TUESDAY MORNING NOTES - September 11, 2012

Tue Sep 11 09:58:52 MST 2012

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

Tuesday Morning Notes 

September 11, 2012

FROM THE DIRECTOR:

Everyone directing a program in CALS is expected to have good communication
skills and this is particularly important for people directing Cooperative
Extension programs.  There are many forms of communication, which continue
to increase in number and type.  These include continual development of
electronic modes of communication, including social media such as Facebook,
YouTube, Twitter, Apps, and smart phones. 

Quite often good communication skills are evaluated in relation to how well
an individual puts forth their ideas in communicating to others.  However,
an extremely important element of communication is that of listening,
reading, and receiving information from others.

I often refer to the importance of having “well integrated” Extension
programs in CALS and I stress the importance of developing lines of
communication and cooperation among departments, schools, counties, Indian
reservations, research/extension centers, and the stakeholder groups we are
working with.  Not only do we need to make sure our information is going out
and being used in effective education programs, but we also need to
cultivate an environment that is conducive to receiving and transmitting
information from stakeholder groups.  This is true and can be applied to
every program that we direct in CALS Cooperative Extension across Arizona.

After completing the Phase III aspect of the CALS 2021 strategic planning
exercise, we are now in a position to present our strategic goals for CALS
and Extension and to solicit input from internal and external the
stakeholder groups across the state.  Our Extension Administration Team is
working on plans for how we will be soliciting responses and inputs.  This
will involve several methods that will include: online surveys, open forums,
work with county Extension advisory boards, etc.  Your input into putting
together our plans is welcome.  Upon receipt of the input from this process
of public review, we will then move forward with implementation. 

Irrespective of a need to review a strategic plan, it is always important to
develop and maintain strong lines of two-way communication from CALS
Extension to people and organizations across the state and back to us.  We
not only need to be good at delivering excellent education programs but we
need to be very good at listening and observing, two essential communication
skills for a Cooperative Extension professional.

FOCUS ON FACULTY:

As of September 3, Ed Martin has accepted the Interim Director position for
and will provide leadership and direction to the Maricopa County Extension
Office - taking over from Monica Pastor who has moved into the role of
Associate Programmatic Area Agent, Agricultural Literacy & School Garden
Food Safety.  Congratulations to both!

O’BRIEN ENDOWMENT AWARD CALL FOR PROPOSALS:

In support of diversity efforts within the College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences and Cooperative Extension, we are announcing a Call for Proposals
for the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS) James P. & Shirley J.
O’Brien Endowment.  For detailed information, go to the Proposal Submission
Guidelines
<http://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/resourcefile
/resource/scrofts/Endowment_Guidelines.pdf>  and/or the Endowment Gift
Agreement
<http://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/resourcefile
/resource/scrofts/O%27Brien_Gift_Agreement.pdf>  or view previous award
winners
<http://extension.arizona.edu/state/james-p-shirley-j-obrien-endowment-award
> .  Please note that this award differs from the “Shirley O’Brien Diversity
Award” that was designed to honor individuals who have contributed
significantly to promoting diversity and an inclusive environment within
CALS and across campus.  The deadline for proposal submission is Friday,
October 26.  If you have any questions, contact Steven Crofts
<mailto:scrofts at cals.arizona.edu>  (520.621.7145).

FESTIVAL OF BOOKS PROPOSALS DUE SOON:

A quick reminder to be sure and submit your proposal for an educational
presentation at the Tucson Festival of Books as a part of Science City.
CALS and Extension will be presenting programs at a variety of venues under
the big tent based on your presentation and theme.  We have expanded
somewhat in our tent content areas and really need input about our newest
topics, “Science of Sports” and “Science of Everyday Life.”  In addition to
the tent themes, we also need engaging programs for the Main Stage, Science
Café and multiple tours offered during the Festival.  By partnering with
Science City this year, we hope to consolidate our presentations in one area
and demonstrate the diversity of science programming going on in CALS and
Extension.  An online application for groups interested in participating in
2013 is available at the Science City 2013 website
<http://www.sciencecity.arizona.edu/> .  Take a moment to read over the
updated requirements, tent themes and participation form.  As always, there
are no fees to participate and your organization/group will be visited by
thousands over the course of the weekend.  We ask that you complete the
online application by the deadline of Wednesday, September 19, 2012.  For
questions, contact Kirk Astroth <mailto:kastroth at cals.arizona.edu> .

MORE ON 4-H FEES:

The message about an increase in 4-H fees and no waivers generated a lot of
interest.  We want to note that even though counties were instructed to
charge $10 for a program development fee in 2003, some counties have
increased this amount over time.  Some are charging $20; others charge less.
With $5.00 in the future coming back to the state office, counties who are
already charging more than the $10 can decide whether or not to increase
their existing fee.

In addition to helping pay for the cost of the online enrollment program,
what will we do with the extra $5?  Here are some thoughts that add value to
the Arizona 4-H Program:

*	Mini-grants to agents or clubs for strengthening the club program
*	Additional support to JOLT to keep the registration cost low
*	County scholarships based on need for kids to attend the James 4-H
Camp
*	Support funds for more teams and individuals to represent Arizona at
the Western 4-H Roundup in Denver.
*	Revive and improve the Virtual Hall of Fame
*	Produce a new Arizona specific child protection video for leader
training
*	More scholarships for leaders to attend the Western Regional
Leaders' Forum
*	Resources to help re-establish a statewide 4-H Ambassador Program
*	A small amount of funds to offer to agents who take on extra
statewide duties
*	Funds to offset the cost-share amounts we have to pay for AmeriCorps
and VISTA members

These are just a few ideas about making the best use of these funds beyond
just covering expenses for the online enrollment system.

TECH TIP OF THE WEEK:

This week's tip is “hands on” - more of a tech test.  We all use search
engines and most of us (80% in the U.S.) use Google.  Microsoft's Bing and
Yahoo! complete most of the U.S. at about 9% each.  Recently, an independent
research company, using blind comparison testing, concluded that people
prefer Bing results over Google by about 2 to 1.  So now the hands on part -
take the test yourself at Bing It On <http://www.bingiton.com/> .  The test
allows you to enter any five search queries you like and for each “round,”
choose the better result set or declare a tie.  If you like, report your
results back to exthelp at cals.arizona.edu and/or check out the research study
details
<http://www.bing.com/community/site_blogs/b/thedetails/archive/2012/08/06/bi
ngchallenge.aspx> .

NEW & REVISED PUBLICATIONS:

New:

*	Bringing University Innovation to the Retirement Community: An
Outdoor Walking Program for Older  Adults
<http://ncsu.edu/ffci/publications/2012/v17-n1-2012-spring/hongu-wisneski-or
r.php>  by Nobuko Hongu, Kristin D. Wisneski & Barron J. Orr, The Forum for
Family and Consumer Issues (FFCI), 2012, Vol. 17, No. 1.  The article
presents information to assist Extension educators and professionals who are
interested in working with older adults to encourage outdoor walking on
individual and community levels. 
*	Tooth Decay in Young Children: You Can Prevent It!
<http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/health/az1574.pdf>   & How to Select a
Pediatric Dentist <http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/health/az1575.pdf>  by
Evelyn Whitmer   
*	Guidelines for Using Non-Traditional Soil Additives
<http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/crops/az1582.pdf>  by Guangyao (Sam) Wang,
Shawna Loper, Kurt Nolte & Mike Ottman
*	Preventing and Treating Bed Bugs: What You Should Know
<http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1580.pdf>  by Bryan Stevens, Dawn H.
Gouge, Paul Baker & Kai Umeda  
*	Integrated Pest Management Works Inside and Outside School Buildings
<http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1579.pdf>  by Dawn Gouge, Ursula
Schuch, Dave Kopec, Paul Baker, Kai Umeda & Bryan Stevens  

Revised:

*	A Guide to Healthy Snack Ideas for School Aged Children
<http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/health/az1512.pdf>  by Vanessa A. Farrell &
Hannah Berge
*	Using Gypsum and Other Calcium Amendments in Southwestern Soils
<http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1413.pdf>  by James Walworth  

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Online Privacy and Security Tune-up Webinar
<https://learn.extension.org/events/645> , Tuesday, September 18,
2:00-3:00pm (EDT).  This webinar will be presented on the eXtension Learn
network.  Focus will be on best practices for ensuring your security and
desired level of privacy online, including taking a hands on look at
Facebook’s settings.

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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