Michigan Association of Extension Agents

President Varner called the meeting to order. Minutes of the January 27, 2000 meeting were distributed. Marks moved, second MacKellar to accept Secretary’s Report. Motion carried. Treasurer’s Report was distributed and discussed. Krauskopf moved, second by Kernstock to accept Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried.

Birkey moved, second Gross to transfer $2,000 from checking for the purposes of a meal at the Wisconsin NACAA Am/PIC scheduled for 2003. Durst moved, second by Marks to amend the motion to the quantity of $5,000 to be designated in the Money Market Account to be earmarked for the Wisconsin meeting. Amendment passed. Amended motion passed.

Hansen suggested that we approach Extension Administration for $1,000 if we agreed to work together with another State for a meal at Wisconsin. Varner agreed to pursue this with the Arlen.

Regional Updates:

West Central:

Meyers reported the Regional Meeting is scheduled for April 20. Thomas Kalchik has been hired as Ag and Natural Resources Fruit & Vegetable Value-Added Agent, starting in February, who will be housed at Clarksville. Wayne Beyea has been hired as Extension Economic Development Agent in Ionia County starting January.

Varner reminded the group that new members have a free membership from the time they are hired up until November 1 and that regions should be sure that new hires are aware of this opportunity.

East Central:

Eichorn announced Edward Kerr has been appointed as Extension Community and Economic Development Agent, Clare County. Saginaw County is posting the opening for a County Extension Director. The Director will have Community and Economic Development responsibilities. Szymanski will now be 50 percent CED in Midland, 50 percent Outreach. Harold Rouget will be retiring as of March 31. Filling the position will be a priority in the Region. Sea Grant Position is still open.

Bricault reminded the group to send him the names of the new hires to make sure he gets them on his list for memberships.

Southeast:

Krauskopf reported that Kristine Hahn has been hired as Extension Ag and Natural Resources Agent in Consumer Horticulture in Wayne County as of November 15, 1999.

Southwest:

Staton reported that a concern raised was the need for a more formalized Mentoring Program for New Agents. Phil Taylor has been hired as Dairy AoE Agent in Eaton County. Marcy Strefling has been hired as Ag and Natural Resources Agent in St. Joe County. Suzanne Hoover has been hired as AoE Swine Agent in Cass County. Sherman Whitestone has been hired as DNR Fisheries Agent, possibly housed in the Plainwell DNR Office. Amy Ignash is Ingham, Eaton and Clinton Land Use Agent housed at the Tri County Planning Commission in Lansing. An update was given on Roger Betz’s condition.

Northern District:

Durst reported that Mary Ann Heidmann has been hired as Extension Community Economic Development Agent in Presque Isle County. A new wildlife position will be filled in Oscoda or Ogema Counties. Interviews this Friday.

U.P.:

Isleib reported no new agent staff. A new position encompassing Forage and Alternative Crops is in process.

Committee Reports:

Program Recognition:

Kalishek announced that Professional Improvement, DSA and AA Awards have been selected. Communication entries are due March 15 and should be sent to him.  Members are encouraged to go to the web site to check as to where entries for other categories of awards should be sent.

Varner explained that serving in Leadership Professional Improvement, Extension Development and Program Recognition is a two-year commitment.

Extension Development:

Durst reported on the Extension Development Committee, a new committee whose responsibilities are still being defined.

Program Recognition:

Pioch reported that Program Recognition had not met. Considerable discussion took place to clarify the new committee structure and the roles that each committee would have. Members are encouraged to submit names for the North Central Regional Position openings and these must be in the hands of our North Central Regional Director by the 25^th of March to be considered at the Committee Meeting. It was suggested that AoE Chairs should consider submitting names as potential Regional Vice-Chair candidates. Robb suggested that a letter be sent to the Chairs of the AoE requesting that they take leadership to see that members of their AoE are appointed to relevant places in the committee structure.

Varner explained that his secretary, Sandy Rosa, had set up new stationery using Word Perfect tables format with tables for Officers and also for Regional Chairs so that these could be easily changed. It was requested that this be done also in Microsoft Word as many offices are not able to use the Word Perfect format.

Marks reminded the group that Director Leholm has set aside $15,000 to MCEA for Professional Development. He encouraged members to recognize that serving on committee leadership positions can qualify for reimbursement for these funds. Members should be encouraged to take advantage of this and to make presentations in their subject matter areas at National Meetings. Information and applications can be secured through the MCEA web site.

North Central Regional Director Thomas Hampton of Indiana explained the new committee structure to the group. Program Recognition Council and other Committees have deadlines to deal with. The Professional Improvement Council deals with professional improvement activities in 5 subject matter areas. The Extension Development Council deals with career development and Extension methodology. He has had no feedback to the National Association’s decision on the Galaxy Conference. Hansen encouraged membership to get involved in committees and to make sure that we put leadership in place for all of the seventeen new committees. He emphasized that the new structure was done to re-emphasize our Association’s involvement in professional improvement. He told us about the Mississippi Meeting, scheduled for August 6-10, and encouraged participation. The cost for the meeting will be kept down as most of the meals will be sponsored. They have more than 30 tours and details of this meeting will come out in our next magazine. Ralph Booker from Indiana is a candidate for Vice-Chair of NAAA. The treasurer’s position is also open.

Moved by Moore, second Pioch to approve a travel scholarship of $300.00 for Bill Robb to use in his sabbatical. Motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Donald R. Smucker

Michigan State University is an affirmative action equal opportunity institution

This page was last updated on 4/20/2000