July and August 2008 ESP Newsletter; Edition Number 112
Epsilon Sigma Phi The Extension Professionals' Organization
What is an Extension Professional?
Della Baker, Past National President, SC
In an attempt to answer this question and to determine if there was any consistency throughout the nation, delegates to the JCEP Regional Leadership meetings in 2007 were asked to submit their state's definition of an Extension Professional. This question was also posed to members of the Joint Council of Extension Professionals. The responses were compiled, grouped and summarized. The National ESP Professional Development Committee made recommendations and the list was submitted to the ESP Board for approval. The following list represents the outcome of that effort. We recommend that this information be shared with all Extension professionals - during annual meetings, new employee orientation, special events, and workshops and posted to your chapter's website.
An Extension Professional
Epsilon Sigma Phi provides the following definition of an Extension Professional:
Adopted by Epsilon Sigma Phi, 2008
No On-Site Registration
Will Be Available!
Register Today!
The ESP Pre-Conference, Leading Change for a Healthy Organization, is scheduled for Monday, September 15, from 9:00 - 3:30 pm in Indianapolis. This conference is designed for Extension educators across all disciplines, including county and regional directors, human resource and professional development personnel and administrators. Participants will be exposed to an integrative model for a total rewards strategy that serves as a 21st century roadmap for leaders responsible for attracting, retaining and motivating a workforce in today's work environment. Registered participants will complete a brief survey tool to help set the stage for an effective learning experience and more closely tailor the presentation to the audience's specific needs. The keynote speaker is Kathleen Lingle who leads Alliance for Work-Life Progress (AWLP), a national center of work-life expertise that defines and recognizes innovation, best practices and provides global thought leadership. AWLP advances work-life effectiveness as a high-performance business strategy that integrates work, family and community.
Cost of this outstanding workshop will be $100 per participant and will include lunch and beverage in addition to the workshop itself. PRE-CONFERENCE REGISTRATION POSTED AT http://espnational.org. Registration deadline is August 8. Please help us spread the word.
It takes personal contacts to recruit and retain members. Epsilon Sigma Phi has a wonderful assortment of membership tools available for you. Have you used them? They are downloadable from the ESP National website or provided free in limited quantities to chapters.
Tell new and eligible colleagues about the many benefits of being an ESP member…networking with colleagues throughout the nation who have many roles and responsibilities...gain recognition for your work through the awards process...share your expertise by presenting a concurrent session at national conference…build your dossier for promotion through service and leadership...help develop the next generation of Extension professionals…share the joys of retirement with colleagues across the nation.
Have you checked out the ESP supplies and resources from the National office? There is an order form to make ordering easy for you. Examine and consider how you can use all of these wonderful resources that have been developed by the best of the best! ESP is THE MOST ORGANIZED professional association! The leadership and committee members make it easy for the chapter leaders and members to access and use these tools to recruit and retain members.
Just try it out...recruit and retain members...it's our responsibility.
As the year will soon come to an end it is appropriate to report on some of the significant accomplishments of the year.
Annual Membership has shown an increase with renewals coming in each week. If you have not paid your dues for 2008 you still have time to submit them. However, they must be in the National Office by September 1. You can keep your chapter in a leading edge by submitting your dues today to the Treasurer or to your membership chair.
The Professional Development Committee under the leadership of Ellen Burton has done an outstanding job of planning dynamic professional development opportunities. They include an outstanding Emerging Leadership Seminar "Advocacy at all Levels: Leading Extension Into a Vibrant Future" to be held on July 31, seven ESP sponsored concurrent sessions and seven life member track concurrent sessions during Galaxy. Life Member activities will get off to a great start at Galaxy III because of the leadership of Della Baker and the ESP Recruitment & Retention Committee. They have planned an excellent Orientation & Reception for Retirees and Life Members.
To more effectively communicate with the membership we are now issuing six issues of the "ESP Connection." We hope this has helped with keeping everyone informed and involved with the activities and benefits of Epsilon Sigma Phi.
Under the leadership of Sandy Corridon you will observe the new image of ESP as a dynamic Professional Development Organization for the benefit of all Extension professionals. This will be unfolded during Galaxy as ESP celebrates its' 80th year.
