The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 13, No. 43  September 4, 2007

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Pancake Breakfast Kick-Off
...Password Change Reminder!
...K-State TechBytes Technology Series
...Counties/Districts Needed for 2008 4-H Japanese Exchange Program
...Epsilon Sigma Phi - Nominate Your Colleagues for Awards!
...Epsilon Sigma Phi Endowment Fund Grant Proposals Accepted
...Silent Auction Opportunity at Annual Conference
...2008 Kansas 4-H International Exchange Opportunities
...Professional Development Opportunities for Enhancing Personal Leadership Skills
...Additional Help with Your Website Available
...Center for Engagement and Community Development News
...August Extension Agent Personnel Changes
...Opportunities to Increase Links with Volunteer Community Improvement Groups
...K-State Research and Extension Area Mentor Workshops
...Reminder
...Announcing
...Registration Now Available for Annual Conference
...Master Schedule

                                                                                                           ...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
A couple weeks back I was focused on the factors that E.M. Rogers found to be positively related to the success of a change agent. As a reminder, those factors are:

1.) Extent of change agent effort in contacting clients.
2.) A client orientation, rather than a change agency orientation.
3.) Degree to which the program is compatible with clients' needs.
4.) Change agent's empathy with clients.
5.) His or her homophily with clients.
6.) Credibility in the clients' eyes.
7.) Extent to working with opinion leaders.
8.) Increasing clients' ability to evaluate innovations.

Each factor is worth some thought and discussion.

1.) Extent of change agent effort in contacting clients. If you believe in the program, and that it is worth the expense of making it happen; then take the effort to make personal invites to each person who can benefit from attending the event. An event without the most important people, the clientele, is worthless no matter how good it might be!

2.) A client orientation, rather than a change agency orientation. Its about them, not us. Design the program to first serve the client, not K-State Research and Extension.

3.) Degree to which the program is compatible with clients' needs. The challenge is to understand the issues and road blocks to change for the clientele, and to design the program to resolve the issues and knock down all road blocks for the clientele!

If you really want to be successful in extension work, invest the time and your personal development to effectively accomplish all eight of the above. More in the coming weeks. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu  

PANCAKE BREAKFAST KICK-OFF
As your College of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension/All-University Campaign volunteers, we would like to invite all faculty and staff to join us in the Pancake Breakfast Kick-Off.

The pancake breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, September 6, from 7:30 - 10:00 a.m. in Ahearn Fieldhouse. This fun-filled event will kick-off this year's All-University Campaign. You will soon be receiving a packet of information regarding the campaign and a request for donations.

Donations can be directed to funds identified to benefit all areas within the College of Agriculture or K-State Research and Extension and, new this year, funds have been established to benefit classified employees. If you have any questions regarding the Campaign, please contact any of the volunteers listed below. We look forward to seeing you on the 6th to enjoy a pancake breakfast.

Thank you all for your consideration of this worthy fund-raising campaign. --Your Volunteers: Daryl Buchholz, K-State Research and Extension; Andy Barkley, Curtis Kastner, Gary Pierzynski and Cyreathia (SAM) Reyer, College of Agriculture

K-STATE TECHBYTES TECHNOLOGY SERIES
Free Internet tools, creating a Blog, using social bookmarks, how to make a Wiki....these Web 2.0 tools, as well as other helpful software programs, highlight this season's TechBytes series.  Beginning Thursday, September 13, 1:15pm at the Hemisphere Room (501) Hale Library, this series will continue weekly with nine programs running through November 8.

These programs can be viewed “live” via video streaming. For the full TechBytes schedule, presentation descriptions, and links to video streams and other useful resources, go to the TechBytes Website at www.ksu.edu/techbytes .

For more information, contact Gerry Snyder, IET (Information and Educational Technology), gsnyder@ksu.edu . --Gerry Snyder

COUNTIES/DISTRICTS NEEDED FOR 2008 4-H JAPANESE EXCHANGE PROGRAM
It is not too early to begin thinking about participation as a host Extension Unit for the 2008 Japanese Exchange.  An “Intent to Participate” form as host for the Japanese Exchange from Counties or Districts is due by September 14.  Based on the county/district responses, Kansas will commit to hosting a specific number of youth and adult chaperones for the 2008 summer inbound program.  We know this is a bit hard these many months in advance.

The Japanese will arrive in counties about July 20 and stay with one family each for around 3 1/2 weeks. To participate, a county or unit will agree to locate a volunteer coordinator who will manage the recruitment and screening of six host families, plan orientation and organize local activities during their stay.  Training, resource materials, and some expense money are available for the coordinators and agents.  Extension agents oversee the program and may be as active as they wish in its conduct. 

