Vol. 15, No. 23  April 14, 2009

IN THIS ISSUE... 

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Action Plan System Ready for Use
...Thank You from Ron Seyfert
...Alzheimer's Caregiving at Home Webinar
...Engagement Conference
...Income Tax
...Summer Interns for 2009 Have Been Selected
...Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program Sign-Up Announced
...TechWeb Adds New PowerPoint Templates and Connect Tutorials
...Communications Minute: Communicating in Tough Times
...Master Schedule

                                                                                                           ...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
My thanks to everyone involved in the success of the 2009 Spring Action Conference. I have been hearing questions raised after the conference as to more specific expectations on the process and requirements. Assistant Directors are meeting as you read this to provide a concise message to all involved on the process, timeline, and intended outcomes for the action planning process.

I have heard or received e-mails from numerous Extension professionals complimenting the discussions that took place on day 2 around the Strategic Opportunities and focused programming opportunities. My compliments to all of you for having such engaged discussions! Please keep that enthusiasm and team effort moving forward.

A common question I've been hearing is "how long a timeline is it that we are planning for?" I would suggest that the logic model provides an answer to that question. It's less about a block of months or years, and more about commitment to creating a useful action plan (logic model). If you would like to familiarize yourself with the logic model, we use the University of Wisconsin website as a training platform for new Extension professionals:  http://www.uwex.edu/ces/pdande/evaluation/evallogicmodel.html

You can go to the on-line self study module or the Logic Model teaching and training guide for excellent resource materials. Additional resources are on that website as well that provide for more examples.

As you become more familiar with the logic model, you will see that the outcomes to which the educational strategies are directed are short term (learning), medium term (behavior change), and long term (condition change). Outputs should clarify the time line for those activities, products, and participation that must be generated if the stated outcomes/goals are ever expected to be achieved. Attention should be given to those most immediate outputs, and subsequently to the outputs that may take a longer time to accomplish. Most importantly, the list of outputs should clearly indicate a connection to achieving the desired outcomes, no matter how long it will take.

In a quote from Shoop and Scott. 1999. Leadership Lessons From Bill Snyder.:

Spring Action Conference and all the subsequent work you will do in clarifying your intended outcomes and creating your focused plans are designed in hopes that you will be successful in your continued quest to provide strong local programs. More information will be coming over the next weeks and months.

Have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu  

ACTION PLAN SYSTEM READY FOR USE
The on-line Action Plan System that was introduced to you at Spring Action Conference is available for you to use! The url for the system is www.planning.ksre.ksu.edu . After you log in with your e-ID and password, you will find some instructions linked from the toolbar at the top of the page. These instructions will lead you through the process of entering your action plans.

While you can develop your plan directly in the on-line system, it would be wise at this time to do this in a Word or WordPerfect file first and cut and paste. We never know how a new system will react to this many people accessing it!

Thanks much for your hard work last week and continued success as you move forward with your plans. Watch for a follow-up message from the Assistant Directors soon with more specific instructions on the planning process and timeline. --Paula Peters ppeters@ksu.edu

ALZHEIMER'S CAREGIVING AT HOME WEBINAR
Agents of Kansas State University Research and Extension and educators of University of Nebraska Extension are invited to participate in a free, one-hour Webinar on Thursday, April 16, at 9 a.m. CT. The Webinar will provide participants with information on Alzheimer's disease (AD), including who is affected, how many are affected, and why services and programs are needed. Other issues that will be covered include caregiving, home modifications for individuals with AD, and nutritional needs. The  Alzheimer’s Caregiving at Home program will also be introduced. Sandy Bailey, PhD, of Montana State University is the presenter.

Registration for the Webinar is not required. Call-in and technical information is below. Please note that Montana State University Extension is hosting this seminar; you may want to test your connection in advance of April 16.

Dial-In: 1-888-238-7805
Pass-Code: 498926

To join the meeting:
http://www.msuextensionconnect.org/alz/

If you are calling from a phone line extension, you should log in to the meeting first and then manually call the number listed to enter the Webinar. If you are not calling from a phone line extension, you may enter your phone number as you log in.

If you have never attended a Connect Pro meeting before:

Test your connection: http://www.msuextensionconnect.org/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm ;

Get a quick overview: http://www.adobe.com/go/connectpro_overview .

If you would like additional information about the Webinar, please contact Deb Sellers, PhD, at dsellers@ksu.edu or at 785-532-5773. --Deb Sellers

ENGAGEMENT CONFERENCE
** Please direct inquiries to David Procter, dprocter@ksu.edu ; or Ron Wilson, rwilson@ksu.edu **

The K-State Center for Community Engagement and The Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development will be hosting a symposium on Monday, April 20, from 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. in the Flint Hills, Sunflower, and Cottonwood rooms at the K-State Student Union in Manhattan.

E3: Engaging, Energizing, and Empowering Communities Through Leadership in Action, will feature keynote speaker Senator Derek Schmidt, reports from REAL (Rural Engagement and Action Leadership) Project participants as well as K-State faculty and staff who are leading engagement efforts. Invited participants come from many different communities in the state of Kansas.

The event will kick off at 1 p.m. with greetings from Dr. Fred Cholick, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Director of K-State Research and Extension; and a keynote address from Senator Derek Schmidt, Senate majority leader from Independence, Kansas. Following these introductory remarks, a series of panel discussions featuring REAL Project participants and KSU faculty and staff will be held focusing on leadership in action. REAL Project participants launched innovative programs in mid-May 2008, aimed at helping Kansas leaders identify and solve key issues in their home communities.

