Middle Management Committee Meeting
August 25-28,2002 - Nashville, Tennessee
August 25, 2002
Program Committee Chairs/Vice Chairs Meeting with Southern Program Leadership Committee was held at 5:00 p.m. to discuss general topics for the upcoming meeting
August 26, 2002
1. Dr. Martha Ray Sartor extended a welcome to the Southern Region Middle Managers.

2. An introduction of present 2001-2002 Officers, Advisors, and PLC Representatives was given
Chair: Dr. Martha Ray Sartor, Mississippi
Chair Elect: Dr. Dr. John Mobray, Kentucky
Secretary: Dr. Russell C. King, North Carolina
Advisors: Dr. Latif Lighari, Tennessee
Dr. Rosalie Biven, representing Judith Jones, Louisiana
PLC Reps. Helen Brooks, Mississippi
Claude Bess, Oklahoma
3. Review of Southern Region Middle Managers' Committee Guidelines was presented by Charlene Jacobs. A complete report is presented in Attachment # 2.

4. PLC Representative Report
Claude Bess reported on the Cooperative Curriculum Project (CECP). Any recommendations on working with the CECP must be submitted by September 9, 2002. The Middle Managers expressed support for being an active partner in supporting CECP.

Helen Brooks reported on the discussion focused toward the reorganization of PLC. Strengthening of ties between PLC and Administrators, /Directors in Southern Region continues to be focused on. There is visible improvement on the time management related to "speeding up actions based on recommendations". Administrators/Directors are beginning to see the importance of serving on PLC and are providing more support from the individual state level. PLC is also suggesting a written PLAN OF WORK from all committees.

5. Minutes from 2001 meeting in Savannah, Georgia were presented by Dr. John Mowbray. The minutes were approved as presented electronically to all members.

6. Advisors Report
Dr. Latif, Laghari presented a report based on the "1890 Point of View".
He shared that the Association of Extension Administrators met in Nashville at the Opry Land Hotel. They addressed issues related to Cost Share from both the county and state levels for 1890 programs. Federal Funding was also discussed and proposed by the Administrators that an effort needs to be made to enhance program funding from the federal level. Focus was also placed on continuing to build the relationship with both 1862 and 1994 land-grant partners. It was also shared that Tennessee State University is serving as host for the NELD Program and there are presently 23 members participating.

Dr. Rosalie Biven shared with Middle Managers that there is a need for more balance between Personnel Management and Leadership. One purpose of the meeting is to "strengthen programs and reduce the focus on administration".

7. Plan of Work for Middle Management Committee Dr. Charlene Jacobs communicated to the Middle Managers that the Middle Management Committee is expected to present a Plan of Work.

8. Committee Night Out Dr. Martha Ray Sartor communicated that the Committee Night out would be held at the Stockyard Restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee. The Stockyard Restaurant would provide complimentary shuttle service to the restaurant beginning at 6:30 p.m. and return all participants to the Embassy Suites Hotel after "a good time was had by all".

9. Nominating Committee Appointed Dr. Claude Bess, Chair; Dr. Charlene Jacobs, Helen Brooks, Anthony Tyson.

The following slate of officers was presented for consideration for 2002-2003:
Chair* Dr. John Mowbray, Kentucky
Chair Elect* Dr. Russell King, North Carolina
Secretary Wayne Tankersley, Georgia
PLC Rep. Dr. Helen Brooks, Mississippi (Alcorn), term ends 2004
Kent Rorie, Arkansas, term ends 2005
Advisors Dr. Judith Jones, Virginia
Dr. Latif Lighari, Tennessee
Past Chair: Dr. Martha Ray Sartor

*Note: Chair Elect and Secretary move up after on year.
The above slate of officers that were up for nomination was elected by a unanimous vote of Middle Management Committee members.

10. Report from 2003 Middle Managers Conference Program Committee (Dr. John Mowbray, Chair). The Middle Management Conference 2003 will be held at Virginia Tech's Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center in Roanoke, Virginia on April 7-10, 2003. The proposed registration fee is: $170.00 and the room rate is $99.00. All topics and speakers are tentative except for McGee, Zublena, Bankston, and Mowbray. The main agenda is still open for recommendations and should be sent directly to Drs. John Mowbray and Judith Jones. Tentative topics at this point include the following: e-Extension in the Southern Region, Systems Leadership Training, Urban Programming, Making Sense of the Census, Volunteer Management Systems, Positioning ANR to Program for the Future, University Engagement-What Does It Mean, The Political Process-Putting Your Best Foot Forward, Conflict Resolution and Management, Factors Affecting Turnover of County Agents, and Succession Planning. Possible Educational Tours will include: Morrisette Winery, National D-Day Memorial, Transportation Museum, Center in the Square Art Museum, and Local Farm Tour. A finalized agenda will be sent to you soon with specific instructions on registering for this exciting conference to be hosted by Virginia Cooperative Extension.

11. Reports from States Reports from States were presented and a copy of individual state reports was distributed. See attachment # 3 for a copy of state reports.

12. Discussion of 2005 Middle Managers Conference site Dr. Sartor emphasized the need to identify a site for the 2005 Middle Mangers Conference. Discussion followed, but no site was identified at this point.

13. Southern Region Program Leadership Network (SR-PLN) The SR-PLN is authorized by and is administratively responsible to the Association of Southern Region Extension Directors (ASRED) and the Association of Extension Administrators (AEA). The following three groups comprise the SR-PLN: (1) Program Committees (2) Program Leadership Committee (3) Executive Committee. Our Middle Management Committee will be integrally involved with the Executive Committee (EC). The membership includes:

14. Plan of Work for Middle Management The Middle Management Committee will be expected to develop a Plan of Work that: (1) Requires a needs assessment for Middle Management, (2) Develop competencies. Discussion followed with components to be included in the POW potentially focusing on new County Extension Director training, Community Development, and Communications training. No decisions were reached during this meeting.

