ELT Minutes, June 22, 2011
Extension Leadership Team Meeting Minutes
June 22, 2011
Lincoln, Maine
Facilitator: Doug
Note taker: John
Please note: Due to the confidentiality and sensitivity of some agenda items, these ELT minutes do not represent the full content of each meeting.
Present: Douglas Babkirk, Dennis Harrington, Lisa Phelps, John Rebar and Francine Sulinski
Maine 4-H Days: Maine 4-H Days at Windsor Fairgrounds is expecting to draw over 365 participants. Many volunteers have helped organize and coordinate the weekend event that will be occurring on June 24-26. Several Extension staff have been marvelous in the management of this event that continues to grow in size and scope. Many thanks to all who are involved in making the “best better!”
Centralized Data Base Management System: The advancement of the centralized data base management system within Cooperative Extension is continuing. A contract with the vendor is now in place. The target date for the delivery of the system is January 2012. Michele Lodgek is coordinating the development and implementation of the centralized data base management system. There is an advisory group that is working with Michele.
Camp Registrations: Camp registrations are looking good for Tanglewood, Blueberry Cove and Bryant Pond. The registration rate is on par with 2010.
Teaching for credit: Many Extension faculty are teaching, or have taught, for-credit courses. Other faculty within Extension might benefit by understanding the challenges and opportunities that exist by teaching for-credit instruction. Fran will work on developing a staff development opportunity addressing this topic.
“Donate Now”: There are gift accounts established for all county offices. Citizens can donate online to their local county office. The funds are available to the county staff by working in cooperation with the UMaine Extension Accounts Payable staff. If gifts are donated to multiple programs, the local office will need to track the spending of the funds in support of these local program efforts. The ELT needs to promote this avenue of fund raising and county staff with questions should contact Dennis or their PA.
New Faculty Orientation: UMaine Extension has been invited to have a display at the New Faculty Orientation that will be at the Orono campus, in Wells Conference Center on Thursday, August 25. The ELT will take turns helping to staff the display.
Fee for Service Policy: Dennis has drafted a policy for fee for service guidelines regarding online programming. This policy statement can also be applied to programming beyond video production. The ELT endorsed Dennis forming a “Fee for Service Committee” to meet and make recommendations for implementing a policy for the organization.
Exit Interview with Doug: The group had a conversation with Doug as he reflecting upon his 17 years within the administration of UMaine Extension. The group appreciated his insights, perceptions and recommendations. Doug’s leadership and presence within the ELT will be missed when he steps down in September. We commend him for his many years of dedicated service to the mission of Extension, supporting our workforce statewide and working tirelessly on behalf of the people of Maine.
Announcements:
- Congratulations to Jonathan Prichard and co-investigator Catherine Elliott who have been awarded $208,190 by the US Department of Defense to provide the opportunity for outdoor adventures for the children of deployed military families.
- Congratulations to Barbara Murphy who has been awarded $2,684 by the Maine Community Foundation to help support the Rumford Community Garden project. The project also includes in-kind support from local government.
- Congratulations to Mark Hutton who has been awarded $66,427 by Verso Paper Company to evaluate the use of paper as an agricultural mulch.
- Congratulations to Steve Johnson and Dave Fuller who have been awarded $120,891 by the USDASARE to research and disseminate information related to garlic diseases and pests to help increase profits for growers.