More information about the REAL Project participants can be found at www.getrealks.org . Following the panel presentations, participants and the audience will participate in facilitated dialog regarding leadership and engagement in Kansas communities. Panel presentations will range from discussions of Greensburg redevelopment to youth entrepreneurship to promoting increased levels of collaboration in civility to energy conservation to environmental leadership programs.

For more information, go to www.getrealks.org  or www.k-state.edu/cecd . --Dan Kahl dankahl@ks.edu

INCOME TAX
Now that tax season is coming to a close, individuals may want to change their income tax withholding OR reduce their taxable income.

To change income tax withholding, go to the K-State Division of Human Resources website at www.k-state.edu/hr . Click on Employee Self Service, then W-4 and/or K-4 Tax Information. For questions, contact your department's personnel specialist or the Division of Human Resources at 785-532-6277.

To reduce taxable income (and increase savings for retirement) consider enrolling in or increasing contributions to the State of Kansas Deferred Compensation Plan or a Voluntary Tax Sheltered Annuity. Additional information can be found on the Division of Human Resources website at www.k-state.edu/hr . Click on Retirement Plans and scroll down to Optional Retirement Savings Plans. For questions, contact your department's personnel specialist or the Division of Human Resources at 785-532-6277.

Faculty with Federal Benefits can also contribute pre-tax income to the federal Thrift Savings Plan. See www.tsp.gov  or call the Extension Operations Office at 785-532-3080.

2009 Summer Interns:

Nicole Allen, from Tonganoxie, will be serving Barton County. Nicole is a student at Kansas State University and will graduate in 2011 with a degree in Animal Sciences and Industry.

Roberta Barthol, from Wellsville, will be serving Leavenworth County. Roberta is a student at Kansas State University and will graduate in 2011 with a degree in Agricultural Education.

Chelsy Coen, from Wellsville, will be serving Central Kansas District. Chelsy is a student at Kansas State University and will graduate in 2010 with a degree in Agricultural Education.

Cassandra Cook, from Wichita, will be serving Reno County. Cassandra is a student at Kansas State University and will graduate in 2010 with a degree in Dietetics.

Heather Frisch, from Wichita, will be serving Russell County. Heather is a student at Kansas State University and will graduate in 2010 with a degree in Animal Sciences and Industry.

Holly Gurss, from Louisburg, will be serving Seward County. Holly is a student at Kansas State University and will graduate in 2009 with a degree in Family Studies and Human Services, as well as Psychology.

Rachael Heck, from Linn, will be serving Douglas County. Rachel is a student at Kansas State University and will graduate in 2010 with a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education.

Krista Rice, from Horton, will be serving Shawnee County. Krista is a student at Kansas State University and will graduate in 2010 with a degree in Agricultural Education.

Ashley Vann, from Topeka, will be serving Miami County. Ashley is a student at Kansas State University and will graduate in 2010 with a degree in Agricultural Education. --Stacey Warner swarner@ksu.edu

FARM AND RANCH LANDS PROTECTION PROGRAM SIGN-UP ANNOUNCED
U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) is accepting applications for funding on a continuous basis for the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP).

Eligible entities are state, tribal, or local governments and non-government organizations that have an established farm and ranch land protection program, have the authority to hold and manage easements; have the capacity to acquire, manage, and enforce the easements; and the funds to match the federal contribution.

Landowners interested in FRPP will need to work with eligible entities in submitting applications. Eligible entities must submit applications on or before May 22, 2009, to receive consideration for funding in Fiscal Year 2009. Funds must be obligated by July 15, 2009.

Application must be made by the eligible entities to the NRCS State Office in Salina, Kansas. The ranking and selection of parcels will take place immediately after May 22, 2009. Ranking criteria can be obtained at the Kansas NRCS Website http://www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/frpp/kansas_frpp.html .

For further information, contact Jeffrey L. Gross, Assistant State Conservationist for Water Resources, at 785-823-4550 or jeff.gross@ks.usda.gov . --Steven Graham sgraham@k-state.edu

TECHWEB ADDS NEW POWERPOINT TEMPLATES AND CONNECT TUTORIALS
Try out our new and professional looking PowerPoint templates. Offered with a light or purple colored background, these contain either KSRE and K-State logos. They are simple to install and use. All you need to do is click on the link of the desired template and select Open to bring them into PowerPoint. Since these are "template" files, they are formated for any new slide that you add to your presentation. Go to TechWeb; http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/techweb/ .

Also new to TechWeb are short 2-3 minutes tutorial videos. These Adobe Connect instructional videos show you how to turn on and test your Webcam's video and audio. Another video demonstrates the Connect user roles of Hosts, Presenters and Participants. Go to TechWeb; http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/techweb/ .

For additional information, contact Gerry Snyder, gsnyder@ksu.edu , or IET at 785-532-6270. --Gerry Snyder

COMMUNICATIONS MINUTE: COMMUNICATING IN TOUGH TIMES
In tough budget times, it's important that you communicate and market your program more, not less. Here's some sensible ways to continue showing people the value of your programs:

1) Be very clear and consistent in your message. Make sure people clearly know the value in what you're offering.

2) Identify and understand your target audience. This helps you spend your time reaching folks who will most benefit from your information and who also may be advocates of your program.

3) Develop partnerships. Work with people who have similar goals. You might consider sharing the cost on an advertisement or insert or booth during a local event.

4) Further strengthen your focus on doing your best work for your clients and customers. Satisfied clients remember you, and when economic times get better, they'll continue to support you.

5) Don't cut corners on service. Brainstorm with your office staff on creative ways to offer the same great product (information) and service with less money.

Simply, remember to communicate and stay in front of clients and customers. Remain positive and position yourself as a group that makes the best of a tough situation.

For more communications tips or to share your own ideas, visit http://ksremarketingminute.blogspot.com/ . --Pat Melgares melgares@ksu.edu

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