Teleconference of Southern Region FCS-PL's started shortly after 9:00 am on April 20, 2001.

Those connecting were:

Alabama -

Arkansas - Lynn Russell

Florida -

Georgia - Tom Rogers

Kentucky - Bonnie Tanner

Louisiana -

Mississippi - Beverly Howell

North Carolina - Thelma Feaster

Oklahoma -

Puerto Rico -

South Carolina - Brenda Town

Tennessee -

Texas - Carolyn Nobles, Kathy Volanty

Virgin Islands -

Virginia - John Dooley

West Virginia -

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Carolyn Nobles. Corrections were solicited for the October 19 conference call minutes. Carolyn noted that Dr. Carol Giesecke (University of Missouri-Lincoln) had been appointed as 1890 representative to the Nutrition Accountability Group.

Motion: Tom Rogers (Georgia) to accept the October teleconference call minutes as reviewed. Seconded by Lynn Russell (Arkansas). Motion passed.

Reports from Initiative Committees:

Baby Boomers (John Dooley) - Boomer Committee met early February in Charlotte, North Carolina. Lynn Russell also attended. Good work session. Committee that are working are Judy Warren and Pam Teester are getting ready to send out a national survey to review resources that currently exist or should be developed to support the Baby Boomer Initiative. A domain has been reserved for the development of a website with the title of "Baby Boomer University." A list serve has also been set up. Good progress.

Nutrition (John Dooley) - the Nutrition Committee has not met. Perhaps they need to meet to bring closure to the accountability indicators from the workshop. There is a national group (National FCS Outcomes Analysis Committee) working to develop national indicators. The Nutrition subcommittee is under the leadership of Larry Jones (Wisconsin). The Food Safety subcommittee is under the leadership of John Dooley (Virginia). The Southern Region has provided input to the national group on the indicators that were generated by the Southern Region workshop. Linda Harriman (Oklahoma) and John Dooley (Virginia) are serving on the national committee. This group will be involved in a lot of activity in the next two months. Southern Region has been the only group to submit suggestions to the national committee. It was decided to wait until the National FCS Outcomes Committee comes up with accountability indicators before continuing the Southern Region work in this area.

Chair Carolyn Nobles asked for input for the August Southern Region Program Leaders Conference in Savannah Georgia, August 26-29, 2001. The theme will be Building Quality Communities of Tomorrow...Today. She will be involved in a conference call on April 27 with the PLC group to plan the agenda. In the past, the conference has started with a general session in morning. The FCS program leader's group meets in the afternoon, starting at 1:30 p.m. Another general session on the second day, with FCS PL's meeting again in the afternoon. The program adjourns Wednesday at noon. Tom Rogers (Georgia) offered to put together a pre-workshop for the FCS PL's. The pre-conference would start possible Saturday afternoon or Sunday. Carolyn Nobles will check with the overall Southern Region Program Leaders group. She will work with Tom on a proposed agenda, then the Southern Region FCS Pl's would be polled for possible attendance.

Other agenda suggestions for the Savannah meeting:

Dr. Hobbs - update on national items of interest (Carolyn Nobles will contact) Tell her that Dawn Riley is being contacted by Tanner to appear as a speaker.

Dr. Hale/Dr. Willis - updates from Directors

Possible Speakers -

Dawn Riley - Acting Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

Topics - new directions with food stamp, WIC, farmer's markets, using food stamp nutrition education with recipients and farmer's markets,

Bonnie Tanner (Kentucky) will follow through with contacting Riley to see if she is available on the afternoon of August 27 or 28.

Other possible speakers or topics:

Tom Rogers (Georgia) suggested the Georgia Family Connections Program. Georgia government has invited each county to appoint one Family Connections Coordinator. The Coordinators put together collaboratives to address current family issues. Someone from this program could give us an update. Tom will arrange for a person to report to the FCS PL's on the afternoon of August 27 or 28.

Suggested that we get an update from the Community Development Program Leader Group on the recent Southern Region Community Development Institute held in New Braunfels, Texas. Greg Taylor (Texas) could give us some help in finding someone from the CD PLC that could give us a report/update on community development efforts.

Bonnie Tanner (Kentucky) suggested that someone from the Southern Governor's Association be asked to update us on their outlook for families. The Republican Administration seems to be turning over more family and community issues to the states and local government.

Bonnie Tanner (Kentucky) suggested that the new Southern Region Director-at-Large be invited to the FCS PL meeting to talk, brainstorm, talking about issues that are important to families. To be housed in Mississippi. Carolyn Nobles (Texas) will make contact with new SR Director-at-Large.

Carolyn Nobles (Texas) suggested that everyone making contacts should keep everyone updated on their progress through the list serve.

Another suggestion was made to allow time for the work groups to meet. Welfare to Work, Family and Community Health, Aging Baby Boomer will meet for a work session. Each group will be asked to make a short summary report to the FCS-PL group before the meeting is adjourned. It was decided to remain flexible on the time reserved for this - depends on how many speakers are secured.

John Dooley (Virginia) suggested that we save some time on the agenda for discussing issues of importance to the group. Many agreed. Possibly some time during the pre-conference (on the bus) could be spent in coming up with discussion topics. Wednesday morning, in addition to the state reports, could be set aside for issue discussion.

Kathy Volanty (Texas) suggested that we get an update on the EASE accountability system-how is it progressing, etc. Maybe Alma Hobbs could give an update on this.

Bonnie Tanner (Kentucky) suggested that Martha Johnson give us an update on the efforts to partner with the Colleges of Pharmacy.

Tom Rogers (Georgia) suggested that the Centers for Disease Control make a presentation. There is a lot of money available through CDC for public health issues, training, joint positions, etc. Bonnie Tanner (Kentucky) suggested that Doug Scutchfield, Director of School of Public Health, Kentucky, could help make the contact with CDC.

Announcements:

Beverly Howell (Mississippi) alerted the group to a conference about Elder Financial Abuse in Montgomery, Alabama on October 17-19, 2001. It will be a Southern Region activity and information will be on the SR website. States will be encouraged to bring teams of Extension personnel as well as program coordinators.

Lynn Russell (Arkansas) reported on the upcoming conference in Arkansas May 1-3. Excelsior Hotel is undergoing renovation, but they are having the conference anyway. About 400 are currently registered. Dr. Anderson has invited any PL coming to a light dinner Wednesday night at the Administration Building. Please let her know if you are coming.

Kathy Volanty, Carolyn Nobles (Texas) provided update on the national FSNEP and EFNEP conference being held September 10-13, 2001 at the Dallas Doubletree Hotel at Lincoln Center. Monday (10th) is travel day, and reception that night. States are invited to send teams of up to seven members. Expect that these will be administrators/program leaders for these two programs. Website is up for registration. Will be frequent emails on details.

Deadline for completion of Savannah agenda is July 13. Confirmations and all other information on the agenda should be emailed to Carolyn Nobles ASAP.

Next teleconference will be on July 20 at 9:00 am CST.

Teleconference was adjourned.