Michigan Association of Extension Agents

MAEA Annual Meeting

Shanty Creek Resort
October 9, 2001

President Longstroth called the meeting to order at 12 noon. Stan Moore gave the invocation. Dinner was served.

Introduction of Guests

President Longstroth introduced Gaylen and Carolyn Rasmussen, Nancy, Robert and Laurel Harms, Sally Stuby and Jim Kells.

 

Introduction and Presentations to New Members

President Longstroth introduced new members and presented Extension Worker’s Creed plaques to Beth Clawson, Van Buren; Emily Reifschneider, Kalamazoo; Jim Manta, Huron; Mike Gaden, Livingston; Robert Battle, Calhoun-Branch and Steve Siegelin, St. Joseph.

 

Recognition of NACAA Award Winners

President Longstroth recognized Achievement award winners Roberta Dow and Mary Dunckel, and DSA Winners Ned Birkey, Andy Norman and Van Varner.

 

Special MAEA Awards

Outstanding Specialist Awards were presented to Gaylen Rasmussen and Chris DiFonzo.

President’s Citations were presented to Mary Dunckel, Alpena; Bruce MacKellar, Van Buren; Charles Gould, Ottawa; Matt Shane, Lenawee and Dennis Pennington, Barry.

Outstanding Support Staff Awards were presented to Nancy Harms, Joy Landis and Carolyn Noel.

A contest on setting up laptop computers for Scholarship Fund was conducted by Scholarship Chairman Bill Robb. Participants were Kathy Lee, Roger Betz, Mark Longstroth, Matt Shane, Phil Durst and Warren Schauer. Winner was declared to be Roger Betz.

Call to Order to the MAEA Annual Business Meeting by President Longstroth at 1:40 p.m. who reviewed the agenda which was approved.

Secretary’s Report

Don Smucker presented the minutes of the MAEA Board Meeting of August 23, 2001. Finneran moved to approve, support Varner. Motion carried.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Paul Wylie presented the treasurer’s report using an overhead projector. Budget Report through September 30, 2001showed total income of $12980.61, total expenses of $12375.14, and a balance of $605.47. Balance sheet of September 30, 2001 showed $17257.09 total assets and liabilities, with asset account for Wisconsin National Meeting of $10000. The treasurer would like member’s dues paid in December of 2001 or January 2002. Some counties are paying dues through county these checks arrive at the treasurer with no names on check. New dues form will be on MAEA website. Moved McKinney, support Dudek to accept treasurer’s report. Motion approved.

 

President’s Report and Report on Annual Meeting

President Longstroth reported 22 members attended the NACAA Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference in Albuquerque, which included six first-timers. We are the largest association outside of the South. Dan Burkhart, NACAA North Central Regional Chair from Iowa was introduced

The 2002 NACAA Annual meeting will be held July 28 to August 1 at Savannah, Georgia. Agents were encouraged by President Longstroth to begin making plans to attend.

Dan Burkhart, North Central Region Director, addressed the group. The next NACAA Board Meeting will be held in Savannah in December. Go to the NACAA web page to E-mail Dan with suggestions or items for this NACAA Board Meeting. NC Region had 240 agents attend the meeting at Albuquerque. New Mexico has 37 agents that put on this year’s excellent annual meeting.

NACAA budget items were discussed. Active member dues were increased to $40 and lifetime member dues to $50. An incentive approved by the board is that any retired agent that contributes $50 to association each year gets the County Agent Magazine. A committee is reviewing the magazine to explore alternatives for financing the cost of it. The Board hopes that attendance in Savannah will be better to help cash flow of Association. Expenses have been held in line and the challenge is to increase revenues.

NACAA Structure was discussed, including the Extension Development Council; also Program and Awards and Recognition Council. Professional Improvement Council is responsible for in-service educational events that had good participation last year. There will be Animal Science tour pre-meeting next year. Ag Economics is looking at pre or post activities. Agronomy and Pest Management is looking at a pre-conference biotechnology session .

NACAA suggests that states use same name for offices and same succession in all states. The NACAA Board would like new state contact chairs to take office right after annual meeting. Changing Teaching and Communications Committee to Teaching and Education Technology Committee. Need entries ATT Communication Awards. JECEP and PILD dates were announced. The 2004 Annual Meeting will be held July 17 to 21 at Buffalo, New York. Michigan needs a nominee for Regional Vice Chair in 2003. This is a 4 year appointment 2 years as Vice Chair and 2 years as Regional Chair.

Dan discussed why he participates in NACAA and how it has contributed to his professional improvement, and has given him local program ideas. NACAA also helps to keep staff stable during tough times. First timers get registration paid for and meetings include good speakers and family fun.

Burkhart commented on hosting a national meeting. Financial considerations are important and Iowa will not bid if another state is interested. Many states have hosted meetings under conditions of financial stress and low agent numbers. Many states have also ended up with substantial funds from which they use invest to promote association participation. Many need to participate on various committees to make the effort successful. Former NACAA President Stuart Hawbaker has issued the challenge that to be part of the history of an organization you need to be part of the action, and that young agents need to jump in and get involved.

Committee Reports

President Longstroth explained the committee rotation between regions, and that we need to recognize in some situations we may need committee members to serve at large. For example, the UP Region does not have enough agents to take all of the assignments when committee responsibilities rotate to them.

