Program Leadership Committee
Biloxi, MS
December 8-9, 2003

Present:
Helen Brooks, MM, Alcorn State University
Paul Coreil, ASRED Representative, Louisiana State University
Charles Cox, Past Chair of PLC and Chair of PLN-EC, 4-H, Oklahoma State University
Thelma J. Feaster, PSD and Member of PLN-EC, North Carolina A&T State University
David Foster, ASRED Advisor to PLC and PLN-EC, Oklahoma State University
Thelma Hunter-Sanders, FCS and Member of PLN-EC, Tennessee State University
Ed Jones, CD, North Carolina State University
Gloria Mosby, Chair of PLC and Member of PLN-EC, CIT, Prairie View A&M University
Louie Rivers, ANR, Kentucky State University
Kent Rorie, PSD, University of Arkansas
Charles Shepphard, CD, Alcorn State University
Kathy Volanty, FCS, Texas A&M University
Joe Waldrum, PSD, University of Arkansas
Linda Williams-Willis, AEA Advisor to PLC and PLN-EC, Prairie View A&M University
Noland Williams, AEA Representative to PLC and PLN-EC, Kentucky State University
Dorothy Wilson, 4-H Youth Development, Langston University
Nina Boston, Information Technology, University of Arkansas
Carla Craycraft, Communications, University of Kentucky
Ex-Officio:
Ron Brown, ASRED
Bonnie Teater, SRDC
Kathy Ibendahl, SRDCAbsent:
Ross Love, ANR, Oklahoma State UniversityWelcome and Introductions
Gloria Mosby, Chair of PLC, welcomed all members present and requested all to review agenda for additional items. The group reviewed the complete history of the Southern Program Leadership Network. Gloria Mosby and Nina Boston were appointed to update the historical document. This review should expand the guidelines and information to include the action taken to separate the Communications and Information Technology Committees. Also, Mosby highlighted some key aspects of the document including the reminder regarding presence at all meetings.Advisors' Reports
David Foster reported that he will be retiring in December. He expressed his continued support of the Southern PLN and stressed the importance of the PLN to the entire system in the Southern region. He noted that this effort was a key component to leadership development in the South.Linda Williams-Willis expressed her pleasure to be appointed to the PLC and her hope that this effort will continue to strengthen the link between 1890 and 1862 institutions. CECP and e-Extension Update
Ron Brown reported that the CECP Task Force would be meeting on December 9 and 10 following this PLC meeting. There have been 5 committees appointed by the task force who will bring forth recommendations during the meeting. Those committees include: Charter Committee, Review Process Committee, Module Development Committee, Competency Committee, and the Content Management System Committee. A more complete report from the CECP Task Force will be presented at the next meeting of the PLC.Brown reported that during the November 2003 NASULGC meeting the e-Extension business plan prepared by Accenture was presented. At the National Directors/Extension Administrators meeting scheduled for February in Phoenix the business plan for e-Extension will be discussed and a decision will be made about system-wide endorsement of the plan. Individuals can review current details including the business plan by visiting the website: e-extensionproject.info. Mosby requested that all program leaders continue to inform the system about e-extension and CECP.Environmental Scan
All PLC members spent time independently outlining Issues/Concerns as well as Opportunities in the Southern region (complete list in Appendix A). This environmental scan, by design, did not address issues of financial support or funding. After discussions, Joe Waldrum led the group through a prioritization technique and the following became top issues and opportunities that PLC spent some time on. Issues/Concerns

  • Obesity/Health (i.e., impact on community, insurance, impact on people, multi-state effort.)Competitive Extension Programming/Diversified audiencesLand Use Planning/environmental stewardshipYouth IssuesEconomic DevelopmentOpportunitiesMarketing Extensione-ExtensionMulti State ProgrammingExpanding Extension Outreach/Broader University
  • 1862/1890 Cooperation

