Please join me in welcoming Theresa Begay, the new secretary in the Navajo Nation, Shiprock Office. Although she has been assisting in the Shiprock office since February 2006 through the Navajo Nation, she became an official UA employee on June 12, 2006.
Congratulations to Everett Rhodes and Jeff Schalau for completing the Western Extension Leadership Development program (class III). This is a two year program designed to: 1) develop awareness and appreciation of their own and others' leadership styles and learn to apply appropriate techniques in working with diverse individuals, 2) develop skills to enable themselves and others to develop and articulate organizational/group direction, 3) be able to enable the organization/group to effectively implement planned change, and 4) develop skills to enable others to work together effectively. For more information, contact one of our graduates or see http://ag.arizona.edu/extension/weld/index.html .
We are sad to report that Patricia Pease's husband, Stephen, passed away recently after going in for some back surgery. Patricia is the administrative assistant in our Coconino County office and began working there six months ago. There will be no memorial service. Memorial gifts can be given to the American Cancer Society. Patricia, our thoughts are with you.
The Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Development Fund is announcing mini-grant funding opportunities. Five $1,000 mini-grants are being offered. This endowed fund from the University of Arizona Foundation provides accrued interest to be used to support and enhance Family and Consumer Sciences Extension programs where regular annual university budget allocations are unavailable. Funds are to be utilized by or through Family and Consumer Sciences Extension faculty members to enhance county or statewide Extension educational program efforts. Lead faculty members must have county Family and Consumer Science responsibilities to apply; other state and county faculty are encouraged as collaborators. The deadline for application is July 30, 2006. For proposal application and further details, go to the FCSEDF grant website . For more information, contact Cynthia Flynn .
Each year we recognize both our faculty and our strong contributors with the Extension Faculty of the Year Award and the Extensionist of the Year Award. It is time again to make a call for nominations and I strongly encourage you to submit a recommendation for the Faculty of the Year and/or the Extensionist of the Year awards. The Faculty of the Year award will be presented at the 2006 Faculty Conference, August 15-17 and is CALS way of recognizing faculty accomplishments. The recipient will receive $1,000 and a plaque. The Extensionist of the Year award will be presented at a college-wide event in Spring 2007 and recognizes a resident of the State of Arizona who has contributed time and talent, through Cooperative Extension, to citizens of his/her community and the state. Please submit your nominations to the Cooperative Extension office by July 14. Extension Faculty of the Year Award nomination form and criteria are located at http://ag.arizona.edu/awards/extfacultyawd.html , and criteria and nomination information for the Extensionist of the Year Award is located at http://ag.arizona.edu/extension/pdf_files/nominationformandcriteria.pdf . If you have any questions, please contact me at 621-7205.
Upcoming Events & Reminders:
This year's CALS Faculty Conference, Fulfilling the Land Grant Vision, is only two months away - August 15-17 at the Westward Look Resort . It is not too early to register or submit poster and presentation proposals on-line at: http://cals.arizona.edu/registration/2006FC/ . Deadlines are: July 7 - Working Group Presentation Sessions/Applied Research Report Sessions (space is limited), July 14 - Conference Registration, and July 21 - Poster Exhibit. We are fortunate to have Dr. Robert Shelton, the University of Arizona's incoming President, as our keynote speaker. There will be a panel discussion on changes in outreach at the University of Arizona, highlights of state working group activities, the latest research findings from faculty, as well as panel presentations and discussion on tailoring the Cooperative Extension message to your audiences. Other features include the annual poster session, working group meetings, awards luncheon, fitness programs, and plenty of networking opportunities.
A rainwater harvesting conference, "Looking Ahead: Managing Stormwater and Harvesting Rainwater for Conservation" will be held in Tucson on October 27-28. For more information, visit the CATCH Water website and go to the ARCSA SW Regional Conference link.