The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
(Vol. 19 No. 49)
IN THIS ISSUE...
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
K-State Research and Extension Annual Conference is just around the corner. I'm looking forward to conference because I know that there will be all kinds of opportunity for me to listen, observe, be inspired and learn from others. I encourage all of you to come with a learning attitude.
Extension is about
being educators, who continually strive to improve your knowledge of education
theory and your ability to develop, implement, assess and improve effective
education programs. It’s about being problem solvers and knowing modern
problems are increasingly complex. It’s about continually working to develop
subject matter expertise within an Extension programming area that is in high
demand among your constituents.
It’s about
recognizing that specialization enables the Extension professional to progress
beyond being an “unbiased” resource for information… to being an “unbiased” expert in a highly needed field or
endeavor.
And, it’s
about the Extension professional being a great networker and communicator
with your Extension colleagues – especially those who specialize in other
subject matter disciplines. When you are faced with an issue needing expertise
beyond the scope of your expertise, having this collegial network will enable you
as an Extension professional to align the best assistance by referring a client
to a colleague who has the required subject matter specialization.
And, honestly, that is why annual conference happens each year. I'm hopeful that annual conference provides you all the opportunities I've outlined above and more. It requires that you come with an attitude of learning and growth. And for all of that, we can
all celebrate.
Have a great week, and I look forward to seeing all of you next week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
KANSAS 4-H COMMITMENT TO KEEPING OUR YOUTH AND CHILDREN SAFE
One of the principles of positive
youth development is that a young person has the benefit of a positive,
sustained relationship with a caring adult. It helps youth gain the
confidence, connections and caring they need to achieve their fullest
potential. In Kansas 4-H, we depend on thousands of adult volunteers to help
fulfill the role of a caring adult. It is estimated that nearly 1,000 new volunteers
apply to become 4-H volunteers each year.
We all understand the importance
of keeping our children safe from harm. Improved policies for screening
volunteers will help provide greater safety and security for children in Kansas
4-H programs. Many youth organizations such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Big
Brothers, Big Sisters and YMCA have established similar policies to protect
children in their programs. The Kansas Mentors standards are the preeminent
recommendations for youth protection and the Kansas 4-H screening process has
been reviewed and revised based on Kansas Mentors Gold Star Program.
Kansas 4-H is growing and
improving all the time, and strengthening our policy for registering volunteers
is fulfilling an obligation to children, parents, volunteers and employees. In
short, it is the right thing to do to provide greater security for all people
involved in Kansas 4-H. It is also important that we protect the image and
integrity of 4-H, K-State Research and Extension and Kansas State University.
Effective October 1, 2014, all
prospective volunteers who have direct, on-going contact with youth, must be
screened through the revised Kansas 4-H Volunteer Screening process. The
revised process includes:
1. An
Application
2. Face to
Face Interview
3.
References
4. A
National Criminal Background Check
5.
Orientation
6. Review
and Approval by the Local Extension Program.
Implementing new 4-H volunteer
screening policies will require a commitment of time and resources on the part
of all local Extension units, KSRE Administration, and State and Area Extension
4-H Specialists. The KSRE Administrative team and the Department of 4-H Youth
Development is committed to working with staff, local Extension boards,
volunteers and 4-H families to make a smooth transition to the revised process.
To learn more about the revised
policy and how we will transition over the coming months, go here:
Protecting Our Children – Kansas 4-H
Volunteer Screening Process
Kansas 4-H Volunteer ScreeningProcess Factsheet
Kansas 4-H Volunteer ScreeningProcess FAQ’s
Conference
Calls (30
minutes) are also scheduled with the administrative team to learn more and ask
questions.
Dial
In Number:
866-620-7326 Conference Code: 479 963 8009
Tuesday -
October 15, at 2 p.m. (Daryl Buchholz, Barbara Stone, Chris Onstad and Phil Sloderbeck)
Wednesday -
October 16, at 11 a.m. (Barbara Stone, Dale Fjell, J.D. McNutt)
Thursday
- October 17, at 1:30 p.m. (Barbara Stone, Jim Lindquist, Paula Peters)
--John
Floros, Daryl Buchholz and the KSRE Administrative Team
K-PICS 2012-2013 DATA ENTRY DEADLINE TODAY
The K-PICS
Support Team would like to remind you that data entry into K-PICS will end for the 2012-2013 programming year at Close of Business
(5:00 p.m.) today, October 15, 2013. Please make sure that your dashboard on your K-PICS homepage does
not list any Unfinished Programs or Invalid Demographics. This closure prevents
the entry or edit of data for the 2012-2013 programming year. Once closed, you will be able to view and export that year’s data at any point in time for reporting purposes. Keep in mind that K-PICS
relies on the end date of the program to determine reporting year. Thus, the
2012-2013 reporting year includes all programs that ended on or before September
30, 2013.