Committee Reports

ANR
Louie Rivers reported that the ANR Program Committee plans to have their core competencies posted to the web by February 1. He indicated that the AWP and minutes have been posted. He reported that during their last conference call, it was reported that they were working on several modules. Other items included a conference call on 12/4; a planned joint meeting with the North Central region in March/April; Lee Myers will serve as liaison to SR Sustainable Ag; discussions are underway regarding joint work on the Pesticide Handbook; the Agroforestry Workgroup will meet in FL in June 04.Communications
Carla Craycraft reported that Communications and IT have been working independently since November 3. She reported that the AWP will be by February 1. She also reported that minutes have been posted. Work on modules is in progress and Core Competencies for COM and IT will be split and posted by Feb 1.CRD
Ed Jones and Charles Sheppherd reported that Core Competencies will be posted Feb 1. Annual Work Plans and minutes are posted. The CRD program committee is currently working on two modules. It was mentioned that a Southern region Community Development conference is planned for May 04 in Tampa, FL. The PC is also working on the development of a National Association of CD Extension Professionals (NACDEP). 4-H
Charles Cox and Dorothy Wilson reported that the biennial meeting is scheduled for Feb 29-Mar 3 in New Orleans and will include discussions of e-Extension and CECP; the agenda is on the web; there is a jury process for workshops and seminars. A 4-H After School Course is being developed for posting on CECP. Work is taking place, along with conference calls, on Rural Youth Grants. They reported that the 4-H Program Committee convenes quarterly conference calls. Minutes and AWP are posted on the website and Core Competencies are complete and will soon be posted. FCS
Thelma Sanders and Kathy Volanty reported that the FCS Program Committee had a conference call on October 10. They reported that renewal of FSNEP contracts has been an issue in most states. It was reported that Ellen Murphy is leading the work on module development with six modules posted and work continuing on others. It was reported that Core Competencies are posted, and they will check on Minutes and AWP to be sure latest information is posted. Sanders also reported that CSREES contracted with UAPB to do a report of 1890s and EFNEP and the report is on the CSREES site.IT
Nina Boston reported that the AWP and minutes are posted. She also reported that Core Competencies will be posted early January. IT, along with COM, has been investigating Centra Symposium and Breeze as communications tools. A module on Distance Technology is under development. Teaching about use of IT as subject matter should be considered.MM
Kent Rorie reported that they are working with Program and Staff Development on modules. It was also mentioned that urban contacts are being collected and should be sent to Russell King. Rorie reported that the next biennial Middle Management conference will be held in 2005 in Louisiana. Minutes, AWP and Core Competencies are all posted for the Middle Management Committee.

Program and Staff Development
Thelma Feaster and Joe Waldrum reported that AWP and Minutes have been posted and that the Core Competencies will be provided by Mitch Owen.

2004 Meeting
The group reviewed evaluations and discussed the various items as mentioned in the evaluations. It was noted that most approved the format and that the Program Committees were pleased with the time allotted for Program Committee work; however, some requested additional time. There was interest from most Program Committees to have more time to interact with other PCs. Possible themes for the meeting were discussed that focused on looking at old issues and building on their successes. There was discussion on how programs affect the entire region. Specific themes suggested were as follows:

  • United We StandPower in PartnershipDoing Business DifferentlyPower in Unity: Doing Business Differently
  • Power Partnerships: A Better Model (or Doing Business Differently)

A discussion was held regarding the Agenda for the 2004 meeting. A preliminary outline follows:Preliminary PLN Agenda
17.5 hours (August 29 - September 1)

August 29-Sunday
3:30    PLC Meeting
4:00    Joint PLC/PC Chairs
5:00    Orientation Newcomers hosted by PLC Reception (by registration)
            · Munchies/Cash Bar
            · Invitations from PC chairs

August 30-Monday

8:00- 8:15    Welcome/Intro AEA & ASRED
            · State of the South/Context
8:15-8:30    General Session
            · Sharing successes--focus on future
                        Report on Character Education
                        Report on Health Project
            · Nominees by PC
                        Quality, PCs involved, data, numbers (print all)
                        How do we get PCs to now focus on the future?
            · Obesity and Health
            · Environmental Stewardship and Land Use
            · Report on Master Farmer

Monday - NOON (Buffet)
Perhaps have the buffet in the hall and Program Committees go to their rooms to eat and begin preliminary introductions, etc. Then focus on action from General Session in discussions so as not to lose the emphasis outlined during the General Session based on the issues presented.
Desired Outcomes of PCs
· Regular Business
· Improved Processed in light of Obesity, etc. Environment Stewardship, etc.
· What is PC role?
Monday (PM) - Finish AM and/or Program Committee Meetings

