Volume 23, Number 3 – Feb. 5, 2008
See You at the Capitol!
Many University Units to Share ‘Service Successes’ During
Day at Capitol
Register Feb. 15 for Culturally Responsive Teaching Conference
Meeting Notes
People and Places
Important Program Planning and Reporting Dates for
2008
Are your plans in place for our day at the Legislature on Tuesday, Feb. 19? Here are some considerations for WVU Extension supporters that may be helpful to you as you complete your plans for the day.
All WVU Extension agents, specialists, and staff are encouraged to come to the Capitol to show their support for Extension and WVU and to observe the State Legislature in session. Check with your supervisor to be sure that your participation is approved.
It’s also a day when many friends of WVU Extension and its programs join us in Charleston to learn from WVU Extension and WVU educational exhibits and watch the house and senate in session. County agents and their delegations are encouraged to schedule visits with their senators and delegates to brief them on WVU Extension programs in their communities.
Here are a few things for you to consider.
Register: If you haven’t registered, there’s still time. Just go on the Web (www.ext.wvu.edu) and select the Capitol icon, which will take you to registration. Bringing an exhibit? Sign up now for your table. Will any of your constituents be coming with you? Let us know that, too. At the Web site, you can see who else will be attending.
Arrange visits with legislators: Call your legislators now to make an appointment to visit them on Feb. 19. Suggested talking points will be provided early next week. Legislators enjoy hearing from voters from their districts, so make your voices heard! This year’s token of appreciation for the Legislature’s support for WVU Extension Service is a gold-and-blue apron with the WVU Extension logo. (As always, the value of the gift is well below what legislators are allowed to accept; the gift is funded entirely by donations.) If you have a strong relationship with your legislator and want to reserve the gift for your group to present to that person, please let Ann Berry know. Gifts may be picked up on Feb. 19 in the Capitol’s Lower Rotunda.
Sign up pages: If you have 4-H youths visiting the Capitol, call your local legislator to see if they can be pages for the day.
Show your spirit: Many questions can be answered by the FAQs on the Web site. You also can download bus and car signs from the site.
More
information follows here; other details will be sent via e-mail in the coming
week. See you in Charleston!
Questions? Contact Ann Berry via e-mail (Ann.Berry@mail.wvu.edu)
or telephone at (304) 293-5691.
WVU’s colleges and departments have been invited to share their successes when WVU Extension hosts “WVU’s Service to the State Day” on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at the West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston.
This year marks WVU Extension’s third annual tribute to the outreach programs of other WVU colleges and departments, many of which will be represented by staffed exhibits in the Rotunda. The day showcases WVU’s contributions to West Virginians in their roles as family members, business owners, agriculturalists, employees, volunteers, lifelong learners, and other capacities.
The informal educational event opens with a formal welcome at 9:30 a.m. in the Cultural Center. Opening remarks will be made by WVU President Mike Garrison. Names of other speakers will be announced soon. Refreshments will be served beginning at 9.
Among others scheduled to greet visitors is WVU student Brady Campbell, the current Mountaineer Mascot, who is from Charleston.
Extension exhibits in the Capitol Rotunda will feature information about 4-H, Community Educational Outreach Service (CEOS), Master Gardeners, Energy Express, firefighter training, WVU Jackson’s Mill “History Hitting the Road,” and other farm, family, nutrition, and community programs.
Among the WVU colleges, departments, and programs planning to staff exhibits are the Biometric Knowledge Center; Center for Civic Engagement; College of Human Resources and Education; The Daily Athenaeum; Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences; College of Business and Economics; Community and Technical College at WVU Institute of Technology; Eberly College of Arts and Sciences; Institutional Advancement; National Research Center for Coal and Energy; Potomac State College of WVU; the schools of Medicine Nursing, and Pharmacy; and WVU Libraries; and WVU Parkersburg.
Plan now to register for and attend “Culturally Responsive Teaching: Responding to the Educational Needs of All Children.” This free conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at the WVU Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown.
