April 30, 2004

MAY EXTENSION ENGAGED TO FOCUS ON "MANAGING YOUR ON-LINE DIGITAL RESOURCES"
Earlier this year Scott Fedale sent out a survey asking for interest in an "Extension Engaged" program on software that allows you to manage on-line resources that are gathered while researching on the Web. The response was positive, with a large number of folks in Extension and in CAHNRS expressing interest in this topic.

In response, this month's "Extension Engaged" broadcast will explore the use of various software packages, such as EndNote and ProCite, which are designed to assist someone in managing on-line resources that are gathered when they are doing research on the web.

This month's guests are Cindy Kaag, Head of Science Libraries at WSU and Science Librarian Doug Calman.

Please share this information and encourage attendance by research techs, graduate students; anyone who gathers Web-based resources and conducts literature reviews.

The program will take place May 4 from 9:30 - 10:30 am in room T-101 of the Food Science and Human Nutrition building. Faculty and staff here in Pullman are invited to be part of the live studio audience and if you'd like to attend, please plan to be in your seats by 9:20 at the latest.

The program can also be viewed via satellite and videostream. For information on how to view the program using either of these options, go to:

http://www.caheinfo.wsu.edu/video/satellite.html

NEW TRAINING SERIES FOR EXTENSION FACULTY AND SUPPORT STAFF DEBUTS MAY 19th, FOCUSING ON “WORKSHOP ACCOUNTS”
One of the benefits of a new person in the Business and Finance Office for CAHNRS and Extension is the opportunity to review processes and talk about what works well and what could be improved to gain efficiencies. That new person is Mary Hoffman and we’re delighted she has joined us. Over the past few months we’ve had wonderful dialogue of what is working well but what seems to be a problem area(s). We’ve reviewed methods for processing travel, we’ve looked as common questions for grant and gift expenditures, we’ve reviewed the steps and typical questions when setting up service accounts, and we’ve asked for clarification on conference services and fees, as well as ways to locally collect fees for workshops conducted by Extension throughout the state. So, we’ve planned a series of trainings via technology for the county and district support staff, extension faculty, and the county director or faculty who supervise local support staff. These workshops aren’t intended for CAHNRS department support staff because they already meet monthly for such training and discussions, however, you’re welcome to attend.

Please mark your calendar for 9:00 – 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 19th for the first training, titled “WORKSHOP ACCOUNTS FOR EXTENSION EDUCATORS – Fiscal and Administrative Management.” The presenters will be Mary Hoffman and Detlef Decker. Mary will describe the specifics of accounts intended for workshop fees. We will define the difference between workshops and large scale conferences and therefore, how the workshop accounts differ from conferences. She will be joined by Detlef Decker, Extension Meeting Management + Program Support. He will share important tips for planning a successful workshop.

The series of trainings will be archived so you can refer back to them via videostream. A Web page will pull together in one place the handouts or forms from the trainings with the videostream files. In June, date to be determined, the topic will be Cash Handling. The series will restart in September. If you have topics of interest and suggested format, or have questions about who should attend, contact Mary Hoffman.

A footnote: If you can think of a clever name for this new series of trainings on fiscal and management procedures, Linda Fox welcomes your ideas.

WSAC and CPO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOPS
WSU Extension is partnering with Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) http://www.wacounties.org/wsac/ to deliver six “Community Engagement” workshops in July. These programs are part of the Certified Public Officials (CPO) program which provides county official and management staff with professional development and the tools to enhance their leadership and decision-making abilities. Content of these workshops in July, in broad terms, will include how and why to engage the public in controversial issues, how to determine what citizens want from county government, public trust and credibility, and practical application for decision-makers engaging in community engagement.

The workshops are planned as follows, watch for details on the CPO Web site.

July 7, Mt. Vernon
July 8, Puyallup
July 9, Longview/Kelso
July 14, Wenatchee
July 15, Tri Cities area
July 16, Spokane

Logistics are being arranged at this time. Please share these dates with local public officials and refer them to the CPO web site.

These workshops and continued strong partnership with WSAC are due to the hard work of Kelsey Gray, Rob McDaniel, Wayne Madson and the four county directors who serve as WSAC Extension Affiliate representatives: Ray Faini, Margaret Viebrock, Doug Stienbarger, and Katherine Baril. Thanks!

A SUMMARY OF RESTRICTIONS OF USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS AND/OR FACILITIES FOR CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES
2004 is a major election year and there are matters of great interest on the ballot. I shared with you via the CAHNRS Update on April 8th the importance we should all place on not violating the state Ethics Act particularly during the next few months. The Ethics Act prohibits state employees from using or authorizing the use of state resources or facilities for the purpose of promotion or opposing a ballot proposition or candidate. Penalties can be severe and legal help cannot be provided by the university in Ethics Act cases.

Additionally, I have updated the Extension Policies and Procedures Web page; scroll down to Political Activities. Please read all the information under the heading Political Activities as well as a new document posted there. Please print and share with employees in your office. Also on this Web page is a pdf file called “A Summary of Restrictions of Use of Public Funds and/or Facilities for Campaign Activities” from Toni Ursich, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Washington State University Division.

Employees with questions about whether or not an activity violates the Ethics Act may contact Norm Coffman, internal auditor, WSU Pullman, 509-335-2001.

MASTER GARDENER STORY FEATURED BY NPR
Please see the Northwest Public Radio link which features the story "Master Gardener Program rooted in Washington State" both in print and as an audio file. This is wonderful visibility for our Master Gardener program. Feel free to forward it to your county's Master Gardeners. Thanks to Rod Tinnemore for representing us so well!

MEET YOUR NEW COLLEAGUES
Bios and photos of six new Extension colleagues are now posted at http://ext.wsu.edu/colleague/. Again, welcome Ken Carrasco, Amy Grotta, Michelle Simpson Mazzola, Cathy Moen, Mercy Olmstead, and Tara Zimmerman.

SCHEDULE
Mike will be in Washington DC through May 7th. Linda will be in Pullman Monday and Tuesday next week; the remainder of the week she will be in Seattle attending the CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) Conference.

Linda Kirk Fox, PhD
Associate Dean and Associate Director
Washington State University Extension
411 Hulbert Hall
PO Box 646230
Pullman, WA 99164-6230
509-335-2933 Office
509-335-9223 Desk/Voicemail
509-335-2926 FAX
lkfox@wsu.edu