Editor: Greg Davis

Letter from John Conglose and Greg Davis, Co-Interim Assistant Directors

Well, another Extension Annual Conference has come and gone, and soon enough, so will yet another year.  Last week’s Extension Annual Conference is a reminder of not only the passing of yet another year, but also of the strength of our Extension system, the high caliber of our colleagues, as well as our many professional accomplishments. 

As we reflect back on 2007, we have much to be proud of.  There were 40 active members of NACDEP from Ohio in 2007, our highest level of membership to date.  Almost half (16) of them chaired tracks, reviewed proposals, and/or were involved in 17 separate NACDEP Annual Conference presentations.  David Civittolo (Medina) was elected to the NACDEP board as the North Central Regional Representative.  In the first year of NACDEP national and regional awards, five of our colleagues won two NACDEP Awards for their team programming accomplishments

Speaking of awards, more than 35 OAEP and ESP awards were received by 26 CD professionals for teaching, service, and achievement in 2007.  (NOTE:  Jim Wiedenheft, 2^nd VP, is leading efforts to re-vamp the existing CD awards for 2008 - look for more info in the coming months.)  Significant research, creative/scholarly works, teaching, and service enabled 5 CD professionals to earned promotion and/or tenure.  In addition, CD professionals contributed to the $2 million in grants, cost recovery, and contracts brought in during 2007.

This time of year affords us the opportunity to reflect on the past, as well as plan for the future.  While you are adding the finishing touches to your annual report (remember, URS is due January 15) and you are thinking about programmatic and professional goals for 2008, consider how you might incorporate your work into the multi-programmatic initiatives:  knowledge economy or healthy weight management.  While your programmatic highlights are fresh in your mind, you may also want to draft a proposal or two for the Galaxy Conference (proposals due January 15) to be held in Indianapolis, September 2008.  Sharing your work at a national conference like Galaxy helps to disseminate your good work, as well as document your research, teaching, creative and/or scholarly work (something key to a successful promotion vita).

Potential action strategies to address issues identified as critical to Extension were generated in roundtable discussions on the first day of Annual Conference last week. (NOTE:  For more information on the Extension Strategic Plan process, go to http://extadmin-cms.ag.ohio-state.edu/leadership/osu-extension-strategic-plan/)  We hope you were able to participate in this important phase of the Extension Strategic Plan process and have remembered to hold May 15 for the unveiling of the Extension Strategic Plan at the OhioExpoCenter.  We are also hoping you’ve held January 30-31 for the CD Program Retreat.  Program planning and professional development will be the focus on Jan 30-31 at the University Plaza Hotel in Columbus with the hope of getting you focused and energized for 2008.  (NOTE:  You can register online at http://comdev.osu.edu/events.html)

As you wind up 2007, remember it’s an ideal time to focus personal energies inward, gain strength from friends and family, and recharge one’s self for the coming year.  We hope you make the most of these opportunities over the next few weeks to reconnect with what is truly meaningful to you and to find clarity in your purpose.

OAEP CD Officers and Representatives to the OAEP Board

Congratulations are in order for the following individuals with NACDEP Ohio (OAEP CD) leadership roles in 2007 and 2008.

Susan Colbert, outgoing OAEP 1^st Vice-President (2007)
Maurus Brown, OAEP 2^nd Vice-President (will be 1^st VP in 2008)
Jim Wiedenheft, OAEP incoming 2^nd Vice President

2008 State Representatives
Don Ordaz         
Joe Lucente

2007 Outgoing State Representatives
Debbie Carney   
Julia Woodruff

2008 IncomingState Representatives
Sheila Maggard   
Sharon Strouse

2007 NACDEP National Conference Recap 
April 16-19, 2007 - PhiladelphiaPA

With NACDEP meeting as part of the Galaxy Conference in Indianapolis in 2008, we should be in a position to increase participation in ’08!  Congratulations are in order to the following individuals who were selected by a committee of peers to present their work at the 2007 NACDEP Annual Conference. 

Ohio NACDEP members (name, presentation title, and conference track listed below)

David Boulay
The Interdependence of Career Pathways.  Education and Workforce Development Track

Nancy Bowen-Ellzey - How Losing the Big One (Honda) Can Be A Win for Van Wert County, Ohio.  Economic Development Track - Community Focus

David Civittolo
Building Capacity for Ohio Land-Use Decision Makers.  Local Government and Community Development Track
Providing Residents Input in Important Community Decisions:  A Survey of Perceptions Toward Local Officials in Ohio.  Community Decision Making Track
Maximizing Participation in a Planning Project: Honoring Our Residents Time and Wisdom.   Community Decision Making Track

Susan Colbert -  Revitalizing Neighborhoods Through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (V.I.T.A).  Economic Development Track - Community Focus

