Our Mission
Michigan State University Extension helps people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs, and opportunities.
In This Issue eXtension
Online resources available to build county relationships
Emergency Management Web site released
Hammerschmidt elected MAFHK co-chair
Upcoming events| Welcome Back Happy New Year! I hope everyone is refreshed and reinvigorated after the holiday break. There will be many changes and challenges in the upcoming year therefore it is important that everyone remains optimistic and flexible. I am pleased that the director's search continues to move forward and hope you remain connected to the process by providing the search committee with your input on the candidate that will be interviewed on Jan. 25. For details on the candidate credentials, seminar schedule, etc., please connect to the director search Web page at http://www.msue.msu.edu/directorsearch/. Gov. Jennifer Granholm is scheduled to give the State of the State address on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. and will provide insight on the state's direction in a very tight economy. We expect this to be another tight budget year, with the legislature faced with difficult decisions around funding. It continues to be critical for elected officials to know of the important work Extension does and the impact Extension has in local communities. Since there are 40 new state legislators, staff members need to be intentional in involving them in local programs and having them experience Extension programs first hand. Local Extension teams should be discussing strategies to communicate and showcase what Extension does with all legislators. I will carry partner reports with me as I visit their offices -- please keep the reports up to date and brimming with impacts during this important time of year! There are many exciting opportunities ahead for 2005; the portal will be launched in March, program revenue enhancement programs will be generated, and programs will be delivered in new ways with new vigor. I am so proud to work for this wonderful organization, and hope everyone shares my optimism regarding the wonderful things Extension can do to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life for the people of Michigan. |
A national portal for Extension called eXtension is under development to connect Extension resources across the nation.
The portal is being developed from the perspective of customer experience so that it is user friendly. It will retain individual land grant institution identity while recognizing user location by county and the specific content needs of the customer.
The system will feature the work of multi-state content teams while representing the diverse programming found across the Cooperative Extension system. Key customer services will include Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), Ask the Expert, examples of best content, a collaborative workspace, learning modules, decision tools and a variety of educational program offerings.
A new Web site provides an avenue for participating in the eXtension initiative. It's a place where ideas can be developed, shared and worked on collaboratively. The site features news, document sharing, Web links and an address book. It supports interactive services including moderated discussion forums and calendars. To learn more about eXtension and opportunities to get involved go to http://intranet.extension.org/ .
Increased Mileage Allowance
Effective January 1, 2005, MSU mileage allowance was increased from 37 cents per mile to 40 cents per mile. The 3-cent increase reflects the IRS calculated increase for vehicle operating costs, including fuel.
The MSU Manual of Business Procedures, Volume I, Section 70, will be revised.
Please share this information with support staff in your unit and others preparing MSU travel vouchers.
Online resources available to help build strong county relationships
This is a good time to check out the new internal Web site designed to help Extension educators build strong relationships and communicate effectively about our educational programming. This Web site has resources and links that can help when you need:
--Tips for working with the media.
--Links to governmental Web sites.
--Help with establishing your county's communication strategy.
--Suggestions for dealing with a budget challenge.
--And much more!
For more information go to: http://ceenet.msue.msu.edu/home/strategicommunications/index.htm .
If you have questions call Beth Moore at (517) 353-9694 or Laura Probyn at (517) 432-1555, ext 171.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago – Detroit Branch's second annual Money Smart Week is April 17-26, 2005. This event will showcase several financial and housing education sessions throughout Michigan from a variety of non-profit and for-profit organizations throughout the state. The goal is to provide financial education to elderly people, young people and those who do not use banking services.
Last year, about 170 financial education sessions were held in the Detroit area. The Federal Reserve has partnered with MSU Extension in hopes of extending its outreach efforts statewide in 2005.
This is MSU Extension's opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of its programming by teaching Money Smart Week sessions. Now is the time to start planning your financial management and/or housing sessions. Money Smart Week sessions can be held for 10 to 100 people. For new session ideas, contact the Family Resource Management AoE co-chairs Linda Huyck at (989) 831-7515 or Erica Tobe at (517) 355-9655.
Statewide media coverage is scheduled for this governor-endorsed event. MSU Extension has a great opportunity to raise statewide awareness of improved financial management through Money Smart Week sessions.
Session descriptions should be sent to Erica Tobe by Feb. 1. To find out more about being involved in Money Smart Week 2005, please contact Erica Tobe at tobee@msu.edu or (517)355-9655.
New Extension Emergency Management Web Site Released
The MSU Extension Emergency Management Web site has been redesigned and is now live. MSU Extension and other university staff members, governmental employees and individuals have used the site to find information to use in planning for and dealing with emergency situations. Recent analyses show that 14 percent of the hits on this site come from international users.
