Tuesday Morning Notes

February 27, 2007

FOCUS ON FACULTY:

I'd like to welcome Stephanie Shank who joined the Yavapai County Extension Office yesterday as an Associate Agent, 4-H Youth Development.  Please call and welcome her to Arizona Extension (928.445.6590).

AZ COOPERATIVE VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND CHECK SCREENING PROCESS:

In a desire to be proactive and to provide a safer work environment for program participants (especially volunteers), Arizona Cooperative Extension is implementing the AZ Cooperative Volunteer Background Check Screening Process, effective March 1, for all new extension volunteers.  All current volunteers are not required to have a background check.   To address questions and concerns and allow us to start the process after March 1, Lisa Lauxman will host a Breeze Connections Conference call on Tuesday, March 6 at 9:00 a.m.   You can connect to the call at http://breeze.ltc.arizona.edu/volbackcheck/.  Other highlights to this new process are:

- All new Cooperative Extension off-campus volunteers will be asked to submit a consent and disclosure form authorizing the Cooperative Extension office to conduct a criminal background check.  On-campus volunteers performing security sensitive duties would be subject to the University of Arizonas pre-employment screening requirements.
- Criminal reports will be reviewed and evaluated by designated program staff members who will confer (as needed) with the University of Arizona's Human Resources Department to make final determinations as to whether or not a volunteer may present a reasonable risk to the program based on his or her criminal record.
- ChoicePoint's National Criminal File has been selected as the background web-based system to use and is a comprehensive data file of criminal records from multiple criminal record repositories.  It contains criminal records covering all 50 states and includes a search of a Fugitive File and Government Watch list.   No fingerprinting is required.
- Each county will need to set up one person to serve as the contact for processing the requests and each county will be invoiced individually for the service.  The national criminal file check plus service costs $6.50 and each county will charge volunteer applicants $10 for cost recovery.  This fee is in line with the present $10 program development fee, and will also allow us to cover the cost of the background check for those applicants who indicate they are unable to pay.  Those unable to pay will need to fill out a fee waiver form.

For questions or more information, contact Lisa Lauxman (520.621.5316).

FISCAL ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT POLICY:

All Extension faculty and programming staff must use University of Arizona accounts for Extension programs (see policies regarding accounting procedures at http://www.fso.arizona.edu/fso/deptman/6/default.asp).  Fiscal documentation is necessary and includes such items as budgets, agendas, lists of attendees, copy of minutes, etc.  All Extension volunteer program funds must run through University of Arizona accounts.  An exception is for the 4-H Program with 4-H chartered entities.  If 4-H entities are raising funds or if they have a checking and/or savings account, the 4-H entity must apply for an Employee Identification Number (EIN).  They then need to apply under the Group Exemption Number (GEN) for IRS recognition.  4-H entities must yearly file in the county Extension office such reports and records as a budget, all fund-raising applications, and a year-end financial summary.  Extension faculty must conduct yearly reviews of all 4-H entity accounts and may have signatory status on accounts.  For questions or more information, contact Lisa Lauxman (520.621.5316).

2006 ANNUAL REPORT:

The 2006 Annual Report is now available for general review.  The report was a part of our annual review process with the Dean on February 23.

FACULTY/STAFF ROSTER UPDATE:

Our directory Web site and the downloadable version of the Extension Faculty/Staff Roster have been updated as of February 26.  You can download and print an updated roster at the above link.

UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES:

- Linda Ffolliotts second training session for newer users of Dreamweaver is tomorrow, February 28 (9:00-10:30) and will focus on working with tables in Dreamweaver.  You can attend in person in Forbes 124 or through a Breeze Internet connection.  To register, go to http://cals.arizona.edu/ecat/classes/register.html .  If you have any questions about the coverage of these classes, email Linda.

- There will be a Southwest Ag Summit on March 8 at the Yuma Civic Center.  Keynote speakers will be Dr. Jim Gorny, Senior Vice President of the Food Safety & Technology for the United Fresh Produce Association and James Watt, former Interior Secretary (1980-83).  Registration is $25 (which includes breakout forums and lunch).  For more information, contact Jean Carter (928.726.3904).

- The Healthy Lifestyles work group is sponsoring six Healthy Active Kids workshops all over Arizona during February and March.  They are designed for teachers, youth volunteers and staff and community leaders interested in integrating nutrition, physical activity into classes and activities to reduce obesity and improve the health of Arizona's youth.  Remaining workshop dates and locations are:  March 8 (St. Johns), March 24 (Sierra Vista).  Registration and details are available at http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/fcs/HealthyActiveKids.php.

- The Professional Development Working Group will be hosting a communications workshop, March 21-22 , at the Days Inn Phoenix Airport.  The workshop is open to both faculty and staff with topics including communicating with decision makers to demonstrate the impact of your program, writing for your peers; journal articles; communicating impact by using qualitative and quantitative information appropriately; impact statements; and workshops on Survey Monkey, PowerPoint, online course delivery, and effective writing.  Guest speakers will be:  Kris Boone (Kansas State University) presenting on Communicating with Impact Using Qualitative and Quantitative Research Findings Appropriately and Communicating with Peers and Journal Articles; and Julie Murphree (Arizona Farm Bureau) presenting on Communicating with Decision Makers to Demonstrate the Impact of your Program and Developing Effective PowerPoint.  Registration is $25 and the deadline is March 2 .   The Professional Development Working Group will pay for travel for one vehicle from each county and one nights lodging for faculty.  You can register at:  http://cals.arizona.edu/exact/careerdev/ .

- The "Climate and Riparian Areas Workshop: Connecting the Dots Climate Change/Variability and Ecosystem Impacts in Southwestern Riparian Areas" will occur on April 11-13 at the Hotel Casa Grande (777 N. Pinal Avenue, Casa Grande - $60/night before cutoff date).  Early registration deadline is March 23 !  A full agenda and registration information are available at http://cals.arizona.edu/gila/naturalresources/Riparianpage.html




James A. Christenson, Ph.D.
(jimc@cals.arizona.edu)
Associate Dean and Director
Arizona Cooperative Extension
Forbes, Room 301
Tucson, Arizona 85721
520/621-7205
520/621-1314 FAX