The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
(Vol. 16 No. 47)
IN THIS ISSUE...
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
K-State Research and Extension annual conference is coming up soon. Note the message from Bob Gillen, Annual Conference Planning Committee Chair, on getting registered before October 4. A keynote speaker for this year is Dr. Mark Taylor. Dr. Taylor will be speaking on "Managing the Multigenerational Mix." We hope this topic will resonate with faculty who have Extension/outreach responsibilities in providing insight and understanding on engaging with audiences who may be different in age, gender, socio-economic, race, ethnic, cultural backgrounds, or other forms of diversity. It is to say that we cannot ignore potential audiences who are different from us, and that it is our responsibility, and not theirs, to engage with them in understanding their hopes, dreams, wants, desires, and needs. And, then to shape our programming in such ways to effectively support those diverse communities of people. We must truly be "Riding the Wave of Change."
7 Habits Of Highly Effective Leaders Training Workshop is coming up November 30 through December 2, 2010. This workshop provides the foundation to strengthen the human side of performance at the personal, managerial, and organizational levels. We've had one class go through this training put on by University of Nebraska Extension Professionals. The reviews were resounding and positive. Following are a few of the quotes:
“7 Habits is
the most rewarding professional development activity I have attended.” Keith
Martin, Labette County Agent “As a new agent you
often times find yourself overwhelmed with activities, programs and community
events. Going through the 7 Habits training allowed me to look at things
differently when scheduling. I now use a calendar with times on it versus just
an open day calendar which allows me to schedule my day better and not feel so
stressed. I also am able to recognize my ‘big rocks’ and focus on those more
closely. I especially feel that this training is very beneficial for agents
that have been in the system for a year or so.”
Jennifer Ploeger, Brown County Agent “The 7 Habits training
was a very useful training for me. It
has helped me get more organized and do a better job of prioritizing my
important work. I've also used the
‘share it with a friend’ booklet and DVD to share it with our staff once a month at
office conference.” Bill Wood, Douglas County Director
We've still got some room for additional attendees. I highly recommend this for all faculty as a great personal growth opportunity. This is the kind of training you might expect nationally, offered right here at Rock Springs 4-H Center!
Have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SEARCH APPROVED
As you may be aware, Dr. Pat McNally, Assistant Director and
Department Head - 4-H Youth Development, is retiring effective January 2011. A request to begin a search process nationally for candidates
to fill that position has just been approved through the Provost and Affirmative Action offices. A position announcement has been created with support of the 4-H Youth Development
faculty.
Dr. Phil Sloderbeck, Area Extension Director
located in Garden City and 4-H volunteer, has agreed to serve as chair
of the search committee. The overall search committee is as follows:
Phil Sloderbeck, Southwest Extension Area and Search Committee Chair
Rhonda Atkinson, Kansas 4-H Foundation
John Beckman, Scott County
Kylee Grant, Collegiate 4-H/K-State Student
Michelle Hill, 4-H Youth Council/K-State Student
Diane Mack, Northeast Extension Area
Donna Maskus, Extension Volunteer from Ellis County
Janae McNally, Coffey County
Ross Mosteller, Meadowlark District
Bill New, Kansas 4-H Foundation Trustee
Sandy Procter, Human Nutrition
Mike Tokach, Animal Sciences and Industry
Pam Van Horn, 4-H Youth Development
Justin Wiebers, 4-H Youth Development
Aliesa Woods, Post Rock District
I hope you will assist the committee in bringing forth and/or nominating the best possible and most
diverse candidates for the future of the 4-H Youth Development program
through K-State Research and Extension. The position announcement and instructions for putting forth nominees for the position are provided through the KSRE Job Announcement Website. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
BENEFITS EXPO OCTOBER 7, 2010
The annual BENEFITS EXPO will be on October 7, 2010 in the K-State Student Union Ballroom with special events in Forum Hall. Representatives from Kansas Board of Regents voluntary and mandatory retirement providers, KPERS, health insurance providers, life insurance companies associated with K-State, and many other agencies will be available in the Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 7.
OPEN ENROLLMENT HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS will be held at 8:30 a.m. and again at 3:30 p.m. in Forum Hall. The sessions are identical. This is an opportunity for employees to review changes in the Health Insurance for 2011. This is an invaluable session to help employees complete the October online open enrollment process.
At 10:30 a.m., TIAA-CREF Director Lori McGeehon Cathey will present a special session titled, “Understanding and Achieving Long-Term Financial Goals.”
At 12:30 p.m., Mr. Alan Schuler, KPERS Field Representative for the State of Kansas, will present a pre-retirement session for all KPERS members. This is a valuable session to those in the KPERS retirement plan desiring information on KPERS calculations, time in service, and retirement dates. Employees within 5 years of their anticipated retirement will benefit most, but all are welcome.
