TUESDAY MORNING NOTES - February 28, 2012

Tue Feb 28 12:09:25 MST 2012

TMN submittal:  http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/tuesday/form/submittal_form.html
Tuesday Morning Notes
February 28, 2012

FROM THE DIRECTOR:

Since assuming my new duties as Associate Dean and Extension Director, I have had the opportunity to begin working with and learning about our Extension organization.  I have had meetings with the Extension administrative staff (a group of about 20 individuals), the Extension Administrative Team (Drs. Kirk Astroth, Linda Houtkooper, and Ed Martin), and I also had the chance to spend two very good days with the County Extension Directors last week at their quarterly meeting.

I can tell you a few basic things that are important at this point in my work in this capacity.  First, I am approaching all of this with an open mind in an effort to gain a full appreciation of what all we are doing in Extension, who is running and directing the various programs we have, and what kind of productivity is being realized.  Second, I can tell you that I am very and positively impressed with everyone that I have encountered so far.  Everyone I have been working with is committed to the strengthening and development of our Extension organization and they are all eager to work hard and address the challenges that are ahead of us.  I am very interested in the review of our Extension programs and working with people to try to identify those programs that have substantial potential for development.

Of course, I have a lot of ground yet to cover in gaining a full understanding of the many complexities we have in the Extension organization.  However, as we all work through this process together I want to thank everyone for your openness and positive attitudes.  I am enjoying the new opportunities and the very engaging nature of everyone that I am encountering along the way.

FOCUS ON FACULTY:

Bianca Teran and Kay Hongu have an article in the recent Journal of Extension, February 2012, Volume 50, Number 1, titled "Successful Statewide Walking Program Websites"<http://www.joe.org/joe/2012february/tt9.php>, which reviewed 20 Statewide Extension walking programs, including Walk Across Arizona<http://cals.arizona.edu/walkacrossaz/>.

WESTERN EXTENSION DIRECTORS' AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

A reminder that applications<http://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/resourcefile/resource/scrofts/2012_WEDA_AOE_App_Letter.pdf> for the Western Extension Directors' Award of Excellence are due to the State Extension Office by Wednesday, March 7 at 5:00pm.  The purpose of the Western Extension Directors Association (WEDA) Awards of Excellence is to recognize Extension outreach education programming that has achieved outstanding accomplishments, results and impacts in addressing contemporary issues.  It is anticipated that recipients of the award will include mature programs with documented impacts.  Applications are either single or multistate programs.  This award, which is presented through WEDA with the assistance of the Western Region Programs Leaders Committee, recognizes outstanding Extension programs in the Western region.  Winners will be asked to present at the Joint Summer Meeting this July in Utah.  Applications are available on our Programs tab website<http://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/resourcefile/resource/scrofts/2012_WEDA_AOE_App_Letter.pdf> and should be send electronically to Ed Martin<mailto:edmartin at cals.arizona.edu>.

TECH TIP OF THE WEEK - MICROSOFT FIX-IT CENTER:

Is your computer having problems?  Before packing it up and taking it to the shop, try the Microsoft Fix-It Center.  There are two versions, one is on-line based<http://support.microsoft.com/fixit/> and the other is an application<http://fixitcenter.support.microsoft.com/Portal> that runs locally on the computer.  The fix-it solutions are mostly for Windows Vista and Windows 7, but many will work on Windows XP.  Fix it Center finds and fixes many common PC and device problems automatically.  It also helps prevent new problems by proactively checking for known issues and installing updates.  Fix it Center helps to consolidate the many steps of diagnosing and repairing a problem into an automated tool that does the work for you.  With automated troubleshooters, Fix It Center helps solve issues with your PC, even if you're not sure what the exact problem is.  Fix It Center scans your device to diagnose and repair problems, and then gives you the option to "find and fix" or to "find and report."

UPCOMING EVENTS:

All ANR faculty are invited to participate in the 2012 Arizona Sustainable Agriculture Training Day and Tour to be held March 22 in the Phoenix area.  The day will start with a short program at the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension complex and conclude with a farm tour in the afternoon.  The evening will include a cookout at the Maricopa Agricultural Center and an opportunity to see their Ag Venture education complex.  For more information, contact Rick Gibson<mailto:gibsonrd at cals.arizona.edu>, coordinator (520.836.5221, x227).  There are currently 10 seats on the bus available - first come, first served.

Jeffrey C. Silvertooth
Associate Dean
Director for Economic Development & Extension
Arizona Cooperative Extension
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
PO Box 210036
Tucson, AZ  85721-0036
520.621.7205
520.621.1314 (fax)

To submit tips, suggestions, ideas for changes and anything that could help us be more effective, use  the "Director's Suggestion Box<http://extension.arizona.edu/state/directors-suggestion-box>" - all submissions are anonymous.

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