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The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

Vol. 15, No. 51  October 27, 2009


IN THIS ISSUE... 

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Open Enrollment for Health Insurance, Flexible Spending to Last Through October 31
...Attendees Win at Annual Conference
...Awards Lunch Photos
...Free Flu Shot Clinics are Coming
...IET Technology Trainings - Adobe Connect and KSRE CMS
...TechBytes Technology Series: Digital Cameras/Photography, and Flipcams
...Retirement Reception for Donna Martinson
...4th Friday Youth Development Conversation Will Focus on Program Evaluation
...Resources Available to Help Agents, Specialists Develop Emergency Preparedness Programs
...Family Day Survey
...Design for Learning
...Marie's Picks ...
...Discounted Audience Response Systems ("Clickers")
...Communication Minute: Branding KSRE

...KSRE Master Calendar
 
                                                                                         

                                                                                                ...Tuesday Letter Archives


WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
K-State Research and Extension Annual Conference 2009 is now history and available for viewing on the web. Thank you to the planning committee for bringing together an informative, interesting set of presentations and experiences. And, congratulations to each of you who were recognized for your accomplishments, service, leadership, volunteerism, and teamwork through the awards luncheon, the printed program, and all the professional association events! Please complete the survey instrument sent out on e-mail by Debbie Hagenmaier.

It's not too late to give to the All University Campaign funds drive ! Participation in the Campaign is what we are after, not the size of a gift. You can make a gift at any time, but to be certain your participation is counted in this campaign, you'll need to have your gift submitted by Friday, November 6.

I understand many of our out-state faculty and staff may have thrown away the Campaign packet when received because it gave the impression it was just for those on campus. It failed to give a mailing address for your pledge or gift. You can send it to:

All University Campaign
KSU Foundation
2323 Anderson Ave., Suite 500
Manhattan, KS 66502-2911

There is also instruction on how you can give on-line. Choose your simplest route and become a participant in this campaign!

You can designate your gift to a specific Department or Program. You can go to the following website to find the funds to which you can designate your gift: http://www.found.ksu.edu/alluniversity/designation.html#Q .

I know some were interested in giving to the Epsilon Sigma Phi Endowment Fund Number: D74110. You can find it and several other Cooperative Extension Funds under the K-State Research and Extension list of suggested funds . You can also set up for a simple payroll deduction.

Should you have any questions, please call the KSU Foundation at 800-432-1578. Ask for Mindy Weixelman or Ann Gasser. Their respective phone numbers and e-mail contacts are as follows: 785-532-7523 or 785-532-7558, and mindyw@found.ksu.edu or anng@found.ksu.edu .

Thanks for all you do! Have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

 

OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE, FLEXIBLE SPENDING TO LAST THROUGH OCTOBER 31
Between October 1 and 31, all K-State employees must go online to declare your tobacco status, make any needed changes to your State of Kansas health plan, enroll in a KanElect flexible spending account, if desired, or sign up for HealthyKids, if eligible.

To log on for open enrollment, go to the State's Website: http://www.da.ks.gov/ps/subject/ssc/  and sign in. Your ID number is your unique employee ID number that is used for payroll purposes and begins with a capitalized alpha character followed by ten numbers.

If you have never enrolled online, you will need to set up an account. For the first time password, enter the first two letters of your last name in lower case followed by the last six digits of your Social Security number. Prompts will direct you from there.

If you remember your password from last year, use it. However, be sure you remember it correctly or you will be locked out and have to call the help desk. If you do not remember your password, enter your Employee ID number and then choose "Forgot Your Password." Prompts will direct you from there to set up a new password.

Problems logging into the Website should be directed to the state's KHPA help desk, 1-866-999-3001. Questions may also be directed to your departmental specialist or K-State's office of human resources at 785-532-6277.

This process applies to coverage effective Friday, January 1, 2010. --The Division of Human Resources

 

ATTENDEES WIN AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE
K-State Research and Extension faculty won prizes that include free services at the Department of Communications' Expo during this year's annual conference.

