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The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 12, No. 31  June 13, 2006


IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Director Announced for Center for Engagement and Community Development
...Scholarship to Attend Epsilon Sigma Phi National Meeting ($375)
...Northwest Area 4-H Specialist Interviews Announced
...State 4-H Specialist Interviews - June 21
...Publications/Production Services Update
...KSU Foundation Update: Giving Options
...Putting Saving on Auto Pilot
...2006 State 4-H Horticulture Judging Contest
...KYLF Workshop Presenters Needed
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives


WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Learning how to add value to a meeting, help to resolve a dispute, lead to a group decision, get public input on important issues, or solve issues thought to be unsolvable, that's a professional development opportunity I had this past week provided through the Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy. The professional development was public issues facilitation. I was not alone among those participating from K-State Research and Extension. A total of 20 Extension professionals, 14 of whom are Extension agents, participated. Additionally, six more individuals came at the invitation of Extension agents, including board members, volunteers, and cooperators in local Extension programs. The outstanding training team included David Proctor, Terrie McCants, Dan Kahl, Charlie Griffin, and Marie Steichen.

The definition of facilitate is to make easier. Facilitation is simply a process to make something easier. In this case it was learning processes to make it easier to discuss public issues. Is this important as a competency for an Extension professional? I believe it is.

Facilitation is about making persons comfortable in sharing concerns, ideas, opportunities, experiences, and thought processes in group settings. As an Extension professional, I am always interested in what is going on in other peoples' minds around tough issues of high priority. Becoming skilled in utilizing facilitation techniques will add value to an Extension professional. I believe such skills to be valuable at a PDC planning meeting, Board meetings, informational / educational meetings, or just about anytime you bring a group together to discuss and learn. Think about those really outstanding educational events in which you have participated or organized. What made them really good? Often times it is the discussion that occurs as a result of the information presented. Skilled facilitation makes it easy for a discussion to happen. It can increase the frequency of having those high quality meetings. And, when the public believes a meeting will be of high quality and that their questions will be addressed, attendance will increase. Isn't that what we are all about?

If you believe your facilitation skills need improving, look for the next opportunity to participate in one of these workshops through the Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy. If you're interested in knowing more about the workshop, ask Deb Bolton, Glen Brunkow, David Coltrain, Sherry Davis, Michael Hansen, Connie Hoch, Nancy Honig, Jonie James, Barbara Lilyhorn, Chiquita Miller, Rick Miller, Martha Murphy, Cathy Musick, Gayle Price, Fran Richmond, Nadine Sigle, Marsha Weaver, Jennifer Wilson, Robert Wilson, or myself. I am confident we all agree that skilled facilitation adds value to our professional abilities in working with our Boards, organizations, and the public in general. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

 

DIRECTOR ANNOUNCED FOR CENTER FOR ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
(The following is adapted from a K-State News Service Release)
Provost M. Duane Nellis announced Friday, June 9, that Dr. David Procter has accepted the appointment as director of the new center. Procter has headed the department of speech communication, theater and dance since 1993.

As director, Procter will provide leadership for engagement and community development activities at K-State and will represent the center on campus and throughout the state. He will coordinate programmatic efforts, seek funding for programs, develop and maintain partnerships, build faculty teams and manage the budget and personnel of the center, especially the Seed Grant Program for faculty. The center will collaborate with the statewide extension system.

"The mission of the new Center for Engagement and Community Development is to promote engagement both across the breadth of our campus and off campus, in teaching, research and outreach, and to apply K-State expertise to address issues of community development in Kansas," Nellis said.

The actual date for David's transition from his current position into this director role was not given. We anticipate it to be sometime close to the start of the fall semester. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

 

SCHOLARSHIP TO ATTEND EPSILON SIGMA PHI NATIONAL MEETING ($375)
Kansas ESP members, apply now for a scholarship to cover the registration fee to the National ESP conference in Annapolis, Maryland, November 14 - 17, 2006. Information about the conference is available at http://espnational.org/natconf.htm . This is a great opportunity for members to grow professionally, and for life members to attend and stay in the Extension groove! A considerable number of life members attend this conference each year.