The special committee, headed by Bonnie McGee, to seek a new Executive Director has started their recruitment of individuals interested in the position. The position description and job announcement are now posted on the ESP website. Applications are due December 1, 2008 with position available in September 2009.
Planning for the 2009 Conference to be held in Fargo, North Dakota is well under way. The features of the conference, "Engage, Enlighten and Enjoy" will be shared with the membership during the ESP Breakfast at Galaxy III. You also will find the North Dakota representatives in the Exhibit Hall to create awareness and answer your questions.
The planning for the 2010 National ESP Conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, October 12 - 15, has begun. Deborah Maddy and her committee from Oregon have selected the theme and started the process of committing speakers for the General Sessions. This is a Western Region coordinated event under the Leadership of Randy Brooks of Idaho.
Lambda Chapter was selected to host the 2011 National Conference in Syracuse, NY October 9-13, 2011.
The Member Services Committee had several major accomplishments. These included:
The Resource Development Committee continued their efforts to complete the first phase of $500,000 endowment during the Galaxy III Conference.
We have approved an ESP sponsored "Family and Friends Cruise" in 2010 under the leadership of Mike McKinney. Mike will be present during Galaxy III to share plans and details.
ESP has confirmed with JCEP the outstanding JCEP Regional Conference Workshop, "Ethics in Extension" for February 2009 in Orlando and San Diego. Dr. Pierce will be the presenter.
Executive Director Applicants.
Deadline to apply is December 1.
More information at http://espnational.org
There are two key ways that you can benefit your association during the All Associations Auction: donate items and make purchases. The All Associations Auction will take place on Wednesday, September 17, 2008, during the Galaxy III Conference. The Silent Auction will be open for bidding between 3:00 and 7:00 pm. The Live Auction will follow a buffet dinner at 7:30 pm. Come early and stay late to support your association and take home some real treasures. Checks, cash and credit cards accepted as payment. Organizations that will benefit from the auction proceeds include: Epsilon Sigma Phi, National Association of County Agricultural Agents, National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences, National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals, and Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals.
Donation of Items for Auction: Donors will be asked to designate an association to benefit from the sale of the donated item. Items are suggested to be "something unique that represents your culture, community, hobby or special interest," and should be valued at $30 or more. Association chapters/donors are encouraged to donate higher-valued, higher-quality items (due to limited auctioneering time the higher-valued items will be placed in the "live auction," as determined by the auction committee members).
Auction Items Registration: Registration of auction items will be held in the same area as conference registration on Monday and Tuesday. If you are sending auction items in advance please provide the following registration information along with the items: Name of item, Description, Estimated value, Donor (individual/association chapter) name, Donor contact information, Local contact information (hotel name and room number), Designated association to receive proceeds of sale.
Advance Shipment of Packages: To send auction items in advance, packages should be sent to: Purdue University CES, Hamilton County Office, Attn: Galaxy Auction, 2003 East Pleasant Street, Noblesville, IN 46060-3697. If the shipment carrier requires a phone number, please use 317-776-0854. All shipments must be received between September 1st and 12th (deadline). Please include registration information in your package.
For further information, please feel free to contact the Galaxy III Auction facilitator, Jim Hovland, at 920-948-4460, or james.hovland@ces.uwex.edu. Your individual contribution along with those from your State Associations/Chapters will ensure a successful fundraising effort.
ESP state chapters are working hard to increase their ESP membership. Many are trying creative new ways to recruit and retain current members. Some chapters are being very successful with one chapter reporting an 11% increase in the ESP Achievement in Chapter Membership Recognition Score Card. Each year one chapter in each region is recognized for their success.
The Membership Recruitment and Retention Committee have set a challenging goal of 10% increase in chapter membership each year. As we discussed if this was an achievable goal, someone asked "What is our membership potential? Are we currently reaching 5% or 50% of our potential?" No one knew the answer!
A quick search of the USDA - CSREES website reported more than 17,000 Extension professionals as of 2006 (http://www.csrees.usda.gov/about/human_res/pdfs/report2006.pdf Page 4, Table 1). The report lists employment for each state and providence. Most of these professionals are or will be potential ESP members.
The May 2008 ESP National membership report listed current membership at 2,966 or about 17% of total Extension professionals. Our national database lists an additional 3,541 life members.
