AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2003 Newsletter; Edition Number 93
Epsilon Sigma Phi The Cooperative Extension Professionals' Organization
2003 National Distinguished Service Ruby Recipient:
Lyla E. Houglum, Director, Oregon State University
Lyla E. (Tomsheck) Houglum, Oregon State University, has been selected to
receive the 2003 National Distinguished Service Ruby Award. She will deliver the prestigious Ruby Lecture
during the Ruby Luncheon on Wednesday of the Galaxy II Conference in Salt Lake
City.
The Distinguished Service Ruby Award is the highest and most prestigious
award presented by Epsilon Sigma Phi and is designed to recognize truly
outstanding thinking, performance and leadership in Cooperative Extension. Her ESP colleagues in Oregon wrote, “Dean and
Director Lyla Houglum can best be described as a visionary leader. An articulate and motivating communicator,
she invites faculty and staff, university administrators and Oregon citizens to
share and help shape her vision for a bright future and to actively participate
in creating the reality of a bright future.
Her ability as a leader and administrator has allowed OSU Extension to
respond to the state’s most pressing needs and to contribute to the quality of
life for all Oregonians.”
As Dean and Director of the Oregon State University Extension Service, she
helped design and implement a new organizational model at OSU that allows
Extension to work university wide and integrates Extension programs and faculty
into most academic colleges and departments.
Several other Land Grant Universities have emulated or studied this
model for implementation. Dr. Houglum
also played a key role in developing and promoting a new definition for
scholarship adopted by OSU. This
approach rewards faculty for creativity and innovation in their jobs. Her work in organizational models and
scholarship is nationally and internationally recognized.
Dr. Houglum started her 26-year Extension career in Montana as a Home
Economics, 4-H, and Community Development Agent. In 1985, she
accepted the position of Extension Specialist for 4-H Youth Development
in Oregon. In 1990, she was named
Associate Director for Counties and became Dean and Director in 1995. She holds a BS in Home Economics Business and
Education from Montana State University, and a Masters and PhD in Speech
Communication from the University of Oregon.
Her national leadership positions include serving on ECOP from 1998-2003,
Chair of ECOP in 2002, serving on the ECOP Vision for the 21st
Century Core Committee in 2001, the ECOP Strategic Planning Council from
1996-2000, and ECOP Liaison to the Extension Cares National Child Care
Initiative from 1999-2002. In addition,
as Chair of the ECOP Function and Structure Committee, she re-organized ECOP
and its committee structure to be more efficient, responsive, and better
connected to Extension’s state and national programs. She served on the NASULGC Board on
Agriculture Executive Committee, and has Chaired numerous national and regional
meetings. The National Association of
Extension 4-H Agents recognized her with the Distinguished Service Award, and
the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences with the
Florence Hall Award and the J.C. Penney Fellowship.
Letters of congratulation can be sent to Lyla E. Houglum, Dean and
Director, 101 Ballard Extension Hall, Corvallis, OR 97330.
The Challenge of Change...
Barbara
Farner, University of Illinois Extension Educator, Global Relations Committee
Immediately following college, more than 30 years ago, I joined the Peace
Corps and began my Extension career in Colombia South America. For two years I
taught nutrition, food safety, and childcare and development in Spanish to
mothers and young girls. Today I, like many of you, have the opportunity to do
this in my own backyard without traveling thousands of miles.
The Census Bureau recently announced
that Hispanics/Latinos are now the largest minority group in the United States.
Latinos accounted for half of the total population growth in the two years
since the 2000 Census was taken. This growth is not limited to states that have
traditionally been home to Spanish speaking people. More than 13 percent of the
population is Hispanic in each of 10 states according to American Demographics
November 2002 issue.
Recently I had the opportunity to
attend a program on working with the Hispanic audience. Several excellent
Hispanic speakers shared their ideas on what works and what does not.
They all agreed on several points:
The speakers also recommended a book Everything You Need to Know About
Latino History by Himilce Novas to provide useful information as you work
with Hispanics.
What does this mean for Extension?
Extension has survived for over 100 years because it has changed to meet the
needs the audience. We need to get to know this fast growing audience, their
needs and how best to meet these needs. We need to work together with other
states, agencies and organizations to share materials and what we have learned.
