TUESDAY MORNING NOTES - October 2, 2012

Tue Oct 2 11:20:53 MST 2012

TMN submittal:
http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/tuesday/form/submittal_form.html 

Tuesday Morning Notes 

October 2, 2012

FROM THE DIRECTOR:

In the fields of science and education there are several lines of motivation
and function.  One is the pursuit of new knowledge for the basic or pure
need to advance our understanding of natural phenomena in either the
physical, biological, or social realm.  Another is putting science and new
knowledge to work in a practical or applied manner.  I can understand,
respect, and appreciate both lines of motivation and function.  Personally,
my sails are driven by a rather pragmatic wind and I am more inclined to be
motivated to engage in the application line of operation in science and
education.

I recently heard these applied ventures as making new knowledge "actionable"
and the critical need to realize the full value of new knowledge when it is
rendered useful through a deliverable and effective process.  This
description was specifically directed to the field of medicine.  However,
one can see that in essence that is exactly the process that all programs in
Cooperative Extension are accomplishing across the broad range of programs
we conduct in agriculture and life sciences.  

In CALS we have the benefit of conducting both of these lines of action
across the spectrum of our college.  The applied or actionable line of
operation is not the exclusive domain of Extension.  However, our programs
dominate this arena in our college and describe the vital function that
Extension programs provide to CALS, the University of Arizona, and people
throughout Arizona and beyond.

Thus, it is vital to Extension that we clearly identify our programs in
terms of the intended goals of application and document our capacity to make
science and information actionable in a real and tangible manner.  This
includes not only measurable terms of improving knowledge, skills and
behaviors but also the economic impacts resulting from our programs.

FOCUS ON FACULTY, STAFF AND PROGRAMS:

On Saturday evening, September 29, the  <http://www.valleyforward.org/>
Valley Forward Association recognized the Maricopa County Master Watershed
Steward (MWS) Program with its top honor during its 32nd Annual
Environmental Excellence Awards Gala at the Westin Kierland Resort in
Scottsdale.  The awards recognize environmental building and programs across
a wide swath of categories, seeking to bring attention to various efforts to
promote sustainable development across the region.  The Maricopa County MWS
program earned the coveted President's Award (Best of Show) as well as the
first-place Crescordia Award in the Environmental Stewardship category.  The
10-week MWS course combines classroom education and field training to
educate participants about local watersheds and water related issues.  The
curriculum is based on the Arizona Watershed Stewardship Guide, which was
developed by the University of Arizona.  Graduates must document 40 hours of
related volunteer activities to become full-fledged Master Watershed
Stewards (Stewards). Volunteers in Maricopa County have contributed over
1800 hours of service on projects including education, restoration, and
monitoring.  The Maricopa County program now focuses its efforts at the Rio
Salado Habit Restoration Area and is implemented through funding and
collaboration from local organizations.  A number of the Maricopa County MWS
team members and program supporters were present at the awards gala this
past weekend including Summer Waters, Channah Rock, Candice Rupprecht,
Jackie Moxley, Monica Pastor, Pam Justice, Haley Paul, and myself. 

This is an important recognition for Cooperative Extension, Summer Waters
and her team.  My hearty congratulations to all - this was truly a job well
done!

FOCUS ON STAFF:

LoriAnne Barnett has provide great leadership for getting our new 4-H camp
established by developing policies, procedures, accreditation standards and
a fee structure for our first season.  Her previous experience has been
invaluable, so it is with much sadness that we bid her farewell as she goes
to work full-time for the USA-National Phenology Network across campus.  We
will miss her greatly but wish her the best in her new position with NPN.
We are currently advertising her position which is funded through next June.

TECH TIP OF THE WEEK - ONLINE SCHEDULING SERVICES:

The Maricopa County Master Gardener program uses Signup Genius
<http://www.signupgenius.com/>  to manage volunteer sign-ups, RSVPs for
meetings and classes, and potlucks.  When you create the sign-up, you have
the choice of setting up whether or not other people can see the people who
have registered, if people have to enter an email address, and send
reminders before the event. 

There are several online scheduling services, many of which have a free
basic service, with upgrade packages available at a variety of price points.
Here are 11 features to consider: 

*	Real-time scheduling - Customers don't want to wait to find out if
their booking request went through.  Does the software calendar and confirm
the appointment as soon as it's made? 
*	Mobile apps - Can you access the appointment scheduling software
from your mobile phone or other preferred device?  Can your clients? 
*	Calendar synchronization- Can you feed the schedule into other
calendars you use, such as iCal or Outlook? 
*	Automatic appointment reminders - Will the online scheduling
application remind clients they have a booking?  Can you choose when they're
sent?  Does it support email and texts? 
*	Connection to social media - Can clients access online booking
functionality from your Facebook page or from Twitter? 
*	Instant promotions- If you've identified a period or service that's
under-booked, can you send out a promotion or limited-time deal from within
the scheduling application? 
*	Multiple log-in - Can several staffers log in to view and work with
schedules?  Can you limit access by role, so that, for example, a stylist
can see his appointments but not the customer's credit card number? 
*	Database - Can it feed clients contact and payment information into
a database? 
*	Portability - Does the service let you export information into other
applications, such as an email marketing program or QuickBooks? 
*	Reviews - Does the scheduling software prompt customers to write
review?  Does it automatically publish them to your own website and/or to
other sites like Yelp or Google Places? 
*	Ease of use - It's no fun to struggle with a counter-intuitive
interface. Select the product that makes sense to you, but make sure to get
feedback from your staff and customers, as well.

Jeffrey C. Silvertooth
Associate Dean

Director for Economic Development & 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
<http://extension.arizona.edu/state/directors-suggestion-box> 's Suggestion
Box" - all submissions are anonymous.  

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