TUESDAY MORNING NOTES - April 2, 2013

Tue Apr 2 11:46:57 MST 2013

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

Tuesday Morning Notes 

April 2, 2013

FROM THE DIRECTOR:

In the past year I have had an opportunity to make some assessments and
evaluations across CALS, particularly in terms of Cooperative Extension
personnel and programs. Our workforce across the college has been reduced
substantially.  We currently have the federal and state resources to support
80% of the personnel that existed across all parts of CALS in 2008 and only
60% of the Extension personnel.  Thus, it is important to identify the most
critical areas of need for personnel as we move ahead and we are working to
do that across the Cooperative Extension system.

We have recently formed the Strategic Hiring Priorities Committee (SHPC) in
an effort to: 1) identify and rank strategically critical positions that are
currently needed for CALS Cooperative Extension as well as positions that
are anticipated to be needed for future development, and 2) identify an
asymmetric distribution of CALS Cooperative Extension system personnel
resources that would be optimal for effective management and program
delivery across all facets of the college and the state of Arizona. The SHPC
will begin meeting in the next few weeks and develop a draft plan for
achieving these objectives.   In late May, the Extension Administration Team
and all CALS unit Directors and Heads (departments/schools, county offices,
and centers) will meet to review this draft plan from the SHPC and try to
further refine it.

As we review our Cooperative Extension system across CALS, people
consistently point out the needs we have in terms of acquiring new faculty
lines to develop and deliver programs. I fully recognize the value of these
positions.  However, in my reviews and assessments across CALS and
Cooperative Extension, I am repeatedly impressed by how severely decimated
our staff roster has become.  I know from direct experience and from recent
evaluations that the classified staff in CALS has had an extremely high
proportion of our reductions in force due to budget cuts.  This is a
critical situation across the college and it absolutely needs to be
considered in terms of mapping out future hiring priorities.

Therefore, as we look ahead and consider the personnel needs that are most
critical for future development of CALS Cooperative Extension, I think it is
very important for us to direct our resources in a balanced manner to
address both staff and faculty needs. The development of strategic hiring
priorities will provide a guide for creating a balanced structure of our
Cooperative Extension personnel that will enhance the effectiveness of how
we operate, which in turn will improve our ability to be productive and have
positive impacts on people's lives, communities, and the economy.

FOCUS ON FACULTY AND STAFF:

Congratulations to Scottie Misner, winner of the 2012 Extension Faculty of
the Year Award, and Marilyn Overpeck, winner of the 2012 Outstanding Staff
in Extension Award, presented at the Dean's Faculty/Staff Luncheon on March
22.

FOCUS ON PROGRAMS:

The Outreach and Assistance Program for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and
Ranchers in Arizona is a project to assist socially-disadvantaged Arizona
farmers and ranchers in owning and operating successful farms and ranches.
This project is funded by USDA, and activities will be accomplished through
the combined efforts of the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and
Life Sciences (CALS), Apex Applied Technology, Inc. (AATech), and EnSave,
Inc.  For more information, go to the Outreach and Assistance website
<http://cals.arizona.edu/farmer-opportunities> .

MARICOPA COUNTY EXTENSION DIRECTOR SEARCH - HOLD THESE DATES:

The search for Director of Maricopa County Cooperative Extension is moving
forward.  Dates have been set but we are withholding names for a just a
couple more days to give the candidates time to meet with their present
employers.  Both candidates will interview/present as follows:

Candidate #1

*	April 11 - Maricopa County Office (Phoenix), presentation at 10:30am
*	April 12 - University of Arizona campus (Tucson)

Candidate #2

*	April 18 - Maricopa County Office (Phoenix), presentation at 10:30am

*	April 19 - University of Arizona campus (Tucson)

The Phoenix presentation for both candidates will cover their experience and
philosophy in moving forward to direct Extension activities in Maricopa
County and will include time that afternoon for anyone who would like to
meet them.  Please contact Mary Conner <mailto:mconner at cals.arizona.edu>  if
you would like some time with the candidates.  More details will follow.  

SUPPORT A CAMPER - DONATE UNOPENED ITEMS NOW:

Remember the thrill of going to camp?  Remember the agony of realizing you
forgot something important--such as a toothbrush, soap, shampoo?  This
happens more often than you think, so Arizona 4-H is collecting items for
campers who come to the James 4-H Camp but may have forgotten one or more of
the essentials.  Between now and May 1, we are collecting items like these
to assist campers during the coming camp season.  Do you have unopened small
shampoo bottles that you got at a hotel?  Conditioner?  Lotion?  New bars of
soap?  Deodorant?  Mouthwash?  Toothbrushes still in their packages?  Combs
or brushes still new?  Bring your items (remember--NEW) during the month of
April and we will get these up to camp so kids can focus on having a good
time, rather than lamenting forgotten toiletries at home.  We are also in
need of a few sleeping bags if they have been "gently used."  Bring your
items to Forbes 301.  Thanks!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Tuesday, April 9, 4:00-5:00pm, Architecture 103 - Innovations in
Desalination Technology and Financing.  CEO Mark Lambert will be the
featured speaker and will talk on innovations in desalination technology and
financing.  For more information, contact Jackie Moxley
<mailto:jmoxley at cals.arizona.edu>  or go to the WSP website
<http://wsp.arizona.edu/> .

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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