The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

Vol. 14, No. 16  March 4, 2008

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...FNP Health and Nutrition from the Garden Workshops Cancelled
...Additional Reporting Impact Training Date and Location Scheduled
...Kansas 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) Survey
...Connect Web Videoconference Training
...A Leadership Read
...New!!! 4-H's Clover Country CD!!!
...Ready....Set....Go!!
...High Plains Horseman's Day
...Design for Learning - April 4-May 30, 2008
...IRS 4-H Tax-Exempt Project Update
...How Do We Grow 4-H?
...4-H Photo Adventure Camp Information
...Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Fundraiser
...Marketing Minute: Internet Usage
...Marie's Pick of the Week
...Kansas Forest Service 2007 Annual Report Online
...February Extension Agent Personnel Changes
...Master Schedule

                                                                                                           ...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Continuing on the theme of "how the world is changing" from last week, another engaging speaker focused on the "me" generation, or as she would have preferred to call it the "iGen." Dr. Jean Twenge, Associate Professor of social psychology and author of "Generation Me," San Diego State University, spoke at the National Extension Directors/Administrators (NEDA) Conference recently in San Diego.

The NEDA Conference focused on "how the world is changing," and how might Extension position itself to respond to those changes. Several very engaging speakers focused on the changes we should expect, and possibly ways to begin to prepare ourselves for those changes.

I'd encourage those of you who take interest in reading, to get hold of a copy of "Generation Me: Why Young Americans are more confident, assertive, entitled - and more miserable than ever before ." She has compelling evidence on some of the strategies we baby boomers used in raising "generation me" that may well have produced outcomes that we never imagined! A very interesting speaker, and I am sure her book would be as well.

From her website linked above, you can see the various angles from which she relates the generational differences and cultural changes that society faces from the perspective of a social psychologist.

Take home message? Maybe we baby boomers have something to learn from the me generation? Maybe the me generation should take note of how they might need to adjust to survive and find happiness? --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

FNP HEALTH AND NUTRITION FROM THE GARDEN WORKSHOPS CANCELLED
The FNP Health and Nutrition from the Garden workshops scheduled for March 11 in Manhattan and March 13 in Wichita have been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date. --Evelyn Neier eneier@ksu.edu

ADDITIONAL REPORTING IMPACT TRAINING DATE AND LOCATION SCHEDULED
A fifth offering of the Communicating Impact training has been scheduled for Salina on Friday, April 4. This session is an alternative for agents who cannot attend one of the four sessions that have been scheduled by each of the area offices. Agents are asked to please notify their area director about which of the sessions they will be attending.

Communicating Impact Training Locations (All locations are 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) There is a $10 registration fee for the NW Area session in Quinter.

Wednesday, March 26 - NE Area - KSU Alumni Center, Manhattan

Thursday, March 27 - SE Area - First United Methodist Church, 202 S Lincoln in Chanute

Wednesday, April 2 - NW Area - Quinter Inn, Quinter

Thursday, April 3 - SW Area - Area Office, Garden City

Friday, April 4 - Friendship Center in Salina - 746 Comanche (One block south of Holidome which is near the Crawford and I-35 Exit)

Please contact your Area Extension Director if you have questions. --Jim Lindquist and Area Extension Directors

CONNECT WEB VIDEOCONFERENCE TRAINING
Save time, travel and get your message out by using a simple Web browser as your communication tool. KSRE is using Adobe Connect for live meetings, eLearning, on-line presentation and seminars (Webinars). Connect allows you to use live video, audio, the ability to view PowerPoint presentations, post agendas, documents, and use interactive features such as polls, whiteboards and active chat.

IET is offering Connect training for this amazing communication tool on Wednesday, March 12, 9 a.m., and Wednesday, March 19, 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. There will be a 20 minute overview of Connect with the opportunity to test (and play) with the program. No registration is necessary. Simply go to http://connect.oznet.ksu.edu/medialab/ during the training time. This is a good chance to test your Webcam and interact with many of Connect's features. More trainings will be scheduled in April.

For more information on Connect, go to https://www.oznet.ksu.edu/techweb/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=658 .