Lafene Student Health Center will provide seasonal flu shots for $20—cash, check or credit card. The shots will be available in the Ballroom from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Questions should be addressed to Stephanie Harvey at 532-6277 or e-mail BenAdmin@k-state.edu. --Division of Human Resources
REGISTER FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE BY OCTOBER 4
To access annual conference information, go to www.ksre.ksu.edu and
click on K-State Research and Extension Annual Conference under “What’s New With
Us.” Visit the site today and register for annual conference (October 18-20).
A few reminders:
Registration is due Monday, October 4.
The poster session/reception is Monday, October 18,
4:30-6:30 p.m.
To attend the October 19 Women of K-State breakfast (7-8:15
a.m.), please check the registration box to ensure an accurate count.
To receive a ticket for the free October 19 awards luncheon, you
must register for the conference and mark that you will be attending the
luncheon.
Session descriptions are posted to the website to help you plan your
schedule for the conference. --Bob GIllen gillen@ksu.edu
NELD: NORTH CENTRAL 2011
Congratulations to Amy Jordan, Extension Agent, Horticulture/Youth Development, Lyon County; Brian Olson, Northwest Area Extension Specialist, Agronomy; Gayle Price, Southeast Area Extension
Specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences; and Sandra Wick, Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Smith County. They were selected as 2011 National Extension
Leadership Development: North Central (NELD: NC) participants. Their
first seminar will be January 19-22 at Colorado Springs, CO.
This is class XVII for the program
consisting of four three-day seminars designed to build leadership in
Cooperative Extension at all organizational levels. NELD: North Central
is a program of the 12 North Central States and Penn State University.
This program is sponsored by the North Central states’ Extension
Services and in 2011 will be delivered by the University of Minnesota Extension, working with the University of Wisconsin Extension.
Including the 2011 delegates, 44
K-State Research and Extension faculty have participated in NELD: North
Central. If you are interested in future classes or learning more about
the program, visit the website
and/or contact Marie Blythe at 785-532-6775 or
mblythe@ksu.edu . --Marie
Blythe
KANSAS FOREST SERVICE HOLDS 16TH ANNUAL FALL FIELD DAY
The Kansas Forest Service will hold their 16th Annual Fall Field Day on Thursday, October 14, at the Jackman Forest in Leon, Kansas, southeast of El Dorado. This Field Day will focus on tree identification, common tree problems, protecting homes from wildfire, woodland potential and management opportunities, managing wild turkey, rangeland management and fish management for farm ponds.
Registration is $12 and the deadline is October 11. For more information, call Bob Atchison at 785-532-3310. -–Leslye Haller lahaller@ksu.edu
RURAL GROCERY SUMMIT GENERATES IDEAS FOR EXTENSION
The Rural Grocery Summit held this summer generated a great deal of interest across the Midwest, and generated great opportunities for KSRE to provide information and service to communities! A portion of the summit was workshops, and a portion of the summit was designed for group work to hear from local store owners in a dialogue. When asked how KSU could help build community support for grocery stores, some of the responses included:
Listening to the needs of small business owners
More support from those at the state level who do the
nutrition programs at schools to encourage local buying of foods instead of
area educational coops.
Education on grant opportunities
Document the economic contribution of grocery stores to the
local and regional economic health.
-
direct, indirect, and induced economic benefits
-
perhaps include all “locally owned” businesses
in this data collection
Training resources for managers and other employees
Formulas to calculate how many $s are (or could be)
available to be spent in our community but are actually being spent elsewhere.
Posting 2 or 3 ideas we discussed and expound on them on
your website each month – also include testimonials from different communities
who implemented them.
Helpful if: you propagate and assist in a media campaign to
educate public on rural economics and “shop at home.”
Info on better credit card systems for companies: cheapest
rates; service responses; minimum requirements for purchase size…
These and other ideas generated from the Summit are posted at www.ruralgrocery.org. The Dialogue Results will be posted for educational programs, policy suggestions, and food distribution in the upcoming weeks.
The KSU Rural Grocery Summit was an opportunity for rural grocers and community representatives to speak up. They did, and they asked for the work and efforts of KSRE to support them. Please contact Dan Kahl, CECD Extension Liaison, at dankahl@ksu.edu if you would like to discuss ways you can support your rural grocery store. --Dan Kahl
COMMUNICATIONS MINUTE: ORDERING PUBLICATIONS
As you might have noticed, the K-State Research and Extension publication ordering system and forms are changing to better meet client needs.
Quarterly
order forms are now associated with the
season when the featured publications might be needed. For example,
the “Winter (not First Quarter) Order Form” recently distributed
includes titles currently available and scheduled to be delivered to
your office immediately (if in stock) or no later than December 1.
Another change: National 4-H Curriculum
publications were included on that form. However, these items are
mass-ordered each spring at a heavily discounted price, so order only what you need now.
They are included here because we recognize the need for additional
materials in the fall when new members enroll.
Remember:
You may order any title at any time, and we are working toward
consistent availability. Monthly forms will continue to list new and
revised titles.
We are preparing to upgrade our online ordering system, so watch for new features. In the meantime, order online from the Bookstore site at: www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=53 ... ... or sign in to view drafts and order new publications at: www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=60.
--Gina Nixon gnixon@k-state.edu
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