The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, December 04, 2012
(Vol. 19 No. 6)
IN THIS ISSUE...
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
With the celebrations of Land-grant Universities and the 150th Anniversary of the signing of the Morrill Act on July 2, 1862, the media has picked up more and more great stories that include the comprehensive mission of the Land-grant University system. Makes me exceptionally proud of the work of Cooperative Extension in advancing that mission and the future we have in continuing to serve the people of Kansas, the nation and world as we help to find solutions for the complex and critical issues and needs, and provide the non-formal transformational extension programs that will positively address those issues and needs.
The Chronicle of Higher Education on November 26, 2012 had 3 excellent articles highlighting the work of Extension professionals in urban, community, and rural settings. I'd encourage you to read these articles and reflect on the impacts presented. You can click on each of the titles to take you to those articles:
The New Extension Service: Urban, Urbane by Scott Carlson
In Eastern Iowa, an Extension Agent Works to Revive a Faded City by Lawrence Biemiller
Fielding Farmers' Questions, Including Some They Don't Ask by Lawrence Biemiller
Kansas has exceptional stories, not different from the above stories. If you believe you know of a story that should be told of such great work, please let me know the specifics. As with any such work, all too often our work has great impact but goes untold or unknown to the broader public and stakeholders. Please, please, please provide info that will direct us to extract such stories from the great work. And, if it means pointing to a story told in your annual reports or at an annual meeting of the Extension Council, pass that word along to me! And, as always, have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND K-STATE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION HOLIDAY PARTY
Please join us for the College of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension Holiday Party being held on Monday, December 10, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Houston Street Ballroom, 427 Houston Street, Manhattan.
A Buffet Dinner with beverages will be served beginning at 4:30 p.m.
This year we will be having a raffle in addition to the live auction. Raffle tickets will be available to purchase from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at a cost of $1.00 each or six tickets for $5.00. The auction will start immediately following the raffle drawings with all proceeds going to Shepherds Crossing and Manhattan Emergency Shelter. Cash and/or checks will be accepted.
Product donations for Shepherds Crossing and Manhattan Emergency Shelter will also be accepted. Suggested products for the shelter are:
Canned and/or Boxed Foods Toilet Paper Paper Towels
Cleaning Supplies Diapers (larger sizes) Kleenex
Ziplock Bags - various sizes
Personal Hygiene items - toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, body wash, shampoo
If you plan to attend the COA/KSRE Holiday Party, and have not yet made a reservation, please respond to Deana Foster, dfoster@agecon.ksu.edu; or Sue Robinson, srobinso@ksu.edu; by 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 4.
We look forward to seeing you on December 10th!! --Maria Sweet marswe@ksu.edu
HOLIDAY TIPS FOR EBAY TRADING
The holiday shopping season is here. Due to less time for shopping and the growing
ease of purchasing on line, eBay is one place many consumers turn to, to find
great gifts.
If you're going to purchase gifts
online this holiday season, here are a few tips for eBay buyers that can help insure
a happy shopping holiday:
- Shop as early as possible. Remember when you bid, auctions take time to close, payments take time to clear, sellers take time to ship, and
shippers take time to deliver.
- Buy only from reputable sellers. Even if you're normally happy taking buying risks or
trying out new sellers when you shop on eBay, the holidays are generally
not the right time to do this.
- Don't take the "too good to be true" bait. Every holiday season there are certain items that are
hot sellers or that are very expensive and in demand, and given the nature
of eBay, there are often a number of fraudulent listings for these items.
If an item is sold out everywhere at
$1,000, don't even think about bidding on the one listed on eBay at $250.
- Pay attention to the exchange policy. People have become so accustomed to being able to
return and exchange retail goods around the holidays, they often forget
about such details when it comes to online shopping. Examine a seller's
return or exchange policy carefully if it is important to be able to return the item for another, or for cash.
