Plugged In: For UMaine Extension Staff and Volunteers

ELT Minutes, August 6, 2014

Extension Leadership Team Minutes
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Location: Orono

Facilitator: Dennis

Note taker: Fran

New Travel Reimbursement Processing

Dennis gave an update to the ELT regarding changes in travel processing. For the time being, processing is being done by Patti McPheters (with Renae Byard as backup) in our Operations unit instead of the UMaine System Procurement Office. This new system allows for much faster processing, approvals, and in most cases, enables the direct deposit of reimbursements within a week from the time the travel forms are received in the Operations office. This is in contrast to processing times that were previously taking between 4 & 6 weeks. Staff should contact Patti McPheters with questions.

4-H Foundation Update

The Grab the Torch (GTT) program is underway and going very well. The impacts of the program are evident. Through a combination of site visits and presentations, GTT gives students a dynamic and unique understanding of leadership, ethics, and service that is tailored to the local philanthropic organizations and opportunities.

Tanglewood Electricity Problems

Due to underground power lines in need of repair, power was lost to our Tanglewood 4-H Camp and learning Center’s power. Due to the quick action of Jessica Decke, Dennis Harrington, Rich Bouchard and UMaine Facilities, a propane generator is in place and the camp summer season was able to continue.

Budget Planning Work Continues

The ELT continued to discuss how we would meet the expected UMaine FY 16 budget cut to Extension.

Announcements:

Congratulations to James Dill who has been awarded $65,000 from the Maine Department of Agriculture to fund ongoing development of pesticide safety education manuals.

Announcement Invitation:

The ELT invites you to submit items to be included in the minutes/announcements of the next regularly scheduled ELT meeting.  This is an opportunity to share with the ELT and the rest of the organization any of the following:

• Notable programmatic accomplishments
• Development or fundraising success
• Significant new partnerships and/or opportunities
• Important transitions
• Please take the opportunity to share your good works through this avenue.  Keep it brief… approximately two to four sentences would be appreciated. To submit an announcement, please contact your PA or appropriate member of the ELT.

Please remember to visit University of Maine’s news site for additional University of Maine Cooperative Extension highlight.

Search Updates:

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ELT Meeting Dates – 2014 – Meetings are from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm – unless otherwise noted

Future Agenda Items: