Action Items:

A subcommittee was formed to represent the ANR Committee in discussions with the Communications/IT Committee, Program and Staff Development, and Middle Management Committee relating to strategic development of various web-based and distance learning opportunities in agricultural and natural resources core subjects for county educators/agents. The subcommittee would take the lead in contacting the other committees, surveying needs and available units, identifying appropriate core competencies to serve as starting place, identify appropriate technology, and process for development and sharing. The ANR subcommittee consists of Joan Dusky (Chr.), Michael Ouart, Charles McPeake. (See information item below for more.) This was deemed an action item because it potentially involves several committees.

Need confirmation from 1890 Adminstrators of change of Advisor to the ANR Committee. It is our understanding that Dr. Jesse Harness of Alcorn State University will serve in this role.

The Communications and Information Technology (CIT) Committee recommends that each state invest in H.323 standard (Internet Protocol-based) video conferencing equipment for use by directors and program committee members to discuss and foster multi-state programming endeavors. The units should be installed in a location easily accessed by administrators. Cost of the equipment will range between $500 for a desktop unit to approximately $6,000 for units with greater capabilities. The IT sub-committee will complete the project, if approved.

The CIT Committee recommends that each state develop a standard verbiage to be placed upon publications that will state the policy for sharing material. [Approved at the August 29 PLC morning meeting.] (Appendix A.)

We recommend that the Bi-Annual Conference (formerly the Triennial) be held in New Orleans, March 7-10, 2004 (Appendix B).

The Middle Management Committee proposes a 2003 conference for all middle managers in the Southern region (Appendix C).

A regional conference on Strengthening Advisory Leadership took place May 3-5, 2001 in Charlotte, NC. Approximately 80 Extension faculty and advisory leaders from ten states attended the conference. As a follow-up to the conference, a committee has been appointed to spearhead efforts to develop a training curriculum for agents and advisory leaders on the use of advisory leadership systems. The Program and Staff Development Committee supports a regional effort to develop such a curriculum. The committee requests that the approval for holding a second Advisory Leadership Conference in Virginia during 2002 for the purpose of pilot-testing elements of the new curriculum.

Information Items:

Membership:

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Ross Love, Oklahoma State University

Louie Rivers, Kentucky State University

Communications and Information Technology

Kevin Hayes, Oklahoma State University

Gloria Mosby, Prairie View A&M University

Community Development

Rick Maurer, University of Kentucky

Charles Shepphard, Alcorn State University

Family and Consumer Sciences

Sarah Anderson, University of Arkansas

Carolyn Nobles, Prairie View A&M University (CHAIR)

4-H Youth Development

Charles Cox, Oklahoma State University (VICE-CHAIR)

Dana Glenn, South Carolina State University

Middle Management

Claude Bess, Oklahoma State University

Helen Brooks, Alcorn State University

Program and Staff Development

Carolyn Reedus, Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Joe Waldrum, University of Arkansas

Upcoming Meetings:

• Mid-Year Planning Meeting scheduled for December 5 and 6 in Nashville, TN.
• 2002 meeting scheduled for August 25-28, 2002, in Nashville, TN.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Conducted seminar and discussion of issues and practices concerning copyrights, trademarks, intellectual property and patents. Tom Knecht (Communications Committee) of Mississippi State and Steve Chapman of Clemson led the seminar.

Conducted seminar and discussion concerning the development of training modules, courses, learning objects and other means of distance and web-based learning opportunities for county educators/agents involved in agriculture and natural resource programs. Larry Lippke, and Don Hamilton of the Communications Committee and Mitch Owen of N.C. State led this seminar.

Considerable discussion of multi-state programming and means to improve and facilitate such.

Received report from a subcommittee developing CSREES National Program Leader and Land-Grant ANR Program Leader Exchange Program. This was a joint subcommittee with the north central region, CSREES and Southern Region. These are short (one week) exchanges designed to improve communications and understanding of the workings and roles of NPLs and Land-Grant counterparts.

The Southern and North Central ANR leaders have been working with CSREES to establish Farm Bill Teams to: investigate range of Farm-Bill related issues and impact on functions of CSREES and Land-Grant universities as they work with public; identify program related roles; and recommend appropriate actions including cooperation with other agencies, program development teams; and allocation of resources. Only recently has CSREES administration endorsed this joint endeavor. We now hope to proceed with this effort. This was an information/action item previously brought to ASRED by Dr. Dan Smith prior to our summer-long effort to get it hammered out.

Newly elected officers:

• Chair: Steve Umberger (VA)
• Vice Chair: Roger Crickenberger (NC)
• Secretary: James Hill (SC)
• PLC Rep (1890): Louie Rivers (KY)
• PLC Rep (1862): Clint Depew (LA) - Dr. Depew later requested to be replaced
• Replaced by Chair Umberger with Ross Love (OK)

Competency-based training modules - Larry Lippke, Texas Cooperative Extension, will lead a workgroup to create the first training modules in the area of agriculture and natural resources. Other team members include, Don Hamilton, Georgia; Mike Gray, North Carolina; Charlie Stott, Virginia and John Toman, Tennessee.

Standard Permission Wording for Shared Documents - Kevin Hayes, Oklahoma State University will convene the discussions to create the suggested permission language that each state can evaluate and adapt. Other team members include Carol Whatley, Alabama; Ashley Wood, Florida; Larry Lippke, Texas; Gloria Mosby, Texas and Ellen Ritter, Texas.

Photo Image Database - Don Hamilton, University of Georgia will initiate the discussions concerning a photographic library database. Other team members include Carla Craycraft, Kentucky; Wyvette Williams, Kentucky; Mike Gray, North Carolina; Tom Knecht, Mississippi; and Todd Johnson, Oklahoma. The first phase of the project will share existing graphic images and photographs on compact discs among the southern region states. A Listserv will be created to facilitate the transfer of material.

Cooperative IT Workshops - The entire IT group will collaborate on this project to conduct information technology workshops on common IT issues/applications using video conference technology. Nina Boston, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service will coordinate discussions.

Video conference capability - If approved by the Southern Regional Directors, the IT group will work as a whole to purchase and install H.323 video conference equipment to allow administrators and committee members to share discussions, presentations and applications pertinent to multi-state programs.

The 2000-01 year has been marked by a concerted effort directed toward multi-state program planning and special, newly developed, topical conferences for the Southern Region. At the present time, the committee does not propose any Action Items that require special funding, except that agents and specialists be supported and funded to attend key conferences and multi-state workshops and events. This report contains a brief summary of information items, new and updated curriculum packages, collaborative efforts, and accomplishments by task groups and committees in the Southern Region.

Sustainable Development: The Building Quality Communities: Sustainable Development conference was held in Nashville, TN in October 2000. The Southern CRD and ANR Committee jointly sponsored this regional conference. The conference had the following goals: emphasize the importance of sustainable development as a link between CRD and ANR program areas, link extension and research efforts by demonstrating successful outcomes through collaborative efforts, and assemble a body of knowledge and expertise that can help extension educators with economic and community development objectives and environmental concerns. This conference addressed sustainable development principles and sought to develop a "seamless" web between research and extension. Issues included horticulture, sustainable golf courses, land use, smart growth and urban sprawl, and the environmental and economic development interface.

Southern Region Community Development Institute: The fourth annual Community Development Institute was held in May 2001 in New Braunfels, Texas with 45 persons attending the five-day program. The curriculum included community development principles, concepts, practices, tools, models, and specialized program areas to include business and economic development. Asset mapping, civic engagement, e-commerce, economic analysis, health care, home-based and micro-business development, and sustainable development were major curriculum components of the institute. Presenters included specialists from a wide variety of land-grant institutions in the region.

Southern Extension Health Institute: Twenty-six people attended the first offering of this institute. The audience for this training is county faculty, or new state specialists, that want to expand their expertise to include rural health issues. The program was advertised in the north central region as well. The program is designed for agents and specialists. A second Southern Extension Health Institute is scheduled for October 15-19, 2001 in Lancaster, Kentucky. This effort represents a multi-state collaborative effort to offer health care programming to agents, specialists and others assessment and planning information regarding rural health care delivery and services. It will be held in conjunction with the North Central Region.

Business Retention and Expansion: The several states in the Southern Region have on-going Business Retention and Expansion Programs. Oklahoma State has the C.A.R.E. that includes components for creating, attracting, retaining, and expanding business at the local level. This offering includes entrepreneurship, business visitation, and BR&E models used in other states. Clemson has the traditional BR&E Visitation program with on-site business owner/manager interview surveys. Clemson also offers a version of BR&E that includes the use of focus groups with different constituencies to examine local business development policies and practices. This is termed a BR&E Leadership program that features information collection from community leaders and policy makers. Florida also uses the traditional BR&E model but pursues rural and agricultural (agri-business) applications. It is anticipated that the different approaches used at the state level will be packaged as the Southern Region Business Retention and Expansion Program within the coming year.