This Money Matters Tip is brought to you by the Financial
Resource Management Program Focus Team. --Anna Schremmer acschrem@ksu.edu
KANSAS ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM ANNOUNCES NEW GRADUATES
The
Kansas Environmental Leadership Program, www.ksre.ksu.edu/kelp,
honored members of its 2012 class during the recent Governor’s Conference on the
Future of Water in Manhattan.
The 16 graduates,
listed in alphabetical order by last name and including hometown, are: Angela
Anderson, Allen; Tej Attili, Horton; Cody Barilla, Hutchinson;
Lauren Clary, McPherson; Patricia Haines-Lieber, Topeka; Cindy
Higgins, Topeka; Hoyt Hillman, Wichita; Sara Jones, Augusta;
Nicholas Levendofsky, Republic; Terry Lyons, Burlington; Bob
Muirhead, Hays; Michelle Probasco, Topeka; Mark Shriwise, Dodge
City; Peter Tomlinson, Manhattan; Chloe Wilson, Hutchinson;
Devin Wilson, Kansas City, MO.
More information
about KELP is available at www.ksre.ksu.edu/kelp
or by contacting Brandi Nelson at nelsonbm@ksu.edu
or 785-532-3828. --Brandi Nelson nelsonbm@ksu.edu
CRITICAL CONVERSATION: PERSONAL VS. PROFESSIONAL IDENTITIES IN SOCIAL MEDIA
As social media becomes an integral part of both our personal lives and our
professional activities, the issues surrounding these identities take on
increasing importance. This panel discussion will take a look at some of these
issues, with the hope of engaging the audience to think about and question the
way in which social media identities are created and managed. We will explore
"ownership" of an identity or profile, what happens when you leave an
organization, who's responsible for the content produced, who "owns" the
followers or network, effect of social media policies and terms of service,
etc.
Join this dynamic panel of speakers as we explore the issues around
professional and personal identities in social media. Special guest, Evan Brown
(@internetcases on Twitter), attorney from Chicago, will join several Extension
professionals to discuss these considerations.
Panelists: Anne Adrian, Bob Bertsch, Evan Brown, Cheryl Boyer, and Molly
Frendo
This critical conversation will be conducted as a Google+ Hangout On Air.
Attendees can view and participate in the conversation on the Google+ Event page
(link to be posted) or on the Network Literacy CoP YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/user/NetworkLiteracyCoP.
For more details on eXtension's use of Hangouts On Air see http://bit.ly/on-air-instructions.
See others in the series:
-- Mobile applications: The Mobile Quandary at http://learn.extension.org/events/598
-- BYOD - Smartphones and Tablets in the Workplace at http://learn.extension.org/events/599
-- Cultivating a workforce of knowledge workers at https://learn.extension.org/events/600
Presenters are Anne Adrian, Stephen Judd, Bob Bertsch, Molly Frendo, and Cheryl Boyer.
eXtension Learn page
https://learn.extension.org/events/786
Event Location (Friday, December 7, at 10:00 a.m.)
https://plus.google.com/b/100994641102542483850/events/cmrqqsijpuuj1ulrar7o53svu6k
--Cheryl Boyer crboyer@ksu.edu
FACILITATION SKILLS TRAINING RETREAT JANUARY 15-16, 2013 AT ROCK SPRINGS RANCH
The Community and Economic Development PFT is sponsoring a Facilitation Skills Training Retreat on January 15-16, 2013 at Rock Springs Ranch for anyone interested in improving their facilitation skills. Facilitation is a method that can be used in many settings. Although it is usually used with groups of people, individuals can be facilitated too.
Many controversial issues can be worked through with the help of a skilled facilitator. The key to success is to work with all opinions in the group and encourage discussion that is respectful and inclusive of all perspectives.
Participants will become proficient in the use of the following group facilitation skills: strategic questioning, conflict management and nominal group process.