For scheduling Connect meetings, contact Gerry Snyder, gsnyder@ksu.edu  or call IET, 785-532-6270. --Gerry Snyder

A LEADERSHIP READ
The Leadership Program Focus Team is offering an article read and discussion opportunity.  This professional development opportunity is free to all participants.  Interested participants should download the article by visiting http://psychology.about.com/od/leadership/p/leadtheories.htm . Two conference call dates are available for participants to call in and participate in a brief discussion about the article.  The calls will be held at noon on March 6 and March 11.  Please dial 1-877-278-8686 and access the call with pin #169421. Choose the date that works best for your schedule.  Both dates will feature calls that will end by 12:45 p.m. 

The call will focus on the following discussion questions:

1.) The article by Van Wagner provides a brief description for 8 different types of leadership theories.  Which type of theory set most directly aligns with your perception of leadership?  Why?

2.) Nature versus nurture has been a common debate among many regarding leadership development.  Which do you feel better develops leaders: Nature or Nurture?  Share examples to support your viewpoint.

3.) The career of Extension involves leadership aspects in all program areas.  Which theory(ies) apply best to Extension programming?  How do they apply?

4.) Do you consider yourself to be a leader?  Why or why not?

5.) Are our customers leaders? Why or why not?

6.) In what ways can we become more transformational in our leadership style?

7.) Which leadership theory would you like to explore further?

8.) According to the trait theory, certain qualities and traits make people better suited to leadership.  What do you think are some of the qualities and traits that makes someone a good leader?

Direct any questions to Ginger Kopfer at gkopfer@ksu.edu  or Andrea Schmidt at aschmidt@ksu.edu . --Andrea Schmidt

NEW!!! 4-H'S CLOVER COUNTRY CD!!!
National 4-H Council and EMI Music are producing a country music compilation CD called Clover Country-Songs From Famous 4-H Alumni. This innovative project, never before seen in 4-H's history, includes 11 hit songs from confirmed 4-H alumni who are all country music superstars. Artists include: Alabama, Luke Bryan, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Sugarland, and Grammy-award winning songwriter Hillary Lindsey---who recently recorded her new song, "The Clown" just for Clover Country!

The CD will be released March 25 and will be available in select retail outlets, through the Purchase Now button on http://www.clovercountrycd.com/ , and through participating state and county 4-H offices. This opportunity is a great way for you to promote your 4-H programs while raising money with each CD you sell. Below are more details on Clover Country and how to participate.

Ways for State and County 4-H Offices to Participate:

* Option 1: Buy a minimum of 1,020 CDs at the wholesale price of $5.99 + shipping and then resell each CD for the suggested retail price of $9.99. Your 4-H office can raise $4 per CD!

* Option 2: Buy fewer than 1,020 CDs for $9.99 + shipping by clicking on the Purchase Now button on this site and receive the Fair Share rebate of 10% of the entire order.

How to Participate:

If you would like to order 1,020 or more CDs, you can access the CD order form on the 4-H Brand Network at www.4-Hbrandnetwork.org . In addition to the CD ordering and shipping information, the 4-H Brand Network includes a full promotional kit including print and Web ads, flyers, postcards, PSAs and a news release to assist you in promoting Clover Country in your communities.

To purchase smaller quantities of the CD, click on the Purchase Now button, http://www.clovercountrycd.com/ , which is linked to the 4-H Mall. Ten percent of the price of CDs purchased from the 4-H Mall are shared directly with the buyer's state 4-H program through the National 4-H Supply Service Fair Share Program.

Place your orders by March 14 to ensure that you are among the first to receive Clover Country when it is released!

Please visit www.4-Hbrandnetwork.org  for more resources and information or e-mail clovercountry@fourhcouncil.edu  if you have any questions.  --Pat McNally pmcnally@oznet.ksu.edu

READY....SET....GO!!
Let's all go and learn how to "Put the FUN Back Into the 4-H Profession" coming April 8 and 9 at the Grand Prairie Hotel in Hutchinson ! We all enjoy having FUN while LEARNING. All Extension professionals are welcome to attend and glean new ideas for 4-H youth development work.

A dynamic guest speaker, Dr. Jeff Goodwin from Colorado State, will present:

* How to be a Jedi County Agent
* Are You Smarter Than a 4-H Member?
* The Two Commandments of 4-H (Extension) Work

Other `fun´ features of the conference include:

* A relaxing dinner at the Anchor Inn
* FUN idea sharing time to obtain creativity and momentum for the upcoming 4-H summer season
* "Go underground" -join a pre-conference adventure to the Salt Mine Museum

For agents who work with livestock, a special seminar from Dr. Goodwin will feature "Effective Livestock Quality Programs."