Conflict Resolution and Public Issues Management: The curriculum, From Lemons to Lemondade, prepared by Ron Hustedde is now available on the SRDC website. North Carolina and Kentucky have taken the lead in this program area. Training can be scheduled at any time.

Entrepreneurship: Home and Micro Business Development: This curriculum is available at Southern Rural Development Center on CD Rom and can be purchased. Interest and demand for this program is high. Additions and updates of the curriculum is on-going.

E-Commerce and E-Business: An E-COMMERCE - Impacting The Way We Do Business! Conference is scheduled for October 1-2, 2001, in Nashville, Tennessee. The purpose of the conference is to increase e-commerce awareness and help community representatives gain understanding about how to access this new technology and its programs. A group is working on a regional E-commerce awareness conference for this fall. A part of the focus will be on Agriculture and there is interest from the marketing specialists.

Nonprofit Organization Board Training: Kentucky State University and Clemson University specialists are developing and refining curriculum packages that can be used to provide nonprofit organization boards and staff with board training. As nonprofit organizations become more numerous and the level of responsibility of board members increases, this audience has been identified as an emerging need area of training at the community level. Boards need training on duties and responsibilities, risk management, fund raising, marketing, business management, consensus building, parliamentary procedure, volunteer management, legal responsibilities, financial management, personnel management and selection, and a variety of other concerns. A Nonprofit Resource Assessment Program is available currently, but additional maternal are in development.

Workforce Development: Specialists in Virginia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Arkansas and other states in the Southern region have a wide assortment of workforce preparedness and development service and research activities on-going. Clemson specialists are seeking grant funds to engage in tobacco-worker retraining, Virginia specialists are seeking program money in cooperation with the SRDC to do workforce development and labor analysis work from the Fund for Rural America.

Rural Development and Related Conferences scheduled for 2001-02:

Southern Institute for Rural Development, November 5-8, 2001, Athens, Georgia

Strengthening Communities: Enhancing Extension's Role, A National Community Resources and Economic Development Conference, February 24-27, 2002, Orlando, Florida, Orlando Airport Marriott Hotel.

Family & Consumer Sciences

Meeting: Carolyn J. Nobles, FCS Chair presided. The minutes of the July 20^th Conference call were approved. The FCS Committee conducts quarterly Conference Calls. Dr. Alma Hobbs, CSREES Deputy Administrator Family, 4-H and Nutrition gave an informative update of opportunities available through new funding opportunities. Reports were also shared from Advisors Dr. Margaret Hale and Dr. Linda Willis.

The Family & Community Health proposal was submitted and is a SERA. A discussion

on the accountability workshops (Family Resource Management, Parenting and Health) lead to a committee being designated to explore the possibility of subject matter/competency training for Specialists. It was also mentioned that identification of competencies in subject matter areas could also be included in a Competency Workshop. A committee was named ti facilitate development of this workshop: Lynda Harriman, Sandy Zaslow, Kathy Volanty and Mary Fant. Some discussion concerning issues with the FSNEP program and future implications. Several states submitted written reports on their FSNEP project and program impact. No action items were discussed.

A very informative presentation on "Networking Opportunities in Public Health" was given by Dr. Doug Scutchfield, Director of the School of Public Health and Dr. Elizabeth Howze, Associate Director for Health Promotion Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

Issues facing Family & Consumer Sciences involved the group in a very enlightening discussion. Topics included: Retention /Retention, How are we adapting to population changes? What are we doing in staff development? What is the role of the Specialist in meeting long term needs? Strategic planning related to these topics will be further discussed in Portland, Oregon during the National Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Meeting. Several of the Southern Region FCS Program Leaders will be attending the national meeting.

A wealth of resources and upcoming professional development opportunities were distributed by all states.

New committee leadership for 2001-2002:

• Chair - Kathy Volanty, Texas
• Secretary - Mildred Holland, Alabama
• 1862 PLC - Sarah Anderson, Arkansas
• 1890 PLC - Carolyn Nobles, Texas

We have five multi-state plans. We chose State 4-H Leaders for the contact for each plan. All states will send their Programs of Excellence reports to the contact to coordinate progress being made toward these plans.