Please review your membership potential and join the MR&R Committee to work toward the 10% increase in membership goal!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.:
The Wonders of Working the WIKI Way, : Nancy M. Porter, Financial Security for All CoP Vice Chair, Extension Family Resource Management Specialist, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, Alpha Phi Chapter, South Carolina; Erik Anderson, Financial Security for All CoP Instructional Designer; University of Idaho, Theta Chapter, Idaho; Debb Pankow, Financial Security for All CoP Chair; North Dakota State University, Upsilon Chapter, North Dakota
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wednesday, September 17. 2008 (Continued)
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Leadership, Organizational Change and Technology, Jerold R. Thomas, Director, Extension Center At Lima, Ohio State University Extension, Alpha Eta Chapter, Ohio and Jeff King, Program Leader, Leadership Center, Ohio State University Extension, Alpha Eta Chapter, Ohio
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
State Representative Richard Royal, Georgia, Nominated by the Alpha Beta Chapter
State Representative Richard Royal was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1983. He represents the 171st District, which includes the counties of Mitchell and Colquitt. Representative Royal is one of the most respected and influential individuals in the state of Georgia. He is a true Statesman and truly shines as an example of an elected official who listens to the needs of citizens. Richard Royal understands and appreciates the work of Cooperative Extension. He repeatedly finds ways to support Extension funding needs. He has directly influenced and led decisions that have resulted in new agent positions, 4-H facilities and enhanced operating budgets. Representative Royal takes an active role in understanding the work of Extension by attending local, regional and state forums and events. Richard Royal is regarded as a true friend by so many individuals in Georgia Cooperative Extension and the University of Georgia as a whole. Representative Richard Royal is a supporter and champion for agriculture, for 4-H and for families and is definitely a friend of all Extension professionals in all program areas. He has received multiple awards and honors for leadership from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, Association of County Commissioners of Georgia and The Georgia Municipal Association. In 2003, Royal became the first recipient of the Presidential Citation from Georgia Tech.
Florine Swanson, CEO, Swanson & Associates, Iowa, Nominated by the Alpha Mu Chapter
Florine Swanson is committed to Extension programs from participation to leadership in cooperation with staff for over 50 years. Because of her willingness to share her knowledge the 4-H system throughout the United States has benefited in increasing resources for young people. She has worked in programs in Families and Consumer Science, Agriculture, and 4-H. Her list of boards and commissions is endless from the rural community to internationally. Many of her leadership roles have been about starting something from scratch or turning it around to be successful, most notably the Iowa 4-H Foundation where she was the Executive Director for 18 years as well as serving on the 4-H Foundation Board for eleven years as a volunteer.
Bill Roberts, Jr., Extension Volunteer, Pennsylvania, Nominated by the Alpha Omicron Chapter
Bill has served in many capacities as a volunteer for Penn State Cooperative Extension both at the county and state level. He has been instrumental in promoting 4-H Youth programming in many areas of the City of Harrisburg and also in helping to create a Master Gardener Class Series in Harrisburg. As a Cooperative Extension board member and while serving as President for six years, he provided strong leadership for the business meetings, organizing presentations, promoting diversity, and continues to be an enthusiastic supporter of Penn State Cooperative Extension. Bill has also become an active member of the 4-H Development Board in helping to promote endowments to support youth programming. Volunteers like Bill are essential to helping Penn State Cooperative Extension serve the people of Pennsylvania. Brian O'Connell wrote in the book, Voices from the Heart, volunteers are "the everyday heroes whose acts of kindness and generosity resonate throughout the country." Bill is truly an everyday hero. He has genuinely made a difference in Pennsylvania with his incredible contributions and leadership.
The ESP Chapters have voted and the 2008 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. Recipients will be recognized during the Regional Recognition Banquets on Thursday evening of Galaxy III.