Many states have already developed excellent materials. Here are two web sites
for more information: University of Illinois Extension resources in Spanish http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/espanol/ and Spanish radio
programs produced by U of I students http://www.nuevoshorizontes.org.
Immediately following college, more
than 30 years ago, I joined the Peace Corps and began my Extension career in
Colombia South America. For two years I taught nutrition, food safety, and
childcare and development in Spanish to mothers and young girls. Today I, like
many of you, have the opportunity to do this in my own backyard without
traveling thousands of miles.
The National Member Services Committee
asks…
Jo
Anne Kock, Member Services Committee
Did you know……
·
Members serving on the 2004 committee are from Georgia,
Wyoming, Illinois, Nevada, West Virginia, South Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania
under the leadership of committee chair, Duane Johnson from Oregon?
·
There is still time to register for the Galaxy II
Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, September 21-25?
·
There is no deadline for ESP chapters to apply for a
professional development mini-grant? The
grant planning team must be interdisciplinary and the project should provide
model professional development events or materials that could be replicated or
adapted by other ESP chapters. See Pages
E-3 through E-6 under Member’s Services in the ESP Handbook at http://espnational.org.
·
That you can get an updated Member Services brochure by
contacting
·
The Member Services Committee was instrumental in getting
all state distinguished service recognition recipients recognized during
the annual meeting?
·
The Member Services Committee is working on proposals to
add and/or expand the early career service, senior career service, chapter
diversity and state & regional recognition for administrative
leadership? More on these during the
Galaxy Conference.
·
The committee looks forward to seeing everyone at the
Galaxy II Conference in September?
In 2004, the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals, with
assistance from ESP, will be coordinating the regional leadership workshops.
The following [tentative] dates and locations have been identified:
Northeastern Region—January 29-31
Baltimore, MD
Southern Region—February 1-3
Atlanta, GA
Western Region—February 19-21
Las Vegas, NV
North-Central Region—February 22-24
Chicago, IL
The Extension Professional's
Organization…
Bonnie McGee, National ESP President
CONGRATULATIONS Epsilon Sigma Phi! You are 75 years strong this year and it is
appropriate that we celebrate your success.
ESP is effective today because of the members who have given so
unselfishly through the years to ensure that Extension staff and faculty are
positioned to be current and cutting edge as professionals and continue to
contribute as retirees. As the organization whose members come from all program
areas and areas of responsibility within Extension, there is a responsibility
for ESP's over 8,000 members to be responsive to issues that impact our
organization at the state and national level.
It is a privilege to serve as National President of such
an esteemed organization during our celebration year. Plans are in place to have a Gala event at
Galaxy II to recognize ESP and our 75th Anniversary. I hope that you will plan to participate as
an ESP member and take full advantage of the educational and motivational
speakers and sessions that have been planned.
Galaxy II has something for everyone and is very diverse and complete in
its program offerings.
Join your ESP
colleagues in Salt Lake City September 21 - 25 where we will recognize our
outstanding members and friends and continue to grow and develop as Extension
professionals!
The annual election will be held on Wednesday, September 24 at the National
Council Business Meeting at Galaxy II in Salt Lake City, UT. All ESP members are encouraged to attend the
business meeting and hear the candidate’s presentations.
Nancy E. Crago, PA ---- Nominated by Alpha Omicron Chapter
Previously she taught in public schools in MI and PA. She has a Ph.D. and M.Ed. in Agricultural Education from The Pennsylvania State University and a B.S. in Home Economics from Indiana University of PA. Because of her research in Leadership Education, Crago was selected part of a 5 member team to represent Penn State at the 2003 national conference for internationalizing Extension. Additionally, she implemented the leadership education programs for six international study seminars (Polish/American Extension Project), which involved 59 extension professionals and 4 community leaders.
Recent National ESP committee involvement was serving on the National Global Relations Committee (2000-02), a voting delegate (2000, 2002) and she has been appointed a member of the 2004 National Recruitment and Retention Committee.
Leadership offices in Alpha Omicron Chapter include President (2002), Nominating Committee (2003), International Committee (1997-02), Vice President, Secretary and Recognition on Retirement Committee member, etc. Chapter honors include the ESP International Service Award and the Alpha Omicron Scholarship. 
Nancy Crago is an Extension Educator (Senior Agent rank) for The Pennsylvania State University in Pittsburgh & Allegheny County since 1979.
Rita T. Wood
Wood served in a
leadership role as ESP National Vice President, NE Region and Chair, Global
Relations Committee (1996-98) and Chair of the International Committee
(1992). She was a co-presenter at Galaxy
I Meeting, sharing information on “International Extension’s Future.”
She has been an Alpha XI Chapter member since 1975 and held several offices including two Presidential terms in 2001-03 and 1993-95, voting delegate, 2000-02, Vice President and Chair of the International Committee. In 1999, Wood received the Alpha XI Chapter, State Distinguished Service Award and the Chapter State Team Award. Other honors include the Outstanding Woman of Burlington County Professional Achievement Award in the field of education.
Here’s some news to help you plan your donation ~
The Galaxy II Auction will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2003. A cash bar will open at 6:30 pm with dinner
served from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. The Silent
Auction will run from 6:30 to 8:00 pm (tentatively with two bidding
periods); the Live Auction will run from 7:30 to 9:00 pm, to be
followed by a dance. For the auction,
credit card payment services will be provided.
Items are suggested to be “something unique that
represents your culture, community or geographic area, 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 and the
possibility of numerous items). The
higher valued items will be placed in the “live auction,” as determined by
auction committee members. Donors will
be asked to designate an association to benefit from the sale of the donated
item. Thus, the greater number and value
of items donated to benefit an association will result in greater proceeds to
that association!
Auction Items Registration
Registration of auction items will be held in the same
location as conference registration, during designated time periods posted on
site.
At the time of item registration, donors will be asked to
provide specific information:
Advance Shipment of Packages
To send auction items in advance, packages should
be sent to: USU Extension Office; 2001 South State Street, S-1200; Salt Lake City, UT
84190-2350; Attn: Galaxy Auction. (If shipment carrier requires a phone number,
please use 801-468-3181).
Packages must be received between
September 1st and 15th (deadline). Please include registration information in
your package. Additionally, please send a copy of
the registration information to my email address <gsf4@cornell.edu> or
fax at 212-340-2908. For additional
information or questions, please contact me, Gretchen Ferenz, via email or
phone at 212-340-2926.
2003 NATIONAL AND REGIONAL AWARD
RECIPIENTS
Distinguished Ruby:
Lyla E. Houglum, Oregon
Distinguished International Award:
Northeast: Annette Devitt, New Jersey
North Central: Garee W. Earnest, Ohio
South: Pete Vergot III, Florida
West: Jeff Olsen, Oregon
Distinguished Service Award:
Northeast: Ellen Nora Varley, Maryland
North Central: Jim Lindquist, Kansas
South: Billy E. Warrick, Texas
West: Jo Anne Kock, Nevada
Distinguished Team Award:
Northeast: “If Plants Could Talk,” New Jersey
North Central: “All My Money Workgroup,” Illinois
South: “High School Financial Planning Program Website,” Kentucky
West: “ Northwest Colorado Regional Small Acreage Team,” Colorado
Distinguished Mid-Career Award:
Northeast: Gretchen Ferenz, New York
North Central: Vanette Grover, Iowa
South: Janie L. Harris, Texas
West: Susan Busler, Oregon
Old Friends Forge Lasting Traditions…
Billy
E. Warrick, Texas Alpha Zeta Chapter, Member Recruitment and Retention Committee
The first Monday of December has been a special day in San Angelo, Texas
for more than 15 years. Extension Agents
that have completed years of service to the citizens of this region, Extension
employees currently involved in that same task, Specialists and friends gather
together for a social event that is more than just a meal. It is not unusual for the luncheon to have
participants travel more than 250 miles to attend. If you tallied up the time represented at the
2002 activity over 500 years of service was represented around the table.
Through the years, these folks have
served our region as strong role models for our ever-changing society. More
often than not, they’ve been at the heart of many of the positive changes that
have occurred within their respective communities. They have helped raise each
others’ families while molding and developing their own characters and that of
their coworkers. Through the years they have celebrated life and its many
wonderful milestones and provide support in times of self-doubt and sorrow.
