Things to Know

Table of Contents:

Hotels

Staff who are located off-campus, and not in the Penobscot Office, may choose to stay in one of the hotels listed below. They are holding blocks of rooms for Extension employees at a rate of $89 per room.

  • Those rooming with at least one other staff member will not have any out-of-pocket expense.
  • Those who would like a single room will incur a $40 per night expense. You will be asked to reimburse that amount to Extension by the end of the conference. Please make checks payable to the University of Maine in the amount of $40 and give/mail to Angela Hart in 104 Libby Hall.

To book a room, please contact (call) the hotel directly so that you can get the group rate, tell them you are a staff member of Cooperative Extension and also let them know the names of the staff staying in the room. You will need to give them a credit card, personal or UMaine TCard to hold the room, and for incidentals only, but the final cost will be billed to UMaine Extension. If you do not have another person to room with, the hotel will pair you with another staff member.

Black Bear Inn Conference Center
4 Godfrey Drive
Orono, Maine 04473
207.866.7120
(Holding a block of rooms until November 6)

University Inn Academic Suites
5 College Avenue
Orono, Maine 04473
207.866.4921
(Holding a block of rooms until November 1)

If you have questions or need help with a reservation (should the hotels run out of rooms in this reduced rate “block”), please call Angela Hart at 207.581.2811.

Travel

Central organizational funds will support your mileage and additional meals according to normal travel practices. Chartfield information will be included in the confirmation email that you’ll receive once you have registered for the conference. Please carpool as much as possible. Staff who are located more than two hours may stay the night of November 12 as well as November 13.

Staff Who Work 20 Hours or Less

If you are a staff member who works 20 hours or less, you may (with supervisor’s approval) work your regular schedule in addition to reporting 16 hours to attend the conference. If you or your supervisor have questions or concerns, please contact Fran Sulinski, fran.sulinski@maine.edu.

Conference Norms

We invite you to:

  • Meet as many new people as you can.
  • Introduce yourself and tell what you do.
  • Give presenters your full attention by limiting distractions from electronic devices.
  • Engage and participate.
  • Get up and stretch or stand up.

Dress

Be prepared for the weather since some breakout sessions are located outside of Wells Conference Center. Comfortable shoes are also a good choice for the same reason. Casual attire is fine. It is also good to dress in layers to be prepared for meeting rooms that fluctuate in temperature. The top layer should be warmer than you’d expect to have to wear indoors.

Cash Bar/Music

A cash bar will be available during the Meet, Greet, and Learn About UMaine Extension Informational Session and during the Banquet.

The UMaine Jazz Quartet (UMaine student Benjamin Flanagan and his jazz ensemble) will play for us during the Banquet. There will be piano music played after dinner.

Prize Drawings and “Find Your Match” Game

Just by registering for the conference, your name will be placed in a basket, making you eligible to win prize drawings throughout the conference.

It’s Possible to Double Your Chance of Winning by Playing the “Find Your Match” Game!

  • graphic for match game at conferenceOn the back of your attendee name tag, there will be a sticker with a symbol on it. This will be used to play the “Find Your Match” game.
  • The game goal is to try and meet as many people as you can as you look for your matching symbol. Remember each symbol has ONLY ONE color-specific, unique match.  
  • When you find your match: both individuals should come to the registration desk and each “match” should, individually, fill out one of the slip/forms provided and add it to the basket available there at the desk — doubling your chance of winning a prize drawing!

Must Be Present During Drawings to Win!

Silent Auction

A Silent Auction is planned for both days of the 2019 Organizational Conference by the Maine Association of Extension Agents. The auction will be supported by an online site for easy bidding (more details to follow). Items for the auction are welcome.  Contact Dick Brzozowski, richard.brzozowski@maine.edu, for more information. The proceeds from the auction will benefit the Annual Meeting & Professional Improvement Conference of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents when the northeast region hosts the meeting on July 2020 in Philadelphia. Several UMaine Extension staff members are in leadership and committee positions for that conference.

University Photo

It is helpful to have your University photo on file and fairly up to date. Please take the time to update your photo while at the All Organizational Conference. A photographer will be at the Wells Conference Center from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 14.

Agenda

If you would like a hard copy of the agenda, please print it and bring it with you. Your name badge will indicate the breakout sessions and meals you’ve selected. There will be a poster of the full agenda in the lobby with all location information.

Cancellations

If you need to cancel your registration, please cancel by October 30. This will prevent us from being charged for the food costs.

Contact Michele Lodgek, michele.lodgek@maine.edu or Michelle Snowden, michelle.snowden@maine.edu if you need to cancel your registration.

Meet, Greet, and Learn About UMaine Extension Informational Session Set-up

The informational session is from 4:45-5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13, 2019. Committee members will be available during breaks and lunch to assist with set-up. All tables are 8 feet long. Some may have an electrical outlet, but there are not enough outlets for all tables to have a ready electrical supply. Display tables and presentation boards will be available for the entire length of the conference if you would like to set-up and leave your materials on display beyond the “active” informational session time slot.

If you or your group will need a table, outlet or presentation board for your informational exhibit, please indicate so on the registration form (as well as indicate quantities).

Powerpoint logoSend Us Your Program Highlights for a Slideshow

We’ll set these program highlights to scroll during the Meet, Greet, and Learn About Extension informational session. One program per Powerpoint slide, please. You may send your slides to Jason Lilley at jason.lilley@maine.edu.

Wells Conference Center

Wells Conference Center is a versatile, spacious, all-in-one conference facility with on-site catering and three separate event rooms (the two largest can be combined into one) as well as a bright atrium. With nearly 10,000 square feet of conference space, Wells is ideal for medium- or large-scale meetings, banquets, exhibits, and presentations. The Center offers complimentary wireless internet and standard audio-visual equipment.

Directions to Wells Conference Center, Orono Campus

Parking

map of reserved conference parking map with wells and corbett buildings singled out
The Wells Lot on Munson Road, directly across from the Wells Conference Center at 131 Munson Road, has been reserved for conference attendees. (Click to Enlarge)

There will be parking spaces, reserved specifically for this conference, in a lot close to Wells Conference Center.

If the Wells Lot is full upon your arrival, please see someone at the registration table or Planning Committee Member Sheila Vaillancourt, at the conference, to obtain a temporary parking pass for another lot.

NOTE: The overnight parking ban, on campus, starts November 1. Please do not leave cars in the the reserved parking lot overnight and carpool to hotels.

What is eXtension?

The eXtension Foundation is part of the Cooperative Extension System and its mission is to increase Extension professionals effectiveness in addressing issues of importance to the nation. Our focus is on helping Extension professionals generate a more visible, measurable, local impact. UMaine Extension is an eXtension member — you are eligible to receive additional tools, resources, and opportunities.