Present: Durst, Moore, Krauskopf, Griffith, Stephens, Wiley, Varner, Score, MacKellar, Longstroth, and Smucker

Wiley presented current membership list. Ideas were shared for ways we might increase membership.

Wiley discussed Cash Flow report of May 1 through August 22 2001; Budget Report October 1, 2000 to July 31 2001; and Balance Sheet of July 31, 2001. Durst moved to accept Treasurer’s report, second by MacKellar. Motion approved. A discussion followed regarding an audit of Treasurer’s Report, to be done by two agents which needs to be finished before our Annual Meeting at Fall Conference.

Secretary’s Report.

Moore moved to accept the May 2001 Board Meeting minutes, Durst supported, with the correction of the spelling of GREEEN on page three. Motion approved.

Southwest: Bruce MacKellar shared the following report:

Meeting was held at the Michigan Maritime Museum Padnos Boathouse. Guest speaker was Chuck Pistis with an Update on the Great Lakes.

Area Dairy Agent Phil Taylor (Eaton County) was elected to be the next Regional Representative from the East Side of the Southwest Region.

Nominations were made for Presidential Citations, Specialist Awards and Support Staff Awards.

Other Discussion: The Southwest group voted to establish a recognition award for support staff in our region which would be presented at the Southwest Regional MSUE meeting.

Committee Selections:

Communication Chair – Jeanne Himmelein

Professional Excellence – Jane Herbert

Recognition and Awards – Joanne Davidhizar

Scholarship – Bill Robb

Other Discussions: Mark and Chuck Pistis visited about planning for the meal at the 2003 Meeting in Green Bay, WI. The initial planning report was that a person from Garden, MI would prepare the meal. A fish boil featuring Lake Michigan whitefish will be on the menu.

We visited about the Fall Conference meeting and what the agenda might look like for the Tuesday meeting.

A substantial portion of time was spent looking at possibilities that may be used to reduce the budget deficit in the region. There was discussion about early retirement packages, unfilled positions (perhaps some that should be filled due to a lack of expertise in the region), and small ways to trim dollars out of the budget.

The other topic of interest that was discussed was how we could have some meaningful input into the medical insurance coverage debate. As the benefits are being reduced due to budget considerations, many of our agents feel that there is not a good way to have any sort of input into what our "outstate" needs are for medical coverage.

Our next meeting will be held on February 22, 2002 in Calhoun County. Natalie Rector graciously offered to find a location for this meeting.

West Central: Griffith reported that region will meet on September 5 in Grant. Open positions include Ottawa County Small Fruit position and Regional Swine position.

North: Phil Durst shared the following report:

The MAEA get-together at Wa-Wa-Sum was a great time for the 22 who gathered. We were especially glad to have 6 retirees join us. It was good to meet or see again those who have had such a variety of experiences and unique perspective, not to mention stories and euchre advice! Life-member Keith Lamkin appreciated being invited and said, "It brings back the good ole times!"

One of the highlights was the informal discussion with MSU Trustee, Don Nugent. His candid comments on the porch overlooking the Au Sable River helped us understand how the Board works and his appreciation for the strengths of its members. "The Extension service has very strong support by the Board" he told us, and also mentioned the support of President McPherson for Extension.

Nugent, who will be the Chairman of the Board next year believes, "If ever there is a time for the land grant mission, it is now." He also reminded us that in 2005, the 150^th Anniversary of MSU, that Extension should have a prominent role. Nugent is excited about the hiring of Dean Armstrong. He said that, "one of the best Colleges of Agriculture in the nation should have the best Dean in the nation."

Talking with Don Nugent was not the only highlight of our time together. Certainly the "store" on the back of George Byelich’s truck, filled with old Extension items and publications was another. In fact, it was heard said, "The value of the things George brought is only exceeded by the value of a cup of coffee, but the variety is worthy of a donut shop." Some people went home with some real treasures, and for others, some junk was redistributed!

During the time for MAEA business there was great discussion on topics, such as nominations for the Outstanding Specialist, Support Staff and Presidential Citation Awards. We spent time talking about how our Association can meet the needs of agents involved in a wide range of areas from community and economic development work, equine and home horticulture, as well as more traditional areas. For we are all Extension Agents, working to effect changes in the lives of people and organizations through knowledge.

The North Region Agents discussed the interest in, and what is involved in hosting the national meeting of NACAA. Then they voted unanimously to support a bid in 2003 for the Annual Meeting in 2007. This vote is a recommendation to the full membership who will vote at the MAEA fall meeting at Shanty Creek. We also discussed the silent auction to be held during the Extension Conference that week. MAEA members were encouraged to bring items of value for the auction. Proceeds will help to fund the dinner that Michigan Agents will be hosting at the 2004 National Meeting in Green Bay.

Overall, it was a tremendous time to relax, learn and eat well. This is the making of a tradition.

South: Krauskopf and Score. There will be interviews for new Ag position in Lenawee, and a local group has designed and has been marketing the position. Position more focused on agriculture issues, community development, and marketing, and county, private sector and MSU share funding. Position will be located at Chamber of Commerce. Ohio agents are interested in meeting with Michigan Agents to explore how they may work together. They will be meeting in Perrysville, Ohio on March 8, on the New Farm Program in the morning and sessions in the afternoon.

UP and EC: No report.

