September 1, 2006
Topics in today's issue of Extension Update:
“WORQS” REPLACES “AICS”
Effective immediately, you can enter your annual review
materials into WORQS (WSU Online Report and Query System) https://cahedb.wsu.edu/WORQS/
.
What Is WORQS?
WORQS is an on-line reporting system that replaces the AICS system
previously used by WSU Extension and CAHNRS.
Who Will Use WORQS?
WORQS is a university-wide reporting tool. Therefore, all faculty
and administrative professionals engaged in outreach, teaching and/or
research activities will eventually be required to use the system.
WSU Vancouver faculty members were the first to use WORQS when they
reported their accomplishments from 2005 earlier this year. Extension
and CAHNRS will now use the WORQS system for reporting of accomplishments
for 2006. The remainder of the University will begin using the system
to report accomplishments occurring in 2007.
How Will I Learn To Use WORQS?
Users that have experience with AICS or similar systems will likely
find WORQS to be very intuitive. In many cases, you will be able
to use the system with little assistance. For those needing additional
guidance, we are developing a web-based instructional module. This
will be available this fall. We will also be conducting some face-to-face
workshops at strategic locations.
How Does WORQS Differ From AICS?
- You will use your WSU net ID to logon to the system.
- Information about grants and contracts is downloaded from OGRD.
- Credit course information is downloaded from the Registrar’s
database. We are using the instructor or record on the last day
of class and tenth day student enrollments.
- There is no planning module in WORQS (POAs). It is focused on
program reporting.
- Collaborators can be selected from the list of faculty at WSU.
As in AICS, when you add a collaborator from a pick list, the
entry will automatically be included in the collaborator’s
annual review. If you are designated as a collaborator by another,
you will have the option of removing your name.
Changes to Extension Volunteer Screening
Process
For over 20 years, WSU Extension has worked to ensure a safe environment
for children and vulnerable adults. That safety process includes
an application, letters of recommendation, personal interview and
a criminal history background check. That background check has previously
included the collection of an individual’s Social Security
Number (SSN). However, due to identity theft concerns, the Washington
State Patrol (WSP) will no longer be using the SSN in their background
check process. In fact, the State Patrol will be removing the SSN
blank from their background check form. Therefore, the SSN blank
will be deleted from our Extension volunteer screening application
form. If you are retaining existing volunteer files with a SSN on
them you should ink-out the SSN so that it is no long legible.
In screening a volunteer, if by name and birthday, the State Patrol
is unable to discern a specific individual, it will be necessary
to thumbprint the potential volunteer. 4-H staff members will be
receiving specialized training in early October on how to take and
submit the thumbprint to the State Patrol. Each Extension office
should have their State Patrol screening applications processed
by their appropriately trained 4-H staff member. The expectation
is that each program area will be responsible for their volunteer
applications, letters of recommendation and personal interviews.
The 4-H staff person will submit the background check form to the
State Patrol for all program areas.
If you have any questions, please contact your County Director,
District Director or Program Director.
Professional Development Opportunities
WSU Leadership Development - Supervisor Training
Series
WAC 357-34 requires that civil service covered entry level supervisors
complete a minimum of 24 hours of entry level supervisory training.
Employees appointed to a permanent supervisory or management position
must be enrolled in the required training within six months of their
appointment unless organizational requirements require a delay of
up to six months.
Although this training is required of new supervisors, all supervisors,
managers and leads are encouraged to attend Supervisory Training.
September 12 is the date of the opening session in the next available
series. Use the following link to determine if you are eligible
for this program and to view the upcoming Fall 2006 and Spring 2007
schedules: http://www.hrs2.wsu.edu/utils/showpage.asp?page=398
If you have specific questions regarding your eligibility or these
schedules, please call HRS at (509) 335-4521.
WSU Human Resources provides a variety of leadership seminars and
courses that are offered through a variety of methods that include
on line learning and seminars. For a updated listing please access
the HR web site at http://www.hrs2.wsu.edu.utils.showpage.asp?page=576
7TH ANNUAL HARVESTING CLEAN ENERGY
CONFERENCE
Mark your calendar for the 7th Annual Harvesting Clean Energy Conference
in Boise, ID January 29 - 30th, 2007. This is an opportunity to
hear from experts and farmers with direct experience in wind power,
ethanol and biodiesel, biopower, geothermal, solar and money-saving
on-farm energy technologies.
Preregistration deadline is December 29th, 2006. More information
can be found at info@harvestcleanenergy.org.
CBDD RECEIVES GRANT TO FIGHT RURAL POVERTY
As many as 25 small rural communities in Washington state may get
help in reducing poverty, thanks to a grant to the Washington State
University Extension Center to Bridge the Digital Divide. The Northwest
Area Foundation in St. Paul, Minn. has awarded up to $1.7 million
to CBDD to bring its Horizons program to small rural communities
that have poverty rates of at least 10 percent. This new "phase
two" grant expands the partnership between WSU Extension and
the Northwest Area Foundation, according to WSU Horizons project
director Doreen Hauser-Lindstrom. For the complete story see news
online http://cahenews.wsu.edu/RELEASES/2006/06058.htm
Griessmann accepts position with WSU International
Programs
Peter C. Griessmann will begin working for WSU International Programs
Research and Development Department effective September 1, 2006
as the Project Associate with the Department. Initially funded at
50% this position will provide support to various department areas.
Currently Griessmann is working on a reforestation project in northern
Argentina and will continue in this capacity. He will work to identify
funding and applied forestry programs to further WSU’s internationalization
process. He will also manage, supervise and assist in implementing
forestry and natural resources technical training projects at WSU
and overseas. He holds a masters in Silviculture and has extensive
overseas work experience. Griessmann is a past employee of WSU Extension
(1991-2005) where he developed forestry education programs in northeastern
Washington. Many of his past extension projects are currently being
applied on a regional, state and interstate level. Griessmann is
fluent in Spanish and German making his multi lingual and cultural
background a natural fit for this position.
SCHEDULE
Next week Linda will be in Pullman Tuesday and Wednesday.
She will be on annual leave on Friday. She will be in Seattle on
Thursday attending the Master Gardener Conference. John will be
in Pullman on Tuesday, and touring Extension county program in the
SW district on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. WSU Extension offices
will be closed on Monday, September 4 in observance of Labor Day.
******************************
Linda Kirk Fox, PhD
Dean and Director
Washington State University Extension
PO Box 646248, 411 Hulbert Hall
Pullman WA 99164-6248
(509) 335-2933 Office
(509) 335-9223 Desk/Voicemail
FAX (509) 335-2926
lkfox@wsu.edu
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