Byelich stated that our association has a problem since community development is not in our committee structure. Burkhart announced community development will be a part of the Ag Economics Committee. Byelich further stated that we need to heal schism and bring back community development to our association to reduce problem of fragmentation.

Professional Improvement Committee

Mary Dunckel referred to Chair Ira Krupp’s written report.

 

Program Recognition Committee

Jeanne Himmelien reported in place of Chair Hannah Stephens. Committee members were recognized. The committee deals with 13 classes that are opportunities for entries to be submitted. Jeanne recognized National Winners. New committee members are Jeanne Himmelien, Communications; Amy Irish-Brown, Extension Programs; Angela Eichorn, 4-H and Youth: Jane Herbert, Professional Excellence; Tom Kalchik, Public Relations; Joanne Davidhizar, Recognition and Awards; and Bill Robb, Scholarship. Will have applications printed on envelopes and sent to counties. Entry deadline is March 15.

 

Extension Development

Jim Zook, Chair, explained that the committee is still under development. Jaycee Young Farmer National Recognition will be held in Grand Rapids this year and agents have helped to promote this program.

 

Green Bay Meal Report

Chuck Pistis introduced the committee, which is well along in planning a fish boil for the NACAA meal at Green Bay. They have identified a person from Escanaba to do the boil who will do it for $5 to $7 per head. The supper will be an opportunity to show off Michigan products. Phil Durst has put brochure together, to help inform people what a fish boil is. This effort will have to involve all of us to raise money, get product donation, and to help in other ways. We did meals in Peoria in 1991 and also in Minnesota very successfully. Kalchik is heading up working with facilities at the KI center in Green Bay. We will need help moving food from parking lot into center where serving lines will be. We will be using Great Lakes Whitefish. Moore stated that we are planning a practice run with contractor for Spring Conference to experience the boil ourselves. The menu needs to be fairly simple. We need financial support and participation from administrators.

 

Nominating Committee Report

Stan Moore gave report of the committee. Nominees are Secretary Ned Birkey and Norm Myers; Treasurer Paul Wylie; Vice President Amy Irish Brown and Dan Rossman; President Elect Jerry Lindquist and President Stan Moore.

New Business

Election of Officers

Teller Committee counted ballots. Results were President, Stan Moore; President Elect, Jerry Lindquist; Vice President, Dan Rossman; Secretary, Ned Birkey; and Treasurer, Paul Wylie.

By-law Changes

President Longstroth discussed proposed by-law change that was publicized in the September MAEA Messenger. If this is passed we will have three categories of membership: Regular member; Associate membership that would have full membership at the reduced rate provided they are members of another association; and Associate member. Moved by Durst supported by Birkey to ammend Bylaws. Discussion on pros and cons of new category were raised by membership. Moore stated we asked other associations to reciprocate, but there were no takers. Question called by Davidhizar. Motion passed.

 

NACAA- MAEA Dues Structure

Moved by Andy Norman, support Van Varner to raise our MAEA dues by $15 to coincide with the increase in NACAA dues. Motion approved.

 

NACAA National Meeting Bid

Ned Birkey moved, support Rich Hodupp to bid to host the NACAA Annual meeting in Michigan in 2007. Stan Moore spoke in support of hosting a national meeting in Michigan in 2007. He has spoken with administration and Director Bethel and Gayle Arent have given their support. Booklet on hosting an annual meeting has been studied, and he attended session at annual meeting in Albuquerque. Moore stated that reasons we should support a bid include that National Meetings provide excellent professional improvement, and showcase best Extension programs, foster teamwork, and gives us an opportunity to reciprocate to association. It also has potential to be profitable for the MAEA and does meet the mission statement of Extension. Amy Irish Brown made comments on behalf of the West Central Region. She raised the following questions, does it meet the mission of MSU Extension, amount of work from our association and other association, financial and industry support that is needed, where to host it and make sure all options are considered. Dudek stated some staff would have to work full time to do this job. Birkey stated we need in state bid for site ready one year from now. Durst stated we should do it and we can do it. Davidhizer queried what discussion has been for where, regarding the alternatives of Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Traverse City. Norm Myers asked if this would benefit our clients more than it takes away. AOE structure has fragmented organization and question if we can pull together. Finneran questioned if can we raise the finances needed. Durst said that we need to also solicit businesses other than agriculture. Dan Burkhardt told about a special additional NACAA allocation for New Mexico registration for $25,000 if they need it, so there is some insurance policy, and if you want to do it you need a good organizer and have at it. Score call for question. Longstroth called for paper ballot. Vote results were 42 yes and 22 no. Longstroth stated that we all need to come together and go to work. Committee to start working on this are Kalchik, Durst, Hodupp, Moore, Birkey, Pistis and Clark.

 

Installation of New Officers

Van Varner conducted the installation of Officers and Regional Directors for 2001-2002.

President Stan Moore expressed thanks for trusting him to lead the association. The board will meet on October 25 at Lansing to get Committees and Board off to a good start. Appreciation was expressed to Mark Longstroth. Motion to adjourn meeting, supported and passed.

The members adjourned to Regional Meetings.

Respectively submitted,

Don Smucker, Secretary

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