Hannah Stephens reported on NACAA Awards winners. We are to recognize award winners and National Chairs in newsletter. National Chairs include Van Varner, Phil Durst, Chuck Pistis and Julie Pioch

MAEA Awards

The regions made Presidential Citation, Specialist and Support Staff award nominations.

President’s Citation Nominees were Mary Dunckel, Matt Shane, Bruce Mackellar, George Silva, Louise Ryan, Dennis Pennington, Fred Springborn, Charles Gould and Mark Thomas. Named for the awards were Dunckel, Shane, Mackellar, Pennington and Gould.

Support Staff Nominees were: Carolyn Noel, Doug Badgero, Jon Dahl, George Good, Joyce Lockwood, Joy Landis, Sandi Bauer, and Nancy Harms. Named for the awards were Noel, Landis, Harms, and alternate Dahl.

Statewide Specialist Nominees were Tom Ellis, Chris DiFonzo, Pat Norris, Rich Leep and Gerald Schwab. Named for the award was DiFonzo.

Minor Specialist Nominees were Gaylan Rasmussen and Dave Smitley. Named for the award was Rasmussen.

Mark Longstroth reported on NACAA National Meeting. There were 22 members in attendance and six first timers attended. Moore moved supported by Krauskopf to pay our AA Awards and DSA Award Recipients for attending the National Meeting. Motion approved.

Durst moved Krauskopf supported to divide our $600 budgeted for new agents to attend the National Meeting so each attendee would receive $100. Discussion was raised if we had committed to paying $200 for each first time attendee. Durst withdrew motion.

Krauskopf moved to reallocate travel scholarship and scholarship lines in the budget to be used for first timers. Score supported. Motion approved.

Durst moved to disburse among the six attendees $600 allocated in the budget, Mackellar supported. Motion approved. There will therefore be a budget total of $1200 for first timers

Gale Arent entered the meeting at 1:25 PM to discuss the budget. He discussed the history and the magnitude of budget problems, and that typically every five years or so adjustments have needed to be made because of flat federal budget. In 1995, MSU made an offer to help, but offer was withdrawn and in addition, we ended up with one year's accumulated debt. Hiring freezes took place, plus buyout dealt with the problem. This year, the 1995 fix ran out and administration anticipated half million shortfall. Budget process resulted in more problems. Fringe increases of 2.7%, campus pay raise of 3.5%, plus poor state budget outcome created 1.6 million shortfall. Provost gave some resources; but we still have shortfall of 1.1 million. A hiring freeze was announced to get us through the year. Administration is trying to do freeze in way not to lose partners while doing the short-term budget fix. Longer term they have requested permission for early retirement program, and also plan to establish strategic investment team to make budget recommendations. They will have some listening sessions around the state, and look at how we should be aligned with other MSU entities and how to best position ourselves to be most value to the audiences we are serving with the resources we have. The target will be larger than 1.6 million so we will not have to continually deal with problem. Group will report by early spring.

Questions from the board were discussed, including budget impact on AoE teams, fringe benefits alternatives, federal funding alternatives and multi state programming.

John Amhrein was present to discuss the new Economic Development Association that is being formed. John discussed the mission of the new association, emphasizing their focus on community and economic development. Some may feel that current associations have not offered them opportunities; others see association as opportunity for focusing on community development specialization. The group is looking for national or regional affiliation that may offer them more than NACAA presently does. Discussion followed on how this could impact MAEA and how the NACAA has changed in ways that now better supports broader areas of interest. Moore suggested that a presentation be given to the new group considering how they might function as a committee of MAEA, which John agreed to take back for their consideration.

Durst moved that the board present to membership the recommendation to submit a bid to host the National Meeting in 2007. Supported by Mackellar. Moore discussed session at Albuquerque meeting on hosting an Annual Meeting. It is the North Central region’s turn to bid at Green Bay; Iowa is not interested, if someone else is. Motion approved.

Durst reported all is going well and he will present update at our Fall Meeting.

Professional Improvement Committee Mary Dunckel will contact North region for members for this committee. Three people are needed from West Central for program Recognition Committee and Communications Committee responsibilities.

Scheduled from 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesday October 9. We will do luncheon and association awards and then do the annual meeting business.

Agenda items: Report from regions and recognition of new members, President’s report, report on NACAA National Meeting, hosting of NACAA National Meeting, report of nominating committee, officer elections and installation, dues and by-law change. Varner, Mackellar, Moore, and Griffith will serve as Nominating Committee. It was suggested to contact Dean Armstrong to speak at our banquet.

Hospitality Suite: Moore suggested we consider doing a hospitality suite on Wednesday night to promote MAEA. It was decided to do this informally, or if we do have resources to do it more formally.

Dean Krauskopf has contacted MDA to discuss and has a meeting set up at MDA to discuss this further. How many agents are currently certified and how many field staff are actually doing the training, should be ascertained before the meeting. Dean to follow up on this. Our approach should be to support the field staff who are actively doing pesticide training. Moore moved that Krauskopf and President Longstroth attend this meeting and support fee waiver for agents giving training. Support Griffith. Motion approved.

Durst asked for members to be thinking of what they might donate to the auction. He will write an article for the Newsletter. Proceeds are for Wisconsin meal.

Respectfully submitted,

Don Smucker, Secretary

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This page was last updated on 9/14/2001