Bob Neier, Sedgwick County, won $25 in shipping or distribution products/services; Belinda Oldham, Wichita County, won up to $100 in newsletter printing; and Jim Steichen, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, won two hours of communications/publishing consultation, design, or editing services, with a market value of $150-$200.

Other prizes given away at the event included K-State Research and Extension mugs, "Insects in Kansas" books, a drawstring backpack, and a K-State Snuggie. --Nancy Zimmerli-Cates nancyz@ksu.edu

AWARDS LUNCH PHOTOS
The photos from the KSRE Awards Lunch can be viewed and printed at no charge at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ksrecomm . --Dan Donnert ddonnert@ksu.edu

 

FREE FLU SHOT CLINICS ARE COMING
The Kansas Health Policy Authority/State Employee Health Plan, in conjunction with CVS Caremark, is hosting seasonal flu shot clinics at no cost to retirees and employees enrolled in the health plan and their covered dependents who are 18 and older.

  • Vaccinations will be given on a first come, first served basis; depending on time and location, you may experience lines.

  • Vaccinations are free and are available to employees enrolled in the health plan and their covered dependents 18 and above.

  • Retirees in plans A and B as well as Medicare Supplement plans are also eligible to attend these free clinics.

  • If you have had a name change that is not reflected on your ID card, you may still attend.

  • Please bring your health plan card and/or CVS Caremark card to the clinic for identification purposes.

  • Seek Approval from your supervisor if you need to take time off from work to attend.

  • These clinics are for seasonal flu shots only. H1N1 vaccinations will not be offered.

  • Ask your doctor if you have medical questions such as who should receive the shot.

  • These free clinics are offered only where listed below. No additional clinics are planned.

CLINIC LOCATION

DATE

TIME

DOSES AVAILABLE

HAYS
Fort Hays State University, 600 Park St. - Memorial Union, Fort Hays Ballroom

Thursday, October 29

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

500

LAWRENCE
University of Kansas - Burge Union, Courtside Room

*For employees only, no dependents

Wednesday, October 28

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

550

SALINA
KHP Training Academy, 2025 East Iron Avenue

Tuesday, October 27

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

300

WICHITA
Wichita State University - Rhatigan Student Center, Sunflower Room (lower level)
 

Friday, October 30

 

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

 

550

 

If you are unable to attend one of the clinics listed above, please refer to our website for additional information on how seasonal flu shots and H1N1 vaccinations are covered by the health plans: http://www.khpa.ks.gov/sehp/default.htm . Questions may be directed to benefits@khpa.ks.gov .

 

 

IET TECHNOLOGY TRAININGS - ADOBE CONNECT AND KSRE CMS
KSRE Content Management System (CMS) Training - Basic CMS training is done weekly in Umberger 317 on Thursdays from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. This two-hour class covers the basic tools (HTML module, image and document uploads) that you will use in the CMS for editing or updating your Website.

On-line training is also now available via Adobe Connect. These training sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. and will cover the same things as the live, face-to-face training covers. The Connect training room will open 15 minutes prior to the commencement of training. The address for this training is http://connect.ksre.ksu.edu/countycms .

Registration is suggested for both sessions. Contact Neal Wollenberg, nealw@ksu.edu , to schedule your training session.


Adobe Connect Web Conferencing Training – Wednesdays, October 28, November 4, and November 11 at 9 a.m. - 1-hour on-line training.

Attend Webinars, collaborate on research, have on-line meetings, save time, travel, and money with this free tool. No Registration necessary. On the training date and time, go to http://connect.ksre.ksu.edu/connecttraining .

For all on-line training, please test your computer to see if you can use our Connect system at http://connect.ksre.ksu.edu/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm .

For additional training information, go to IET's TechWeb site, www.ksre.ksu.edu/techweb , or contact Gerry Snyder, gsnyder@ksu.edu . --Gerry Snyder



TECHBYTES TECHNOLOGY SERIES: DIGITAL CAMERAS/PHOTOGRAPHY, AND FLIPCAMS
Thursday, October 29:
Do you own a point and shoot camera? Want to take better photos? Learn from K-State photographer Dave Mayes who will cover many helpful composition and photo tips.

