The Southern Region Middle Managers began their meeting at 1:00 p.m. August 28. Fredrick Custis, Chair, called the meeting to order. All present went around the room and introduced themselves.
Charlene Jacobs of Kentucky gave a brief overview of the history, purpose and responsibilities of the Middle Managers Committee. Fred Broughton and Claude Bess, II, PLC Representatives, reported that the March Middle Managers meeting had been approved. The recommendation sent to the Directors concerning Middle Managers meeting annually was discussed. The Directors neither discouraged or encouraged the Middle Managers committee to have an annual meeting as opposed to one every other year. They further reported that the 1862 Directors will hire a Regional Executive Director whose responsibilities will be to promote regional activities in the Southern Region. This person could be on board July 2001. The PLC has a web site that is found under the Mississippi site. The site address is: http://ext.msstate.edu/srdc/.
Fred Custis appointed the following people to the nominating committee: Charlene Jacobs (Kentucky), Rosalie Biven (Louisiana), Jacqueline Wright (Mississippi). Charlene was asked to serve as chair. They were charged with selecting a nominee for Secretary. They were instructed to give a report at Tuesday's meeting.
Dr. Bonnie McGee gave a report on behalf of the Urban Task Force. She stated that the next Urban Conference is May 15-18, 2001 in Baltimore, Maryland. There has been discussion of having an Urban Conference annually. The North Central Region would continue to hold one every other year. The Southern Region and Western Region would alternate other years. Resulting in the following schedule.
2002 Western Region
2003 North Central Region
2004 Southern Region
2005 North Central Region
There is discussion on creating a permanent Urban Program position at USDA.
Joe Hunnings (VA) gave a brief review of an MOU with local funding partner. A copy was given to each Middle Manager for review. Virginia Middle Managers led a discussion of their salaries and funding county staff. Their web site for more information is http://www.ext.vt.edu/vce.
Claude Bess introduced Carla Craycraft (KY) and LaRae Don (TN) from the communications committee to discuss a pilot web-based regional training on grammar. Dr. Walta Walla (Director KY) commented on the need for web-based training. Joe Zublena added that the Communications Development Committee was discussing web-based training curriculum for all areas. Craycraft and Don gave an overview of their newly developed web-based grammar training and asked for the Middle Managers input. The group unanimously agreed it was a good idea and agreed to support this pilot effort.
North Carolina Middle Managers (Dr. Joe Zublena, Dr. Wanda Sykes, Dr. Ron Jarret) gave an overview of their newly created Management and Performance System called E-MAP. They reported that this would be their first year to use it and would let us know how successful it is.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
At 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 29, the Middle Manager Committee came to order. The first order of business was a report from Southern Region Leadership Development Committee on the Managerial Assessment Program (MAP) presented by Dr. Jerry Whiteside from the University of Georgia. Dr. Whiteside reported that MAP is used by major corporations. It is video driven process that walks participants through the process. It measures 12 managerial competencies. Participants are compared to other MAP users across the world. Excel, a part of MAP, provides training in 12 competencies through ½ day workshops. The Southern Region paid $30,000 licensing fee for MAP. There is a $50 cost per participant.
Carol Webb (SC) and Charlene Jacobs (KY) suggested the Southern Region hold a Southern Region Excel training. Dr. Whiteside stated one had been scheduled but canceled due to lack of interest. He also said there is a bare bones cost of $75 per person for MAP and $30 per person for EXCEL. Fifteen participants would be needed for a class. It was suggested to have it in a central location that would be cost effective. Dr. Whiteside suggested that the Middle Managers take action on this suggestion and send it over to the SELD group to discuss tomorrow. It was decided this would be done.
Dr. Michael Lambur (VA) discussed Virginia's New Agent Training Program. He reported that there are 278 agents in Virginia. Agents are hired and placed in an adjacent location for three months. Dr. Judith Jones (VA) stated this gives new hires time to adjust to their new job without clientele expectations.
Fred Custis called on Charlene Jacobs, nominating chair, to give the report from the nominating committee. She reported that they recommended John Mawbry from Kentucky as Secretary. Charlene made a motion their recommendation be accepted. Ivory Lyles seconded the motion. Everyone agreed by saying "I".