August 31, Tuesday
8-5    Program Committee Meetings

September 1, Wednesday
Morning Joint Meeting with ASRED/AEA

The PLC agreed to have Brown and Teater prepare a preliminary draft of the agenda and present during the next telephone conference call.
Executive Committee Report
(this report came in the middle of the discussion on the 2004 meeting)Charles Cox, chair of the Executive Committee, reported that the Executive Committee discussed two main issues and agreed to form Task Forces to address both. Those issues are as follows: Obesity and Health (programmatic) and CES Leadership (structural). Members of the executive committee as well as other members from PLC will be asked to serve. Reports will be made to the PLC as appropriate.Next MeetingsConference call dates and times were set as follows:January 15-2:00 p.m. Central / 3:00 p.m. Eastern
March 18-9:00 a.m. Central / 10:00 a.m. Eastern
May 20-9:00 a.m. Central / 10:00 a.m. Eastern
July 15-9:00 a.m. Central / 10:00 a.m. Eastern


APPENDIX AEnvironmental Scan of Programmatic Issues and Opportunities
Southern Region Program Leadership Committee

Expanding roles of Cooperative Extension on Campus-involvement of more colleges/subject areasRetooling of county and state staff to meet needs of our educational programs-professional developmentObesity---related health issues, safety of food supply (2) Health Insurance for farm families (risk management); (3) nutrition and health focused on reducing obesity and chronic disease; (4) health access in rural communities; (5) obesity-nutrition and health; (6) healthy communities; (7) obesity and healthMarketing Initiatives for Small Farmers

  1. Bioterrorism
  2. Response to terrorism and attack issues

Biotechnology in production agricultureYouth issues-such as peer pressure; (2) youth and adult ag awareness; (3) youth leadership development strategies to involve more minority/diverse groups; (4) youth development to prevent imprisonment or recidivism.(1) Technology use in Program Development; (2) electronic delivery to future clienteleWater Quantity and Water RightsProgramming Extension to be competitive; (2) remaining competitive and delivery programs to limited resource audiences; (3) maintaining or expanding support for Extension; (4) programming to meet the needs of diverse audiencesCivic Engagement/Citizen participation(1) Disaster Management Response and Education; (2) create rapid response teams for disaster management(1) Land Use Planning/Community Planning; (2) Environmental Stewardship; (3) Property rights and estate planningLeadership Development Within Extension; Leadership in Southern communities (ie., youth and adults)(1) Economic Development of traditionally ag communities to prevent loss of farm jobs; (2) economic development in rural communities; impact analysisDiverse Audience (Hispanic and Latino and other ethnic audiencesPartnering with Community College SystemUndocumented Farm LaborersPublic Policy EducationEconomic Development EducationEducation for Increasing urban clienteleGetting research results to end users(1) Elderly population needs; (2) issues facing the economics and conscientitious decision-making and providing care for the elderly.Strengthening ties between 1890 and 1862Reaching non-agricultural clienteleSustaining Human Life
(1) Opportunities to Improve Extension; (2) market extension so it is not the best kept secret(1) CECP-better training needed; (2) use CECP to increase multi-state programmingStaff Development Opportunities(1) e-Extension Information Exchange; move e-extension forward and market it; (3) e-extension; (4) extension training programsUse of current technology to be more creative in connecting with rural areasTap into the newly-elected officials and see if they are will to do as they sayMore coordination, identification of where experts are locatedAs 4-H does, create a National "brand"Establish effective relationships with local and national political leadership(1) More cooperation between 1862 and 1890 (2) technology linkages between 1862 and 1890; (2) more cooperation between 1862 and 1890s related to limited resource audiences; (4) 1862 and 1890 institutions working together.Disaster management response educationPartnership with Community Colleges(1) Move E-Extension forward and market it; (2) e-extensionEncourage strong youth developmentHealth Related Issues are biggest opportunity(1) multi-State programming; staffing, grant proposal submission; (2) cross state collaborationsTake a hard look at duplication of efforts and really do something about itOne common name for Extension in the South (marketing angle)Suggested standardization of IT systems that we use. May be too many institutional \issuesPartnerships with outside groups and agenciesExpand the Extension outreach/delivery model across all campus disciplinesPrioritize Programming areas-can't be all things to all peopleProvide participatory opportunities more widely to non-traditional audiencesProvide incentives to attract younger employeesStronger efforts to engage the broader university in delivery of Extension programmingPLC requesting much larger combined grant funds to share across regionTrain our younger faculty to better service

Human resources and investments