Thursday, November 5: Flipcams are small handy video cameras used for making podcasts, recording meetings and educational material. Department of Communication's Chris LaVergne will show how these are being used in a learning environment.

These programs start at 1:30 p.m. at the K-State Hale Library, Room 501. They are also viewable live via video streaming from the TechBytes website, www.ksu.edu/techbytes .

For more information, contact Gerry Snyder, gsnyder@ksu.edu . --Gerry Snyder

 


        

RETIREMENT RECEPTION FOR DONNA MARTINSON
A reminder that there will be a retirement reception for Donna Martinson on Friday, October 30, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Dorothy Bramlage Public Library meeting room in Junction City. The library is located at 230 W. 7th Street in Junction City. The meeting room is most easily reached from the parking lot on the north side of the building. --Chuck Otte cotte@ksu.edu

 

4TH FRIDAY YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CONVERSATION WILL FOCUS ON PROGRAM EVALUATION Due to last week's KSRE Annual Conference, the 4th Friday Youth Development Conversation has moved to this Friday, October 30. During last week's Youth Development PFT meeting, Dr. Melissa Cater, LSU Extension Organization Development and Evaluation, provided a presentation on Program Evaluation. Her remarks and their relevance to Extension youth development program evaluation will be the focus of this week's "4th Friday" conversation.

Join the conversation on Connect web-conferencing through the Youth Development PFT site. The informal conversation is scheduled for 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Friday, October 30, and will begin with highlights from Dr. Cater's remarks and a brief review of the 5 Cs of Positive Youth Development by Elaine Johannes. The Youth Development PFT website is http://connect.ksre.ksu.edu/pftyd .

Remember, be sure to test your computer's connection to the Connect site prior to October 30. Also, try out your head-phones to assure that you'll be able to hear and contribute to the conversation.

For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu ; or Jim Adams, jadams@ksu.edu . --Elaine Johannes

 

RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO HELP AGENTS, SPECIALISTS DEVELOP EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMS
So maybe you’ve heard of EDEN … and maybe not. The Extension Disaster Education Network has several courses available online to help extension educators prepare businesses, farms, ranches, families and faith-based organizations for emergencies. Courses such as Ready Business; Pandemic Preparedness for Business; Animal Agrosecurity and Emergency Management; Plant Biosecurity Management; OnGuard Protecting America’s Food System and Pandemic Preparedness for Faith-Based Organizations are currently available. For more information, visit the EDEN Website: http://eden.lsu.edu/  and click on EDEN Courses. While you’re there, take a few minutes to cruise around the site and become familiar with what EDEN and the network of participating institutions has to offer. We are part of EDEN!

For more information about KSRE’s involvement in EDEN or for information about becoming a delegate to EDEN, contact Mary Lou Peter, mlpeter@ksu.edu , or 913-856-2335 Ext. 130. --Mary Lou Peter

 

FAMILY DAY SURVEY

Family Day was celebrated on September 28th and emphasized the importance of regular family activities and encouraged Americans to make family dinners a regular feature of their lives.

In early September a poster, flyer and about 50 recipe cards were sent to each office through your county packets from KSU. Now it is time to follow up on your activities with this event.

The Kansas Family Day Committee would like to obtain your valuable feedback regarding Family Day promotion materials and knowledge of Family Day's purpose.  If you did not receive Family Day materials or participate in any manner with Family Day, please disregard the survey. 

If you did participate in promoting Family Day, please know that the information you provide in the survey is anonymous and confidential. Your input can help us to effectively plan for future Family Day promotion.

If you know of someone who participated in Family Day and may not have received this survey, please forward this information on to them. 

The survey will be open until October 30. The link to the survey is located at http://bit.ly/Family_Day_2009_survey . --Carla M. Morrical-Frederking cmorrica@ksu.edu

 

DESIGN FOR LEARNING
Design for Learning is a distance learning opportunity that will help you develop educational experiences for your audiences.

North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas are cooperating to offer Design for Learning to extension professionals in the four states.

The January 22 - March 19, 2010 class will be facilitated by Kansas. We are also holding April 4 in case we need to make up a class.

