Spring 2006 ESP Newsletter; Edition Number 104

Epsilon Sigma Phi The Extension Professionals' Organization

2006 EPSILON SIGMA PHI NATIONAL CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Della A. Baker, ESP President-Elect and Professional Development Chair

The Tau Chapter of Maryland is busy putting the final touches on the upcoming Epsilon Sigma Phi National Conference that will be held in Annapolis November 13 - 17, 2006 at the Loews Annapolis Hotel. This conference will feature three dynamic general session speakers. The preliminary conference schedule can be found on Page 2 of this newsletter. Also in this issue, you will find a description of some of the tours being planned by Tau Chapter. Registration and lodging details can be viewed after June 15, 2006 on the national ESP website.

Pertinent Facts about the 2006 ESP National Conference

Theme: On the Waterfront of Professional Excellence

Location: Annapolis Maryland

Host Chapter(s): Tau, Maryland, is the lead chapter. They are receiving assistance from Alpha Omicron, Pennsylvania, and Lambda, New York.

Dates: November 13-17, 2006

Hotel Information: Loew’s Annapolis, http://www.loewshotels.com/hotels/annapolis/

·        Group reservations must be made by calling the Hotel Reservations Department at 1-800-526-2593.  Note you are attending the ESP Conference.

· Conference Rates are: $125/night, single or double plus 12% tax

· Cut-Off is October 12, 2006…but do NOT wait. We are guaranteed this rate for the room block. When the block is gone, we are not guaranteed this rate on other rooms.

· Self-Parking is $11/night and Valet Parking is $16/night.

Airport Travel: Baltimore Washington International is the closest airport at 19 miles or 30 minutes away. Shuttle service is available by calling 1-800-BLUEVAN. Taxi service is also available.

Conference Registration: $375 conference registration includes: Conference, Beverage Breaks, Opening Reception, three breakfasts, two lunches, including the Ruby, and two dinners, including the Recognition Banquet. On-line registration will be available on the ESP Website on June 15, 2006. Early Bird deadline is September 1, 2006. No pre-conference registrations will be accepted after November 1.

Preliminary Conference Schedule

Monday, November 13, 2006

1:00 - 4:00 Pre-conference session
(Separate Registration)

4:30-5:30 Dinner

6:00 – 9:00 Pre-conference session resumes

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

3:00 - 7:00 Registration

8:00 - 5:00 Pre-Conference Tours

5:30 – 6:30 First Timers and
Life Members Event

6:30 – 8:00 “A Taste of Maryland”
Reception – Away from the Hotel

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

7:00 - 12:00 Registration

7:00 – 8:30 Exhibit & Poster Setup

7:00 – 8:00 Continental Breakfast

8:00 – 10:00 Regional Meetings
(NC, NE, S, W)

9:00 – 4:30 Exhibit & Poster Viewing

10:00 - 10:30 Break

10:30 – 12:00 General Session I—
Speaker: C.D. Mote

12:00 - 2:00 Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 Poster Session with
Authors Present

2:00 - 3:00 Concurrent Session I

3:00 – 3:30 Break

3:30 - 4:30 Concurrent Session II

5:00 States Night Out

Thursday, November 16, 2006

7:00 - 6:00 Registration

7:00 - 8:15 Continental Breakfast

8:30 - 10:00 General Session II—
Speaker: Albert Pierce

10:00 - 10:30 Break

10:30 - 11:30 Concurrent Session III

11:30 - 1:30 Ruby Luncheon and Lecture

1:30 - 2:30 Concurrent Session IV

2:30 - 3:00 Break

3:00 – 4:00 JCEP and Committee
Presentations

6:00 - 7:00 Pre-Auction Cash Bar
and Silent Auction

7:00 - 9:00 Dinner & Live Auction

Friday, November 17, 2006

7:00 - 9:00 Continental Breakfast
for Everyone

8:00 - 9:00 Registration

8:00 – 10:00 Committee Meetings

10:00 – 10:30 Break

10:30 - 12:00 General Session III—
Speaker: Carolyn Brooks

Invitation to 2007

12:00 - 4:00 Lunch & Optional Tours
(On your Own)

1:30 – 3:30 National Council Meeting

5:00 - 6:00 Reception (with cash bar)

6:00 - 9:30 Recognition Banquet

Saturday, November 18, 2006

8:00 - 12:00 Breakfast and

Post-Conference Meeting -

National Board

Life Member Cost Savings

Are you considering attending the ESP National Conference in Annapolis, MD, November 14-17, 2006? If you are an ESP life member or retiree, then read further.

