Summer 2006 ESP Newsletter; Edition Number 105
Epsilon Sigma Phi The Extension Professionals' Organization
BONNIE D. MCGEE OF TEXAS SELECTED AS DISTINGUISHED RUBY RECOGNITION RECIPIENT
Bonnie D. McGee of Texas has been selected to receive the 2006 National Distinguished Service Ruby recognition. McGee is the Urban Program Director with Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M University System.
She will deliver the prestigious Ruby Lecture during the Ruby Luncheon on Thursday, November 16, 2006, at the 2006 ESP National conference in Annapolis, MD. Her distinguished Extension career certainly has inspired professional excellence across the country.
The Distinguished Service Ruby is the highest and most prestigious recognition presented by Epsilon Sigma Phi and is designed to recognize truly outstanding thinking, performance and leadership in Cooperative Extension. Her ESP colleagues in Texas wrote, "Dr. McGee has provided leadership for Extension her entire career and she has emerged as a national leader. In less than 10 years, Texas Urban Programs, under her leadership have reached national recognition and now serve as programming models throughout the country. Dr. McGee has served as the state and national president for Epsilon Sigma Phi and has served in many leadership roles including but not limited to ECOP, JCEP, and other professional Extension organizations."
Dr. McGee started her 38 year Extension career in Escambia County, Alabama as an Extension Home Agent. From that beginning, Bonnie has worked with Extension in four states (Alabama, Colorado, New Hampshire and Texas) and has held key leadership positions including Family Life/Human Development Specialist, Program Leader for Home Economics, and Associate Director for Urban Programs on her professional path to the current position as Urban Program Director. She joined the faculty at Texas A&M in 1990 and has had the assignment of urban programming since 1997. Dr. McGee holds a BS in Home Economics Education and an MS in Family Life Education from the University of Southern Mississippi; a MEd in Adult Education from Colorado State University; and a PhD in Educational Human Resource Development from Texas A&M University.
Dr. McGee's expertise in urban issues has been drawn upon to strengthen urban programming across the entire country. She helped to organize a world class scientific National Urban Agricultural Symposium and chaired a National Urban Symposium: Youth & Family Wellness. These major conferences featured top scholars, researchers and practitioners from across the country. Dr. McGee was the driving force in hosting a national conference on Extension outreach to the Hispanic community. She is a much sought speaker and consultant to other states developing urban programs, which led to Dr. McGee being named to a shared faculty position with CSREES in 2001 to provide national Extension leadership and support to urban programs. In addition, she has served on the ECOP Extension Committee on Urban Issues representing urban issues at the national level. Her tenacity has resulted in dynamic marketing products that include Extension in the City and A Decade of Difference publications. The Extension in the City DVD includes video and interviews with local urban folks conducting Extension programming, and accompanies standardized annual reports for the seven urban counties in Texas.
For years, Bonnie has served on the ECOP Urban Task Force as both a member and as a chair, setting the agenda and creating opportunity for Urban Programs across the nation through ECOP and CSREES. She led the organization and implementation of the first urban conference in Texas, bringing the many urban counties in Texas together and creating opportunities for communication and collaborative approaches in program development, implementation, evaluation, and interpretation to county, state, and federal officials. Further, she supported the first national Hispanic conference for Extension professionals that brought Extension faculty in from over 25 states to learn about Hispanic issues and proven strategies in Extension outreach. Dr. McGee's has a son, Hiram, a graduate of Northeastern, who lives and works in downtown Boston, MA. She is the caretaker of "Buster", Hiram's Australian Sheppard.
Letters of congratulations may be sent to Bonnie D. McGee, Director of Urban Programs, 104 J.K. Williams Admin. Bldg., 7101 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-7101.
The National Board has summarized input from the Chapters during the JCEP Regional Leadership Workshops and has made the decision to provide the following items through the National Office. These were the items that chapters identified as most desired in marketing ESP to the Extension Professional.
Extension Professionals' Creed
This 8-1/2 x 11 beautifully printed certificate (ready for framing) is often presented to new members on induction into ESP. Cost of the printed creed is $.50.
ESP Bookmarks
The ESP Bookmark (free) is an excellent item to include with a membership receipt to all members as they pay their dues. It provides name, address, and contact information for national officers, national committee chairs and the National ESP Office.