15. Discuss Cooperative Extension Curriculum Project (CECP) Fran Wolak and Susan Seal presented an overview of CECP and discussion followed: The CECP was developed using the Personal Organizational Development System (PODS) approach from North Carolina. Middle Managers need to be involved in the needs assessment of the model. Peer review was a major issue that was discussed related to the CECP. In addition, the Middle Managers Committee identified two tracks that needed to be considered in the CECP. They were: (1) Program Information and (2) Core training for agents, County Extension Directors, secretaries, and program assistants, etc. Several tenets were discussed related to CECP and included the following:

16. For more information on CECP, go to:
http:srdc.msstate.edu/index.html

Adjourn for the Day
August 27, 2002
1. Election of Officers for 2002-2003 Dr. Claude Bess presented the slate of officer candidates for 2002-2003. The slate of officers was approved unanimously by the Middle Management Committee:

Chair:* Dr. John Mowbray, Kentucky
Chair Elect:* Dr. Russell King, North Carolina
Secretary Wayne Tankersley, Georgia
PLC Reps: Dr. Helen Brooks, Mississippi (term ends 2004)
Kent Rorie, Arkansas
Advisors: Dr. Judith Jones, Virginia
Dr. Latif, Lighari, Tennessee
Past Chair: Dr. Martha Ray Sartor

*Note: Chair Elect and Secretary move up after one year

2. Oklahoma's New Performance Appraisal System Dr. Claude Bess, Oklahoma presented the new performance appraisal system for Oklahoma Cooperative Extension. The form is in its final draft form. The purpose and intent of the performance appraisal instrument is to strengthen the professional skills and abilities of extension educators. The performance appraisal focuses on three main areas: professionalism, programming, and professional development. In addition, a separate instrument looks at the County Extension Director and focuses on: administrative and fiscal management, and personnel management.

3. Training For New County Extension Directors Dr. Russell King, North Carolina presented a presentation on Training for New County Extension Directors. This is based on seven core competencies that include: (1) Knowledge of the Organization, (2) Technical/Subject Matter Expertise Administration, (3) Programming, (4) Professionalism, (5) Communication, (6) Human Relations, (7) Leadership.

4. Congressional Awards & 4-H- A Perfect Fit Dr. Linda Mitchell, Mississippi presented guidelines for the Congressional Awards and how it fits well with the 4-H structure in Cooperative Extension. More information can be found at: http://www.congressionalaward.org or you can call the Congressional Award Foundation at: 202-226-0130.

5. Evaluation to Measure Competencies and Suitability to Position in Extension Service Dr. Herb Byrd, Assistant to the Dean, Tennessee presented information on EVALUATION TO MEASURE COMPETENCIES. The process utilized Behavioral interviews that measured thirteen dimensions: (1) ability to process information, (2) reasoning ability, (3) job skills competencies, (4) capacity for growth, (5) productivity, (6) teamwork, (7) relationships with AES leaders, (8) relationships with local community, (9) relationships with clientele, (10) relationships with young people, (11) professional attitudes, (12) dependability and integrity, (13) ability to function under stress.

6. At 2:30 p.m., the Middle Managers participated in a technology-facilitated discussion of "How to Integrate CECP into PLC". A demonstration was conducted to show how the utilization of computer terminals connected to a central source allowed all participants in a strategizing session to enter their ideas without the stress of competing with more aggressive individuals within the meeting.

7. Urban Conference/Program Update Dr. Bonnie McGee, Texas shared a report on the National Urban Task Force addressing membership, goals and objectives, outcomes, values, and vision. The mission is for Cooperative Extension in urban communities to educate by engaging individuals, families, and communities in learning partnerships that result in informed decisions and the application of knowledge to solve critical issues for a sustainable future. In order to learn more about urban programming plan to attend the Urban Conference in Chicago, Illinois on May 5-9, 2003. For more information, call 708-720-7540. Also, a pre-conference for urban administrators will be held at the same location on May 5th, 2003. The site for this conference will be the Chicago Hilton and Towers.

8. The ESP National Conference will be held in Lexington, Kentucky October 16-19, 2002 at the Radisson Plaza.

9. Community Development Update Bo Beaulieu, Director Southern Rural Development presented an update on Multi-State Programming. A booklet entitled Creating Vibrant was distributed and focused on: (1) economic development, (2) service-infrastructure, (3) community planning tools, (4) civic engagement, (5) Youth and adult workforce development. A suggestion was made that Vibrant Training could be done through distance learning. Also, bio security and homeland protection were used as an example of how needs assessment and program direction can change due to the "white water rapids" that Cooperative Extension operates in.

10. A list of Middle Management Committee members is included in Attachment #1. Please provide Dr. John Mobray with any changes or corrections.

11. A copy of the Middle Managers Committee Evaluation Summary is included as Attachment #4.

12. SELD/MAP Georgia is taking the lead for SELD/MAP and is interested in doing a regional workshop. The cost for MAPS is $75.00. The purpose of the workshop is to: (1) Develop managerial competencies. The following states are interested: Alabama, North Carolina, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. If a person wants to attend again that has already been, then there is no additional charge for materials.

Other Items
Thanks to Tennessee for hosting our meeting.
The gavel was passed form Dr. Martha Ray Sartor to Dr. John Mobray.

Meeting adjourned

Respectfully submitted by:

Russell C. King
Secretary, Middle Management Committee
September 9, 2002

Program Leaders Conference
Middle Manager's Meeting