The following is a list of our members that are contact to regional and national committees and groups:
Regional Chair/Trust Representative - Martha
Regional Vice-Chair - Steve
Regional Secretary - Charles
SDT - Steve/Manola
CCS - Damon / incoming Sarah
Horse - Susie
SRLF - Bob
Shooting Sports - Diane
BPSDT - Bo
Congress Board - Martha / incoming Manola
Name and Emblem - Bo/Dorothy
LABO - Dan James (Texas); Bob is check in for Virginia; Joe Hunnings
PLC - Charles/Robin Glenn
Congress Design Team - Martha/Charles/Bob (specialists - Austin & Toby from Texas)
ELDT - Dorothy
IMPACL - Dorothy
ECOP PLC - Bo
Centennial - Mike
4-H Congress Board - Manola
JCPenney After School - Mike
Urban - Dorothy Wilson
On-Track for Learning Foundation - Mike
Master Naturalist - Suzi
SR Volunteer Specialist - Suzi

The 1890 Institutes are working with Chuck Nash to adapt the 4-H Plus enrollment system to gather 1890 youth contact numbers.

Dr. Alma Hobbs and Don Floyd gave us an update on all the plans for the Centennial and Conversation with America.

New officers for the committee are as follows:

• Chair: John Mowbray, University of Kentucky
• Vice Chair: Martha Ray Sartor, Mississippi State University
• Secretary: Russell King, North Carolina State University
• PLC Representatives: Claude Bess, Oklahoma State University
• Helen Brooks, Alcorn State University
• Advisor: Judith Jones, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Committee Leadership:

Because of staff changes in the states involved, the Southern Region Program and Staff Development Committee approved relocation of regional leadership for the MAP and EXCEL program from Texas to Georgia. The existing MAP/EXCEL subcommittee will make arrangements to conduct a Southern Regional MAP workshop if sufficient interest is shown across the region. Since MAP and EXCEL focus on the assessment and development of managerial rather than leadership competencies, the group voted to discontinue the use of the SELD acronym, in favor of the more descriptive MAP and EXCEL curriculum labels.

Faculty and staff from North Carolina State University will make a presentation to Southern Extension Directors regarding the development of a common taxonomy of training competencies and the need for multi-state efforts to develop peer-reviewed orientation and training materials for Extension faculty and staff at all levels. The Program and Staff Development Committee and Southern Region PLC support regional efforts to develop this competency-based learning management system. The Program and Staff Development committee will work support NCSU in development of a common taxonomy of competencies, curriculum standards, and training modules. Teams have been established to oversee development of curriculum modules for new agent orientation, training of county Extension directors, and on the topic of advisory leadership.

APPENDIX A

Title: Statement on Policy on Sharing Communications and IT Products
Submitted from Communications and Information Technology Committee

The PLC has asked how the Southern Region can address the need for multistate programming more efficiently and effectively. Effective collaboration among states requires free exchange of products and ideas among those involved. A primary means of facilitating multistate programming is sharing resources such as publications, photo images, video, computer code, etc.

Many Extension faculty are accustomed to the concept that anything that they develop belongs to the organization. Hence, when it comes to sharing products, they may not feel they have the authority to do so. A regional policy that promotes sharing of these resources does not exist. Getting permission on a case-by-case basis is time consuming and often a barrier to sharing.

Therefore, we propose that the PLC recommend to the Directors and Administrators approval of the following policy statement:

"In order to promote more efficient and effective Extension programming, the Southern Region Directors and Administrators endorse the sharing of resources in all media throughout the region under the following conditions:

• The originating state gets credit on the material;
• The originating state holds the copyright on the material;
• The content of the material may not be altered;
• The material may not be sold by the receiving state except by prior agreement with the originating state; and
• The originating state retains exclusive use of materials intended for sale, and any other specified materials, and not make them available through this system."

Under these terms, no special written permission is required to use materials from other states, or to share materials with other states. Further, the Southern Directors and Administrators are encouraged to communicate this policy to all faculty members within their respective states.

As a matter of professional courtesy and accountability, states will take responsibility for informing Extension authors that they are using materials that originate with them.

APPENDIX B

Title: Biennial 4-H Specialists Conference Proposal
Spring, 2004 in New Orleans.

Justification:

There is a need for periodic face to face interaction among state and district Extension specialists working in the area of 4-H Youth Development. The purpose of this meeting is bring specialists from throughout the southern Extension region together to discuss emerging issues within the field of youth development and allow individual program groups to work on specific programs that relate to core programs in 4-H Youth Development.

Objectives and Expected Outcomes:

The primary preliminary goals are as follows:

• To strengthen networks between specialists working in core and emerging areas of 4-H such as camping, leadership development, awards and recognition, curriculum development, staff development, fund development, and character education.
• To share program successes with peers and to exchange ideas.
• To report current research and evaluation that is being conducted in the region as related to 4-H youth development issues.