Registration is DUE March 20. For details and the registration form, go to http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/kae4ha/ . So come join us and put some FUN back into our 4-H profession! --Lori Shoemaker lshoemak@ksu.edu

HIGH PLAINS HORSEMAN'S DAY
High Plains Horseman's Day will be held Saturday, April 5, beginning at 8 am at the Logan County Fairgrounds in Oakley, Kansas.

Please mark your calendar and let youth in your county know about this free event. Topics will include: Current Equine Health, Hoof Health and Safety, Hay Quality, Dental Care, Acceptable Equine Behavior, Vaccinations and Deworming, and Horse Nutrition.

High Plains Horseman's Day will feature clinician Billy Allen in Billy Allen Horsemanship. There will be door prizes, vendors, free lunch, and a special session just for youth ages 6-12. Advanced reservations are required for the youth activities.

To register or for more information contact Sheridan County Extension Office at 785-675-3268, Logan County Extension Office at 785-672-3245, or Thomas County Extension Office at www.thomas.ksu.edu . --Jessica Milliman jbeebe@oznet.ksu.edu

DESIGN FOR LEARNING - APRIL 4-MAY 30, 2008
Design for Learning is a distance learning experience that will help you develop educational programs for your target audiences. North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas are cooperating to offer Design for Learning to extension professionals in the four states.

The schedule is:

* April 4 - Introduction
* April 18 - Understanding learners and their needs, including transformational education
* May 2 - Examining and organizing content, including logic model
* May 16 - Selecting appropriate teaching tools and creating an effective learning environment
* May 30 - Assessing learning outcomes

*Due March 20, 2008.* Registrations will be accepted in the order in which they are received. Fifteen individuals will be accepted in the class.

For additional information and registration, go to the Employee Resources Registration site: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/Employee_Resources . --Margaret Phillips margaret@ksu.edu

IRS 4-H TAX-EXEMPT PROJECT UPDATE
Many thanks to all those involved in the 4-H Tax Exempt Database Project during the past several months. We submitted the Kansas 4-H data in early December and were since notified of a number of 4-H clubs and groups who needed to correct their information in order for them to be included on the 2007 4-H GEN tax-exempt list. The corrected information has now been submitted to National 4-H Headquarters.

For your reading pleasure, three updated 3 tax-related fact sheets (tax exemption, certification and electronic filing) have been posted on the National 4-H Headquarters website, http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/library/4h_polregs.htm#tax .

I would encourage you to review those fact sheets in the very near future. As additional information is rolled out, we will share it with you.

Please know that until National 4-H Headquarters gets the national list to the IRS and the IRS accepts it, any "NEW" groups will not be tax exempt, AND, if they attempt to file an ePostcard at this time, it will not recognize them as a tax exempt organization. The Electronic Filing fact sheet provides a new filing schedule for ePostcards.

In the meantime, if your 4-H council or a 4-H club/group needs a "certification letter" prior to the IRS acceptance of the 4-H GEN list, please contact Stephanie Niess, niess72@kus.edu .

As a result of this project, an understanding of and commitment to fiscal accountability of the 4-H program has been enhanced and strengthened at all levels (local, county/district and state). With that said, there's still work to be done in guiding 4-H volunteers in managing clubs and groups as well as in understanding the importance of protecting the 4-H name and emblem. Once again, many thanks for your involvement in this gigantic project. --Pat McNally pmcnally@oznet.ksu.edu

How do we Grow 4-H?
Wednesday, April 23
Highland Hotel and Convention Center
3017 W. 10th
Great Bend, Kansas
9:30 a.m. Gathering
10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Registration on-line, available March 17
Call Highland Hotel, 620-792-2431 or 1-866-212-7122 for hotel reservations.
A block of rooms for April 22 will be held until April 1. $60 per room (no matter the number of
     occupants).

Questions have arisen concerning the 4-H Participation Form and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The following fact sheet was written after researching HIPAA and procedures other State 4-H Programs follow. The fact sheet has been reviewed by the K-State University Attorney.