EPSILON SIGMA PHI - NOMINATE YOUR COLLEAGUES FOR AWARDS!
Please consider nominating one of your colleagues for an Epsilon Sigma Phi award. The nominations are due September 24, 2007. The nomination forms for awards are on the www.oznet.ksu.edu/esp-AlphaRho/awards/awards.htm  website. Download the forms anytime you have a couple of minutes. Send your nominations to Danny Rogers, drogers@ksu.edu , ESP Awards Committee Chair. An electronic submission is preferred. Thank you for taking time to recognize the good work of your extension colleagues.

Share your 4-H experience with rural youth in other countries.  4-H members and alumni between ages 19 and 25 in summer 2008 have the opportunity to choose individual international exchanges to a wide variety of countries where 4-H has partner 4-H or rural youth organization partners.  International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) experiences can be arranged in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America or the South Pacific for six weeks, three months or six months.  All include multiple home stays in rural areas or on farms.  Some provide an opportunity to help strengthen 4-H in the host country.  Country placements are tailored to each person based on availability of partner organizations, interests of the U.S. delegate, and the compatibility of the delegate’s interests and skills with the host country’s programs. Earning academic credit at the delegate’s college or university is usually an option. See the World Citizenship pages on the Kansas 4-H website, http://4-H.k-state.edu/worldcitizenship , or contact Mary Kay Munson, Kansas 4-H International Exchange Coordinator, at 785-238-3631 or munsonm@nqks.com for application and information.  Apply by November 2, 2007. I am happy to visit with you about these 2008 programs at the Kansas State Fair, or contact me at 785-462-6281 or e-mail dwaldren@ksu.edu . --Deryl Waldren

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENHANCING PERSONAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS
In last week’s edition of the Tuesday Letter, Daryl challenged us to commit to at least one workshop or learning experience each year that focuses on personal professional development, building relationships with others, and understanding ourselves. The Leadership Development Program Focus Team invites you to explore the 20+ opportunities that we have identified/orchestrated to assist you in advancing your personal leadership development, enhancing working relationships, and building self-understanding. These opportunities (listed in the online professional development catalog) include a variety of learning and delivery options including workshops and conferences, self-assessment tools, and self-study resources.

In September, the Kansas Leadership Forum will host its annual conference in Abilene. Sessions will include best practices in community leadership programs and a keynote address by Ed O’Malley with the newly formed Kansas Leadership Center. This November, you can learn more about creating learning opportunities through work and life experiences as part of the Lifelong Leadership Development Workshop.

In March, we’ll partner with the Volunteer Development PFT in exploring how we can better manage conflict as part of our everyday interactions and in working with small groups (such as fair boards) at the Survival Skills and Conflict Resolution workshop that will be facilitated by Terrie McCants, a conflict resolution specialist with the Program for Workplace Solutions. You won’t want to miss our “flagship” leadership development opportunity in October 2008 when Susan Halbert (a retired  member of the professional development team at National 4-H Council) presents a workshop based on the highly acclaimed Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership outlined in the best-selling book “The Leadership Challenge.” This  workshop will also include the Leadership Practices Inventory – an assessment of your skill level in mastering the Five Practices.

For those of you interested in more informal ways of exploring leadership development, the professional development catalog includes a host of other opportunities. Take advantage of a self-assessment tool to learn more about your personal leadership or decision-making style, participate in small group discussion about a contemporary leadership issue or challenge, work through one of the excellent guides on building facilitation skills, or explore some of the great journals and books on leadership. These resources offer opportunities for both beginners (basic) and more experienced professionals (advanced) and include some very practical concepts and skills such as “First-Time Leaders of Small Groups: How to Create High Performing Committees, Task Forces, Clubs and Boards.”

The Leadership Development PFT looks forward to working with you in enhancing your personal leadership development. --Robert Wilson rmwilson@ksu.edu and Jodi Besthorn Besthorn@ksu.edu , PFT Co-Chairs

ADDITIONAL HELP WITH YOUR WEBSITE AVAILABLE
We can help you with your CMS Website and save you time. Additional help is now available for any local, district or state-level K- State Research and Extension office needing to add or copy text or other information into their content management Website. Your office makes final content decisions and gives final approval to the site before it goes live, but our student employees can do some of the work for you. K-State Research and Extension's move to CMS is anticipated to be in place by October 18. To receive this additional help, please contact Pat Melgares in the Department of Communications, melgares@ksu.edu  or 785-532-1160. --Pat Melgares

CENTER FOR ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEWS
Please click on the link below to view our August CECD E-Newsletter. Just click on the E-News link under Engagement News. Also, while you're there, check out our newly designed CECD website.

http://www.ksu.edu/cecd

--David Procter dprocter@ksu.edu

AUGUST EXTENSION AGENT PERSONNEL CHANGES
Jodi Besthorn, 4-H Youth Development Agent in Sedgwick County, began sabbatical leave on August 26, 2007.

