EPSILON SIGMA PHI MAKES MID-YEAR TRAVEL GRANTS AVAILABLE
The Epsilon Sigma Phi board has authorized mid-year release of funds to defray out-of-pocket expenses for ESP members participating in professional development international experiences that occur between September 15, 2008 and October 15, 2009. No grant will exceed $500. Applications are due to Fran Richmond, frichmon@ksu.edu , by May 15, 2009. Applications for mid-year travel grants may be downloaded from the Alpha Rho chapter ESP website, http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/esp-AlphaRho .

Travel planned for October 2009 – October 2010 should be applied for by August 15, 2009 using the same Travel Grant application as above. Contact Fran Richmond, frichmon@ksu.edu ; or Donna Martinson, dmartins@ksu.edu ; for additional information. --Donna Martinson dmartins@ksu.edu

ACTION PLAN DEVELOPMENT
A couple of weeks ago, an e-mail was sent with expectations for local action plans, including the timeline. The document, entitled Action Plans -- Questions and Answers, is available on-line for you to access at any time. Please refer to it as you develop your plans - http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/Employee_Resources/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=50 . Click on: Action Plans -- Questions and Answers).

As you develop your plans, keep in mind these principles:

1. The plan is for you. While we will ask that you submit your plans into the on-line system so that all of KSRE has a better idea of what is happening out across the state, it is most important that the plan provides you with a road map to follow as you implement your educational program.

2. A good plan will help you understand your local issues, envision where you would like your audience to be after they have participated in your Extension program, and help you focus on achievable outcomes.

3. A good plan helps you communicate your educational program and its value to local stakeholders.

4. A good plan identifies evaluation check points so that you can be sure you continue to move toward your intended outcomes.

5. Because it is your plan, you may adjust it at any time, as you see the need. The on-line action plan system will make this updating simple. We will ask that you take the time to revisit each of your plans at least once per year.

Don't hesitate to call upon one of the assistant directors or area directors if you would like help or feedback as you work on your plans. --Paula Peters ppeters@ksu.edu 

SPRING ACTION CONFERENCE EVALUATION
If you haven't responded to the K-State On-line Survey with your feedback about Spring Action Conference, please take a few minutes this week to do that. You may access the survey at https://surveys.ksu.edu/TS?offeringId=124686 . --Paula Peters ppeters@ksu.edu

STATE 4-H GEOLOGY FIELD TRIPS -- JUNE 12-14, 2009
Registration information is now under "What's Hot" on the State 4-H Website for the two State 4-H Geology Field Trips on June 12-14. A Southeast location at Altamont will feature the Tri-state mining district and a lunch stop at the Big Brutus Museum. The Southwest location will be at Spearville and feature Cretaceous through Quaternary rocks, minerals and fossils from Kiowa to Gove counties.

Registration deadline is May 26, 2009 for T-Shirt orders, and June 4, 2009 for all other information and fees. Registrations and payments should be sent to Dave Goldak, 1303 East Hwy. 54, Andover, KS 67002-7876. --Jim Adams jadams@ksu.edu

Tuesday, May 26, Bison Room, Sedgwick County Extension Education Center, 7001 W. 21st St. No, Wichita, KS

Wednesday, May 27, Shawnee County Extension Office, 1740 SW Western Ave., Topeka, KS

Workshops will begin with registration at 9:30 a.m., opening remarks at 10 a.m., and wrap up and conclusion at 3 p.m. The $20 registration fee includes lunch, materials and a notebook. Register online at http://4-h.k-state.edu . Click on the green "Register for 4-H events" button. Make checks payable to Kansas 4-H Foundation. Family Nutrition Program staff can bill their FNP account. Registration deadline for the workshops is May 19, 2009.

For more information, contact Evelyn Neier, Kansas JMG Coordinator, at 316-722-0932 or eneier@ksu.edu . --Evelyn Neier

LIGHTS, CAMERA, CHALLENGE!
National 4-H Council, National 4-H Headquarters, and University of Arizona 4-H Youth Development, invite all 4-H professionals, staff and volunteers to produce their own digital video for front-line educators and volunteers to better implement SET programs. The purpose of this contest is to build a vault of films to show great 4-H facilitation in practice.

We seek films that will help others know what learning looks like. As the saying goes--A picture is worth a thousand words. We are looking for bold, creative, and exciting videos to help educate facilitators about how to implement SET, in particular, The Power of the Wind.

On this website, find out how to enter this unique contest and become rich and famous (well, maybe not right away). Go to http://4-h.org/set/videochallenge .

STEP 1 - Create your own 3-5 minute video.

STEP 2 - Check out valuable resources for making your video including: The 4-H Filmmaking Studio & Workshop, located at www.4-H.org/curriculum/filmmaking , an online space to find tools and resources about video production.

STEP 3 - Submit - Complete your entry form and release forms and submit your video between May 8 - June 19. Deadline for Entry: June 19, 2009.

If you have questions, contact Kirk Astroth, kastroth@cals.arizona.edu ; or Pam Garza, pgarza@fourhcouncil.edu .

If you have any interest, join Dr. Gary Gerhard, Kansas 4-H SET Liaison, on one of two phone calls:

Thursday, May 14, 2009, 1:30-2:30 p.m. or

Friday, May 15, 2009, 11 a.m.-Noon

Dial-in Number: 1-877-278-8686
Participant PIN: 141840

--Gary W. Gerhard ggerhard@ksu.edu

COMMUNICATION MINUTE: FORMING PLURALS
When you need to write about a multiplicity of items, you need to be able to form plurals. Some plural forms are easy: If you have more than one cat, you have cats. This follows the most common way to form a plural in English -- add s to the end of the word (dogs, 4-H'ers, tools).

If a word ends in s you add es (buses, horses). This rule also applies to words that end in ch, sh, ss, tch, x, or zz (couches, axes, dishes, watches).

Many words ending in y form the plural by changing the y to ies (try becomes tries, kitty becomes kitties). When the y is preceded by a vowel, you usually just add an s (days, trays). For proper names where a consonant precedes the y, just add s (Kelly becomes Kellys).

Words ending in o sometimes cause confusion. Many form the plural by simply adding s (radios, solos, pianos), but others add es (potatoes, tornadoes, tomatoes). Check a dictionary if you're uncertain.

Form the plural of an individual letter by adding 's (A's, B's, C's, D's, F's). This is the one of the only times you use an apostrophe to form a plural (it helps avoid confusion with other words). Form the plural of multiple letters or single- or multiple-digit numbers without an apostrophe: ABCs, pdfs, 1970s, 1s.

There are other ways to form plurals in English. Consult a dictionary for correct spelling of any word you're unsure of. --Linda Gilmore lindagi@ksu.edu

VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

To view the complete Master Schedule online or as a PDF, go to http://tinyurl.com/cfl5c9