ESP Pennsylvania Newsletter Spring 2006

And we're off…. With 80 Annual members strong, the Alpha Omicron Chapter has eclipsed past membership to an all time high. Add in our 96 life members and we have an association that combines talent, history and vision.

Your Executive Board has just returned from the Northeast JCEP conference where six members represented the Alpha Omicron Chapter. It was a very successful work session with other ESP Chapters from the Northeast - and the vibrancy of our organization was recognized by our peers. A highlight of our meeting was the election of Nancy Wallace as the Second Vice President for the Northeast Region. Congratulations Nancy! We were also proud to have the National President, our own Nancy Crago present amongst our group.

We also have members serving in leadership roles through national committee involvement. They include: Nancy Wallace, Member Services; Mary Jo Depp-Nestlerode, Public Issues; Duane Stevenson, Resource Development and Management; Mary Alice Gettings, Global Relations; and Michelle Rodgers, Professional Development. Consider a future national committee membership for an opportunity to network with colleagues across the country, to grow in one's personal leadership and growing our organization!

It is an actively engaged membership that keeps our organization proactive and moving forward. To that end, I encourage each of you to find your place within your committee to make significant contributions.

Such noteworthy efforts can be seen in our Global Relations Committee professional development session: 'Extension Reaching Out to Multicultural Communities: At Home and Abroad'. This program will be offered at four locations across the state this Spring and is designed to meet the needs of all Extension professionals - seasoned or relatively new to working with multicultural communities. We hope you plan on joining us! If you need more information, contact Mary Alice Gettings, Global Relations Chair.

To quote from Past President Michelle Rodger's article in the most recent 'ESP Connection', "While there are many positive results of goal setting…we have recognized an increasingly positive view of our organization and that is a group that is 'working' and achieving results for members." Following the success of the goal setting from the most recent Boards, your Executive Board set these goals for 2006:
" Increase in submission of grants and scholarship applications, specifically the:
o $1000 Mini-Grant
o PILD
o Administrative Leaders
o Chapter Merit and Membership Awards
" Submit articles for three issues of the 2006 'ESP Connections'
" Increase the number of members participating in contributions for the National Endowment. Currently 15% of our members contribute - 50% needed to participate to be eligible for a gold award
" Each committee will establish at least one goal for the coming year. Some possibilities suggested by the Board:
o By-law revision to match the award practices
o Membership - There was emphasis at national meeting for states with chapters to allow members in New England states without chapters the opportunity to join as members at large. The Board recommends "adopting" three members at large this year.

Goals have been accomplished with applications made for both the Mini-Grant and PILD. Michelle Rodgers' article on goal setting appeared in the January ESP Connections. Several committees have already established their respective goal for the coming year. Thank you to each committee as they delve into the coming year's work!

While Fall seems far away as the ground just begins its reawakening, a great opportunity exists for each member this November. Our National ESP Conference is in our southern backyard of Annapolis, Maryland, November 14 -17, 2006. It is a rare occasion to have a national program of this caliber so close so we hope you will make this a priority in your professional development plan. And there will be a myriad of ways to help Alpha Omicron serve our lead role in the National Auction, held in conjunction with the conference.

Thank you for your time and talent. Serving you as President is both a privilege and honor. Now to the next task at hand…....

2006 National ESP Auction – Michelle Rodgers, Past President, mrs6@psu.edu

The Northeast region is hosting the 2006 ESP National meeting in Annapolis, MD. Pennsylvania’s significant role in this year’s national meeting is to plan and conduct the Scholarship Auction. ESP relies on the generosity of businesses and buyers for the $15,000 needed annually to support the scholarships and recognition programs. You can help!

We are looking for items to be donated for the auction---use your creativity. There are many options. You can make an item or request a donated item or purchase an item yourself and donate it to the auction. I am willing to transport items to the auction.
Auction items could be a weekend at a vacation spot, artwork, craft items, framed or unframed prints, jewelry etc. Our biggest task is to obtain the items. The value of the auction items typically range from $25 to $2500. And because ESP is a registered non-profit, any donations are tax deductible. A brochure is attached that can be given to potential donors.

To keep track of our donated items and avoid duplicative efforts, you can check out the list of individuals and auction items currently being solicited at http://www.cas.psu.edu/docs/casprof/esp/06NationalESPAuction.htm.

If you are willing to seek or donate an auction item, please let me know and I will add it to the website. We need to have a decent listing to include with the national ESP Connections newsletter published this summer.

