Present:
Charles Cox, Chair
Thelma Feaster, elected representative
Gloria Mosby, Chair of PLC
Thelma Sanders, elected representative
Paul Coreil, ASRED representative
David Foster, ASRED advisor
Linda Williams-Willis, AEA advisor
Noland Williams, AEA representative Ad Hoc Participants:
Ron Brown, ASRED
Bonnie Teater, SRDC
Rachel Welborn, SRDC

Emerging Issues
The Executive Committee spent time discussing the need for continued development of leadership for Extension Administrative roles.  It was determined that young or newly appointed area, regional, multi-county,  district, and state professionals should be supported in their roles of emerging leadership so that in the future they will be prepared to assume additional or new leadership responsibilities.  The group agreed to form a PLN Task Force to address this need (Appendix A).  

Based on the discussion of emerging issues and opportunities during the PLC meeting, the Executive Committee agreed that some strategy should be developed that would identify folks within the region that could be participants in action groups.  The EC decided to pilot this effort around the issue of Obesity and Health.  Therefore, it was agreed that a Task Force should be formed (see Appendix B).

Participation in PLC, EC, PC
After discussion regarding the PLN guidelines, the Executive Committee reaffirmed that participation in the respective Committees is important and should not be seen as a casual activity.  It was decided that substitutes will be welcomed but will continue to count as absences, and that the rules for membership should be continued.

APPENDIX A

PLN Task Force: CES Leadership

Critical Issue: With increased retirements, downsizing and separations there appears to be a lack of staff with the experiences and skills needed to assume leadership responsibilities within the Cooperative Extension System, both administratively and programmatically.

Charges to the Task Force:

1. Explore the current opportunities for leadership development both nationally and within the Southern and 1890 Extension Regions.
2. Identify the deficiencies that exist and make recommendations that are needed.

Suggested Strategies:

1. Survey the NC Region for information on their efforts (Wisconsin)Survey the Tennessee staff involved in NELD.Survey states nation-wide to determine what kinds of formal leadership development efforts are in place.Survey past coordinators of NELD to determine what alumni did after the course.Survey ECOP, ESCOP, and ACOP to determine what immediate leadership goals are in place.
2. Report back to SR-PLN and other groups as needed.

Committee Members:
Carla Craycraft (KY), David Foster (Retired), Linda Williams-Willis (AEA Advisor), Thelma Feaster (NC), Ed Jones (NC)

Date Action Needed:
A report will be made during PLC Conference Calls, and a final report with recommendations will be the goal for the August 2004 meeting.

APPENDIX B

PLN Task Force:  Obesity / Health

Critical Issue:  Over the past decade, the percentage of those overweight has steadily increased in Nation and rates have increased to epidemic levels. Over half of South’s adult population has been classified at risk for health problems related to being overweight.  Additional data indicate that as many as one in five Oklahoma children are significantly overweight or obese, which is consistent with numbers of adults also in this category.

The Cooperative Extension Regions in the South must take action to halt the obesity epidemic.  Obesity is largely preventable through lifestyle changes.  Recommended strategies to reduce obesity include dietary change, alterations in physical activity and behavior change.Charges to the Task Force:

1. Identify the current programming efforts that are in place in the regions (Southern and 1890).  (Review FCS State reports on line).Identify state contact(s) that could work together to address this critical issue.Explore the opportunities for multi-state and multidisciplinary Extension programs.Identify possible partners to address the issue.Provide leadership at the 2004 PLC meeting to address this issue.Seek funding that might be used to address this issue.
2. Make recommendations that are needed.

Suggested Strategies:

1. Work with Program Committees to determine ongoing activities.Check State Reports from the FCS websitePursue the possibility of external resources for funding of a regional effort
2. Pursue the strategy to organize and be ready to respond to RFP’s.

Committee Members:
Thelma Sanders-Hunter (TN), Bonnie Teater (SRDC), Paul Coreil (ASRED), Linda Williams-Willis (AEA), Noland Williams (ASRED), Gloria Mosby (TX)

Date Action Needed:
A report is needed by February 5 if possible for AEA and April 1 for ASRED.