Epsilon Sigma Phi offers a special benefit for life members or retirees in the form of a national conference registration reduction scholarship. The scholarships are available on a first-come basis to the first 20 eligible conference attendees. The scholarships are available in the amount of $100 each. You must have been retired from Extension for at least two or more years. Watch the ESP website at http://espnational.org for registration information on June 15, 2006.

Announcing the 2006 Scholarship Recipients

Angus Professional Development Scholarships

· Francis Ginther, Wisconsin, to support continuing education on a PhD program in Comprehensive Work and Human Resource Education at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

· Thomas H. Weber, Pennsylvania, to attend the National Extension Technology Conference in 2006. (For personal reasons, he was not able to use in 2006 and will re-apply in 2007.)

· Shirley J. McSilvers, Oregon, to complete the Ed.M. program in Adult Education at Oregon State University.

Administrative Leadership to Attend National ESP Conference

· Tammy Kelly, North Carolina

Tours for Epsilon Sigma Phi 2006, Annapolis, MD

Annapolis, The Nation’s First Capitol City

This all day walking tour with costumed historian as a guide will explore many historical venues of the current Maryland State capitol. Including the Naval Academy, the State House, St. Johns University, Hammond-Harwood House, the colonial harbor and a historic residence.  Lunch is included. $50.

Marketing Maryland Agriculture

This all day van tour will visit the Mid Atlantic Fresh Fruit and Seafood Distribution Center, Maryland Department of Agriculture state of the art facility and labs, the USDA Beltsville Agriculture Research Farm and Library, and the University of Maryland, College Park Campus. Lunch is included. $50.00.

Washington Highlights

Travel by van to the Nation’s Capitol where you will be treated to a trip around the city covering the highpoints including all major museums, Embassy Row, the Tidal Basin, WW II Memorial, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, Kennedy Center and Georgetown.  Free time will be allowed for activities of choice, returning to Annapolis for evening activities. Lunch will be provided.  $50.00

Baltimore's Best

This all day van trip to Baltimore will begin with a tour of the Columbus Center at the Inner Harbor.  Here you will learn about the Chesapeake Bay in an incredible cutting edge design building. Travelers will see the city by van including Little Italy, Federal Hill, Fells Point, Ft. Mc Henry, Camden Yards, the Inner Harbor, and Johns Hopkins University. Time will be allowed for visiting the Inner Harbor area and the many shops, as well as the MD Science Museum. If the weather permits you may want to take a water taxi ride around the harbor and marvel at the downtown skyline.  Lunch included. $50.

Special Life Member Tour Hosted by Dick Angus

On Tuesday of the 2006 National Conference, a special life member tour is being planned by Dick Angus and a group of Maryland Tau Chapter life members. The Best of Maryland tour will include historic sites in Annapolis and the Eastern Shore for a seafood lunch.

Why are you Involved in ESP?

Jeffrey Myers, Alpha Omicron Chapter President, Pennsylvania

As part of the Northeast JCEP Conference, ESP Chapters were asked why their members chose to be involved with ESP. In canvassing our current and past board members, as well as committee chairs, we had responses which give pause for thought. It is our active engagement in any organization that benefits both the individual and the group. Here are some of the reasons for membership given by Alpha Omicron members:

· It provides the opportunity to promote our profession as a unified approach.

· I belong to ESP because of the professional development opportunities. ESP presents a broader perspective of Cooperative Extension which enables members to link to resources and people across the nation. The program-type professional organizations deal primarily with programs. ESP explores more personal leadership development and the issues are more inclusive.

· I primarily joined ESP because through the years, in the various states where I have worked with Extension, this has been a group that represented lots of leadership and experience. The members were respected for their dedication and contributions to the Extension profession.