ESP Pens
The well designed and top quality ESP pen is excellent to provide to new ESP annual and life members, administrators for their support of ESP, special speakers and individuals giving to the ESP Endowment Fund from a Chapter. They are available for $3.00 each or 2/$5.00.
Note Cards w/Envelopes
As you write notes of congratulations, thanks and other notes these cards provide excellent visibility and let others know of your pride of being an Extension professional. These are available in a package of 20 at a cost of $5.00
ESP Key Lapel Pin
Chapters are encouraged to consider providing each new member with an ESP Key Pin upon initiation. This not only provides recognition to the member but also provides visibility to the State Chapter and profession as they wear the key. There are two sizes - small and large. They are available for $5.00 (small) and $6.00 (large).
ESP Letter Opener
This items is popular in saying thank you to officers, committee chairs, recognition recipients, and gifts to special people who have made a difference to ESP and/or Extension. It is available for $6.00 and will be available as long as current supply lasts.
ESP Peel-off Emblem
The peel-off emblem is green on gold (size is 1 1/2" x 3/4"). They are great to use on name tags, place cards, host ribbons, and envelope seals plus many other innovative ways. They are in a package of 100 and cost is $4.50/100.
The National Board voted to seek a provider of potential ESP memorabilia on "an order" basis. This is where we need your help.
We are seeking a vendor who may offer ESP items on an "order only" basis. Descriptions of items, costs and ordering instructions will be posted on the ESP website.
Chapters would be able to order directly from the vendor on an as needed basis. Permission would be given to them by the National Board. There would be no financial take by the national organization. This is seen as a service to the chapters.
The Board will select a vendor who is willing to deal with a limited volume potential and could provide response to a large variety of desired items including solid items (ie: paper weights) and soft items (T-shirts, brief cases). If we need different vendors for the type of items we will consider that proposal.
The copyright of the ESP key belongs to the National ESP Organization. The general perception is that the local chapter has the authority for use of the key and the name of the organization.
We would like you to contact potential vendors in your area who may be interested in working with ESP and being our national source for items which would support chapters or the national organization. If you will provide the name, address, contact person, phone, and email address of possible interested vendors for ESP products by October 1st we will contact them with specifics and try to determine their interest so the Marketing Committee can make a decision during the National Professional Development Conference in November.
We will be looking for someone to provide high quality and reasonably priced items. In addition, we hope to identify a vendor for the "For-sale" items to assure availability of a variety of items on a relatively responsive time frame.
Please send suggested vendors' information to Linda Cook, Executive Director, Epsilon Sigma Phi, PO Box 357340, Gainesville, FL 32635-7340 or email to espoffice@espnational.org
and to Duane P. Johnson, National ESP 2nd Vice President, 4078 NW Dale Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330-2902 or email duane.johnson@comcast.net
The ESP Chapters have voted and the 2006 ESP recognition recipients have been determined. There were many outstanding nominations representing every facet of the Extension focus and mission. Epsilon Sigma Phi congratulates the recipients on their Extension efforts and the recognition given by their chapter.
The ESP Regional Recognition recipients for 2006 are:
National Distinguished Ruby:
Bonnie D. McGee, TX
Distinguished Service:
NC Ruby E. Lingle, IL
NE Debra L. Bowman, (T) MD
NE Nancy E. Wallace, (T) PA
SO Mary S. Williams, FL
W Janice M. Smiley, OR
Mid Career
NC Kim I. Brantner, IA
NE Martha R. Gregory, PA
SO Joyce Cavanagh, TX
W Randall H. Brooks, ID
Administrative Leadership
NC Lynn Harvey, MI
NE Michelle S. Rodgers, PA
SO Mary S. Williams, FL
W Nathan T. Moreng, CO
Diversity Team
NC Ohio
SO Kentucky
W Idaho
Diversity Individual
NC Juan Marinez, MI
NE Dianne Miiller, MD
SO V. Renee Dotson, GA
W Holly (Helen) Berry, OR
Early Career
NC Marie Witzel, WI
NE Caragh Fitzgerald, MD
SO Andrew (Andy) Crocker, TX
W Wayne B. Jones, ID
International Service
NC Benjamin Bartlett, MI
NE Stanley W Fultz (T) MD
NE Leon Ressler (T), PA
SO Dwaine Eddie McGriff, GA
W Kenneth K. Kingsley, OR
Team
NC Wisconsin
NE Delaware
SO North Carolina
W Oregon
Continued Service
NC Emily Remster, IN
SO T. Brian Tankersley, GA
Visionary Leadership
NC Marilyn Brengle, IL
NE James C. Hanson, MD
SO Cheryl LeMay Lloyd, NC
W Bruce Weber, OR
We are very pleased so many outstanding Extension Professionals stepped forward and volunteered to be considered for appointment to one of the six national standing committees. Congratulations to all of those appointed. And a special thank you to all whom applied.
