The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 11, No. 51  November 1, 2005

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Status of Faculty Positions
...Next eXtension National Videoconference
...Orientation for Extension Board Members
...Mini Grant Deadline Extended
...Faculty Professional Development
...Reflections on Extension Leadership
...Epsilon Sigma Phi Endowment Awards
...Thank You from Mary J. Sullivan, FCS Agent, Grant County
...Some 2005 Legislative Reports Still Available
...Save the Dates - 2006 Urban Extension Conference - November 6-9, 2006, Kansas City, Missouri
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
This time of the year we tend to think more about the accomplishments we have achieved in our work, mostly because it is this time of year when annual meetings are happening in local Extension units all across the state, performance evaluations are beginning to happen, and annual reports of accomplishments are required to be filed into the system. Rather than being busy work, I sincerely hope such requests cause you to reflect on those things that have been done well, those things remaining undone, and on the significance of the accomplishments with respect to what has happened with the audience for which your work was directed. Additionally, this should weigh in on the scholarly contributions each of us make toward further understanding of Extension and engagement. Following is a quote from Boyer on the importance of engagement in the work of the University, for which all of you are a part:

When you read this message from the broadest perspective, you first must think of the professoriate as any and all of us as professionals in our work. You must also accept responsibility and importance for your unique role as part of the interdependent whole. Over the next few weeks I will attempt to discuss further the concepts of extension and engagement. For the moment, think deeply about the contributions you have made through the accomplishments you report to your Boards, community leaders, administrative supervisors, and what you file into our system for future retrieval. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@k-state.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 K-State Research and Extension 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

NEXT eXTENSION NATIONAL VIDEOCONFERENCE
The next eXtension national videoconference is scheduled for Tuesday, November 8, from 1:30 – 3 p.m. CST. The program will focus on key updates, including the recently announced Pioneering Communities of Practice, the national Frequently Asked Questions project, Communications and Marketing planning, key technology milestones, and the 2006 schedule for national videoconference and iTeam (institutional team) meetings.

The broadcast may be viewed via videostreaming to your desktop at: http://real.unl.edu/extension .

AGENDA:

  1. Welcome and Agenda Overview (Dan Cotton)

  2. Pioneering Communities of Practice (Carla Craycraft, Craig Wood)
      a. Review list of Pioneering Communities of Practice with CoP Leaders
      b. Discuss how contributors should engage with the Pioneering CoPs
      c. Discuss the evaluation process how to prepare for the next Call for Engagement
      d. Announce the expected timeframe of the next Call for Engagement
      e. Describe how Pioneering CoPs will be working
      f. Providing CoP Support

  3. FAQ Project Update (Kevin Gamble, Carla Craycraft)
      a. Current status – Phase I
      b. Next steps – Phase II
      c. Reporting out to the system
      d. Keeping the FAQ system open
      e. Announcing the Winner – State/Institution having entered the most FAQs by Oct. 31

  4. Communications and Marketing Update (Terry Meisenbach, Dan Cotton)
      a. Status of strategic planning, market research, communications toolkit
      b. Collection of institutional graphic identities

  5. Technology Update (Kevin Gamble)
      a. Upcoming milestones (i.e., CMS, FAQ, internal work environments, CoP Web sites)

  6. 2005 - 2006 Meeting Schedule (Dan Cotton)
      a. National Videoconferences (February 28, May 23, July 25, October 24)
      b. iTeam meetings (December 5, March 28, June 27, September 19, November 27)
      c. eXtension National Meeting

  7. Q & A

To phone in questions, call 1-800-755-7765. To FAX in questions, send them to 1-402-472-9724. To e-mail questions, send them to questions@extension.org . TECHNICAL TROUBLE NUMBER: 1-800-755-7765
--Roger Terry rterry@oznet.ksu.edu

ORIENTATION FOR EXTENSION BOARD MEMBERS
An Extension Board Leadership curriculum and website are currently being developed and will be officially introduced at Partnership Meetings in January. The curriculum is designed to be taught by agents or experienced board members in a 10 to 15 minute session during monthly board meetings. The intent is to equip individuals with information to function in the vital role of an extension board member.

While the official introduction will take place in January, the first module of the curriculum, an orientation for newly elected board members, will be available about December 1. A teaching outline and Power Point presentation will be included. This orientation session is designed to take about an hour to present, rather than the 10 or 15 minutes planned for later sessions, and is intended to be used in a separate orientation meeting, not during a regular monthly board meeting. If your county regularly schedules a board orientation during December or early January these resources will be helpful to you. If your county doesn't regularly hold an orientation for new members, this may give you the resources to do that. Watch for an e-mail with further information about December 1. --Jim Lindquist, jlindqui@oznet.ksu.edu , Margaret Phillips margaret@oznet.ksu.edu , and Stacey Warner swarner@oznet.ksu.edu

MINI GRANT DEADLINE EXTENDED
The Kansas SARE mini grant deadline has been extended to December 5. County, District and Area Extension offices are eligible for grants up to $1,000. The call for proposals and example applications are available at: http://www.kansassustainableag.org/kansassare.html .

