Vol. 15, No. 1  November 4, 2008

IN THIS ISSUE... 

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Reminder - 2008 Discretionary Day
...Veterans Day 2008
...Featured Employee
...Lunch & Learn
...Adobe Connect Web Videoconferencing Training
...Kansas Turfgrass Conference
...Applications Available for 2009 "Get It - Do It!" PRIDE Grants
..."The Aging Network" Fieldwork Module
...Remembering Margaret - with Style
...Marketing Minute: Print or Electronic Newsletters
...4-H Day with Lady Cats
...September/October Extension Agent Personnel Changes
...Master Schedule

                                                                                                           ...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
In the spirit of my discussions at annual conference, here is a bit more on the emphasis of program planning and program focus.

Program planning, as pointed out by T.J. Talbert, is a means by which you can weed out the less important things and spend energy on doing the things that matter. One has to wonder for those persons who are exceedingly stressed and always busy, if they are truly working on a plan, or if they lack a plan and therefore have no priorities. Obviously, if one is going to let something go, the expense of such a loss must be with the advent of a new, more important priority. Communication of such priority comes through planning, and then using that plan to seriously identify those things that must be done to fulfill the goals and objectives of the plan.

A good practice is to identify the two to four major priorities in which you have major investment to seeing progress is made in those program areas. This should not be those maintenance efforts that also consume your time, but should include those initiatives you have set forth in a plan as priorities in your work for the clientele for whom you serve. That said, I'd hope some of you are mumbling something like "Easy for Daryl to say. I wonder if he has any plan or priorities?"

I do have three priorities for which I am working to create progress. They come out of the strategic planning process for our Extension mission. They include: enhancing relevance and program depth and breadth in civic engagement for our system; increasing the diversity of audience and clientele through planning and implementing relevant and effective programs for those Kansas clientele; and, to strengthen the effectiveness and advocacy of our Executive Boards working on our behalf in every Extension unit across Kansas. These represent priorities, while at the same time I find myself engaged in the day to day work of leadership, resource enhancement, communication, and partnering to further the broader program mission of K-State Research and Extension.

I hope each of you can respond to a question of priorities to which you devote your energies because of the need to do the things that count and to make a difference in the lives of the people for whom we serve.

If you've read this far, I will now admit that you can go back to November 8, 2005 archives of the Tuesday Letter and find this article. And, have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

REMINDER - 2008 DISCRETIONARY DAY
The last day an employee may use their 2008 Discretionary Day is Saturday, December 27, 2008. The 2009 Discretionary Day may be used any day from December 28, 2008 through December 26, 2009.

Questions should be addressed to your department. --Division of Human Resources

VETERANS DAY 2008
Veterans Day will be observed, Tuesday, November 11, 2008. This year, Veteran’s Day is a designated holiday for both classified and most unclassified employees; however, it is not a student holiday and classes will be in session. Any employee who accrues annual leave is eligible for Veterans Day. Note: Most 9-month unclassified employees do not accrue annual leave.

Details and Scenarios: http://www.k-state.edu/hr/hris/Veterans_Day.pdf . --Division of Human Resources

FEATURED EMPLOYEE
Doug Elcock, Budget and Finance Officer for K-State Research and Extension, is currently being featured in the "Do You Know..." section of the Employee Resources website. Learn more about Doug at www.oznet.ksu.edu/employee_resources . --Stacey Warner swarner@ksu.edu

LUNCH & LEARN
What is my kid doing on the computer?  Come find out as we explore the world of social networking, from a tween and teen vantage. This 30 minute session will be held in Union 209. Session will be held at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12. --Andrea Schmidt aschmidt@ksu.edu

ADOBE CONNECT WEB VIDEOCONFERENCING 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 four Connect trainings for this amazing communication tool on Wednesdays - November 12 and 19, at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.. We will spend 30 minutes with an overview of Connect's interface and features. These session with allow the opportunity to test (and play) with the program. No registration is necessary. Simply go to  http://connect.oznet.ksu.edu/connecttraining/ during the training time. This is a good chance to test your Webcam and interact with many of Connect's interactive features.

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

KANSAS TURFGRASS CONFERENCE
The Kansas Turfgrass Conference will be held November 18, 19 & 20 at the Kansas Expocentre, Topeka, KS. To download a copy of the program with registration form, go to http://www.ksuturf.com/Documents/2008TurfgrassConference.pdf .

The conference has been approved for recertification credit hours for commercial pesticide applicators in 3A-Ornamental Pest Control (5.5 hours total) and 3B-Turf Pest Control (7.5 hours total). An excellent educational program is lined up, as well as a good trade show with exhibitors displaying the latest products and equipment in the industry.  

