September
23, 2005
Topics in today's issue of Extension Update:
POSITIONING WSU EXTENSION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
“Positioning
WSU Extension for the 21st Century” will
take a comprehensive look at how best to position and market
the services of WSU Extension among the Washington State University
community as well as Extension clients, stakeholders and funding
sources. Educational Marketing Group (EMG), the same firm that
helped Washington State University to develop its marketing initiative
five years ago, will lead the initiative.
“Positioning Extension” is a meaty, complex project
that involves the participation of a broad spectrum of people
from the state – those working in Extension, those whom
Extension currently serves and those who could benefit from Extension
services in the future. The success of this initiative is important
not only for Extension, but for WSU as well. It is a way to highlight
and embrace the land-grant mission of WSU and explore the full
potential of university-wide Extension. It also will provide
the foundation for a communications plan that markets to one
of the university’s unique strengths.
The timing is ideal. WSU Extension now has stable leadership
and is crafting a new “plan of work” for the coming
5 to 7 years. At the same time, Washington State University is
moving into the second phase of its strategic plan with an emphasis
on economic development and engagement – two of Extension’s
primary strengths. Many opportunities will result from the synergy
of these parallel activities.
The overarching goals of the Positioning WSU Extension initiative
are two-fold. Our outcome must be aligned with the strategic
plan and integrated marketing efforts of Washington State University.
At the same time, it must be nested in and supportive of Extension’s
critical partnerships with federal and county governments.
Logistically, the Positioning WSU Extension initiative will
include input from a variety of documents and data, listening
sessions, personal interviews and focus groups with university
and Extension leadership, Extension faculty, county directors,
county commissioners and Extension clients throughout the state.
The objective is to have in place a communications plan based
on EMG’s insight and recommendations ready for implementation
in late summer 2006.
MOTOR VEHICLE REIMBURSEMENT RATE INCREASE
Effective September 15,
2005 the mileage rate for privately owned vehicles changed from
40.5 cents to 48.5 cents per mile. This is for mileage incurred
on or after September 15, 2005.
If you have any questions regarding this change please contact
Kasey Schertenleib at
the CAHNRS Business and Finance Office (509-335-2827).
WASHINGTON STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES (WSAC)
Thanks to everyone
who participated in the 2005 Washington State Association of
Counties (WSAC) Annual Conference and the WSU Extension County
Directors Meeting held in Vancouver earlier this week. The meetings
were very well organized and feedback has been positive.
Created in 1906, WSAC has worked to advocate for local government
needs and support critical county services for nearly a
century. WSAC members include elected county commissioners,
council members and executives from all of Washington's 39 counties.
Each year WSAC works with statewide elected officials and
members of the Legislature to promote positions that help
counties serve their citizens. WSU Extension is an affiliate
partner of WSAC. WSAC is a voluntary, non-profit association
serving all of Washington’s 39 counties. In 2006, the Association
will celebrate its 100th year of service. The 2006
conference will be held in Spokane September
19-22. The WSU Extension County Directors meeting will
be held in conjunction with the conference. Please mark your
calendars now and plan to attend.
The new Extension Affiliate WSAC officers for 2006 are: Doug
Stienbargar (Chair) Margaret Viebrock (Chair-elect), Arno
Bergstrom (Trustee, westside), Lana Thomas Cruse (Trustee, eastside)
and Blair Wolfley (District Director liaison).
EXTENSION DISASTER EDUCATION NETWORK
The Extension Disaster Education
Network (EDEN) is on the Web at http://www.eden.lsu.edu/ and
links Extension educators from across the U.S. and various disciplines,
enabling them to use and share resources to reduce the impact
of disasters.
EDEN's mission is to reduce the impact of natural and man-made
disasters through interdisciplinary and multi-state research
and education programs that address disaster mitigation, preparation,
and recovery. Extension staff have always been involved in emergency
work on the local and state levels, but by working across state
lines and with other agencies, this expertise is brought together.
In addition, by planning ahead, Extension can be better prepared
to serve people in time of need.
NATIONAL 4-H WEEK
National 4-H Week is Sunday, October 2 through
Saturday, October 8, 2005. National 4-H Week welcomes you to connect
with the 4-H community where young people across America are learning
leadership, citizenship, and life skills. This year's theme is Make
the 4-H Connection.