Fred discussed a draft of job responsibilities for Middle Managers officers as drafted by Charlene Jacobs and others. A copy of this will be sent to all committee members by the Secretary.
Claude Bess, PLC Representative, discussed the proposal concerning having an annual middle managers meeting as opposed to one every other year. He said the Directors had sent it back not discouraging or encouraging it. Concerns stated were cost, maintaining quality presenters, and burden of host state. The group decided having a conference every other year would be sufficient.
Each state was encouraged to send John Mowbray their current list of middle managers in order that Kentucky can update our broadcast group.
Reports from each state were given as listed below.
Louisiana: Bill Davis.
Salary: $24,000 B.S., $27,000 Masters.
See attachment.South Carolina: Carol Webb
Salary: $25,000 BS, $32,000 Masters
3.5% raises for classified, 0 - 10% unclassified.
New level of promotion: "distinguished county agent", $3,500 increase
Experiencing recruitment difficulties, use 4-H as an entry level position
Must get Master is 5 years
South Carolina has passed a 28 year retirement pay plan. They have 60 potential retirees. Fran Wolak, South Carolina intern gave a brief overview of biotechnology initiative.Tennessee: Ivory Lyles.
Salary: $24,500 BS, $27,000 Masters Having trouble finding Family & Consumer employees and 4-H Agents
Problem with staff retention, 25% of 102 positions could retire
Structure and philosophy of Extension has changed
merit pay increase
Performance appraisal is conducted every year
Adjourned 5:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. Claude Bess, Fred Broughton, and Martha Ray Sartor gave a short report from the 7:00 a.m. PLC Board Meeting. The new advisor for this group will be Dr. Foster. The Midyear Board meeting will be held November 20-21 in either Atlanta or Savannah. The Middle Managers proposed SELD Training will need to be sent no later that September 30. The Communications committee is working on a regional data base to catalogue videos. The Middle Managers Committee is to elect a representative to assist in planning the Southern Region Advisory Council training to be held in North Carolina. Bill Davis volunteered. The group unanimously agreed that Bill should be the representative.
State reports continued from Tuesday.
Alabama: Wanda Sykes and Paul Waddy
Salary: $24,000 BS, $33,000 Masters
New mentoring program
Huge turn over in administration
5% raises
Growing Hispanic population, especially in poultry industry
Working on multi-state programs with Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, MississippiNorth Carolina: Sheilda B Sutton and Ron Jarrett
Salary: $24,921 BS, $26,956 M.S., $28,481 Ph.D.
Put together Hurricane Response Information
Offered Spanish classes for employees
Hiring a Vice Chancellor for Extension/Outreach
PQE (Program Quality Enforcement) in 7 pilot counties
Held Hispanic Conference
Have 1 or 2 year appointments, can chose not to reappointNorth Carolina A&T:
New Dean, Alton Thompson
Participated in planning session of 5 initiatives that all 1890 Universities are working together
Mentoring program for Welfare to Work initiative called "Share Yourself"
Eat Right For Life - Food Stamp Program
Workforce Preparedness Issue: $250,000 grant for youth entrepreneur programArkansas: Kent Rorie
Salary: 26,500 BS, 28,500 Masters
The T Coalition Funds fund two positions
Have web based reporting
25% or 15% Family & Consumer Science Agents
Ivory Lyles was appointed new Director of Extension
20 vacancies at county level
6 or 8 Specialist vacancies
Trouble finding Family & Consumer graduates, released 20 county positions in July
Trouble finding people to fill agriculture positions
Chance to get 3 million of 62 million of tobacco settlement moneyOklahoma: Claude Bess
Salary: $22,000 BS, $25,500 to $27,500 Masters; this is $10,000 less than agriculture teachers
Working on career ladder
Beginning to do on one statistical reporting
Working on shortening performance appraisal
Dr. Foster is the new Director
Hiring county personnel
Two District Director vacancies
Forage Specialist vacancy
Requested $1.2 million to increase starting payMississippi: Martha Ray Sartor & Jackie Courson
Salary: $25,000 BS, $27,000 MS
Received $900,000 from legislature to replace tobacco money.
Hired Area Agents on Grow Green monies received from legislature.