If you have any questions, please contact Christy Dipman at 785-532-6173 or cdipman@ksu.edu . --Christy Dipman

Applications are due November 21, 2008 to Elaine Johannes, 343 Justin Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506. Grants awards will be announced December 12 and commence January, 2009 - December, 2009. Applications are available at the KS PRIDE website at www.kansasprideprogram.ksu.edu/ , or contact
Elaine Johannes - ejohanne@ksu.edu , 785-532-7720
Carol Fink - cfink@ksu.edu , 785-532-5800
Dan Kahl - dankahl@ksu.edu , 785-532-5840

"THE AGING NETWORK" FIELDWORK MODULE
This self-directed program development opportunity is sponsored by the Adult Development & Aging Program Focus Team, and is open to anyone in the Extension system.

Beginning in November, and ending in January, participants are invited to identify one aging-related organization, agency, or business in their community that is unfamiliar to them. Participants are then asked to make contact with the agency, and schedule an appointment to meet with a leader in that agency to learn more about them, to share information about KSRE, and to explore a possible future partnership.

Participants will then engage in a chat room discussion hosted on the SageAdvice website, www.aging.ksu.edu , and also take part in a conference call, sharing with other participants what they learned.

For more information contact Nancy Nelson, Meadowlark Extension District – Holton office. --Nancy Nelson nnelson@ksu.edu

REMEMBERING MARGARET - WITH STYLE
A dinner to remember Margaret Hund and to raise funds for the new Jackson County Fairgrounds will be Thursday, November 20, 6:30 p.m., at the Evangel United Methodist Family Life Center in Holton. Tickets are $25 and reservations are due November 10.

The Margaret A. Hund Style Revue Amphitheatre at the fairgrounds celebrates the energy and expertise that Margaret put into Extension and 4-H while employed in Jackson County from 1960 to 1987. A style revue will be part of the evening entertainment featuring a 4-H Dress and Make It With Wool garments. For tickets or more details, contact the Meadowlark Extension District – Holton office. --Nancy Nelson nnelson@ksu.edu

MARKETING MINUTE: PRINT OR ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS
In a telephone survey conducted for K-State Research and Extension in mid-2007, 4 in 5 Kansans interviewed said they consider newsletters to be "somewhat effective" or "very effective" ways for them to receive information from our organization.

While print is a common format for newsletters - and presumably still effective for K-State Research and Extension - a shift to electronic newsletters is occurring in many organizations. Cost savings is a common reason for going to an electronic version only.

Either format can be effective, but may be determined by your particular target audience or demographic. For example, if your community is low on the technology learning curve or technology infrastructure, it's easy to know that a printed version would work best.

Some other tips for either version:

* Write short articles. People want to get the message and get on to other items. And, write in short sentences because it's much easier to read on paper and screen.

* Use pictures. It's still true: A picture is worth a thousand words!

* Keep your information updated. Related, plan ahead 2-3 months; there's nothing more frustrating than finding out an event is happening in a few days when you've already got something scheduled.

* Adhere to deadlines. Plan to release the newsletter on a regular schedule so that people know when it's coming. Over time, they'll expect it.

* Maintain the same format in every issue. You are "branding" your look and feel with the format. People recognize this and will associate your newsletter with you.

* And, use the correct logos for K-State Research and Extension and your office. Create awareness by building familiarity with your readers.

Learn more about K-State Research and Extension's marketing strategies by visiting our marketing blog, http://ksremarketingminute.blogspot.com/ . --Pat Melgares melgares@ksu.edu

4-H DAY WITH LADY CATS
KAE4-HA would like to invite 4-H members and families to attend the January 17 KSU Lady Cats Basketball game against Iowa State. Tip off time is 2 p.m. Participants will receive a game ticket, program, hot dog, drink, and t-shirt. Cost to attend is $15 per person.

Registration forms will be arriving to you via e-mail soon. Registration will be due to the Meadowlark District Seneca Office by December 19.

For more information, contact Ann Religa, areliga@ksu.edu ; Andrea Schmidt, aschmidt@ksu.edu ; or Megan Cassidy, mcassidy@ksu.edu . --Ginger Kopfer gkopfer@ksu.edu

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER EXTENSION AGENT PERSONNEL CHANGES
Linda Walter, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Finney County, changed her name to Linda Beech on September 27, 2008.

Sara Mays, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Wabaunsee County resigned on October 4, 2008.

Kylie Ludwig, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Labette County, began employment on October 5, 2008. Her e-mail address is ludwigk@ksu.edu .

Leroy Russell, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent in Shawnee County, transferred from 4-H Youth Development Agent in Shawnee County on October 15, 2008.

K. Grant Richardson, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent in Walnut Creek District resigned effective October 27, 2008.
--Stacey Warner swarner@ksu.edu