PLANT BIOSCIENCES BUILDING GRAND OPENING AND TOUR
The grand opening
ceremonies for the newly constructed Plant Biosciences Building
at Washington State University Pullman is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.,
October 14, 2005, which is Friday afternoon of the WSU Homecoming
weekend. A tour of the facility will
follow the grand opening ceremony. The Plant Biosciences
Building is located immediately east of Martin Stadium (across
Stadium Way).
EXTENSION ENGAGED: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FROM A WATERSHED
PERSPECTIVE
Tuesday,
October 11th Extension Engaged is scheduled from 9:00 am to 11:30
am and will focus on Stormwater Management from a Watershed Perspective.
Extension Engaged programs are broadcast via satellite; or you
can be part of the live studio audience in room T-101 of the Food
Science and Human Nutrition building in Pullman.
The Pacific Northwest Regional Water Quality Program’s
Watershed Issues Series is turning its focus to strategies used
by municipalities and homeowners to manage stormwater. The case
studies reflect use of Low Impact Development techniques to manage
runoff on-site and minimize pollution loading to waterways. Every
year, billions of gallons of untreated stormwater flow into streams
and rivers across the nation. The Environmental Protection Agency
calls it the “number one water quality problem.” To
learn how you can be part of the solution, please join us as
we explore successful stormwater management strategies used in
three watersheds across the nation - Boone, NC, Willoughby, OH
and Portland, OR.
Contact
Jan Seago at 509.574.1584
for further information or visit the WSU Extension videostreaming
Web site at http://caheinfo.wsu.edu/video/stream.html.
EERE FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES WEB SITE
The U. S. Department of Energy's
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has launched
a new Financial Opportunities Web Site covering financial opportunities
associated with EERE programs. The
site contains information for consumers, businesses, universities,
federal managers, states, inventors and tribal organizations,
tailored to their specific information needs. We hope this site
will provide a helpful referral resource for general or specific
inquiries on EERE financial opportunities and solicitations.
The site can be accessed from the EERE Home Page, at: http://www.eere.energy.gov/ or
by using the link below, which you can bookmark through
your browser:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/financing/
Source: James R. Fischer, Department of Energy, Senior Technical
Advisor – Academia, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
WORLD FOOD DAY OCTOBER 16
World Food Day is celebrated every year
on October 16th to commemorate the founding of the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 1945. World Food Day
aims to heighten public awareness of the plight of the world's
hungry and malnourished and to encourage people worldwide to take
action against hunger. More than 150 countries observe this event
every year. In the United States, 450 national, private voluntary
organizations sponsor World Food Day, and local groups are active
in almost every community. First observed in 1981, each year World
Food Day highlights a particular theme on which to focus activities.
Feed Minds, Fighting Hunger is pleased to announce
the addition of the “Youth Window” to the FMFH website. This
new feature, designed and written for 13-19 year olds, contains
information, resources and activities for young people to use
on their own. Providing information not included in the main
FMFH lessons, the “Youth Window” aims to interest
and motivate teens inside or outside the classroom to join in
global efforts to end hunger and malnutrition. Please visit the “Youth
Window” at www.feedingminds.org.
PERSONNEL
Dr. Richard S. Zack, Jr. has been named to the position
of Chair of the Department of Entomology effective September 1,
2005. Dr. Zack has served as Interim Chair during the past year.
Rebecca Armstrong, EEO Coordinator for CAHNRS and WSU Extension,
will be starting her new job at the WSU Center for Human Rights
on September 26.
Dr. Charles Gaskins has been named Interim Chair of the Department
of Animal Sciences effective September 19, 2005.
New Hire
Francisco Sandoval, Ph.D., Associate
Institute of Biological
Chemistry
Funding: 100% Research
Status: Administrative Professional
Effective Date: August
16, 2005
SCHEDULE
Linda will be in Philadelphia Sunday through Thursday
for the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
(NEAFCS) Annual Conference and the eXtension committee meeting.
She will be in Pullman on Friday. Ed will be in Spokane all week.
******************************
Linda Kirk Fox, PhD
Dean and Director
Washington State University Extension
PO Box 646230, 411 Hulbert Hall
Pullman WA 99164-6230
(509) 335-2933 Office
(509) 335-9223 Desk/Voicemail
FAX (509) 335-2926
lkfox@wsu.edu |
