FOCUS ON PROGRAMS:
- Special thanks go out to the Professional Development Working Group for organizing the Teaching Enhancement In-Service on April 1-2 in Tucson. For several months, the group has been collaborating with the University Teaching Center to design a workshop that focused on building teaching and assessment skills for Extension personnel. The key topics of the two-day in-service were: Instructional Design, Instructional Technology, Library Resources, Learning Styles, and Evaluation and Assessment of Learning. The Professional Development Committee hopes to coordinate another in-service next year. If you have any suggestions for themes, contact Brent Strickland (928.669.9843).
- Future State Funding Support: We are seeking your input regarding decisions we will make for providing future state funding support for Cooperative Extension Programs. The information you provide via this survey will be important in our decision making process. Please complete the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=VUdLeLdMEb0eG2gomAoF4A_3d_3d by April 11 . If you have questions regarding items in the survey or if you have additional ideas or recommendations for us regarding program support, contact any of the Extension Program Administrators (Ed Martin, Linda Houtkooper, Kirk Astroth).
UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES:
- The UA Water Sustainability Program in collaboration with Cooperative Extension is offering a one-day workshop on reclaimed water to inform participants about water reuse and recycling in Arizona on Wednesday, April 16 , 8:30am-2:30pm at the Maricopa Agricultural Center. Leading Arizona experts in water quality, municipal irrigation, turf grass management, and public health will discuss benefits and precautions of using reclaimed water in the semiarid Southwest. In addition, representatives from government agencies and local water utilities will provide perspectives on what is being done to increase water conservation through water recycling while protecting human health. Following the sessions, an optional field trip to visit the state-of-the-art Global Water Center and a tour of the U.S. Arid-Land Agricultural Research Center will be offered. The cost of the workshop is $15 (which includes lunch and materials). The field trip is an additional $5 and will run from 2:30-3:30pm. Registration deadline is Friday, April 11 . For more information, contact Channah Rock (520.381.2258) or go to www.uawater.arizona.edu/eduout/workshops.html.
- UA Cooperative Extension is hosting an Extension Water Summit on May 1 at the Swede Johnson Building. This in-service will include presentations from several Extension faculty and roundtable discussions. The goal is to provide the framework for additional collaboration within the colleges extension system and bring focus to the varied aspects of the complex issue of Extensions water programs. Registration is required; please go to: http://cals.arizona.edu/exact/watersummit/. The preliminary agenda is at: http://cals.arizona.edu/exact/watersummit/agenda.pdf. For further information, contact Patti B. (520.621.5308).
- The Water Resources Research Center at the UA, in collaboration with the Central Arizona Project, is announcing that registration is now open for their 2008 Annual Conference, The Importance of the Colorado River to Arizonas Future, June 24 , Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, Phoenix. They have put together an exciting and diverse agenda and lined up a roster of distinguished and knowledgeable speakers, including U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Bob Johnson, Central Arizona Project Board President Susan Bitter Smith, and Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Herb Guenther. The complete agenda, along with registration information, can be found at http://ag.arizona.edu/azwater/programs/conf2008/. Early Bird Registration (closes May 15) is $125. Beginning May 16th, registration will be $150. Reduced rates are available for students and a limited number of scholarships are available for County Extension personnel. For more information, contact Jane Cripps (520.792.9591).
What's Crucial Conversations?
If you feel frustrated or stuck with your team, manager, employee, or co-worker - or if you're having trouble achieving the results you want in your organization - chances are there's a crucial conversation that needs to take place. Crucial Conversations is a 14-hour skill-building course taught over two consecutive days. Two training opportunities are available in June:
June 3, 2008, 9:00am-5:00pm
June 4, 2008, 8:00am-3:30pm
The deadline to register is Friday, April 25 by 5:00pm.
For more information, contact Cathy Martinez (520.836.5221 x203) or download a full-color brochure at http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/download/CrucialConversationsBrochure.pdf