The ESP Recognition recipients for 2008 are:
National Distinguished Ruby
William Gaines Smith, AL
Distinguished Service
NC, Mary TeWinkel, IA
NE, Kendra L. Wells, MD
SO, Lanny Hass, NC
W, Kristine Long, AK (tie)
W, Jeffrey Tranel, CO (tie)
Mid Career
NC, Gene Mohling, IA
SO, Katherine Cason, SC
W, Michele He'bert, AK
Administrative Leadership
NC, Donna Menart, WI
NE, Richard Byrne, MD
SO, William A. (Tony) Roberts, GA
Diversity Team
NC, Wisconsin
NE, Pennsylvania
SO, Texas
W, Oregon (tie)
W, Wyoming (tie)
Diversity Individual
NC, Tina Kohlman, WI
SO, Mark Blevins, NC
W, Jeanne Brandt. OR
Early Career
NC, Jenny Wehmeier, WI
NE, Charles F. Schuster, MD
SO, Stacy D. Morris, TX
W, Alexa Lamm, CO
International Service
NC, Vera Wiltse, MI
NE, John Lea-Cox, MD
SO, Dan James, TX
W, Lillian Larwood, OR
Team
NC, Illinois
NE, Pennsylvania
SO, Louisiana
W, Wyoming
Continued Service
NE, Mary Ellen Waltemire, MD
SO, Deborah Thomason, SC
Visionary Leadership
NC, Margaret Bethel, MI
NE, Peggy H. Shuffstall, PA
SO, Christine Barrier, NC
W, Rajiv Khosla, CO
We are pleased that Elizabeth Claypoole, New York; Justin Smith, Utah; Mary Ellen Blackburn, Georgia; and Mark Stillwell, Missouri will be joining the National ESP Board as Regional Vice Presidents during Galaxy III. Elizabeth will be providing leadership for the Public Issues Committee, Justin will lead the Global Relations Committee, Mary Ellen will lead the Member Services Committee and Mark Stillwell will lead the Resource Development & Management Committee.
We thank and congratulate Marie Blythe, KS, and Marjorie Moore, FL, for outstanding leadership to the Galaxy III Committee as representatives of ESP.
We are also pleased that fifty-two outstanding Extension Professionals have stepped forward to provide leadership on the six national committees and one standing committee (Marketing).
We also applaud Gwen Wolford's selection as 2009 Vice Chair and 2010 Chair of PILD.
We are very proud of Ellen Burton's selection as President-elect of the Joint Council of Extension Professionals for 2009. She will be President in 2010.
Greetings! Events of the past few months remind all of us that we are truly living in a global economy! Perhaps you, like me, realize that events such as the Salmonella outbreak in tomatoes, the sale of American companies to foreign businesses, or the dependence that we have for foreign fuel sources affect every community in the United States. Research-based Extension programs with the Extension delivery system are modeled world-wide. Many of our Extension co-workers teach our international neighbors in far-flung corners of our world. To learn more about the international opportunities and work of Extension professionals on the world's stage, click on the "GO GLOBAL" link on the Epsilon Sigma Phi home page.
The People and the Profession is a 128-page history of ESP and Extension work published by Epsilon Sigma Phi in 1979. The National Board is seeking members who would be interested in updating that history: 1980 - today. If you would like to know more about this opportunity, contact Ellen Burton at eburton@illinois.edu.
The 1979 publication was reported by R.L. Reeder of Indiana. Reeder, a member of the Alpha Lambda Chapter reached two significant conclusions early in his work on this project.
1. The history of Epsilon Sigma Phi is the history of the Cooperative (formerly Agricultural) Extension Service and;
2. The history of the Cooperative Extension is inseparably intertwined with the lives and professional careers of Extension workers.
The book is full of memories from Extension professionals. On page 45-47, one story is of, "Bert Tomlinson, agent for 35 years in Massachusetts, got his most fun from a cranberry program that he was told to leave alone because he knew nothing about cranberries. He learned about them and helped the specialist develop insect control and weed control charts that were published on an annual basis. The interest got high enough to organize cranberry clubs with regular meetings."
It is great to know that those who preceded us were independent thinkers who worked with community needs! Other stories tell of demonstration houses, rural electrification, and the age old debate of whether or not the Extension service was a good use of tax dollars. Reeder notes that, "the pioneers had worked without a blueprint, surrounded in their counties by doubt and bad roads. They had to prove themselves able to cope, a need that has existed all the way from the first agents to the present. Mutual trust between audience and agent remains the key ingredient, and forgetting that is to court disaster. " We can be confident that today's roads are better than those of the past, but most of those other elements haven't changed all that much.
If you are interested, The People and the Profession is listed in the Library of Congress as Catalog Card No. 79-51476.