Four scholarships will be awarded. The scholarships are available through the Professional Development Committee of the Alpha Rho Chapter through a grant from the endowment fund. To apply, fill out the form on the Alpha Rho website: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/esp-AlphaRho/  under “What’s New.” Applications are due June 15 to Laurie Chandler, Professional Development Committee Chair. For more information, contact Laurie Chandler, lchandle@ksu.edu ; Stacey Warner, swarner@ksu.edu ; or Trudy Rice,  trice@oznet.ksu.edu . --Laurie Chandler

 

NORTHWEST AREA 4-H SPECIALIST INTERVIEWS ANNOUNCED
Three candidates will interview for the position of Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development, NW Area,  on Tuesday, June 20, at the K-State Northwest Research-Extension Center Conference Room. Each will provide a seminar, followed by a 30-minute Q and A session with Extension agents. Seminars will be broadcast via Polycom to locations at Hays [Ellis County Extension Office] and Manhattan [Room 125, Umberger]. Specific times for each candidate are as follows:

Deryl Waldren, CEA, 4-H Livestock & Natural Resources, Boulder County, Colorado (CSU)
Seminar - 9 - 10 a.m.
Agents session - 10 - 10:30 a.m.

Andrea Schmidt, CEA, 4-H Youth Development - Riley County
Seminar - 11 a.m. - 12 Noon
Agents session - 12 Noon to 12:30 p.m.

Cathy Musick, CED - Gove County
Seminar - 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Agents session - 2:30 - 3 p.m.

Curriculum vitae and the Candidate Feedback form will be posted on the Kansas 4- H web site, http://4-h.k-state.edu , by June 14. Look for the link under "What's Hot!" in the right column of the homepage. --Libby Curry lcurry@ksu.edu

 

STATE 4-H SPECIALIST INTERVIEWS - JUNE 21
A reminder that interview day for the candidates for the Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development, (Learning Environments), will be Wednesday, June 21, on campus in Manhattan.
Complete information about the candidates and their seminar and Agent/Volunteer interview sessions can be found at http://4-h.k-state.edu/Staff/Specialist/Default.htm .  All Extension faculty are encouraged to attend the seminars and participate in the Question and Answer time.

The committee has planned all seminars on one day to encourage maximum participation. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide real-time streaming feed of the candidates' seminars. They will be posted to the web as soon as possible following their presentations. Individuals who cannot be present but have something they'd like to ask the candidates, may send questions in advance to Karen Knox, State 4-H Office Manager, at ksknox@ksu.edu , and the Search Committee will be sure that they get them to the candidates. 

Feedback forms to the Search Committee are due no later than 4 p.m., Wednesday, June 21, to Gary W. Gerhard either via FAX, 785-532-5981, or e-mail. Feedback forms received after this time will be submitted directly to Dr. Pat McNally, Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development. --Gary Gerhard ggerhard@ksu.edu

 

PUBLICATIONS/PRODUCTION SERVICES UPDATE
Order Forms
Watch for the 2006 Fourth Quarter Order Form to be sent Friday, June 16. Orders will be due July 1. The next order form with new and revised publications will be sent Friday, July 7, with orders due July 21. --Nancy Zimmerli-Cates nancy@ksu.edu

 

KSU FOUNDATION UPDATE: GIVING OPTIONS
There may be individuals in your community who want to give to K-State Research and Extension locally through bequests-gifts through their wills or living trusts. How about a gift that reserves lifetime income to them or one of their family members? K-State Research and Extension would benefit in the same manner as if a bequest was made, but they would be entitled to a charitable deduction and other tax benefits today. Or they may prefer the simplicity of an immediate gift of cash or property. By tailoring the form of a gift, we can help receive tax rewards, maintain financial security, and make a truly meaningful contribution.