Contact: Jana Beckman, beckman@ksu.edu , or 785-532-1440. --Jana Beckman

FACULTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
A Faculty Orientation, with a primary focus on the Extension mission of the University, is scheduled for December 7 to 9, 2005 at the McPherson County Office of K-State Research and Extension. While the orientation has an extension focus, several of the presentations will be applicable to any research, teaching and extension faculty working anywhere within the organization. We are also extending an invitation to faculty who have been employed for several years but may never have had the opportunity to attend an orientation.

Topics will include - the unique role of the land-grant university, positive working relationships, program development including the K-State Research and Extension five-year plan, basic principles of adult education, and services available from the Department of Communications.

Registration information is available at www.oznet.ksu.edu/main/new_faculty_orientation.pdf , or from Staff Corner on the Web. Questions can be directed to Paula Peters, Pat Murphy, Pat McNally, Margaret Phillips or Stacey Warner. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

REFLECTIONS ON EXTENSION LEADERSHIP
The national Epsilon Sigma Phi Extension Professional's organization has planned a leadership development opportunity for all Extension professionals. "Reflections on Extension Leadership" is the title of a web-based seminar series that will be held in two parts on December 14, 2005 and March 8, 2006.

A web browser and speakerphone are all that is needed to participate in a live presentation featuring panel members representing county, state and administrative positions from all over the United States. Kansas will be well represented in the seminar with panelists Dick Wootton, former Associate Director; and Jim Lindquist, Assistant Director for Field Operations. There are a limited number of lines available, so register early. For additional information, see http://espnational.org/ReflectionsonExt.pdf . --Stacey M. Warner swarner@ksu.edu

EPSILON SIGMA PHI ENDOWMENT AWARDS
Epsilon Sigma Phi Endowment awarded $3500 in Professional Development and Program Innovation grants for 2005-2006. The following applications were funded for the amounts listed:

Epsilon Sigma Phi conference - To provide four scholarships to cover early-bird registration for the 2006 national conference - $1500

Ft. Riley Military Outreach Project - For a seven county/district unit collaboration to better communicate to a new audience (Ft. Riley) who may or may not be familiar with Extension - $1000

Full Circle . . . An Aging Expo - For a Northwest Area conference designed to educate and help family members and professional care givers providing care for others (especially the elderly) - $1000

It is not too early to start thinking about Program Development and Program Innovation grant applications for next year! --Carl Garten cgarten@oznet.ksu.edu

THANK YOU FROM MARY J. SULLIVAN, FCS AGENT, GRANT COUNTY
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for your kind words, thoughts, prayers, cards, and memorials that we received after my mother's passing. What a blessing it is to be a part of this caring Extension Family.

The memorial gifts we received will go to Rock Springs 4-H Center. My mother and father were so proud of their 4-H grandchildren and credited their successes to outstanding leadership training through the 4-H programs. Thanks you again for your loving kindness. --Mary J. Sullivan msulliva@oznet.ksu.edu

SOME 2005 LEGISLATIVE REPORTS STILL AVAILABLE
As you prepare for fall meetings with your boards, commissioners, and/or legislators, please think about sharing information from our January 2005 "Informal Report to the Kansas Legislature." The report contains lots of good short descriptions of many K-State Research and Extension activities underway across the state.

We still have approximately 75 reports available for distribution. If you would like one or more reports, please let me know by e-mailing: sgraham@oznet.ksu.edu . --Steven Graham

SAVE THE DATES - 2006 URBAN EXTENSION CONFERENCE - NOVEMBER 6-9, 2006, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
You are invited to the 2006 Urban Extension Conference, November 6-9, 2006, in Kansas City, Missouri. Please mark these dates on your calendar and plan to attend this exciting opportunity to learn and share about extension urban programs, leadership and issues. The conference is for extension educators, faculty and staff who work in urban, suburban and highly populated areas, who provide administrative and program leadership on the local, state and federal level, or have responsibilities for urban programming.

The conference is being planned by the 12 North Central states and hosted by University of Missouri Extension. The co-chairs for the conference are Jim Lindquist, Assistant Director, Extension Field Operations; and Al Black, Regional Director, University of Missouri Extension. If you have suggestions or questions about the conference, please contact Jim.

More information will be available as the planning progresses. If you would like to be on the mailing list for the conference, send your contact information to Jim Lindquist, jlindqui@ksu.edu . --Jim Lindquist

VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS. 

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