Proposed Products: Conference

Preliminary Timeline:

• By December 2001 State 4-H Program leaders nominate staff for a planning committee. The Host State will book the dates with the conference hotel.
• By April 2002 all 1890 and 1862 4-H staff at the state and district level along with their administrators will be notified of the date of the meeting.
• Spring, 2003 a committee which represents a diverse cross-section of state program leaders and state specialists from the 1890 and 1862 institutes to begin the development of a conference program.
• Summer of 2003 Program leaders will review the proposed conference program and make and final additions or changes.
• Fall 2003Conference registrations will be sought.

Suggested Membership: All state and district or area faculty/specialists in 4-H youth development.

Evaluation of Planned Activities: A conference evaluation will be conducted with program highlights being reported back to Directors and Administrators.

APPENDIX C

Title: 2003 Southern Region Middle Management Conference

Justification:

Cooperative Extension Service Middle Managers play a critical organizational role as they carry out the goals of upper administration while representing the needs and concerns of county staff. The effectiveness with which they manage and motivate staff impacts program accomplishments and end results. Most states have very little formal training for this level of management of personnel. The training proposed by the Southern Region Middle Management Committee, through PLC, fills a definite educational void identified by this group. It also offers an excellent avenue for networking with other professional expressing similar problems and concerns.

Objectives and Expected Outcome:

100 Middle Managers representing 1862 and 1890 Extension will:

• Enhance basic management skills
• Network with and learn from top management authorities in the region
• Network and build a support base with co-workers from throughout the Southern Region
• Share expertise within the Southern Region
• Secure up-to-date management information and identify resources to extend training in-home states

Proposed Product:

2003 Southern Region Middle Management Conference, to be hosted in Virginia.

Location: Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, Virginia Tech. Rate $99

Registration fee: $170

Tentative proposed topics requested by Middle Management Members (speakers indicated except for McGee, Zublena and Mowbray are all tentative and are a result of early committee chair and Advisor discussions).

• What is e-Extension? Suggest Dr. Carl O’Connor, Wisconsin Extension and Dr. Ron Brown as possible speakers.
• Systems Leadership Training, suggest Dr. Paula Wilder, Virginia as speaker.
• Urban Programming, Dr Bonnie McGee has agreed to lead session.
• Making Sense of the Census, suggest Dr. Albert Essel, Va. State University
• Volunteer Management Systems, possible Dr. Cathy Sutphin, Virginia Tech and Dr. Ken Culp from the University of Kentucky.
• Positioning ANR to program for the future, suggestions are Ray Bosmans, Univ. of Maryland and Dr. Ray McKinnie, N.C. A & T University.
• University Engagement: What Does it Mean? possibly Dr. Sue Black, WVU and/or Dr. John Dooley, VT.
• The Political Process: Putting Your Best Foot Forward, suggest panel of directors/administrators
• Conflict Management and Resolution, will request a speaker from an 1890.
• Succession Planning, Dr. Joe Zublena, NC Extension has already agreed.
• Factors Affecting Turnover of County Extension Agents, John Mowbray has agreed to share on this topic.

Program Planning Committee:

• John Mowbray, chair (Vice-chair of Mid Mgt Committee)
• Martha Ray Sartor (Chair of Mid Mgt Committee)
• Russell King (Secretary of Mid Mgt Committee)
• Fred Custis (Mid Mgt Rep from Virginia)
• Claude Bess (Mid Mgt Rep to PLC Committee)
• Helen Brooks (Mid Mgt Rep to PLC Committee)
• Bonnie Teater (Southern Rural Development Center)
• Virginia State Univ. rep, probably Albert Essel
• Judith Jones, Administrative Advisor

Time Line:

April 7-10, 2003, Monday evening registration through Thursday noon

Suggested Membership:

Southern Region Middle Managers, 1862 and 1890. Extension Middle Management representatives from states in adjoining region will also be invited.

Evaluation:

The 2001 Conference evaluation, a discussion during the 2001 PLC Middle Management Committee Meeting in Savannah, and a survey of current mid-managers conducted early in 2002 are being used for program topics for the 2003 Middle Management Conference. These suggestions will be prioritized and utilized in further developing the meeting agenda. A comprehensive evaluation will be developed for the 2003 conference to ensure this program is meeting the traditional needs of middle management as well as those created by the changing environment such as shifting populations, urban programs, changing demographics and multi-state programming.

Funding:

Individual states will pay expenses of delegates, including a $170 registration fee. Some carry-over funds are available from the 2001 Middle Management Meeting, which will be used for speaker fees and administrative costs associated with development and promotion of the conference.