Shortage of minority agriculture positions.
Raises were given based on merit.
Training programs consist of Agent In Training, Summer Interns, Ag Trainee.
Organizational Development provides MAP training, Leadership Academy for agents, Advanced Secretarial Training.
Hired a curriculum specialist.
Have a web based reporting system.
Family & Youth Centers are up and running.
Emphasis on Character Counts.
Webazine will replace current web site.South Carolina State University: Fred Broughton
Efforts to reach underserved audience
Concentrating on multi-state, multi-university
Developing their reporting system
Held faith based conference
Continue to seek assistance in Federal match
Grant received from 319 funds to do Water Quality
Worked with Florida A&M on small farmer cooperativeKentucky: John Mowbray and Charlene Jacobs
Salary: $26,000 BS, $28,000 Masters
Soft freeze - delaying filling positions, University pulled money back from all schools
The President, Chancellor, Dean, Directors will retire. Eight of 14 Area Directors can retire
An average 3% raise was given based on performance. Raises averaged from 0 to $2,200.
There is 60 million of tobacco money. Seventeen counties will receive 700,000.
Integrated reporting system from travel to programs to inservice training. Will be implemented in July.
Implemented an Extension Today Newsletter. It is a report to the people providing continuity from county to county.Texas: Kyle Smith & Bonnie McGee Salary: $26,500 BS, $28,500 Masters
Texas Community Futures Program
Lose lots of good young people
Have 7 legislative initiatives to sale
Ten years ago had first Urban Task Force. Evaluated it last year and decided on direction for the future. September 1, 2001 will look into expanding urban counties. Consider 250,000 population urban.Florida: Marilyn Norman
Salary: $26,500 BS, $31,000 Masters
Starting salary may go up to $2,000 January
Continue to fill county positions
Have a 10 to 11 % attrition rate
Gave a 2.7 average raise based on merit
Great number of employees near retirement
Faculty are peered reviewed and have equivalent of tenure on campus
There are four ranks in promotion system. Usually 40 agents are promoted.
College is in the process of hiring a Diversity Coordinator
Funding from legislature included 3 % salary increase, 16 new positions (4 4-H, 4 F&CE, 4 Specialists). $100,000 to match for computer equipment.
Developed special initiative funding for agents to do special programs in research.
Running behind in health insurance program, cost is going up tremendously.
Behind on salaries for secretaries and program assistants.Virginia: Fred Custis
Salary: $31,000 BS with $35,000 average.
No longer require masters, but it is preferred. This change was made because of hard time recruiting agents.
Retention problem may be due to industry competition.
Week long trainings held for 4-H and Family & Consumer Education staff. Agriculture & Natural Resources staff receive training throughout the year.
Each staff member can spend up to $300 to participate in professional meetings.
Have a new agent training program.
Mentoring program for Family & Consumer and 4-H Agents. A less informal program for ANR Agents.
Unit coordinators are put through SELD training.
Revamping new agent orientation.
Professional competency assessment for all staff.
On line volunteer certification management program.
Hold county government days.
Push for indexing of research and education units.
Impacted by tobacco money. Will use it to retrain tobacco farmers.Georgia: Wayne Tankersley
Salary: $25,000 BS, $35,000 Masters
ANR Agents must have masters.
Large percentage of new employees do not have University of Georgia degrees.
Forty employees took early retirements, five were District Program Directors.
Districts were reorganized. Reduced from 8 to 5. Within the 5 districts there are 5 District Heads, 2 Family and Consumer Science Coordinators, two other professionals (1 ANR, 1 4-H).
Working on training agents on program impact.
Using logo shirts for marketing efforts.
Each district has an IT to work with agents.
Received a 4% increase and 7 new positions.
Instituted a new performance appraisal system for classified staff.
After state reports Fred Custis discussed the March Middle Managers Conference in Gainesville, Florida, March 2-5, 2001, at the Holiday Inn West Conference Center. Martha Ray Sartor gave everyone a copy of the tentative program. Fred asked for ideas in areas where speakers had not been identified. Someone suggested a session based on the book Who Moved My Cheese. He also announced that proposals would be solicited for Wednesday concurrent sessions.
At 12 noon the meeting was adjourned.