The conference is open to all WVU students, faculty, and staff as well as to interested classroom teachers, counselors, administrators, and community members.
Dr. James M. Patton, professor of leadership and special education at the College of William and Mary, will be the keynote speaker. His research interests include the educational and psychosocial development of culturally and linguistically diverse learners; the social, political, and economic correlates of mild disabilities; cultural competency development; and analysis of policies that affect people of color and those from low socioeconomic circumstances.
The educational program also will include presentations in two formats: 15-minute round-table discussions and 40-minute breakout groups.
The Diversity Task Force of the WVU College of Human Resources and Education is sponsoring the conference in collaboration with Monongalia County Schools.
Although registration is free, registration is required. The program’s seating capacity is limited. Registration opens Friday, Feb. 15, on the Web (www.hre.wvu.edu/dtf/event08/).
For more information, contact Sandra Schoder (Sandra.Schoder@mail.wvu.edu) in the College of Human Resources and Education.
… The 2008 Teen Leader and Charting Weekend will be held Feb. 29-March 2 at WVU Jackson’s Mill, Weston. Participants will gain personal development experiences to help them understand themselves better and display more self-confidence. The 4-H members, who will be between 13 and 19 years old, are camp leaders or participants in the Charting Program. The workshops will range from social issues, money management, third-world living, and college preparation to circle games, 4-H and Jackson’s Mill history, and exotic foods. Monday, Feb. 11, is the postmark deadline for registration. Registrations received after that date will be subject to a $15 late registration fee. For more information, contact David Hartley (David.Hartley@mail.wvu.edu).
… Wednesday, Feb. 13, is the registration deadline for the Spring Professional Development Day, which will be held Thursday, Feb. 28, at WVU Jackson’s Mill, Weston. Check the Professional Development workshop Web page (http://intranet.ext.wvu.edu/orgsup/ohr/2008_spring_profdev.htm) for the list of offerings. After deciding which workshops you want to take, you’ll submit your registration online. You will receive confirmation of your selections in an e-mail. If you have questions about Professional Development Day, send an e-mail to Linda Hildebrand (Linda.Hildebrand@mail.wvu.edu).
… Have You Heard?
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) season will kick off in north-central West Virginia at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, in the Mountainlair on WVU’s downtown campus. EITC is a tax credit for people who work but don’t earn high incomes. Persons between the ages of 25 and 65 may qualify for EITC if they made less than $40,000 in 2007. The IRS estimates that each year West Virginians eligible for the EITC leave more than $20 million unclaimed. If you have questions about EITC, visit the Web (www.wveitc.com) or call 2-1-1, a toll-free connection to community services in West Virginia. You may also contact Rich Fleisher, chair of WVU Extension’s EITC committee. The Web site lists all Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) locations in the state. VITA volunteers help people with low to moderate incomes prepare their tax returns.
The WVU Council for Women’s Concerns is seeking nominations for the 2007-08 Mary Catherine Buswell Award. This annual award is presented to a living person who has provided outstanding service to WVU women (students, staff, and/or faculty). WVU employees and students, including those on regional campuses, and citizens of West Virginia are eligible to be nominated. The award will be presented in April. The nomination deadline is 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25. For details about making nominations, check the Web (www.as.wvu.edu/cwc/).
The WVU Division of Human Resources Employee Wellness Program (EWP) has a new Web site for employees interested in living a healthier lifestyle. A current EWP activity is “The Change Starts Here,” a free eight-week weight-management program that runs until Sunday, March 23. For details about it and other activities, health tips, resources, and a list of wellness coordinators, check out the site (http://employeewellness.wvu.edu/). WVU Extension’s wellness coordinators are Robin Rupenthall and Susan Prager. The Davis College’s coordinator is Lindsay Altobello.