The new site includes a Spanish resources section that is linked from the home page. A number of link descriptors are posted in both English and Spanish for easier navigation. New information will be continually added to this section. When possible, companion English/Spanish resources will be posted.
Please send feedback and suggestions about the new site to Mark Hansen at hansenm@msu.edu . The site is located at: www.msue.msu.edu/emergency .
Public Issues Education Survey
Public issues education educates and assists citizens to improve group decisions about pressing issues that affect them and their communities. Increasingly, citizens are asking Extension professionals to provide education on contentious public issues involving multiple stakeholders. Extension has been effective in helping people make informed choices on issues such as environmental quality, jobs and economic development, food safety and housing. However, conducting effective programs around such issues requires that Extension professionals possess knowledge and skills that differ from those needed for traditional Extension programming.
The Public Issues Education Team has developed an e-survey to assess the training needs of Extension professionals to conduct public issues education effectively and comfortably. The results will be used to develop and target public issues education training programs that are relevant to your needs.
Please go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=72652739746 . The e-survey will take about five to 10 minutes to complete. Your participation is strictly voluntary and confidential.
If you have any questions about the upcoming survey, please contact Dr. Loretta Singletary, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (singletaryl@unce.unr.edu) or 775-463-6541, or the University of Nevada , Reno , Social Behavioral Institutional Review Board at 775-327-2368. Thank you in advance for participating in this survey.
Hammerschmidt elected Michigan Action for Healthy Kids co-chair
Patricia Hammerschmidt, program leader for MSU Extension Family and Consumer Sciences, was elected co-chair of the Michigan Action for Healthy Kids (MAFHK) statewide coalition in July 2004. MAFHK was formed two years ago as part of the U.S. surgeon general's nationwide Action for Healthy Kids initiative to improve children's nutrition and physical activity in schools in an effort to prevent childhood overweight. MAFHK brings together representatives from more than 200 Michigan public and private organizations who are implementing actions to reach two clear goals:
1. Ensure that healthy snacks and foods are provided in vending machines, school stores and other venues within the school's control.
2. Provide all children, from prekindergarten through grade 12, with quality daily physical education that helps develop the knowledge, attitudes, skills, behaviors and confidence needed to be physically active for life.
Congratulations, Pat!
To learn more about Michigan Action for Healthy Kids, visit www.actionforhealthykids.org and select Michigan.
Jim Artabasy is approaching retirement after serving the university in various human resources related positions for 32 years. To support this transition for the Human Resources unit, Artabasy will continue to serve as the human resources manager for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station and provide guidance to Joe Lessard who will serve as the interim human resources manager for MSU Extension effective Feb. 1. In addition, over the next year, Director Maggie Bethel has asked Artabasy to explore models for establishing an MSU Extension Organizational Development unit to create unified direction between the separate support efforts Extension now has in human resources, professional development, diversity and international programs. Lessard will administer the current MSU Extension human resources programs including oversight of policy/procedures relevant to Extension and CANR. He will serve as the CSREES Civil Rights Officer; provide oversight to the MSU Extension employment and hiring process and other human resource program duties. |
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As a result of Lessard's transition, the Ingham County director role will be posted in the near future.
MSU Extension is very grateful to Jim Artabasy for his years of dedicated service, his wisdom and guidance provided to administrators and individual staff members, and his commitment to making MSU Extension a positive place for employees to reach their potential and achieve career goals.
Likewise, Extension is also very grateful to Joe Lessard for agreeing to serve as interim human resources manager for MSU Extension as future arrangement of our support services are configured.
For questions please contact Maggie Bethel at (517) 355-2308 or bethel@msu.edu .
Program Revenue Enhancement will start July 1
The effective start date of the MSU Extension Program Revenue Enhancement Fee (PREF) has been moved from Jan. 1 to July 1. This six month extension will enable Extension programs to incorporate the PREF guidelines into the development, planning, management, marketing, promotion and delivery of programs. MSU Extension administration remains committed to PREF. It is a major strategy that must be implemented to enhance budget flexibility in the future.
MSU Extension is not unique in embracing revenue enhancement. Revenue enhancement efforts are occurring in states throughout the nation. These efforts have made it possible to counterbalance other reductions in Extension. MSU Extension endeavors to maintain its programs and retain positions by evolving and adapting to external changes in an effort to remain viable, relevant and valuable. Extension has accomplished this through obtaining additional grants and contracts as well as fundraising. In addition, Extension staff members have developed PREF as a tool for recovering associated program costs for investments in program development.
Nearly $480,000 in grants will be awarded to MSU faculty members for 2004-05 as part of an annual competitive grant program focusing on collaborative research on children, youth, family and community issues.