· I am at the point in my career where I need more than subject matter training for professional development and stimulation. I am also in a position to give back to the Extension organization for some of the perks I have had as an educator and administrator.

· ESP provides me with an opportunity to interface with educators and faculty from all program areas, not just one.

· I believe there is strength in having a diverse organization and think ESP should be the preferred Extension Association of choice.

· It is the professional development organization that has the greatest potential to enhance my administrative and leadership abilities. It envisions the whole of what Extension is and could be.

Why are YOU involved in ESP?

Galaxy III Planning is Underway – Your Help is Needed!

Plan now to attend the 2008 Galaxy Conference in Indianapolis, IN! The conference planning committee’s proposed dates are September 14-18, 2008. The conference will officially begin with an opening event on Sunday evening and close with a brunch and closing speaker on Thursday at noon. Additional information can be found on the Galaxy III website at: http://www.ces.purdue.edu/galaxy

Each association has two representatives on the Galaxy Planning Committee. ESP Galaxy representatives are Marie Blythe, KS, and Marjorie Moore, FL. Other Steering Committee members are: Diane Baker (IL, chair), Ingrid Holmes (MD, vice-chair), Suzie Brown (NEAFCS), Peg Ehlers (NEAFCS), Mahlon Peterson (NACAA), Pat Hogue (NACAA), Allen Auck (NAE4-HA), Linda Aldridge (NAE4-HA), Andy Londo (ANREP), Gary Hawkins (ANREP), Steve McKinley (Indiana). In addition, Paul Horngren is our representative from Purdue Conference Services.

Several committees have been identified that will need volunteers. The awards committee is chaired by Marie Blythe and volunteers are chaired by Marjorie Moore. Other committees are evaluation, exhibits, registration, educational programs, facilities, financial considerations/sponsorships, marketing, special events, and operations. Conference events will feature great speakers, tours, concurrent sessions, seminars, exhibits, auction, etc. Numerous volunteers are needed to assist with these activities. Volunteers can be Agents, Specialists, Master Gardeners, Home and Community Educators, 4-Hers, etc. To volunteer, contact Marjorie Moore at mmoore@ifas.ufl.edu.

You will need to provide your name, address, phone number, and email address. If you have a particular committee you wish to assist with, specify the name of that committee in your response.

Meet the 2007-2008 Regional Vice Presidents

Gwen Wolford, North Central Vice President and Chair of Public Issues

Gwen is Director, Government Relations for Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. She has served on the Public Issues National Committee for the past two years. To quote the chapter president, “Gwen’s record of leadership, scholarship and commitment to the Extension profession make her the ideal candidate to serve as the NC Regional Vice President. In addition, her in-depth experience with local, state and national legislative affairs will be an invaluable asset to our organization.”

Nancy Wallace, Northeast Vice President and Chair of Member Services

Nancy has been a family and consumer sciences educator with Penn State Cooperative Extension for 30 years. She has served on the Member Services National Committee for the past three years. To quote her Extension Director, “Teamwork, strong organizational skills, excellent ability to form key partnerships in her program area and support of her colleagues are just some of the strengths that Nancy brings to the position.”

Donna L. Downen, Southern Vice President and Chair of Global Relations

Donna is Shelby County Tennessee Extension Agent working in the area of Food and Nutrition, Health, Food Safety and Home Environment. She has served on the Public Issues National Committee for the past three years. To quote her Extension Director, “We feel her experience as an Extension Educator in Tennessee and her experience in serving on National ESP committees will serve her and the organization well.”

Randall H. Brooks, Western Vice President and Chair of Resource Development and Management

Randy is chair of the Clearwater County Idaho Extension Office. He has served on the National Resource Development and Management Committee for three years and is currently serving as President of the Theta Chapter of ESP in Idaho. To quote his Extension Director, “Randy is a highly productive Extension Educator who is highly regarded by his clientele and his colleagues for his leadership and creative problem solving skills.”

2007 JCEP Regional Workshops...Mark Your Calendar!

The locations and dates for the 2007 JCEP Regional Workshops are:

South West Northeast North Central

Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2007 Feb. 6-8, 2007 Feb. 21-23, 2007 Feb. 27-March 1, 2007

Nashville, TN Phoenix, AZ Valley Forge, PA St. Louis, MO

Nationally, ESP provides a $300/chapter stipend to help defray travel costs.