The National Board approved the appointment of 48 Extension professionals to the committees. These included members from 25 State Chapters. There were appointees from four chapters in the Northeast, six chapters in the West, seven chapters in the South and eight chapters in the North Central. In addition, the Conference Coordinator for the 2007 National Conference was appointed to the Professional Development Committee and the 2005-2006 Chair of the Resource Development & Management Committee was appointed to the same committee as an ex-officio member.
Each of these appointees will start work with their committee during the National Conference in Annapolis, Maryland in November.
It will not be long until the National Board will be starting the process of calling for nominations for the 2008 Committees. The 2nd Vice President serves as chair of the Chapter Relations Committee who coordinates the promotion and coordination of committee appointments. It is from this position I have made a few observations which follow and encourage all members to consider committee membership.
The committees are Public Issues, Member Services, Membership Recruitment and Retention, Global Relations, Professional Development, and Resource Development and Management. Committee members have a voice in setting goals for Epsilon Sigma Phi, network with other Extension professionals at the national level, and represent their state chapter at the national level.
The strength of Epsilon Sigma Phi is having strong committees in which its members actively participate in the committee meeting during the National Conference and committee conference calls and activities. The specific responsibilities of the committees is located on the National ESP web-site at www.espnational.org. The committees are chaired by one of the four Regional Vice Presidents, Past President and President-elect.
Each Committee must have two members from each region. The goal of the National Board is to seek at least one committee member who is a life member. Appointments are made for a one-year term with possible re-appointments for a total of three terms. When appointments are made ESP tries to have a balance of members with first, second and third year appointments. In addition, we do not appoint two members from the same chapter (except chair) to the same committee.
When committees are appointed we would like to see the committee balance to be 3 - 2 - 2 between years of experience on the committee. With limited nominations we have not been able to obtain this balance for several years. This has caused some committees to have almost an entirely new membership or a committee with very few new appointees. I hope every chapter will try to have a minimum of two nominees for the committees in 2008. In addition, it would be great to have one or two individuals appointed to each committee who have never served on a National ESP Committee. You will find it a great professional and personal enriching experience. I encourage the membership to make the process for the next 2nd Vice President and Board challenging by making an abundance of applications. In addition, by making application you will not cause the officers of your organization to "go begging" for members.
We would like to encourage all members (annual and life) to consider a committee nomination. Committee participation is most rewarding and an excellent way to make a difference in Extension and the profession as well as provide leadership for Epsilon Sigma Phi.
Committee members receive a financial incentive to attend the ESP National Meeting and the only "face-to-face" meeting of the committee. All other activities of the committee are conducted through conference calls, email or other electronic communications. Each committee manages their activity with recommendations coming to the National Board for approval.
Appointment forms can be found on the ESP web site: http://espnational.org. Forms must be signed by the Chapter President and are due to the ESP 2nd Vice President by April 1. However, we will take nominations anytime especially during or immediately following the National Conference and preferably by March 1. Now is the time to think about serving on one of these fantastic committees. You will find it rewarding and professionally enriching.
Building a strong ESP Chapter begins with having diverse and effective committees and board members. All Extension professionals are very busy but I have found that they are willing to participate actively in those organizations in which they can make a contribution and that support their professional values and organizational goals.
Recent conversations with chapter leadership across the country discovered some characteristics of the most active and effective chapters that seem worthy of sharing.
Some other characteristics seem to support the active chapters. These include:
These observations are not all encompassing as there are many other items that may have a bearing on the success.
As you look at your chapter, how do you organize and carry out your goals and activities? Maybe a few of the above observations will help you build your chapter in the future.
Wednesday, November 15 from 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 15 from 3:15-4:15 p.m.