Registration deadline is Friday, December 14, to Jennifer Wilson, Riley County Extension Office, jrwilson@ksu.edu. A cost recovery fee will be charged to non CED PFT members. Questions,can be addressed to the CED PFT Retreat Planning Committee Members: David Key, Meadowlark Extension District-Seneca Office, dkey@ksu.edu; Bruce Chladny, Wyandotte County Extension Office, bchladny@ksu.edu; Carl Garten Central Kansas Extension District, Salina Office, cgarten@ksu.edu; Jennifer Wilson, Riley County Extension Office, jrwilson@ksu.edu; and David Procter, Center for Engagement and Community Development, dprocter@ksu.edu. --David Key
WHO IS BEST QUALIFIED TO DECIDE HOW YOUR LIFETIME OF WORK SHOULD BE SHARED?
Why is the process of
writing a will so daunting? A LexisNexis survey says only 35 percent of
Americans have put their final plans in place. There must be a reason.
Conversations indicate there are several reasons. Let’s look at two.
1.) Death is not something that excites most people, and a will is
merely a piece of paper during lifetime. Some may see avoiding
the process of drafting their will as a way of avoiding or delaying the
inevitable. 2.) Writing a will may be complicated. The reality is
that if you don’t write your own, the courts impose your state’s
distribution formula. Who is better qualified to decide
how your lifetime of work should be shared – you or a judge?
Why write a
will? 1.) After working a lifetime to build an asset base – all while
paying taxes on income – it’s only appropriate to spend a few hours
deciding how your estate will be distributed.
Your assets may go three places: your heirs, K-State or other
charitable organizations, or to Uncle Sam. The decision is yours, but
you need to invest some time, then work with an attorney. It is far
better to plan now than to leave that responsibility to
your survivors.
If you
have friends or neighbors considering support for K-State people or
programs, help them with our “Planning Your Legacy” booklet. When
completed, the booklet saves money and time with an attorney.
It explains important planning options and vocabulary, helps identify
and organize assets, and creates an asset distribution framework to
assist an attorney in writing the will. Let us know how we can help.
Our services are free and conversations are confidential. --Gordon Dowell, Gift Planning Officer for Extension and Real Estate gordond@found.ksu.edu
WE MET THE MATCH!
During Annual Conference, the Growing Kansas Leaders 4-H Campaign was introduced to all staff. and a $5000 challenge grant was offered for the first $5000 raised. And we are pleased to report...... you met the match! The Extension campaign has raised a total of $12,040 in just the 4 weeks since Annual Conference. We appreciate all those whose generosity have given us such a good kick-off to our campaign.
As you recall, the goal for the extension portion of the campaign was $50,000. The first $25,000 will go to increasing the Emerald Circle Step Ahead scholarships to $1000 each. The remaining funds will be used to establish 4 new area awards for office professionals and program assistants who do so much to support the 4-H in our counties and districts.
You can still be part of this special event. Just make a gift or a pledge using the forms from the Kansas 4-H Foundation at http://www.kansas4hfoundation.org/press-kit.htm. Many staff members are pledging $10 a month for the 3 year period of the pledge cycle. That equates to 2 grande carmel macchihato's at Starbucks or a large pizza a month..... for that small price, you can help create a legacy that will continue to give back to the youth of the Kansas 4-H program.
You can participate with a pledge of any amount, a gift by check, or give on line. If you have any questions, please contact one of us and we'll be glad to help. --Growing Kansas Leaders, Extension Campaign Co-Chairs: Susan Johnson, Douglas County; Chuck Otte, Geary County; and Jodi Besthorn, Sedgwick County
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR K-STATE EXCELLENCE IN ENGAGEMENT AWARDS
Established in 2011 by the Office of Provost, the Kansas State
University Excellence in Engagement awards are given to highlight excellence in
engaged scholarship (via research, teaching, and/or outreach). These awards
recognize KSRE and campus faculty initiatives that demonstrate innovative
and/or sustained efforts in university/community engagement positively
impacting both university and community partners.
By engagement, we mean:
"A form of research, teaching or service in which
collaborative efforts between university and community stakeholders result in
scholarly activity and community benefit around a public issue."