INCOME	BUDGET 2006	Actual on 3/10/06
Dues	3,200.00	2025.00
Extension Extended	700.00	769.00
Banquet	1,000.00	104.37
Donations	100.00	0.00
Forgivable Loan	300.00	0.00
National Endowment	0.00	0.00
JCEP Regional Meeting Reimbursement	300.00	0.00
Misc. Income	0.00	350.00
Reserves/Balance Checking Account	2680.00	7799.66
TOTAL INCOME	$8,280.00	$11,048.03
CHAPTER EXPENSES
National Dues	1,920.00	2,570.00
Banquet	1,000.00	0.00
Extension Extended	575.00	111.60
President Expenses	500.00	0.00
JCEP Forgivable Loan	400.00	0.00
Alpha Omicron Forgivable Loan	500.00	0.00
Extension Relations Awards	80.00	0.00
Chapter Awards	60.00	0.00
JCEP Regional Meeting	300.00	0.00
PILD	500.00	0.00
Treasurer Expenses	20.00	0.00
Newsletter Expenses	200.00	103.20
Retirement Gifts	300.00	0.00
Membership & Initiation	200.00	0.00
Sympathy & Memorial	25.00	0.00
Professional Development	1,500.00	0.00
75th Anniversary Contributions	0.00	0.00
Ad Hoc Committees	100.00	0.00
Misc. Expense	100.00	365.00
TOTAL EXPENSE	$8,280.00	$3,149.80
NET (Income-Expenses)		$7,898.23

Extension Relations & Leadership Awards - ESP Recognizes Friend of Extension, International Service and Extension Staff Assistant Recipients at Annual Meeting - Martha Gregory, mrg2@psu.edu

Linda Kulp, Dauphin County Staff Assistant, was recognized as the recipient of the Extension Staff Assistant Award for 2005. Linda served on the committee which established the Capital Region Mail Center and oversees the mailing of 175,000 pieces of mail to nine counties. Her innovative approach led to adding e-mail as an alternative method to receive newsletters. This has lead to a monetary savings to the mail center. Linda is a self-directed adult learner who stays on top of current technology and mentors other support staff in addressing computer issues.

Richard Crouse, Capital Region PCCEA President and long time supporter of Cooperative Extension in Adams County, was recognized as the State Friend of Extension for 2005. Rick has been an outstanding friend and volunteer in Adams County for over ten years, serving as Extension Board President and Treasurer, legislative advocate, and Pennsylvania Council of Cooperative Extension Associations (PCCEA) officer. Rick is a dedicated, hard worker and a smart leader who has helped Extension prosper in Adams County, the Capital region, and the state.

Leon Ressler, Lancaster County Extension Director, was recognized with the 2005 International Service award. Leon has integrated international interests into his work hosting four international groups/individuals for extended stays along with numerous international visitors from Penn State, USDA and other state extension systems interested in touring Lancaster County. Leon has mentored extension colleagues to take advantage of international experiences. Leon serves on the college international advisory committee and has participated in the Internationalizing Extension conference.

The 2005 Extension Relations and Leadership Committee of Stacie Bird, Ted Alter, Fred Davis, Lee Miller, Dave Rynd, Nancy Ellen Kiernan, Karen Vines and Martha Gregory reviewed applications and made recommendations for the awarding of the ESP Friend of Extension. International Service and Extension Staff Assistant Awards.

Global Relations - Extension Reaching Out to Multicultural Communities:
At Home and Abroad - Mary Alice Gettings, magettings@psu.edu

* For those from the SW and NW, your registration fee is only $10. Your RD is covering the an additional $10
** For those from the NE, your registration fee is $0. Your RD is covering your $20 fee.

The Extension 20th Century Memories Committee has received over 150 stories from retirees and those agents presently working. We would like to have over 200 for the publication. If you haven't written one yet, please do so soon. The committee has developed several heading for the stories received to date. Those heading may give you an idea to write about. They are History, Humor, Achievement, Contributions to Society, How I got started, Philosophy of Extension, & Effective Programs. If that doesn't give you an idea, why not write about the most successful program you ever conducted, or the one that turned out to be anything but successful. We have all probably had one of each. We need more stories from the women about their work - working with nutrition aids, or nutrition aids stories you have heard, canning, freezing sewing, health, demonstrations etc. If you don't have one, write one of the stories you've heard from a co-worker who is no longer with us. Do it in memory of them.

Please mail your stories to Elizabeth Mathiesen, 217 Agricultural Administration Building, University, Park, PA. 16814

Epsilon Sigma Phi's most valuable asset is our Extension professionals and their dedication to addressing the needs of people. The Epsilon Sigma Phi Development Fund supports and recognizes these Extension professionals in their pursuit of program excellence and providing education to client groups. Your contribution to the Development Fund is one way you can help ensure that Extension professionals remain the educational leaders of tomorrow.

Join 475 Extension colleagues by making a gift of $75 to the National Epsilon Sigma Phi Development Fund. Your tax-deductible contribution to the Epsilon Sigma Phi Development Fund will support ESP's continued leadership in excellent professional development opportunities and recognition programs for Extension professionals. All campaign donors will be recognized in the listing of ESP contributors at the next national conference.

If you have retired since last November 1st or are planning on retiring by this October 31st, please contact Dennis Murphy (djm13@psu.edu) so that appropriate recognition can be given to you at our annual banquet. Retirees have an option of receiving an engraved statue of the Nittany Lion or, if 2006 dues are paid, an equivalent contribution toward the cost of Life Membership in Epsilon Sigma Phi. Life membership is $150. Please inform Dennis as soon as possible about retirement decisions, but no later than September 1. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact Dennis.

As part of the Northeast JCEP Conference, ESP Chapters were asked why their members chose to be involved with ESP. In canvassing our current and past board members, as well as committee chairs, we had responses which give pause for thought. It is our active engagement in any organization that benefits both the individual and the group. Here are some of the reasons for membership given by Alpha Omicron members: