviewed on the Employee Self-Service website at http://www.ksu.edu/hr/peo.htm . --Joe Younger jyounger@ksu.edu  785-532-6277

RECEPTION FOR CONNIE HOCH
Please join us for a reception to thank Connie for her service as FCS agent in Lyon County. We also wish her luck in her new position with the Extension PRIDE Program.

The reception for Connie is this Friday, June 24, from 2-4 p.m. in the Extension meeting room, 618 Commercial Street in Emporia. --Amy Jordan ajordan@oznet.ksu.edu

KANSAS 4-H CENTENNIAL CORNER
Here is a brief reminder of Centennial due dates, projects and update of newest developments.

County Fairs--some will celebrate the Centennial in 2005, and others are waiting until 2006. Encourage pre-orders for the new 4-H Cookbook. (If you have not seen a club cookbook packet in your office, contact Rhonda Atkinson in the 4-H Foundation ASAP!)

August 1--audition tape from 4-H soloist, duet, ensemble or chorus, singing "I Pledge" centennial theme for the opening ceremony, September 10, new 4-H Centennial Hall, 10:20 a.m. Send tape, name of member/group, county, and contact information to State 4-H Office.

August 15--Pre-entry due to Kansas State Fair for decorated Hay Bale contest, one from each county. Also all other OPEN CLASS entries are due to the State Fair Office. Remember to promote the Governor's Cookie Jar, Scarecrow, and theme floral arrangement that all must use the 4-H Centennial theme this year.

Centennial Candle--EVERY COUNTY must have a Centennial Candle (see instructions on 4-H Centennial link on 4-H website), and a 4-H member designated to carry their candle in the opening ceremony at the State Fair. Candle bearers will line up alphabetically by county and will lead off the 4-H parade from Gottschalk Park to the Centennial Hall. We will have a county name badge that they will wear. A form for you to complete with this information will be sent soon.

4-H Centennial Parade--All 4-H members, family members, leaders, alumni and staff are invited to march in the opening Centennial parade at the State Fair. Everyone marching will need to wear a shirt that has a 4-H logo, preferably the 4-H Centennial shirt. Begin gathering at Gottschalk Park (the open area south of the Fair Administration building, right inside the main gate) at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, September 10. We will line up the 105 Candle Bearers to lead it off, and as we march, we will all chant this simple phrase, "HEAD, HEART, HANDS, HEALTH, FOREVER 4-H-CLAP, CLAP; REPEAT". We plan to arrive at the 4-H Centennial Hall about 10:20. The ribbon cutting dedication for the new building and opening Centennial ceremony will be held outside the southeast entrance to the building. We will conclude the ceremony with the roll call of counties taking in their Centennial candle, placing it around the giant birthday cake, and then singing Happy Birthday to 4-H.

The State 4-H Office is in the process of inviting all Kansas and Kansas federal legislators, the Governor, her Cabinet, State Fair Board, 4-H Foundation Board, and selected University dignitaries to the Opening Ceremony.

New projects and ideas in the works--The 4-H Marketing Action Team and Extension Communications are working to put together a National 4-H Week press kit, with a Centennial focus.

Power Cat/Clover Pin--The College of Agriculture and 4-H are collaborating to design, order and give away at the 2005 and 2006 State Fairs, a specially designed metal pin that will feature both the Power Cat and the 4-H Clover! In addition to the pin being given out at the Ag and K-State Research & Extension booths in the Pride of Kansas building, we will begin to hand them out to participants and those gathered for the opening Centennial Ceremony at the 4-H Centennial Hall, and through the rest of the Fair.

4-H Centennial Profiles--Nancy Peterson plans to write a human interest story, profiling 4-H alumni/leaders/members who have been successful in their career and life because of their 4-H experience. She is hoping to do about 24 of these, with releases throughout the year, at the first and 15th of each month.

Prairie Home Companion--This will be a live broadcast from the Kansas State Fair Grandstand on Saturday, September 10. Contacts are being made to see how 4-H could be involved as part of the show.

Westlake Hardware--For counties who have a Westlake Hardware in their community, they are also celebrating their 100th anniversary. We encourage you to contact them to see if you might collaborate on a joint project. Nancy Peterson suggests that they might help sponsor an ad around the September 10 Centennial kick-off or National 4-H week, or since they sell tools, and 4-H teaches tools for life, they might consider a special discount to 4-H members/families.

Thanks to all of you who collected and delivered the brown paper grocery sacks for use at the "Do-Art" activity at the State Fair. I think that we hit the mark!

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me, sfisher@oznet.ksu.edu . FOREVER 4-H!!! --Steve Fisher

VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS. 

Top