Application Opened: December 1, 2012
Submission Materials Due: February 1, 2013
Approximate Announcement Date: February 15, 2013
Number of Awards: Two
Eligibility: Any campus faculty, professional staff, and/or
Extension professional. Awards may go to an individual or a partnership team.
Criteria
for the K-State Excellence in Engagement Award
1. The engaged scholarship benefits the lives of individuals,
families, communities, and/or society as well as positively impacting
university faculty and students;
2. The engaged scholarship is created and sustained through mutual
collaboration between university faculty and external communities;
3. The scholarship is communicated through scholarly publication, academic
presentation, public scholarship, and/or community presentation; and
4. The engaged scholarship creates or applies disciplinary knowledge.
Application
Portfolio (three pages maximum)
Project
Title:
Abstract: Summarize the engaged scholarship (via
research, teaching, or outreach) and engaged partnership. Describe the
significant societal issue addressed and benefits resulting from that
partnership.
The Partnership: Detail the campus and community partners. Describe the
length of this partnership. Offer examples of how campus and community partners
have worked together and roles each have played. Describe ways in which
students have been involved.
Lessons Learned and Best Practices: Describe the challenges the
university and community partners have faced through this collaboration.
Describe how these challenges were addressed and overcome. What benefits or
impacts have emerged from this partnership for the university and the
community? What knowledge or intellectual property has been created from this
engaged work?
Endorsement: Two letters of endorsement are required. Each application
must include a letter of endorsement from a dean, department head, or director
who is familiar with and supportive of the engaged project. A second letter
must come from a community partner.
Submit Nomination Application Online to:
cecd@k-state.edu
In subject line, note this is for “Kansas State University Excellence in
Engagement Award.”
Recognition
1. A plaque and $2,500 presented to each winning engagement
partnership.
2. Awards will be presented and recognized at the university’s
spring engagement celebration.
3. Winners of the Kansas State University Excellence in
Engagement Award will be showcased in university news stories throughout the
year.
4. The award winners will be highlighted as one of Kansas State
University Signature Partnerships.
Winners will automatically be considered for the national APLU
C. Peter Magrath Community Engagement Award and Outreach Scholarship W.K.
Kellogg Foundation Engagement Award.
Review
Process
A
review panel of engaged campus and community representatives will review the
application portfolios based on the criteria listed above. --Chandra Ruthstrom chandra@ksu.edu
DIVERSITY PROGRAMS OFFICE
Happy Tuesday from the Diversity Programs Office! This week has gone by quickly, as our students are all preparing for finals and we are getting ready to wrap up for the semester. This past weekend, we had three students participate in the Ms. Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant, sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Thau Chapter. Egypt Edwards, a sophomore Agronomy major; and Allison Diederich, a freshman Animal Science and Industry major and 2012 MAPS graduate; both participated in the pageant alongside Jocelyn Clemens, who won the crown! Jocelyn is a graduating senior in Agricultural Technology and is also a Cargill Scholar. Jocelyn is excited to share that she has accepted a job with Cargill and will be starting work with them in Summer 2013. Jocelyn is a former DPO Office Assistant whose influence can be seen in the creation of the Diverse Happenings Newsletter. We are proud of her achievements and are happy to see the Ms. Black and Gold Scholarship go to such a deserving individual!
As a reminder, MANRRS and the DPO will be hosting Study Hall this week. Study Hall will take place through Friday of this week and will be held from 6-10 p.m. in Waters 106. All are invited!
Lastly, as a retraction to our previous Tuesday Letter submission, we would like to let you know that the contact information has changed for those who are interested in attending future Navigating Different Training sessions. If you would like to participate in future trainings, please contact Susie Wilkinson. You can contact her by email, susiew@k-state.edu, or by telephone at 785-532-5820.
Thank you for your continued support and participation in these trainings! --Zelia Wiley zwiley@ksu.edu
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