The WVU McDowell County Extension Office is
being remodeled this week. Staff will be checking voice mail and e-mail. Dana
Cook is working in Wyoming County during this time; contact her there at (304)
732-8000, ext. 212.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS)
has a series of fact sheets containing frequently requested
data for each state and for the entire United States. The sheets provide information
on population, per capita income, earnings per job, poverty rates, employment,
unemployment, farm-related jobs, farm characteristics, farm finances, top agricultural
commodities, top export commodities, and the top counties in agricultural sales.
The 2005 data on poverty are now available. To view the fact sheets, select
the State Facts shortcut from the opening page of the ERS Web site (www.ers.usda.gov/).
… In the News
Last month’s trip to Mexico by Doug Hovatter, Rich Fleisher, and others was the subject of a feature story in the Feb. 3 edition of The Journal, Martinsburg’s newspaper. The group traveled to the University of Aguascalientes and University of Guanajuato with the hopes of “spreading the 4-H program to our southern neighbors.” Doug is quoted by reporter Crystal Schelle as saying the group was surprised “to find out that 4-H was perceived by the educational community to be in direct competition. They weren’t allowed to have 4-H in the schools, or even use the schools after school.” With TV cameras rolling, Rich explained to mayors and others that the 4-H program does not work against the educational program, but with it. Before the visit ended, 4-H was granted money and land to have its own building. The announcement even appeared on the front page of local newspapers as well as on TV news. To his new Mexican friends, Doug said, “I came here thinking that I would teach, but I have learned so much.” Exchange visits of 4-H leaders and members from the two countries are being planned. You may read the entire story on the Web (http://journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/503255.html).
The work of Susan England-Lord was the subject of a story in the Dec. 24 edition of the Herald Register, a Beckley newspaper serving Raleigh and surrounding counties. The story (“Extension agent focuses on youth development”) was written by Mary Catherine Brooks, the newspaper’s Wyoming County bureau chief. Susan described her job as “something I really enjoy. Most people don’t understand that because it consumes your life. This is not a 9 to 4 job.” She was quoted as saying, “I love watching a young person develop, watching how they change over the years.” Susan was quick to point out that none of her 4-H programs would be possible without volunteers and active leaders. Susan’s work with the annual Mullens Dogwood Festival also was mentioned in the article. She credited her mother, Norma England, for her love of service. “I do the things I do because Mom taught us to.” To read the story, go online (www.register-herald.com/local/local_story_358175726.html).
… To Our Good Health
We often hear “don't sweat the small stuff.” But when it comes to health, it’s often the small stuff that makes a difference. For example, if you replace a 200-calorie snack with a 100-calorie snack, you’ll be 10 pounds lighter after a year. It’s not about doing without; it’s all about making smart choices!
— from Elaine Bowen
Note: Every issue of Focus will feature tips for good health brought to us by members of the Nutrition and Health Team.
Selected Program Planning and Reporting
Dates for 2008
Feb. 15, 2008 |
Requests for Proposals due: For Seed Grants for Research Projects, submit to Dave Cormier; for Competitive Funds for Team Activities, submit to Paul Becker. (Awards will be announced March 14, 2008.) |
March 28, 2008 |
Final reports due for those who received Seed Grants for Research and/or Competitive Funds for Team Activities in Spring 2007. |
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Our Continuing Mission . . .
The mission of the West Virginia University Extension Service is to form learning partnerships with the people of West Virginia to enable them to improve their lives and communities. To these partnerships, we bring useful research- and experience-based knowledge that facilitates critical thinking and skill development.
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Extension Focus is a publication of the Office of the Associate Provost for Extension and Public Service. News items should be sent to the Office of Communications, 506 Knapp Hall, P.O. Box 6031, Morgantown, WV 26506-6031.
Issues of Focus are archived on Extension's Intranet
http://intranet.ext.wvu.edu/intouch/orgnews/focus/focus.htm
Programs and activities offered by the West Virginia University
Extension Service are available to all persons without regard to race, color,
sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, national
origin, and marital or family status.
Submitted by Joyce Bower.