In order
to ensure this closure goes smoothly, the system will automatically log you out
at 5:00 p.m. Please make sure your data is saved prior to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday,
October 15. K-PICS will be closed until all data issues for that reporting
year have been resolved.
++ Additionally,
this closure provides our ability to release the next update that includes new functionality
for assigning programs for the 2013-2014 programming year to multiple program
areas.
Remember: The K-PICS
Support Team is available via phone, 785-532-5930, and email, kpics@ksu.edu, to assist you with the system.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about K-PICS.--Office of Educational Innovation and Evaluation
FACILITATING GROUPS FOR DECISION MAKING
Often groups default to voting on decisions - and often, majority vote
is appropriate. But voting leaves an unsatisfied minority, and sometimes
unsatisfied minorities can create big hurdles for forward progress.
What decision making options are available for a board, committee, or
group? What determines the appropriateness of different decision-making
approaches, and what skills are needed to guide a group through these
processes?
For anyone looking to hone skills in facilitating
group decision making, the Public Decision Making workshop is a must.
Scholarship funds are available for previous participants in the Public
Issues Forum Facilitation workshops through ICDD. The workshop will take
place on
November 4 & 5 at the Alumni Center in Manhattan, and will develop
knowledge and skills on how to
choose and facilitate group decision making processes. Ron WIlson, Myles
Alexander, Dan Kahl, and instructors from KSU Political Science will
help participants apply decision making
practices for boards, local government, and public groups.
Registration and information can be found through the KSU Division of Continuing Education at https://icdd.engg.ksu.edu/node/133 or call 785-532-5575. Register before OCTOBER 18! --Dan Kahl dankahl@ksu.edu
HEALTH CARE CONVERSATIONS
The Family Resource Management PFT would like to invite you to join us for health care conversations during annual conference. Members will be at the poster session Tuesday afternoon, and will have a table on the concourse during the afternoon break on Wednesday to discuss open enrollment health plan choices for the coming year, and to answer your health insurance questions.
To help you make your open enrollment decisions, we would like to point out the Coverage Advisor available through US Bank. This tool compares costs (premiums and out-of-pocket) as well as tax savings for Plan A, B and C for all three State of Kansas health plan providers. Go to http://www.kdheks.gov/hcf/sehp/HSA.htm and click on US Bank Coverage Advisor. It will ask you a few questions such as zip code, pay band, and who you want to cover. If you enter your family income it will also calculate pre-tax saving. The estimates do not assume you receive the non-tobacco user’s discount, so you will need to subtract $480 from the cost for each to get an accurate idea of expenses if you qualify for this discount. Employees wanting to discuss their specific plan selection during annual conference should estimate medical costs and drug co-pays ahead of time, by hand, or by running the coverage advisor.
Other tools you may find useful include: Flexible Spending Account calculator:
www.KansasFSA.com follow the Custom FSA Calculator link under Tools and Info.
Provider Network Directory: www.kdheks.gov/hcf/sehp/VendorProviderDirectories.htm
RJ Steelsmith, K-State HR, is the benefits expert in this area and can be reached by e-mail at rjs@ksu.edu.
--Debra Wood for the Family Resource Management Program Focus Team dwood@ksu.edu
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR MENTOR WORKSHOPS
Registration
is now open for Mentor Workshops that will be held this fall. Everyone
who has a role in launching new agents toward a successful career is
invited to attend.
The workshops will be held as follows:
Wednesday, October 30 - Wakeeney, 4-H Building
Thursday, October 31 - St. John, Extension Office Meeting Room
Thursday, November 7 - Iola, Courthouse Meeting Room
Friday, November 8 - Manhattan, Pottorf Hall
Registration is due one week before each workshop. A fee of $15 will include lunch and snacks.
For more information, including an agenda and link to registration, go to http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/employee_Resources/p.aspx?tabid=206. --Margaret Phillips margaret@ksu.edu and Stacey Warner swarner@ksu.edu
GROWING KANSAS LEADERS CAMPAIGN
As part of the campaign, the Step Ahead 4-H scholarships was selected as the project from the Extension Agent committee. Your support
will enable us to add to the current scholarships given at Emerald
Circle Banquet, moving the four awards closer to the $1,000 level. Currently, $17,750 has been raised toward the $25,000 goal. We’re now
moving into the final phase of the campaign, and we have more good news
to share……
A
challenge grant has been made available to us. If we can raise at least
100 gifts or pledges of $25 (or more) a donor will contribute $5,000! What a great way to make our donations count.
