The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 13, No. 33  June 26, 2007

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...'Empowering Community Leadership' Conference to be Held for South-Central Kansas Community Leaders
...June 29, 2007 Paycheck
...New Leave Forms
...Reporting System Update
...Input on a Revised Agent Evaluation System Being Sought for 2008
...2007 Kansas 4-H & FFA Wheat Show
...Flinchbaugh Roast to Highlight Fall Social Schedule
...Master Schedule

                                                                                                           ...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Effectiveness in extension work and carrying out the extension mission requires being outwardly focused. By that I mean, focused on people other than yourself. Walking that fine line between 1) seeing to it that people know who you are and have an appreciation for your work, and 2) being characterized as boastful, arrogant, and self-serving, can be difficult. I believe success in this profession requires a large dose of humility. Personal satisfaction for our work isn't so much about success as it about significance.

Remaining focused on the interests, needs, and desires of our clientele will always be primary in the success of extension work, which brings me to the "FRED FACTOR" . Take a moment to go to this website, and in the upper left corner, click on "Meet Fred." Fred's success comes through the significance he creates with his focus on meeting the needs of others as a Postal Worker. His success will come in knowing he, as a Postal Service professional, has served the needs of each person on his postal route better than anyone else.

And, I really like this Zig Ziglar quote, "People often say, motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily." --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

'EMPOWERING COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP' CONFERENCE TO BE HELD FOR SOUTH-CENTRAL KANSAS COMMUNITY LEADERS
USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks announced the annual 'Community Development Academy: Empowering Community Leadership' training program will be offered for south-central Kansas community leaders in July. The community development training opportunity, a joint effort of USDA Rural Development, FHLBank Topeka, K-State Research and Extension, Kansas Rural Development Foundation, and Kansas Department of Commerce, will consist of training for local leaders covering a variety of community development tools and techniques to help meet the opportunities presented in south-central Kansas and their impact on the region's communities.

The 2007 'Community Development Academy' will be offered in three, day-long sessions on July 11, 18 and 25 at the McKinley Administrative Center, 308 E 1st Street, in Newton. Communities wishing to participate in the Academy are encouraged to form teams of not less than three local leaders and will be expected to participate in all three sessions. There will be a charge of $65/participant. To make a reservation for the Community Development Academy, please register online at http://www.regonline.com/cda and complete the registration form and return it to FHLBank Topeka at One Security Benefit Pl., Suite 100, Box 176, Topeka, Kansas 66601-0176 by July 6.

If you have any questions regarding this program, please feel free to contact the FHLBank Topeka at 1-866-571-8155 or USDA Rural Development at 785-271-2718. --Steven M. Graham sgraham@k-state.edu

JUNE 29, 2007 PAYCHECK
The June 29, 2007 paycheck is the third paycheck in the month. Therefore, premiums for group health insurance, KPERS optional group life insurance, TEA life insurance and contributions to the KanElect flexible spending accounts will not be deducted from this paycheck. Premiums will be deducted for federal health insurance.

Additionally, 12-month unclassified employees do not earn an 8-hour vacation day for the pay period June 3, 2007 through June 16, 2007, paid June 29, 2007. Also, unclassified employees appointed to less than 12-month non-instructional positions do not earn vacation leave for this same pay period.

Questions should be addressed to Benefits Administration at 785-532-6277, or e-mail BENADMIN@K-STATE.EDU . --Division of Human Resources

NEW LEAVE FORMS
Forms to track FY 2008 vacation and sick leave can be found on the Employee Resources website. Go to www.oznet.ksu.edu/employee_resources . Click on Forms on the left hand side, click on Search by Topics. Click on Benefits/Payroll Information/Leave forms. The form is PR-5.  --Stacey M. Warner swarner@ksu.edu

REPORTING SYSTEM UPDATE
A few weeks ago, I put a paragraph in the Tuesday Letter about the new reporting system indicating that we might be ready by July 1. Well, we aren't quite there, yet. We want to make sure that we get most of the bugs worked out before it goes live!! Anyway, in the meantime, please continue to use whatever system you are currently using to submit your reports.

By the way, the new reporting system will only require that you report to the state on a quarterly basis. Your boards may still want monthly reports. Please continue to do that in whatever manner meets your situation, but do try to emphasize the outcomes of your programming, not just the activities. --Paula Peters ppeters@ksu.edu

INPUT ON A REVISED AGENT EVALUATION SYSTEM BEING SOUGHT FOR 2008
A committee of extension personnel consisting of: Joni James, Susan Schlichting, Clint Milliman, David Key, Mary Sullivan, Dean Whitehill, Laurie Chandler, Trudy Rice, Delta George, Johnny Roberts, J.D. McNutt and Stacey Warner are seeking feedback on a revised Agent Evaluation System for 2008. A very brief survey will be distributed approximately July 1, for extension agents to respond to by July 17.

The purpose of the survey is to create awareness that the agent performance review system is being revised and to give everyone who will be effected by the revision the opportunity for input. Questions and concerns can be directed to the committee listed above. --David Key dkey@oznet.ksu.edu

*1.  3# bin run sample for those enrolled in crops
*2.  3# bin run sample, by adopting a producer

*These samples must be submitted by July 20 to Manhattan in a wheat bag with entry information. The Northwest Area Extension Office has extra wheat sample bags.

3. 1 quart jar cleaned sample of wheat             
4. 1 loaf of bread             
5. Four cookies             
6. Wheat photography contest             
7. Wheat centerpiece contest             
8. Cloverbuds (5-6 years old)- can enter any of the above.  Participatory ribbon awarded only.

There is no registration fee, although registration will be required to ensure an accurate meal count and for tour divisions.  Visit the Kansas 4-H website for more information under “What’s Hot” and also to register by clicking on  the “Register for 4-H Events” button, http://4-h.k-state.edu/ . For those with no computer connections, contact Greg McClure for a manual food reservation by August 1, 2007, at 785-537-6350.

Cargill Cares and other sponsors cover the cost of cash awards, opening refreshments and lunch. Door prizes will also be given.  While the judging of divisions takes place, participants will tour the International Grains Program and Hal Ross Flour Mill and experience a hands- on baking activity in Shellenberger Hall. 

Questions?  Contact Deryl Waldren, P. O. Box 786, Colby, KS 67701; 785-462-6281; or e-mail him at dwaldren@ksu.edu . --Deryl Waldren

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