John Conglose 
Maximizing Participation in a Planning Project: Honoring Our Residents Time and Wisdom.  Community Decision Making Track
The New OSU Extension Street Tree Evaluation Project: The Next S.T.E.P.  Local Government Track

Greg Davis
Business Retention and Expansion: A Model for Engaging Residents in Community Dialogue.  Local Government and Community Development Track
Providing Residents Input in Important Community Decisions:  A Survey of Perceptions Toward Local Officials in Ohio.  Community Decision Making Track
Using Statewide Surveys to Develop Effective Extension Programs.  Local Government & Community Services Track

Julie Fox
Connecting Consumers, Producers and Communities in a Multicultural World.  Economic Development Track

Bill Grunkemeyer 
Changing Extension’s Culture Through Programmatic, Holistic Issue-Based Centers.  Organizations Development Track
From Survival to Success: The Building of OSU Extension Sustainable DevelopmentCenter.   Sustainable Development Track

Joe Konen
Co-Chair of Sustainable Development Track

Nancy Kukay
Maximizing Participation in a Planning Project: Honoring Our Residents Time and Wisdom.  Community Decision Making Track
Creating an Employer Driver Workforce Development Program.  Education and Workforce Development Track

Joe Lucente
Achieving Balanced Land Use Practices Utilizing a Watershed Planning Framework. Land Use and Natural Resources Track

Ken Martin
Using Statewide Surveys to Develop Effective Extension Programs Local Government & Community Services Track 

Myra Moss 
Changing Extension’s Culture Through Programmatic, Holistic Issue-Based Centers.  Organizations Development Track
From Survival to Success: The Building of OSU Extension Sustainable DevelopmentCenter.  Sustainable Development Track

Brian Raison
College 101: Strategies for First Year Success.  Education and Workforce Development Track

Sharon Strouse
Community Development Majors Engage in County “Community” Experience.   Education and Workforce Development Track

Jerry Thomas
Changing Extension’s Culture Through Programmatic, Holistic Issue-Based Centers.  Organizations Development Track

Congratulations are also in order to the following individuals who were awarded by a committee of peers at the 2007 NACDEP Annual Conference for their teamwork:

The North Central Region Excellence in Community Development Programming - OSUE Grassroots Leadership Team (J. Conglose, C. Torppa, M. Brown, L. Duncan, S. Ruhl)
The National Excellence in Community Development Programming - OSUE Grassroots Leadership Team (J. Conglose, C. Torppa, M. Brown, L. Duncan, S. Ruhl)

Important Dates in 2008!

January 15
NACDP/Galaxy proposals are due!
http://ext.msstate.edu/survey/galaxy/galaxy_proposals.pdf
NACDEP/Galaxy conference dates:  Sept 14-19 (Indianapolis, IN)

January 15
URS Annual Report due!
http://urs.oardc.ohio-state.edu/

January 30-31
CD Program Retreat - University Plaza Hotel in Columbus
With increased clientele demands and limited organizational resources, it seems that many of us face the constant struggle to maintain focus.  Programming opportunities and potential clientele are many, yet there are a limited number of hours in a day.  What can we do to focus our efforts?  Plan to attend the two-day retreat for Extension professionals with CD responsibilities on January 30-31 to be held at the UniversityPlaza in Columbus.   Overnight rooms cost $99/night.  Reservations for the block of overnight rooms held by CD deadline is Jan. 8, 2008.  Register and read more about the event at: http://comdev.osu.edu/events.html     Remember, you will need a T #!!

February 25
9^th Annual Outreach Scholarship Conference Proposals Due
http://www.outreach.psu.edu/outreach-scholarship/
Conference Dates:  Oct 7-9

April 1-3
Tri-State Study Tour 2008 - western PA
Community-based entrepreneurship development, workforce development, leadership, knowledge economy, and a regional tourism initiative will highlight the discussion agenda for April 1-3.  Westmoreland and ClearfieldCounties of southwestern PA will host the tour, similar to the Ohio-sponsored program in December 2006.  In addition to learning more about programs, we will:

Meet and network with peers having similar interests
Explore opportunities to share resources
Develop multi-state teams to address common needs
Discuss joint funding/grant opportunities

How much will it cost?  Tour registration fee will be approximately $60 and covers meals and material costs for the three days.  Lodging costs are approximately $60/night at the BestWesternConferenceCenter (814-371-6200).  Transportation costs will add up quickly (its 570 miles roundtrip from Columbus) so we’ll try to carpool as much as possible.  Financial assistance may be available to help offset travel costs of eligible participants.  For more information, contact any of the following planning committee members:  Mike Lloyd, John Conglose, or Greg Davis.
Remember to get your Travel # paperwork in order!