Know
that every gift, regardless of size, is helpful. If you have already
supported this project or another part of the campaign, THANK YOU!
There are three EASY ways to make your gift outlined below:
- Pay on line with debit or credit card at https://9737.thankyou4caring.org/donate. After
making your dollar amount selection, use the drop down box, select
“other” and type in Extension Scholarships. You can make it a one-time
gift, recurring gift, or set it up as a pledge (with installments
through December of 2015).
- Mail a check today to the Kansas 4-H Foundation and include Extension Scholarships in the memo.
- Donate
at annual conference. You will have an opportunity during your
association meeting or retiree meeting to make a contribution that day.
With
your help, we can meet this challenge grant AND reach our total goal of
$25,000 for scholarships. We have a great 4-H program and truly outstanding youth – each one of us can help make a difference in their lives.
If you have questions, please contact the 4-H Foundation at 785-532-2852. --Sandra Wick swick@ksu.edu
2013 FALL COMMUNITY FORESTRY TRAINING
Announcing Environmental Impacts on Community Trees Training.
Properly
caring for trees in our urban environment has become an increasingly difficult
task for our City Foresters, City Staff, Tree Boards and other Green Industry
Professionals. This day-long training
will highlight the current tree issues that many Kansas communities are
experiencing. We will
discuss the environmental impacts from drought and the potential problems that
will arise. We will talk about the increasing
number of defective trees that have been caused by drought and our numerous
windstorm events. You will learn about
tree defects and what makes a tree hazardous and a candidate for removal. A removal is never complete until you replant
a tree in its place. We will discuss
species that should be utilized in your replanting efforts.
Workshops will be presented in several locations across Kansas
during the months of October and November. Instructors will be Kansas Forest Service Community District Foresters. Registration is required; call 785-532-3300 or email cathy@ksu.edu.
October 29 Parsons Arboretum
21st &
Briggs, Parsons, KS October 31 Bartlett Arboretum
Kansas 55 &
Line St.,
Belle Plaine, KS
November 12 Agricultural Research Center
1232 240th Ave.,
Hays, KS
November 13 Law Enforcement Training Center,
360 N. Franklin,
Colby, KS
November 14 Fire Station #2, 2245 Lacy Drive,
Junction
City, KS November
15 K-State Southwest Research &
Ext
4500 E. Mary
St., Garden City, KS
November 21 Big Gage Shelter House
635 SW Gage
Blvd, Topeka, KS
--Tim McDonnell tmcdonne@ksu.edu
KANSAS TURFGRASS CONFERENCE
The 63rd Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference will be held December 3, 4 & 5 at the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka. The conference is an excellent way to learn about turf and landscape management, visit with old friends, network with new ones, and see all the latest and greatest equipment and supplies from local and national vendors.
The conference has been approved for commercial pesticide recertification hours:
1 Core hour
7 hours - 3A AND 8 hours - 3B
International Society of Arboriculture CEUS and GCSAA education points will also be available by attending the conference.
To register online, go to www.kansasturfconference.eventbrite.com. --Christy Dipman cdipman@ksu.edu
RETIREMENT RECEPTION FOR SANDY CHANDLER
Sandy Chandler, Accountant, is retiring on
January 3, 2014 from Kansas State University with 40 years of service, 30 of those years with the Kansas Forest Service. You are invited to
express your gratitude and congratulations to Sandy by letter. We will be
consolidating letters to her into a notebook that Sandy can enjoy in the years
ahead. Please provide unfolded letters with margins of 1.5 inch on the left and
1 inch in the right. Please mail letters to Danni Prockish, Student
Accountant, 2610 Claflin Road, Manhattan, KS 66502 or email willow09@ksu.edu by Wednesday, November 27,
2013.
You are invited to join us for Sandy's retirement reception on Wednesday, December 11, at the Kansas Forest Service State Office located at
2610 Claflin Road, Manhattan, KS. The retirement reception will begin at 1:30 p.m.
with refreshments served and conclude at 3:30 p.m. Mark your calendars and plan
to come celebrate with Sandy for her 30 years of administrative and accounting
service with Kansas State University and the Kansas Forest Service.
For more
information, please contact Cathy Sandoval, 785-532-3300. --Cathy Sandoval cathy@ksu.edu
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