Hands-on training for CEDs and AoE teams related to implementing PREF has been initiated. The PREF team will implement regional staff training this winter/spring to share the PREF guidelines and tools. Extension administration expects all MSU Extension personnel to attend PREF training sessions. A dedicated PREF Web site containing the PREF guidelines and related tools will be available at the end of January.
Remember to share Report to our Partners
Do you have an upcoming meeting with a county commissioner? Are you planning to stop by your congressperson's local office? Remember to take a few copies of the statewide MSU Extension Report to our Partners (APR 100) to share a few of our many success stories.
The reports can be ordered from the MSUE Bulletin Office for free at http://emdc.msue.msu.edu .
New Staff Orientation
More than 30 Extension staff members attended New Staff Orientation Dec. 7-9 at MSU. The three-day training was designed to give staff members multiple experiences on the campus, connect them with MSU Extension's mission and introduce them to resources available on campus.
In addition, they had an opportunity to meet experienced field staff members who answered questions and shared valuable insights into the Extension role. Participants completed a detailed evaluation of the program that will be used to guide development of future orientation sessions as well as help determine needs for new staff development.
Most of the respondents commented that there was a lot of information to digest in such a short time but that overall the time was well spent. The overviews of MSU Extension, the land-grant mission and transformational education were highly rated. A summary of the evaluations is available in the professional development office and will be shared with the administrative team. A warm welcome to all our newest staff members!
Portal update and e-mail migration
The portal will be rolled out to the public in March during ANR Week. Now is the time for counties to decide how to organize their portal sites and develop the systems and processes that will provide information to clients. Please consider some of the following suggestions:
• Calendars need to be filled with an abundance of programming opportunities, so work with adjacent counties to post events on county calendars. When posting an event to your county's calendar, check with surrounding counties to see if you can also add it to their calendars.
• Educators or counties with particular expertise can create pages that can be linked to and from other counties. This division of labor can help ease the load on al,l yet provide a greater array of information.
• Make use of the global modules. A number of modules pertinent to a number of possible subject pages have been created for your use. View local modules on county portal pages to access global modules.
• Need more training? If you aren't sure of what to do, check with your regional trainer. Additional training assistance is available from campus. Contact your regional director and indicate where you think there may be a need for additional help.
• Make sure all individual staff profiles are completely filled out and accurate. We are beginning to generate staff lists from the profiles and there have been significant gaps. These were due primarily to inaccurate or blank profiles.
MSUE portal content loading is well under way. In addition, the MSU main Library is loading information into the Knowledge Repository. Extension staff members are starting to use live meeting sessions and creating workspaces to bring groups together. Schedule a time for basic and intermediate portal training if you have not already been trained. Repeat participants are welcome.
Basic training includes basic portal concepts, personal profile management, basic portal instance management and basic calendar functionality. Intermediate training includes portal management, workspace use and management, and collaboration tool use, including live meeting sessions.
Advanced training is being developed and will include Knowledge Repository use and management. Trainers will set and notify staff members about regional trainings. On-campus trainings will continue into 2005 starting Jan. 13 and be held every other Thursday through March. To sign up, fill out the attached file and e-mail to Cindy Straus at least two days prior to the training.
For more information about trainings , call Cindy Straus at (517) 353-3175, ext. 230, or strausc@msu.edu .
E-mail migration information is available at: http://ceenet.msue.msu.edu/migrate/news.html . If you need help with this process, contact Library Distance Learning Services at reachout@msu.edu or 800-500-1554.
Upcoming Events:
ANR Week 2005 – 90 th Anniversary
Michigan State University and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources extend a cordial welcome to the 90 th annual Agriculture and Natural Resources Week (formerly Farmer's Week). The nation's pioneer land-grant college was founded 150 years ago, guided by a philosophy to serve all the people of the state, an idea that still prevails in 2005.
The topics of interest have evolved over the event's 90 years. In the 1960s the space age was at the forefront; in the ‘70s it was science and cybernetics; and the ‘80s brought forth issues related to world hunger.
ANR Week 2005 provides programs related to a wide variety of topics. These include an educational event for farmers about nutrient management (Agriculture's Conference on the Environment), an organic conference (Growing of Michigan's Organic Future), the Michigan Rabbit Breeders Association annual show, an outdoor event focused on canoeing, hiking and similar activities (the Quiet Water Symposium), the Michigan Wildlife Conference, a literacy event (Exploring Literacy Across the Lifespan), an equine health seminar (Murphy's Law & Horses), the Michigan Audubon Society's annual meeting and the 77 th annual Michigan FFA convention.
Visit the ANR Week Web site for a list of the programs and annual association meetings. The entire ANR Week program guide will be available online soon. Contact the MSU Bulletin Office for a copy of the program guide at 517-355-0240, or Sandi Bauer, program coordinator, at bauer@msu.edu or 517-353-3175, ext. 217.
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