Why Internationalize Extension? Part Two

Cynthia Flynn, Kappa Chapter, Member of Global Relations Committee

In Arizona, Cooperative Extension has a core team of campus and county faculty who are responding to the question “Why Internationalize Extension?” Our first project, “Building Community in Arizona and Jamaica” provided insight for reasons to internationalize Extension. The project was designed to increase Arizona Cooperative Extension’s capacity for stronger international efforts. Teams from Jamaica and Arizona worked together in a two-way exchange to learn about community development and outreach efforts by each group.

Through this project the Arizona/Jamaica team shared expertise, strengthened its international outreach, gained skills in community development, and adopted the use of an asset model in community development. The Jamaicans felt the experience brought out leadership qualities that were never before displayed. The Arizona team developed a strong bond that continues to build and contributes to work beyond this project. The experience of facilitating a consensus workshop exercise under a mango tree instead of an air conditioned classroom and watching the neighborhood group develop their strategies was powerful. The professional growth we gain from an international experience impacts how we think, how we work, and the appreciation of the similarities of people around the globe. The benefit of an international experience is a shift in the faculty member's perspective on his or her own role, and the view of how our families, communities and culture function.

As a follow-up to our first Community Building project, in 2005, Arizona and Jamaica jointly planned and implemented a full day workshop for the Caribbean Association of Home Economics. Communication from CAHE indicates that the concepts shared have been replicated throughout the islands, under another mango tree, a church, a beach canopy, whatever venue works for the local community and situation. Arizona’s next experience will be to partner with Heifer International and visit Romania and Moldova this spring. We may be using the Building Community Toolkit in a barn or a 1,000 year old building and we expect to find that people face similar problems, have similar hopes and aspirations, and will develop unique alternatives to address challenges.

Nominations for National Second Vice President Due July 1, 2006

Jim Hovland, ESP Past President and Nomination Chair

The ESP National Board is seeking candidates from the North Central Region for Second Vice President – Chapter Relations. This position rotates on a pre-set regional schedule. The elected candidate will serve a four-year term on the National Board in the capacity of Second Vice President, President-Elect, President and Past President. Criteria for national officers are based on visionary abilities, leadership skills as well as roles serving in state or national committees and offices. Specific roles, responsibilities, and nomination form are outlined in the ESP Handbook, Section J, located on the website at http://espnational.org.

ESP members from county, regional and state positions are encouraged to apply. Support from the state chapter and State Director of Extension in the state where the candidate holds membership is required.

Please submit nominations to Linda Cook, ESP Executive Director, PO Box 357340, Gainesville, FL 32635 by July 1.

Learning from the Mini-Grants

Up to four ESP Mini-grants are awarded to chapters each year. Part of the requirement is that a report must be shared so that other chapters can gain from the experience. Several ESP chapters that have received mini-grants in the last couple years have shared their experience and learning. The following mini-grant reports are on the ESP website for your information and use.

· Celebrating the Extension Workers Creed for the WI-ESP 75th Anniversary, by Karen Joos and Linda Kustka, University of Wisconsin Extension, Alpha Sigma Chapter--Wisconsin
http://espnational.org/WIESPMinigrantFinalReport.pdf

· “ESP Mini-Grant – 2005 Galaxy Conference – Expeditions of Discovery,” by: Amy Wagnon, Rebecca McPeake and Allisen Penn, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service,
Alpha Iota Chapter--Arkansas
http://espnational.org/AR2005Mini-GrantESPReport.pdf

· Alpha Lambda Chapter Uses Mini-Grant to Provide Citizen Board Development Training, by Thomas N. Jordan, Natalie Fowler, Cathy Burwell, Bill Rice and Roger Moll, Purdue Extension,
Alpha Lambda Chapter--Indiana
http://espnational.org/INMini-GrantESPConnectionsNewsletterArticle.pdf

Creating a Thriving Extension Organization Thru Multi-Generational (Recruitment and Retention) Strategies, ESP Pre-Conference Workshop

David Remson, Consultant – Triangle Consulting, will help you develop a better understanding of the multi-generational working together. He will help attendees develop strategies to effectively market Extension Professionals and organizations to multi-generations.

