COOPERATIVE EXTENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
I am putting together a Cooperative Extension Advisory Committee to help set priorities for statewide initiatives, allocate program dollars, identify critical topics for Arizona Delivers publications, develop our Web site, and marketing. The idea for an Advisory Committee evolved because of the three vacancies on the Extension Administrative Team (Deborah Young, Bill Peterson, Shirley O'Brien) and from suggestions that evolved at the administrators meeting (CEDs, Department Heads/School Directors, Ag Center Directors) held in Casa Grande on June 27 ( see minutes ).
The Advisory Committee will consist of the elected chairs of the CEDs (currently Jim Sprinkle ), department heads/school directors (currently Chuck Hutchinson ), and specialists (currently Barron Orr ), along with the Special Assistant to the Director for Administrative Leadership ( Cynthia Flynn ), the Acting Assistant Director for 4-H Youth Development ( Lisa Lauxman ), a representative for UA Outreach (currently Mike Proctor , as Vice President), and the Assistant Dean for Native American Programs ( Joe Hiller ). I have also asked Tom Cordell , a former CALS employee who worked in communications and marketing, to serve on the committee. Steven Crofts and Patti Baciewicz will provide the agenda and notes of the meetings.
The committee will meet monthly either face to face and/or using the Breeze conferencing system. The first meeting this Fall will focus on a review of current state initiatives, workgroups, and evolving critical needs and begin assessing priorities for next year. Priorities also will be set for future issues of Arizona Delivers. The committee also will advise me on the selection of an Interim Associate Director for Programs. I appreciate the willingness of the above mentioned people to serve on this committee.
POSITION SEARCHES IN PROGRESS:
There are several Extension position searches currently in progress or due to begin: Maricopa County Extension Director, assistant/associates agents in the Peach Springs (Mohave County), Tuba City (Navajo Nation-Western Navajo Agency), 4-H Assistant Director (Extension Administration), Family & 4-H Youth Development Agent (Graham County), and an Urban Horticulture Agent (Yuma County). Announcements and information on interview dates and seminars will be posted in Tuesday Morning Notes as arrangements are made.
2007 OUTSTANDING STAFF IN COOPERATIVE EXTENSION AWARD NOMINATIONS:
In about two months, the CALS Staff In-Service 2007 will take place (October 11-12, Tanque Verde Ranch & Hilton Tucson East ). During the noontime luncheon, the 2007 Outstanding Staff in Cooperative Extension Award will be presented. As first announced on July 31, the deadline to submit nominations is Friday, September 7 (just over 3 weeks away). Nominations are coming in, but there is still time to send in more. As a faculty member, CED, staff person or department head/school director in your unit, I encourage you to meet with others and nominate someone you know is deserving of this award. We have a lot of good people both on- and off-campus supporting Extension. Please read through the nomination criteria ( http://cals.arizona.edu/awards/extstaffawd.html ) and be aware of the strength of peer-to-peer nominations and support letters and the need to follow and address the areas noted in the nomination criteria. Nominations can be sent to Steven Crofts, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, PO Box 210036, Tucson, AZ, 85721. If you have any questions, contact Steve (520.621.7145).
BENEFITS OPEN ENROLLMENT:
A reminder that the Benefits Open Enrollment for 2007 began yesterday, August 13 and goes through Monday, September 10. Information is now up on the HR home page and a direct link (in case your booklet has not yet arrived by mail) is http://www.hr.arizona.edu/04_cb/benefits/select_enroll/oe/2007/. Don't forget, reenrollment IS required by all employees to maintain or change benefits. Note the new option for employee plus one dependent (spouse or child) this can save $75 per month on some plans.
UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES:
- August 22: Preseason Vegetable Workshop, Yuma County Extension Office, 2200 W. 28th Street, Yuma. Registration begins at 7:30am. Workshop is from 8:00am through lunch. Guest presenters are: David Byrne , Jorge Fonseca , John Palumbo , Kurt Nolte , Paul Brown , Tom Acker (NAU) and Dave DeWalt (USDA). If you have questions, contact Kurt Nolte (928.726.3904).