• Rookie Award - Robert Goodling
• Early Career Award - Dwane Miller
• Mid-Career Award - Christy Bartley

Dennis Murphy recognized four new life members. They are:

• Fred Davis
• Bob Lewis
• Faye Strickler
• Nancy Wallace

Dennis also presented the Retirement Service Recognition award to Patricia Powley.

Jeffrey Myers presented special recognition awards on behalf of the board to the following individuals.

• Mary Alice Gettings - for her role as Global Relation Committee Chair in pursuing and carrying out the mini-grant which provided professional development opportunities throughout the state.
• Peg Shuffstall - for her role in establishing and maintaining the website

Standing Committee Reports

Karen Thomas reported on behalf of the Annual Meeting committee that there were 49 individuals registered and 45 attending the meeting. The committee is working to improve the registration process for next year.

Dwane Stevenson reported that the Audit and Finance committee completed its audit of the books in February and found everything in order.

Debra Gregory, Constitution and Bylaws, indicated that the copy of the by-laws on the website is not current. She will provide an electronic copy so these can be updated.

Mary Jo Depp-Nestlerode, Professional Development, reported that her committee was responsible for the session "Keeping Sane in a Crazy World" being presented by Cassandra Kitko as part of the professional development workshops later in the afternoon. Written report.

A written report was provided by Mary Alice Gettings on behalf of the Global Relations committee.

Phyllis Wright, Sympathy & Memorial Chair, led the group in a moment of silence for members lost during the past year:

• Joanne Gwyn Haskell
• Wayne Heinish
• Doyle Thomas

Cathy Bowen presented a written report on behalf of the Membership & Initiation committee. She provided materials for credit reports for the 28 individual who submitted their dues prior to the early bird deadline on October 30. She initiated the following new members:

• Terry Schettini
• Dennis Calvin
• Winifred McGee
• Joann Kowalski

Neal Vines presented the slate of candidates for office developed by the Nomination Committee. They are:

• President - Fred Davis
• Vice-President - Karen Vines
• Secretary - Robin Rex and Vickie Lewis
• Treasurer - Rich Stup

Ad Hoc Committee Reports

Guy Temple provided a written report for the Historical Committee. The deadline for submissions for "Extension Memories" will be February or March 2007. They don't have any stories related to:

• working with 4-H leaders
• working with Homemaker clubs
• canning/freezing work
• senior extension clubs
• working with executive committees
• programs developed over the years
• soil conservation or pond management programs

Stories do not need to be funny, but are intended as a history. The committee is working with Dr. Jackson to find a way to get this done. They hope to have the book completed by the end of 2007.

Michael Martin indicated that there are currently 40 Pennsylvania donors to the National ESP Endowment Fund. He encouraged participation the scholarship auction later in the evening.

Peg Shuffstall indicated that improvements have been made on the website during the past year including the elimination of pdfs. At present the committee recommends that the Ad Hoc committee be dissolved with the understanding that it can be reinstated in the future as needed. The secretary of the association should take the lead on the website with all officers responsible for content. In the future this site will likely be moved to "Red Dot" which will make content management easier.

Patricia Powley shared that Dr. Jackson was hosting a reception for retirees later in the day. There were 7 life members present at the meeting.

Returning to recognitions, Jane Landis presented the forgivable loan to Nancy Weikert. Nancy will use the funds to participate in advance leadership training on a Tufts campus. She will then offer the training for others within the state.

New Business

Shirley Bixby, Treasurer, presented the Treasurer's Report. Dennis Murphy made a motion that the report be filed for audit. Guy Temple seconded the motion. Motion carried.

The slate of officers was reviewed. Additional nominations were requested. Claudia Mincemoyer made a motion to close nominations and accept the nominees for president, vice-president and treasurer unopposed. Joan Thompson provided the second. Motion carried. Ballots were presented for election of the secretary.

Returning to recognitions, Stacie Bird recognized the recipients of the State Diversity Award - Breads Around the World. This is an advanced 4-H foods project developed by team members Jan Scholl, Gretl Collins, Patreese Ingram and Howard Nurenberger.

The 2007 Proposed budget was presented. The motion was made and seconded to approve the budget as presented. Motion carried.

In other new business, the association received a request from PAE4-HA for funds to assist in presenting a national meeting in 2009. Points of discussion are as follows:

• Need for recipricocity among the associations for future meetings
• PA will be a part of a NE regional bid every 5 years so this will be a frequent request
• No donations have been given or received previously to/from another association
• A donation would be a "show of support" which floats from association to association as the associations need the support
• ESP needs to be given a purpose for the funds. Could ESP host and activity or event rather than just giving money? Need to tie donation back to the mission of ESP
• ESP needs to receive recognition if they make a contribution
• State associations need to be in agreement on these types of requests. Proposal should be referred to JCEP for discussion and unified approach
• Utilize this as an opportunity to promote the profession and role of the organization.

Michele Rodgers made a motion to return the issue to the board fro further study, discussion with JCEP and to investigate the proposed use of the funds. Roland Freund seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Reports from National Committees

Jeffrey Myers presented Nancy Crago with $1500 to be used for purchase of the key at the national meeting in her role as National ESP President. Nancy Crago expressed appreciation for the support. She shared that the annual and popular reports were going to press today. National hosted a web-based leadership education program during the past year. Michelle Rodgers will be serving on the planning committee for future efforts. ESP is participating in an effort to better market extension across the generations. The national board and committee members will be participating in pre-conference workshops. The national board collapsed the board of trustees into the development fund committee. Duane Stevenson represents Pennsylvania on this committee.

The National Global Relations committee has proposed an extension internship position to assist in their function. Bill Watson will be offering a global relations seminar at national. Mary Alice Gettings encouraged members to visit the the "Go Global" link on the national website. A proposal has been submitted to JCEP for internationalizing extension. The committee is also attempting to align their goals with USDA. A subcomittee has been formed to strengthen state connections. Mary Alice will be retiring from this committee.

Duane Stevenson provided a written report for the National Resource Development committee. The committee has recomended a dues increase of $10 and establishment of a ceiling of 10% for future budget increases.

Nancy Wallace recommended involvement on national committees as training for leadership roles. She reported on behalf of the Member Services committee that all award applications are now electronic. More submissions are needed. The McKinney Award was established during the past year as an administrative leadership award to encourage attendance at a leadership conference. The committee is looking at the possibility of supporting a cruise in 2008.

Public Issues is responsible for planning and organizing PILD. Mary Jo Depp-Nestlerode currently represents the northeast on this committee and reported that the 2007 dates for PILD are April 23-26, 2007. National ESP offeres regional scholarships of $500. The deadline for applications in February 1.

Michelle Rodgers reported that the Professional Development committee has 20 concurrent and 18 poster sessions lined up for the national meeting. She encouraged participation and submission of proposals for individuals looking for opportunities to use toward promotion. She encouraged contributions for the auction as well as requesting volunteers.

Vickie Lewis was announced as the new secretary for the organization.

Jeffrey Myers presented the past board members with bears and installed the new members. He then passed the gavel to new president, Fred Davis.

Fred Davis thanked Jeff for keeping the group focused and carrying the banner of the organization forward. This year he plans to focus on recruitment, an increase in the number of award submissions. He asked current chairs to make their leadership transition during the next month so the committees can be set in place by the first of 2007. The 2007 meeting will be in Charleston, SC, September 11-14.

Karen Vines requested that written reports be submitted electonically for inclusion in the minutes.

Joan Thompson made the motion, seconded by Guy Temple, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.