Kansas 4-H Participation Forms & the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

1. Kansas 4-H does not fall under, and therefore is not bound by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the follow reasons:

a. Kansas 4-H is not a health insurance provider;

b. Kansas 4-H does not provide health services for a fee; and

c. Kansas 4-H does not act as a clearing house for health programs, insurers, or programs.

2. Even though Kansas 4-H is not bound by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the law does have important implications for how medical information is shared within the 4-H program including camps. The information recorded on the participation form should be considered with the same respect as "Protected Health Information" is considered under HIPAA, which protects all "individual identifiable health information." Therefore, 4-H leaders should make all reasonable efforts to see that:

a. Only authorized individuals have access to health, medication, and related information.

b. Kansas 4-H Participation Forms and related health information is securely filed to prevent casual access.

c. Training is provided to professionals, volunteers and staff (including camp personnel and chaperones) regarding the importance and process of protecting and respecting the privacy of privileged and sensitive health information.

Steps for Handling Kansas 4-H Participation Forms:

All persons involved with the Kansas 4-H Participation Forms will be informed of the importance of protecting and respecting privacy of each individual.

Original signed copies of the Kansas 4-H Participation Forms must be kept in a file or notebook which can be accessed only by Extension staff and authorized individuals.

Copies may be made and distributed to Club and Project Leaders and chaperones for emergency purposes. Club Leaders, Project Leaders and chaperones are encouraged to keep Kansas 4-H Participation Forms in a notebook or folder to reduce risk of information being distributed. Notebook or folder should be available at all 4-H events.

For traveling, copies are provided to chaperones and drivers for emergency purposes preferably in a notebook or envelope to reduce risk of information being distributed.

During camp, Extension professional(s) may provide camp counselors with the general medical needs of campers (i.e. camper needs to visit nurse before bed rather than listing camper’s name with specific medications.)

Chronic medical needs (such as diabetes, asthma, or hemophilia) should be made known to event coordinator, camp counselor, chaperon, etc.

4-H PHOTO ADVENTURE CAMP INFORMATION ONLINE NOW
Full information on the 2008 4-H Photo Adventure Camp in now online at http://4-h.k-state.edu/Events/Photo/PhotoAdventureCamp.htm .

Camp registrations are due April 1, 2008. Camp will be cancelled if there are not 25 campers registered. Registration is by hard copy only, no online registration. --Rod Buchele rbuchele@ksu.edu

AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATORS OF TOMORROW FUNDRAISER
The K-State chapter of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow would like to announce their recent fundraising activity. During the month of March, ACT members will be offering opportunities for you to purchase ready-to-cook gourmet cookie dough from the Little River, KS company, Little Ol' Cookie House.

Prices range from $12 to $14 for each tub of dough, depending on the flavor. Please contact any member of the ACT chapter or simply call Lisa Heller in the Department of Communications, 532-1151, or stop by 301 Umberger Hall to place your order.

Final orders are to be placed by April 1, 2008. Please have payments ready at the time of ordering. For any additional questions, please contact Matt Splitter, National ACT and K-State Chapter President at msplit4@ksu.edu . --Lisa Heller lheller@ksu.edu

MARKETING MINUTE: INTERNET USAGE
The common assumption is that Internet usage continues to increase, but does the research support that? The short answer is, yes. In 1996, 17 percent of those surveyed had been on the Internet in the past month. In 2000, that number increased dramatically to 56 percent. Our 2007 data shows 76.1 percent of those surveyed have been on the Internet in the past month. A majority (55.8 percent) of those who had been on the Web said they go there daily. Based on those results, the Web is an effective way to reach three-fourths of Kansans.

However, the flipside is that 23.6 percent of those surveyed had not been on the Internet in the past month. In addition, 20.5 percent had not been on a computer for any purpose in the past month. In order to reach all Kansans, there is a continued need for face-to-face contact and phone access to information, because not everyone is online.

If you need more information, please contact Pat Melgares at 785-532-5804, or e-mail melgares@ksu.edu . If you’d like to comment on this or any Marketing Minute discussion, we encourage you to visit our Marketing Minute blog at http://ksremarketingminute.blogspot.com/ . --Linda Sleichter lsleicht@ksu.edu

VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS