Sunday, September 14, 2008

Monday, September 15, 2008

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Wednesday, September 17. 2008

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Friday, September 19, 2008

The National Membership Recruitment and Retention Committee needs your feedback. We have asked for your potential membership. We have only received a few responses. Our committee members will be in contact with you with in the next month to get this information. Based on your eligibility requirements, please give us some idea of your potential chapter membership. It is due by March 25th.

Please send the national office information regarding changes in contact information of members, including life members. ESP wants to maintain contact with the membership.

Here are a few reminders for your chapter's vitality.

1. Communication is vital to the success of your chapter. Communicate with your officers, members, and potential members! Forward the ESP newsletters and other correspondence.
2. Accountability is the key. Make sure that your officers and committee chairs are properly trained and are carrying out their assigned duties.
3. Get people involved in committee work.
4. Keep everyone informed of recognition opportunities and other benefits of belonging to Epsilon Sigma Phi.
5. Keep your dues system organized, simple, and efficient. Remind members of dues and deadlines.
6. Thank members for continuing as members.
7. Spotlight members in your chapter newsletters.
8. Nominate someone for recognition.

The 2008 Emerging Leadership Committee has been announced. They are: Karen Vines, Chair, PA; Jan Carroll, CO; Susan Guinnip, IL, and Deborah Bost, NC. The committee will design and implement leadership development offerings for professionals in the Extension System to be held later this year. The committee operates as a sub-committee of the National Professional Development Committee under the leadership of Ellen I. Burton, National President-Elect.

Top Ten Reasons to Attend Galaxy III
Duane P. Johnson,
National ESP President

There are several reasons you should plan to attend and here are my "Top Ten"

1. Engage in professional and personal development opportunities with Extension professionals across all Extension discipline areas.
2. Participate in the opportunities for Extension professionals to make scholarly presentations, report research and share significant programs.
3. To build a network of Extension professionals to further programmatic, interdisciplinary, and diversity based educational programs.
4. Share strategies for enhancing the image of the Extension System and to enhance communication of the value of Extension both internally and externally.
5. Take advantage of opportunity to explore new tools and technology.
6. Recognize Extension professionals, volunteers, and donors for excellence in programming that address diversity and critical issues.
7. Revitalize your commitment to the Extension mission and the people you serve.
8. Reconnect with Extension colleagues, retirees/life members, and make new friends.
9. Explore Indianapolis and Indiana hospitality.
10. Learn strategies to increase the vitality of your state association/chapter through leadership development.

Have you considered submitting an application for an ESP National Committee? Or, have you enjoyed serving on an ESP National Committee in past year? Our ESP Mission "Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) is dedicated to fostering standards of excellence in the Extension System and developing the Extension profession and professional" depends upon our working committees and you, our membership! The six National Committees are: Professional Development, Member Services, Public Issues, Resource Development and Management; Global Issues and Member Recruitment and Retention. Additionally, members are sought for the Marketing Committee. Go to the website http://espnational.org/ and click on FORMS. There you will find under "Committee" either a "New Appointment" or a "Re-Appointment" form. Fill it out. Ask your chapter president to sign it and then send it to me at corridon@umd.edu, fax it, or mail it by April 1st. Consider this a curriculum vitae builder!! Another bonus - National Committee Members get a stipend to use towards the cost of attending the National Meeting!!! I look forward to working with you.

Eighteen ESP members and friends took part on the maiden voyage of the ESP Family and Friends Leisure cruise that toured the western Caribbean on the world's largest cruise ship, The Freedom of the Seas. The group set sail out of Miami on January 6th for a week's excursion that took them to Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico. The group was together each evening to enjoy gourmet dining and entertainment. The days were filled with exciting land tours or just lounging around on the ship. The Cruise brought together old friends and new acquaintances from Oklahoma, Minnesota, Maryland, Arizona, and Florida. Maryland had the largest contingency with seven members and friends participating. Those ESP members attending were: Betty Jean and Jo Ann Brannan, OK.; Jim Kemp and Aune Nelson, MN.; Charlotte Crawford, AZ.; Dave Ross, Madeline Green, Eleanor Young, Hope Jackson, and Jean Greene, MD.; and Pauline Calloway, Joy Satcher and Mike McKinney from Florida.

ESP cruise coordinator, Mike McKinney (FL) said he was extremely encouraged that this activity will serve as a beginning for future events and activities for ESP retirees.

Cruise members will be at Galaxy to share their experiences and to auction off a Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas gourmet cookbook along with some native art.

"I am deeply humbled and honored." "This is the most prestigious award." "This is the greatest honor that any Extension professional could ever dream of attaining." What were these professionals speaking about? The Epsilon Sigma Phi Ruby Award! It is the award presented to the Extension professional who has demonstrated outstanding national program leadership.

Presenting awards is one of the things that divide humanity from the beasts. We take pride in recognizing excellence. We have the Hall of Fame, Emmys, Oscars, Nobel and Pulitzer prizes, Golden Globes and thousands of other formal types of recognition of outstanding achievement. No matter what kind of society or political system an organization may have, it seeks to provide recognition for what it regards as the very best.

We have the Ruby Award. It is our way of recognizing meritorious performance. Who's Who in the Extension System grows larger with each year's Ruby Award recipient. The Extension System is a very unique organization and those of us who work in it are extremely lucky because we have the opportunity to do something that helps to shape the future of America. Epsilon Sigma Phi is to be commended for its leadership in recognizing those who have made significant contributions to the entire System.

Receiving the Ruby Award was my greatest honor during my years as an active employee. I agree with those who said: "It is most humbling to know that your peers appreciate the contributions you made."

Serving as an officer on the National ESP Board is truly a rewarding experience. It has certainly enhanced my leadership skills. As a member of the board, you have the opportunity to meet people from across the US and have the potential to impact decisions that are made for Extension at the local, state, national and international levels. In addition, the decisions made by the board will impact the entire National ESP organization.

The next National ESP 2nd Vice President will be elected from the South during the 2008 ESP meeting at Galaxy. This person makes a four- year commitment, serving the second year as President-Elect/Vice President for Professional Development, the third year as President and the fourth year as Past President and Chair of the Membership Recruitment and Retention Committee of ESP. These are exciting times as the organization is experiencing a new generation for membership, program delivery methods, and building its internal capacity to meet new challenges. Will you consider serving and sharing your ideas and skills to strengthen the organization? Visit the national website at www.espnational.org and review Section J of the National Handbook for GUIDELINES FOR OFFICER NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS.

Nominees are to be current ESP members, have good leadership skills, have experience within ESP as a chapter officer, have service on a committee(s) or served in some other leadership capacity for this organization, and should be self-starters. The first year, you will serve as chapter relations' liaison, and Chairman of the ESP Marketing Committee. Nominees should have a written statement of support from Director of Extension in the state where the nominee holds membership.

Chapters should submit nominations of individuals to the National ESP Executive Director by July 1 for the Second Vice President. (See Nomination Form in the handbook.)

There is still time to register and attend the 2008 PILD Conference - Public Issues Leadership Development - April 28-30, 2008 in Washington, D.C. PILD is an excellent opportunity for all Extension professionals to better learn how the public policy process works and where they fit in that process. Whether you are a veteran or a newcomer to Extension, you will gain skills and knowledge that will increase your effectiveness in your current and future positions. Participants will experience conference sessions that will prepare them to visit their federal elected officials on Capitol Hill. There will also be breakout sessions for you to choose topics most relevant to your career. The third and final day of the conference is an opportunity for state delegations to visit their Members of Congress and staff.

Register before April 1 and pay $335 for this unique professional development opportunity. The experiences you have at PILD prepare you for local interactions with decision makers as well as a better understanding of our federal partnerships. Also, many states bring volunteer delegations, and the opportunity to interact with these leaders along with Extension professionals creates an expanded experience for all.

One important thing to know before you attend PILD is that participants need to prepare ahead of time to get the most out of their experience. This involves "educating" yourself a bit about how to effectively meet with Members of your Congressional delegation and working with others from your state to make appointments with these elected officials. There is lots of information available to help you with these efforts. Go to http://www.jcep.org, click on "PILD Conference," and click on "PILD Preparing for Capitol Hill." The kinds of things you will find out include what kind of materials are most effective to take to Members of Congress, who can help you successfully schedule Congressional appointments, etc.

This year's conference will be held at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, VA, which is directly across the river from Georgetown. This excellent location provides easy access to restaurants, shopping and other activities. Come early or stay for a few days after the conference to enjoy all that our nation's capitol has to offer.

Epsilon Sigma Phi is a partner in planning PILD. Two members of the ESP Public Issues Committee serve on the PILD planning committee, along with representatives from other JCEP organizations.

We encourage each chapter to apply for the "Achievement in Chapter Membership" and "Chapter of Merit" recognition awards.

The "Achievement in Chapter Membership" award is to recognize the chapter in each region who best strives to recruit new annual and new life members, and retain current annual members between March 1, 2007 and February 29, 2008. It also recognizes all other chapters who strive to improve recruitment and retention of ESP members. The chapters are recognized based on the total on the recognition scorecard.

The "Chapter of Merit" recognition program was developed to recognize those chapters who have put forth an exemplary effort to forward the cause of the Extension System and to provide professional development opportunities for their members. The Chapter of Merit is designed to recognize chapters for their efforts without regard to the number of members or the resources available by categorizing the recognition in a Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze group. It is also based on activities from March 1, 2007 - February 29, 2008.

The applications deadline is May 1 for each award. More detailed information is available online at: http://espnational.org/Forms/index.htm

Now that spring is beginning to show through the snow and our lovely "Annual Reports" are done, we can turn our attention back to the jobs we enjoy. Hopefully, on your new "Plans of Work" there is an international assignment listed! Over the past few years I heard Extension professionals question international travel with: 1) "Why should I go?" 2) "How does it positively affect my program, my county and/or my university?" or 3) "Where do I find out about international opportunities?"

Question 1 - Going international has many positive benefits. It is a new and refreshing change from your normal assignment. It is an invigorating and exciting experience to teach and train others. It is an opportunity to learn new methods and new cultures (very diverse from what we normally are engaged in), and to learn how other people live. (I find more similarities than differences.) It can help you to realize that the world and its workers are in need; many earn an average of $20-50 per month. It can help you hone your teaching skills in an environment which can be very simple, with little to no resources. The biggest part - you can actually begin to change people's lives and make impacts on their livelihood.

Question 2 - With the university system and connection to county-based funding, we need to show how our "travels" are actually helping the university and local population. Where else can one learn TRUE diversity training? If you are living with people of different nationalities, beliefs and economic status, you soon realize their lives are different from back home. You gain an appreciation of life in a world where people have very little. You learn that information is very valuable. (The people you teach are very appreciative.) One lady said when she pruned her apple tree, she would think about the pruning class and that someone came from Oregon (they didn't even know where Oregon is) to teach them. You learn to appreciate what people DON'T have. Each trip I have taken, I learn new horticulture skills and methods that I didn't know before. Often they are simple things that can be shared when I get home. My attitude toward work back home and life has been very positive.

Question 3 - To find out about international assignments, you can ask people from your office, your program area, or your department. Go to the Global Relations website: http://espnational.org/GoGlobal/index.htm and look at the different opportunities. You need to decide on an area of expertise to focus on. Often it can take 2-6 months to get THE CALL and prepare the paperwork. My favorites are ACDI VOCA and Winrock. There are many places to go and many assignments that need filling. Talking with someone who has been on a foreign assignment really helps. Think about the skills you have, and then look at the volunteer opportunities. Be sure to send in your vita with areas of interest and skills. List the times of the year when you are available. The average assignment is two weeks.

Oregon is developing a state-wide database where people who have gone on international assignments can put information on where and when they went, the subject matter taught, and how to contact this person. If each ESP chapter had such a database that was then linked to the ESP website what a wonderful database for sharing information on international opportunities we would have.

Teaching growers how to prune will help them grow better and more fruit. We are teaching the families HOW to fish, rather than just giving them the fish. Each year they will be able to sell more fruit and better support their families. These assignments have changed my life, and by sharing my experiences, have changed the lives of my local growers, the lives of the local Master Gardener chapter, and most importantly the lives of the people in Kyrgyzstan. Try IT, you WILL like it!

You can contact Ross at ross.penhallegon@oregonstate.edu

The National 4-H Hall of Fame held its 2007 Induction Ceremony on October 5, 2007, at the National 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The Class of 2007 included several ESP members and leaders including:

· *John (Jack) C. Taylor, Montana
· *Rita Natale Saathoff, New Jersey
· Duane P. Johnson, Oregon
· Tammera S. Beckham, Texas
· Myron Johnsrud, North Dakota
· *Paul C. Taff, Iowa
· *Edward Garfield Jenkins, Maryland
· Carl Smith, Wisconsin
· *Nancy Horn Ascue, Virginia
· Juanita Reed-Boniface, Minnesota

*Deceased