Thursday, November 16 from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, November 16 from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 16, from 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Michigan State University Extension is organizing an educational study tour for educators to experience Mexico from the inside-out. Educators will visit Mexico City, Chapingo and Oaxaca. At these sites they will learn about the sources of pressure for Mexican immigration to the U.S., economic challenges for families left behind; the growing street kids' issues; social, health and nutritional issues and the struggle to retain kids in school. The purpose of this educational visit to Mexico is to increase the educator's cultural awareness of Mexicans; and to learn how to more effectively understand, communicate and meet the cultural, social, educational and linguistic needs of the Mexicans living in our communities. A packet of information can be found on the ESP GoGlobal Website: http://espnational.org/GoGlobal/MexicoBrochure2007-June12edit.pdf For more information please contact Juan Marinez, Program Director, Michigan State University Extension: Marinezj@msu.edu.
Nominated by Alpha NU Chapter in Illinois
Ellen I. Burton is currently the Acting Regional Director, East Central Region University of Illinois Extension. She is responsible for leadership and coordination in the planning, execution and evaluation of University of Illinois Extension programs in East Central Illinois and for the administrative management of personnel and field operations within the administrative area. Ellen holds a BS in Home Economics Education from University of Illinois and a M.S. in Home Economics from Illinois State University. She is also a qualified Myers-Briggs Consultant and has taken advanced courses in social work and leadership. During her year career with University of Illinois Extension, Ellen has served as an Educator in different counties, County Unit leader and Extension Specialist, and is currently in the role of administration. Ellen has dedicated her Extension career to building human capacity through education and leadership. Over her Extension career Ellen has presented programs and developed curriculum in areas such as Opening the Doors to Housing Success, Student $marts and Parent $marts, Getting Through Tough Times, Work Force Preparation, Legal Rights of Women and Disaster Preparedness. Professional development is a key component of her work as shown through the development of program educational models and presentations for ICES staff. Examples of materials used for ICES staff include "Teamwork," "Bringing Councils and Clientele Through It All," and "Putting It all Together-Extension Referendum." Ellen encourages others to expand their scholarship experience and works closely with staff to help them achieve.
ESP Leadership: Burton currently serves on the National ESP Resource Development and Management Committee and the Emerging Leadership Committee. Ellen served as the Regional Vice President for the North Central Region and Chair of the Global Relations Committee 2002-2004, and previously was a member of the Professional Development Committee. She served as the Alpha Nu Chapter President in 2000-2001 and was involved in other various committees. Ellen received the Distinguished Service Award, North Central Region in 2002.
Other Leadership and Awards: Ellen Burton has been actively involved in professional associations. Besides ESP, she has had leadership roles as President of the IEAFCS and chaired different committees, active in NEAFCS serving as First Vice President and chairing and active on different committees. Ellen continues to be involved in a wide variety of Community Service Organizations such as Woodford County Board of Health, Rotary, Eureka's Hospital Citizens Advisory Committee, Unit 140 School District Citizens Advisory Council and Central Illinois Agency on Aging Board of Directors. She has served in various leadership roles for these organizations from being President to Chairing committees and being an active committee member. Ellen has received numerous awards; Distinguished Service Award, M.S. Williams Award, University of Illinois Chancellor's Award for Professional Excellence, University of Illinois Extension Awards for Innovative programs, NEAFCS and Rotary Awards.
One of the responsibilities of the ESP President, President Elect and Past President is to represent ESP on the Joint Council of Extension Professionals, commonly known as JCEP. JCEP is now composed of six Extension professional associations, and representatives from Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) and Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP). Business is conducted via teleconference calls and two face to face meetings annually. ESP is proud to have Jim Hovland, ESP Past President, currently serving as President of JCEP.
In this article I would like to call attention to some of the highlights of our most recent meeting. The council representatives overwhelmingly approved an application from the National Association of Community Development Professionals (NACDEP) to become the sixth professional development association to join the council. NACDEP will now be represented at JCEP sponsored events, including Regional Leadership Workshops, Public Issues Leadership Development, and Galaxy III.