Contact the KSU Foundation Gift Planning department today to learn how we can find the perfect gift for individuals in your community. Call us at 785-532-7539 or 1-800-432-1578 for more information. --Lori Rogge lorir@found.ksu.edu

 

PUTTING SAVING ON AUTO PILOT
Read one saver's story about creating 'auto pilot' saving to set up an emergency fund, pay off credit card debt, save toward two goals -- a house down payment and retirement, while tracking the 'little things that can add up over time.' You can do it too! The Spring 2006 American Saver newsletter is at http://www.americasaves.org/downloads/www.americasaves.org/NewsLetters/Spring06.pdf . Kansas Saves: You Can Build Wealth. --Carol Young cyoung@ksu.edu

 

2006 STATE 4-H HORTICULTURE JUDGING CONTEST
The State 4-H Horticulture Judging Contest will be held Saturday, August 26, on the KSU Campus. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the contest orientation at 10 a.m.  Awards will be presented at 2 p.m.   Additional information will be available on the State 4-H Website after July 1. Registration will be due August 15.  The charge per participant is $8.  The chair for this event is Larry Crouse, Butler County Horticulture Agent. --Beth Hinshaw bhinshaw@ksu.edu  and Larry Crouse lcrouse@ksu.edu
 

KYLF WORKSHOP PRESENTERS NEEDED
The Kansas Youth Leadership Forum needs workshop presenters for Saturday, November 18, at Rock Spring 4-H Center. Teens, ages 14-18, are the primary audience.   The workshops focusing on some aspect of leadership, are one hour in length, and will begin at  8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Proposals are due to the State 4-H Office on July 10.  A letter with details and a proposal form can be found on the  4-H website, http://4-h.k-state.edu/Events/KYLF/Default.htm . --Beth Hinshaw bhinshaw@ksu.edu
 
 

VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

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

DATES TAKEN FROM THE MASTER SCHEDULE FOR JUNE 21, 2006, THROUGH JUNE 27, 2006:

Wednesday, June 21, through Saturday, June 24
.... Purple Power Pack 4-H Camp, Rock Springs 4-H Center, Matt Pfeifer mpfeifer@oznet.ksu.edu

Thursday, June 22
.... Tri-County Horse Judging Contest, Parsons/LB, 9:00 a.m., Keith Martin
rkmartin@ksu.edu

Thursday, June 22, through Saturday, June 24
.... Osage County 4-H Fair, Melvern

Thursday, June 22, through Sunday, June 25
.... American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), Charlotte, NC, Paula Peters
peters@humec.ksu.edu

Friday, June 23
.... Lyon County Open Youth Rodeo, Emporia, Statewide, Sarah Maass
semaass@oznet.ksu.edu

Saturday, June 24
.... 4-H Geocashing Adventure, Hiawatha/BR, Statewide, 10:00 a.m., Steve Brown
scbrown@ksu.edu

Saturday, June 24, through Tuesday, June 27
.... Heart of Kansas 4-H Camp, Rock Springs 4-H Center, Adam Jefferis
ajefferi@oznet.ksu.edu and Amy Gerdes agerdes@oznet.ksu.edu

Saturday, June 24, through Sunday, July 2
.... State 4-H Venturers, Colorado, Statewide, Pat McNally
pmcnally@oznet.ksu.edu

Sunday, June 25
.... Lyon County Open Horse Show, Emporia, Statewide, 9:00 a.m., Dawn Young and Sarah Maass
semaass@oznet.ksu.edu

Tuesday, June 27
.... State 4-H Horse Judging Contest, Wichita, KS, Statewide, Julie Voge
jvoge@oznet.ksu.edu

Tuesday, June 27, through Friday, June 30
.... Dirty Dozen 4-H Camp, Rock Springs 4-H Center, Nancy Schuster
nschuste@oznet.ksu.edu and Shannon Blocker sblocker@oznet.ksu.edu

 

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