At the luncheon, the relationships
that have stood the test of time are obvious and these Extension role models
are still molding and shaping their communities. A report of Epsilon Sigma Phi activities has
been given for the last dozen years, because many of the group are either
current or life members. Each year my
energies are renewed because of the positive aspects of Extension that are
shared at the event. The luncheon lifts
my spirit and makes it easier to do my job. These positive links to the past offer me
insight to the difference that can be made for the people we serve. These relationships can’t be bought, they
must be earned. The Extension agents who
have completed their careers have been in our shoes; they have an understanding
of the paths that we are on because they are the trails that they spent a
lifetime forging for us. Our rich
traditions continue and it is up to us to figure out a way to build meaningful
relationships with the entire Extension family.
The Impact of the Public Issues Leadership Development Conference.
Lisa Leslie, 2003 PILD Scholarship Recipient, Florida
The PILD conference lived up to its theme, “Making Connections.” The conference has helped me make the
connection between local policy issues and national issues. As a relatively new agent and one that is
fully paid by the county, it can be easy to become a bit narrowly focused. The conference helped broaden my
perspective. The conference also
provided an opportunity to connect with legislators and staff. This not only helped to increase the
visibility of Extension, but also helped this Extension Educator better
understand how to help legislators meet the needs of their constituents.
Overall, the conference has given me the direction and guidance I need to
effectively conduct educational programming on issues such as residential
growth and family economic stability.
Obviously these programs have strong public policy components. The seminars and interaction with leaders in
the field offered at PILD have helped to enhance my public policy skills so I
can be a more astute educator. The
skills learned at PILD will allow me to more effectively present comprehensive
programs that include the multifaceted issues associated with these educational
efforts.
The National ESP Office needs
your new address!
E-Mail to: espoffice@espnational.org
or send a hard copy notice to
PO Box 357340, Gainesville, FL
32635-7340
Galaxy II is fast approaching and our goal of pledging the $500,000 ESP
Endowment. One of the easiest ways to
get involved is to join the growing group of $75 ‘N 75 contributors. In return for your contribution, you will
receive a 75th Anniversary commemorative lapel pin. Use the form below to send your contribution
today.
ESP $75 ‘n 75 Contributor
Form
Individual/Organization: ______
(As to Appear on
Recognition)
Address:
City: ST __ Zip
Phone: E-Mail: Chapter
Affiliation: _____
Make checks payable to Epsilon
Sigma Phi, Development Fund and mail along with the form to: National ESP
Office, PO Box 357340, Gainesville, FL 32635-7340. Additional information on
the Endowment Campaign is available on the ESP website at espoffice@espnational.org.
Important Times for ESP During Galaxy II
Here are important times during Galaxy II for ESP leadership and members to
be involved in doing ESP business, celebrating the 75th and recognizing our ESP
award recipients.
Sunday, Sept 21, 2003
8:30 – 10:00 am ESP First Timers Breakfast—Marriott
City Center
1:00 – 3:00 pm ESP Regional Meetings—Hilton
3:00 – 5:00 pm ESP Committee Meetings and Leadership
Training—Hilton
6:00 pm Opening Celebration of ESP 75th Anniversary
Salt Palace Exhibit Hall
Monday, Sept 22, 2003
7:00 – 8:30 am Proctor and Gamble Leadership
Breakfast for Chapter Presidents
(by invitation)
Wednesday, Sept 24, 2003
11:45 – 1:30 pm Distinguished Ruby
Luncheon—Salt Palace
3:00 – 5:00 pm ESP National Council Meeting—Salt
Palace
6:30 – 9:00 pm Silent and Live Scholarship
Auctions—Salt Palace
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003
7:00 – 9:30 am ESP
Breakfast—Marriott City Center
6:30 – 8:30 pm Regional Award Banquets—Conference
Hotels
(All times are subject to change)
ESP WEBSITE http://espnational.org
New Features
IT’S NOT TOO LATE!
GALAXY II CONFERENCE
September 21-25, 2003
Salt Palace Convention Center
Salt Lake City, Utah
Register by going to the ESP website: http://espnational.org