June 29, 2007
Topics in today's issue of Extension Update:
CAHNRS AND WSU EXTENSION EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
Mark your calendars and plan to attend the WSU Extension and College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) Employee Development Conference, “Work, Health and Knowledge: Foundations for a Strong Future,” Tuesday - Thursday, August 7 - 9, 2007, at the Samuel H. Smith Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE) in Pullman.
For conference details and to register, please visit the conference website at http://www.cahnrs.wsu.edu/edc/. The registration deadline is Monday, July 30, 2007. Please contact Denise Boyd at 509-335-2954 or boydenise@wsu.edu if you have any questions.
CONFERENCE AND EVENTS SUPPORT UNIT CHANGES
Both Washington State University Extension and the Center for Distance and Professional Education recognize that meeting and event planning and management are crucial to the land grant mission of the University. As a result, both have maintained conferencing support units. These respective units have a history of collaboration on high profile conferences and events. However, these two units have also competed for a finite number of events sponsored by Washington State University and allied organizations. As a result, neither unit has achieved critical mass nor independently established a sustainable financial footing.
After careful analysis, it was determined that Washington State University would be better served by a single combined meeting planning and management unit. Therefore, on December 31, 2007, The Washington State University Extension Meeting Management and Program Support (EMMPS) unit will cease operations. Support for conference functions needed by Extension will move to the Professional Education unit of the Center for Distance and Professional Education.
In addition, this structural review affords the opportunity for a programmatic assessment. After thorough analysis it was determined that some past activities supported by WSU Extension fall outside of the mission of the Professional Education conferencing unit and WSU Extension. These programs will no longer be supported. During the transitional period, WSU Extension will provide operational and human resources to support conferences that are aligned with its mission.
The services provided by CDPE and specifically the Professional Education staff in Pullman and Puyallup are outlined on the web site http://www.capps.wsu.edu/about/ In addition, Extension and PE will direct programming efforts to support the greatest societal impact and engagement between Washington State University and communities of place and practice across the state and beyond. These three principles are outlined below.
- Delivery of issue-based events and conferences that highlight emerging issues and the capacity of Washington State University to address these social challenges. These events will also engage and leverage WSU Extension to the greatest extent possible to develop follow-up programming that addresses issues and applies solutions in local communities across the state.
- Delivery of capacity-building conferences for WSU and for public agencies, private businesses, and non-profit associations within the state.
- Delivery of large-scale educational and scientific programs conducted by WSU Extension and other WSU units when appropriate. Emphasis will be placed on those events that showcase WSU scholarship and innovation.
John Winder is forming a steering committee to help with the transition period and focusing the Professional Education unit around these critical mission areas. The Committee will be composed of individuals with experience in the creation and delivery of major events, individuals with keen knowledge of marketing and communications methodologies, and individuals with a demonstrated ability to develop innovative outreach concepts. The committee will meet with leadership from the Center for Distance and Professional Education and WSU Extension on a regular basis to provide analysis and recommendation for the progress towards achievements of goals outlined above.
For county/area workshops, remember we have several trainings and tools online. These include the Extension Support Staff training videostream http://caheinfo.wsu.edu/video/stafftraining.htm and topics specific to service centers, Cash Handling http://bfo.cahe.wsu.edu/accounting/cash_handling.htm and Workshop Accounts http://bfo.cahe.wsu.edu/accounting/workshops.htm. The Extension Communications and Educational Support (ECES) computing group is pilot testing a new online registration system. Watch for further development and training in the fall.
For specific questions on conferences supported by EMMPS and the transition process, contact John Winder, Associate Dean and Associate Director.
Invitation to Join the Regional Entrepreneurship Resource Teams
The National eXtension Entrepreneurship Community of Practice (COP) seeks advice from educators and key partners across the United States who are engaged or interested in entrepreneurship-related subjects. In an effort to build a strong team of extension educators involved in entrepreneurship efforts, the eXtension Entrepreneurship COP is working with the Regional Rural Development Centers (RRDCs) to form "Regional Entrepreneurship Resource Teams." These regional teams will provide input to the National eXtension Entrepreneurship team on various components of the eXtension Entrepreneurship Web site. They will alert the Entrepreneurship COP of important research and educational products/resources for possible inclusion in the entrepreneurship section of the national eXtension Web site.
If you have an active interest in entrepreneurship-related activities, the RRDCs invite you to join their regional entrepreneurship resource teams. The teams are not limited to land-grant faculty/extension educators. Community college faculty, government organizations, nonprofit groups, foundations, small business representatives, entrepreneurs, community leaders, etc., are invited to join this important regional team.
To sign up for an entrepreneurship resource team, e-mail the Western Rural Development Center at wrdc@ext.usu.edu.
Contact Sally Maggard, CSREES national program leader, Economic and Community Systems unit, for more information.
STATEWIDE EVENTS WHERE LEGISLATORS ARE INVITED
A gentle reminder, when sending out notices or invitations to events where legislators (state and federal) are invited, please to be sure to notify Larry Ganders (for state legislators) at ganders@wsu.edu and Kristi Growdon (for federal legislators) at growdonk@wsu.edu.
PERSONNEL
District Director Reappointments: (effective July 1)
- Jim Kropf, NW District Director (4-year appointment - 2007-2011)
- Blair Wolfley, SW District Director (4-year appointment - 2007-2011)
WSU DEAN OF LIBRARIES NAMED
Jay Starratt, associate vice chancellor for Information Technology and dean of Library and Information Services at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, has been named as the dean of the Libraries at Washington State University. Starratt will begin his new position effective Dec. 1, 2007. Read the full story in WSU Today online http://www.wsutoday.wsu.edu/.
SCHEDULE
Linda and John will be in Pullman all week next week. WSU Extension offices will be closed on Wednesday in observance of the July 4th holiday.
Linda Kirk Fox, PhD
Dean and Director
Washington State University Extension
411 Hulbert Hall, PO Box 646248
Pullman, WA 99164-6248
509-335-2933 Office
509-335-9223 Desk/Voicemail
509-335-2926 FAX
lkfox@wsu.edu
ext.wsu.edu
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