The Regional Leadership workshops are designed for professional development for any Extension professional. The associations also use this time to conduct officer training and regional meetings. Workshops are held annually in the four regions. As the number of Extension professionals has decreased and state travel budgets have been limited, there has been less representation in smaller regions (Northeast and West). ESP is especially challenged by reduced chapter representation. Participants trying to represent ESP as well as another association are not present at the regional meeting long enough to have effective networking and business. Following lengthy discussion and debate on this issue, as well as trying to think "out of the box" for new approaches to doing things, a motion to reduce the number of JCEP Regional Leadership Workshops to two in 2008 and 2009 was passed. Suggestions are being sought for the two locations. Please send your ideas for meeting locations to Jim Hovland by September 1, 2006.
The council approved a proposal from ESP to assume the leadership for the professional development session conducted at the JCEP Regional Leadership Workshops beginning in 2008. ESP will involve JCEP partners in decisions about speakers and sessions. The theme for the 2007 workshops is "Internationalizing the United States Cooperative Extension System." 2007 workshop locations will remain the same as in 2006.
ESP is continuing to recruit volunteers for the 2008 Galaxy III Conference. There are no face to face meetings. Committees will be holding their first meeting during August, so if you want to play an active role in Galaxy III, this is a good opportunity. You can find more information about this conference at http://www.jcep.org/galaxy.htm .
The final item I want to share with you is an update on Create-21. Create-21 stands for Create Research, Extension and Teaching for the 21st Century. A committee of representatives representing America's land grant and related universities are developing a proposal for reorganizing USDA-REE and for authorization of funding. JCEP is asking Extension professionals to become informed about CREATE-21. Details can be found at http://www.create-21.org. A PPT presentation is also available on the JCEP web site. Members are encouraged to talk about CREATE-21 with their state directors who will vote on the proposal in August.
More information about JCEP and its activities can be found at the web site: http://www.jcep.org.
Phi Chapter, West Virginia, was started in 1928 by our predecessors in the Extension Service. They desired to organize to .."maintain the standards and ideals, preserve the traditions, uphold the morale, prestige and respect of the Cooperative Extension Service, and to develop an effective working relationship and a spirit of fraternity among the present and past employees of the Cooperative Extension Service." We need that now more than ever, today. If it is one thing that I believe we have ignored for too long it is an appreciation of those who have served before us. To interact with them to gain from their insight has been diminished by our need to "do more with less" and simply "get er done" and move on. To read the notes and minutes from past leaders of this fraternity I am humbled by their vision of the assembly, their talents, their professionalism, their desire to serve, and their demonstrated ability to work and to demand the best from their colleagues and peers. All, it goes without saying, for the advancing of their skills and abilities and that of others who would call themselves Extension Workers, to better serve the people of our state and this nation. ESP, with its roots in the past and heading toward the future, needs to once again seek to bring together the "old and the new" this year if for nothing more than to acknowledge the contributions that Extension has made and is making yet today. Epsilon stands for Extension, Sigma for Service and Phi for Veteran. This is our year to step out and be counted as Extension veterans.
It matters! Remember the story about the starfish that were being thrown back into the sea one by one by a caring individual? The moral of the story was that we can each individually do something that matters and when many of us join together…it matters even more. Our ESP auction is like the starfish story. When each of us contributes something it adds up to something that is very significant and equates to benefits to many individual members. ESP relies on the generosity of businesses and buyers for the $15,000 needed annually to support the scholarships and recognition programs. You can help!
We are looking for items to be donated for the auction---use your creativity. There are many options. You can make an item or request a donated item or purchase an item yourself and donate it to the auction. Auction items could be a weekend at a vacation spot, artwork, craft items, framed or unframed prints, jewelry, etc. Our biggest task is to obtain the items. The value of the auction items typically range from $25 to $2,500. And because ESP is a registered non-profit organization, any donations are tax deductible. A brochure has been developed that you can give to potential donors. Locate and print the brochure from this web site: http://www.cas.psu.edu/docs/casprof/esp/Scholarship%20Auction.pdf
Currently we are soliciting donations to include Nemacolon Woods Resort and Seven Springs Resort, and we have a Collectible Naval Academy Milk Carton, stained glass angel, PSU Paterno signed football and Bill Coleman Amish Prints. If you are willing to seek or donate an auction item, please let me know and I will add it to the website. With advance notice-we can print a photo or description of the item to be displayed at the auction. Thanks in advance for helping the Alpha Omicron Chapter sponsor a successful auction in Annapolis this fall! If you have any questions, contact Michelle Rodgers at mrodgers@psu.edu.