Goals

· To promote an understanding on how to recruit, work with, motivate, and retain a multi-generational organization.

· To market the Extension Profession and Professional to multi-generations.

Program Outcomes:

· Develop a better understanding of the multi-generations working together, each with its own unique perspective on work.

· Learn effective techniques to meet the Extension Professionals’ needs and organizational needs and effectively communicate them across the generations.

· To develop strategies to effectively market Extension Professional Organizations to the Extension Professional.

Program Agenda will be in two parts:

· Understanding and Thriving in the Multi-Generational Workplace, 1:00-4:00 pm

· Working Session – To develop marketing concepts and strategies specific to your Extension Organization, 6:00-9:00 pm

Date, Time and Place: Monday, November 13, 2006, 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. (with a dinner break), Loew’s Annapolis Hotel

Registration Fee: $95.00 (dinner included)

Watch for a separate registration form on the ESP website at http://espnational.org. Session is limited to the first 35 people.

National Public Policy Education Conference to Focus on American Food Systems

All roads lead to Fayetteville, Arkansas in September, home to corporate giants WalMart and Tyson Foods, for the 2006 National Public Policy Education Conference and Pre-conference Workshop, September 17-20, 2006. The conference begins with the Pre-Conference Workshop on September 17, Basics of Public Policy Education, designed for Extension professionals new to the Public Issues arena.

This year’s topics will have special appeal to Extension educators working in community and economic development, food safety and health/obesity issues, agricultural policy and ethics, and especially those working with local controversial issues.

This year’s conference, Consequences of the 21^st Century Food System, will explore the emerging issues of the 21st century food system including Labor and Immigration Issues, Food Policy and Health, Food Safety, and the impacts of super stores in our community. Topics will include ethics, infrastructure, immigration and labor, food safety and nutrition, traceability and terrorism, and agricultural policy. The conference tour will feature both WalMart and Tyson Foods and their impacts on the community. Participants are eligible to submit proposals for the Poster Session.

ESP members are encouraged to contact the Farm Foundation website at www.farmfoundation.org for additional information and online registration. You can also contact the ESP representative, Mike McKinney (Florida) at mckcar@msn.com.

ESP Endowment Update

Mark Gateley, Chair of Resource Development and Management

We are pleased to inform you that progress continues to be made in raising funds for the ESP Endowment. Numerous chapters have engaged in the process
and are making a difference in the campaign.

The main purpose of this article is to give you a mid-year update on gifts
and pledges made in the campaign. View the list at http://espnational.org/NewSortByPledgeLevel3.pdf The contributor list reflects total campaign giving from the beginning of the campaign until now. An asterisk beside the name indicates that the pledge is paid in full. A "06" beside the name indicates that a gift or payment has been received this year.

Thank you for your continued support of the campaign!

2006 Mini-Grant Applications Funded – Additional Opportunities Available!

Mini-grants have been awarded to the following two chapters:

Extension Reaching Out to Multicultural Communities: At Home and Abroad from the Alpha Omicron Chapter in Pennsylvania. The funding will be used to conduct a workshop to help build the skills of Extension personnel by strengthening their ability to develop activities relevant to the global realities of their location and for programming in local communities.
Kenya Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship Project from the Alpha Nu Chapter in Illinois. The funding will be used to support a small business project in Kenya with small business curriculums developed by University of Illinois Extension staff. The curriculums will be used to provide train-the-trainer workshops on how to start a small business and how to manage a profitable small business.

Funding for two additional Mini-Grants are still available for 2006. Submit your application electronically to the National ESP Office at espoffice@espnational.org by August 1, 2006.

Hold These Dates:

2006 National Conference

November 14-17, 2006

Annapolis, MD

2007 ESP National Conference

September 10-14, 2007

Charleston, South Carolina

Galaxy III

September 14-18, 2008

Indianapolis, IN

The mission of Epsilon Sigma Phi is to foster the standards of excellence in the Extension System and to develop the Extension Profession and Professional.