Course description and registration form are located on the Employee Resources Website . Select Registrations from the purple boxes in the center of the page. Please register prior to December 15, 2009.

The program will have five learning sessions conducted via conference call and Adobe Connect. Participants need to have a computer to participate.

The schedule is:

* January 22 - Understanding Learners and Their Needs
* February 5 -
Selecting appropriate teaching tools and creating an effective learning environment
* February 19
- Examining and Organizing Content and Using the Logic Model to Organize
* March 5 -
Current Concepts in Education
* March 19 -
Assessing learning outcomes
* April 4 - Hold for make-up session in case of weather or for technical reasons

--Margaret Philips margaret@ksu.edu

 

MARIE’S PICKS . . .
This week my picks (outcomes and impact (what the clientele have done [NOT the agent—i.e., NOT "I offered / I provided / I taught . . . "], success stories, and public value [benefit to non-participants]) were reported by Bruce Chladny, Wyandotte County; Gregg Eyestone, Riley County; Ginger Kopfer, Geary County; and Jo Ellen Arnold, Franklin County.

**Forming partnerships and celebrating our shared outcomes are an important way to tell our Extension story. In 2008, upon the recommendation of the Wyandotte County Extension staff and approval by the Executive Board, Wyandotte County Extension recognized the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools as outstanding partners by presenting the K-State Research and Extension Appreciation Award. The award was presented at the 2008 Annual Meeting, then re-presented to the school board members. Building partnerships to educate Wyandotte county youth continues to be our number one priority. Celebrating these collaborations increases visibility and adds strength to this foundation. As a result of our successes and demonstrated ability to create positive change, we have plans to expand our programs with the school district.

**A gardening club was established at Randolph Middle School (Blue Valley School District) with the assistance of Riley County Extension Master Gardeners. The students grew a vegetable garden and shared the produce with the other students not in the club.

**Geary County 4-H Ambassadors partnered with their counterparts in Riley County to organize and conduct an Operation Military Kids Day Camp in the summer. Fifteen kids attended the camp where they enjoyed educational activities, made new friends, and had fun while learning. The purpose of these camps is to implement educational, recreational, and social outreach programs where military children, youth, and families live.

** When Ottawa USD 290 received a 21st Century grant, 4-H was included as part of that grant process. Every Monday afternoon during the school year, 1st through 5th graders gathered to learn something new about a 4-H project or a 4-H meeting. We reached 125 more youth and provided that 4-H opportunity to them through the Afterschool program!!! --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu

 

DISCOUNTED AUDIENCE RESPONSE SYSTEMS ("CLICKERS")
Last December, Turning Technologies made available to university Extension offices a set of refurbished ARS systems comprised of 32 clickers, software, carrying case, etc., all for about $800. Turning Technologies informed me last week that if there is continued interest in such a purchase, they would put together a similar package.

If you and your office have an interest in purchasing a set of clickers, please let me know at your earliest convenience. For more information about this ARS system (used by many Extension offices across the country), visit http://www.turningtechnologies.com/ . --Larry Jackson ljackson@ksu.edu

 

COMMUNICATION MINUTE: BRANDING KSRE
Later this year, K-State Research and Extension's Department of Communications plans to release a branding guide to introduce the organization's branding strategy and help employees understand ways to strengthen our image.

K-State Research and Extension's communications goal is to create and reinforce the impression that we are:
* science-based,
* practical,
* unbiased,
* inclusive, and
* community-based.

The more we understand our brand, the more consistently we will express and represent it, and the stronger it will become. By representing the values listed above, people will know our organization as trustworthy, knowledgeable, and focused on their needs.

More information on branding always is available from K-State Research and Extension's marketing unit. Contact Pat Melgares at 785-532-1160. You can also read more and share your ideas on our blog, www.ksremarketingminute.blogspot.com . --Pat Melgares melgares@ksu.edu

 

KSRE MASTER CALENDAR
Go to: http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/MasterCalendar

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tuesday@ksre.ksu.edu . Put the word "Tuesday" in the subject line.

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