Nozella Brown, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Wyandotte County, began employment on July 29, 2007. Nozella was previously the Family Nutrition Program Assistant in Wyandotte County. Her e-mail address is nlbrown2@.ksu.edu .

Kerri Cole, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Wabaunsee County, resigned on August 6, 2007.

Joe Leibbrandt, District Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent in Sunflower Extension District, began employment on July 29, 2007. Joe was previously the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent in Logan County.

Amanda Lott, District 4-H Youth Development Agent in River Valley Extension District, will be temporarily housed in the Concordia Office.

Rebecca McFarland, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Franklin County began sabbatical leave on July 29, 2007.

Janae McNally, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Coffey County, began employment on August 26, 2007. Her e-mail address is jmcnally@.ksu.edu

Todd Whitney, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent in River Valley Extension District, began sabbatical leave on July 29, 2007. --Stacey Warner swarner@ksu.edu

OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE LINKS WITH VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT GROUPS
PRIDE DAY - Community representatives from across the state will be meeting on September 29 at the Junction City Conference Center for the annual PRIDE Day conference. Plan to join us now! The theme this year is "The Ownership of Leadership" and we are pleased to have Ed O'Malley, the Director of the Kansas Leadership Center, as our guest speaker. Also, our own Dr. Vincent Amanor-Boadu will wrap up the conference with his presentation. The day will provide a great day to network with others, celebrate community success, and build relationships with community volunteers. Information and registration for the conference can be found at www.kansasprideprogram.ksu.edu .

GET IT - DO IT applications are now available! This project will provide FUNDING resources to COMMUNITIES that wish to work with YOU (Area Extension Professionals) to implement EVIDENCE BASED health and fitness projects in their communities. Good, eh? This is another great connection for building community based partnerships through PRIDE. Applications can be downloaded and shared with community PRIDE groups. They can be found at www.kansasprideprogram.ksu.edu . For more information about this project, contact Connie Hoch at choch@ksu.edu . --Dan Kahl dkahl@oznet.ksu.edu  

K-STATE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION AREA MENTOR WORKSHOPS
You may now register for the Mentor Workshops this fall at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/employee_resources . Select the date and location and return the registration form to the host area office.

New agent mentors and local and area office colleagues play a key role in the professional development of new agents. All of theses individuals are encouraged to attend upcoming mentor workshops which are scheduled in October and November, 2007.

Agents who have been a mentor
Agents who would like to be mentors
Agents who have/will have a new co-worker
New agents who would like to share their experiences
Others who have a role in supporting new agents

For questions, contact Margaret Phillips, margaret@ksu.edu ; and Stacey Warner, swarner@ksu.edu --Margaret Phillips

REMINDER
Working with Multicultural Audiences, a two half-day professional development opportunity will be offered free of charge beginning after the conclusion of Annual Conference on October 18 at the Student Union and concluding by noon on October 19. Sponsored by USDA-SARE Professional Development Program, participants must register by contacting Bill Hargrove, KCARE, bhargrov@ksu.edu . There are ten open slots left on a  first come, first serve basis. Also see KSRE Professional Development Catalogue for more information. --Bill Hargrove

ANNOUNCING
The Kansas Water Office and KCARE are co-sponsoring a series of public informational meetings on Bioenergy, Water and other Issues in Kansas. The meeting dates and locations are:

December 5, Emporia State University;
December 7, Garden City Community College; and
December 11, Ft. Hays State University.

Each meeting is 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and includes lunch. Meetings are open to the public.

Topics will include direction of biofuels in Kansas, status of proposed biofuels processing plants in Kansas, Water use and other environmental impacts associated with bioenergy; economic impacts of biofuels industry, the 2007 Farm Bill, and issues of local interest.

More information and flyers will be available later for distribution at the local level. For more information, contact KCARE, bhargrov@ksu.edu . --Bill Hargrove

REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Registration is now available for the 2007 K-State Research and Extension Annual Conference, scheduled for October 15-18 in the K-State Student Union. This year's theme, "Planning for Impact," represents our commitment to "making a positive difference" in the lives of Kansans. Keynote speakers include former KSU Football Coach, Bill Snyder.

Online registration and detailed conference information can be found at www.communications.ksu.edu/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=743 . Please note important information concerning parking on campus during construction of the new parking garage south of the Union. --Bill Hargrove bhargrov@ksu.edu

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