Board members present: Joan Petzen, Paul Westfall, Les Hulcoop, John Ameroso, Monika Roth, Charlie Mazza.   Bad weather kept other members at home.

Guests: Fredd Fladd, Diane K. Conneman

Agenda distributed. Leadership Training and Educational Partnership proposal moved to top of the list so Fredd and Diane could get back to campus.

Leadership Institute for Agents

Proposed by Diane Conneman.

Last time this was offered was early 1990. Agents have requested a repeat. Several past participants have met with Diane to discuss program and logistics (Tetor, Joyce, Baker, Reville, Sanok, Walsh). Diane has sent an email to association directors to inform them of the intention to offer the training again in 4 one week sessions - fall 98, spring 99, fall 99 and spring 00. Cost will be approx. $2000 per staff. Goal is to have a minimum of 18 staff including ag,

4-H and nutrition. Options for financial support include: agents assoc. scholarship fund (due June 1, could be applied for this year if early recruitment is done, however 99 may be more likely since names are required when applying for funds). Recruitment efforts need to get underway, announcement can be made at next directors meeting, March inservice, and to ACCEE. Field staff should be responsible for seeking support to participate.

Motion made by Paul Westfall, second by Les Hulcoop to appoint a liasion from agents association to work with Diane and others on program development. All in favor, motion passed.

Action needed: Joan to appoint a person to represent this board in working with Diane.

Other items regarding Ag Leadership:

Lead-NY has received a grant to develop program for emerging leaders. Would like to hold regional meetings this fall where a curriculum/agenda developed by Lead-NY is presented. Lead-NY and other local leaders would be involved in teaching. Local counties would be sponsors. Looking for cooperators. In Western NY Nate Herendeen has expressed interest. Other cooperators being sought. Cooperating counties will receive $1000 for their part in program implementation. Diane is looking for part-time staff to help with this effort.

Action needed: Do we put this in clippings, follow up with Diane.

Educational Partnership Proposal

Proposed by Fred Fladd.

Common goals of Ag program office and agents assoc. is to increase staff competencies, provide opportunities for leadership skill development. Joint offerings/sponsorship may provide opportunities for reach out to new agents.

There are a number of issues which have been identified as areas where training is needed:

• ag/non-ag conflict resolution
• institution/agency partnerships-working with others
• other subjects as identified by statewide PC's.

Some challenges that have arisen are:

• Ag Plan adoption in Ulster County
• Association of County Planners have stated that Extension is overstepping its bounds.

Proposal: Host a joint activity, either statewide or regional in 98 (fall).

Options:

• this could be part of the NYSACAA fall annual meeting, open to all staff, not just members.
• Possibility of introducing program developed at a statewide meeting with follow-up regional training.
• Introduce effort via First [Second]Tuesday.
• Involve Nelson Bills in planning.

Motion to Support the Educational Partnership for inservice training (statewide and regional) made by Ameroso, second by Hulcoop. All in favor, motion passed.

Action needed: Joan will appoint 3 staff to work with Fred by Feb. 10. Dave Reville suggested as one possibility.

Other News from the Hill:

Extension Director appointment to be finalized by June (if  greement is reached)

Back to Agenda.

Minutes of last meeting - deferred until next meeting.

President's Report - Goals for coming year:

• offer programs/opportunities for members
• increase participation
• resolve ACCEE affiliation question
• work on assoc. handbook
• clean-up process for selection DSA/AA winners

Suggestions to move forward on the above goals:

1. Policies and procedures: would like to ask Jerry Skoda, Jerry LeClar and Jim Hilson to work on reviewing policy handbook and bring revisions to board in June.
2. DSA/AA selection process: appoint Dave Reville and Tom Maloney to work on developing policies and procedures for selecting award winners by Sept. Nominations need to be completed by Dec.

Board members present endorsed president's recommended goals for coming year.

Treasurer's Report - Charlie Mazza.

• Accounts have been transferred to Ithaca.
• Distributed unaudited Financial Report. Motion to approve report made by Westfall, second by Hulcoop. All in favor, motion passed.
• Appointed audit committee: Carl Crispell, Walt Nelson, Monika Roth.
• Charlie to convene group to look over books.

Membership Report - Charlie Mazza.

• 18 paid members for 98. Charlie is having some difficulty restructing membership lists, possible contacts to follow-up on lists are Bob Beyfuss-Clipping mailing list, and Livingston County CE-Dave Thorp.

Action needed:

• District Directors should prepare a list of current field staff in their district and submit it to Charlie.
• Charlie will provide directors with an email list/update of who has paid.
• Three letters have been prepared: one for existing member, one for potential members, and third for affiliates. Ready to be sent. Decision made to focus on current and potential agent staff and not worry about affiliates for now.
• Home addresses should be used for mailing (in CU directory).
• Agents should be reminded that they need to be a current paid member to apply for awards.

District Reports

• Western District, Westfall - Agents met in Ded. and toured a wood pellet plant. Meeting in Feb. (joint agents) with Ann Mathews who will talk about CE Reorganization.
• Southeast District, Hulcoop - had a planning meeting on Jan. 12 (9 members). Set dates for 3 meetings: April, June, Sept. Some issues raised at meeting for Board discussion: Life member dues, who pays, how are they paid; first time member dues reduction; suggested recognition of Donna's national presidency at NYSACAA meeting (gift); suggested that officers for organization be recruited statewide instead of by rotation from districts.

New Agent Dues Fund

• Suggested policy: pay 50% of dues for first time members.
• For 1998, Lisa Kempisty and Dave Weaver contributed $93 of 50:50 raffle winnings to fund.
• $25 contribution made to Karen Dean's membership. Other person who was sponsored has left system already. $68 remaining for 1998 which could be used to support new member dues.
• Charlie will track this in budget under Special Projects.
• Idea for source of funds to maintain Fund in future:
  • 50% of spaghetti dinner proceeds.
  • Capital District has some income from Conference Fundraising it would like to contribute to this fund (approx. $1000-1300) but they would like a policy developed before they commit funds.
• Bylaws change needed. Develop a proposal for approval by fall meeting.
  • Motion made by Westfall, second by Hulcoop to recommend changing the bylaws to pay half the dues of first time members. All in favor, motion passed.
• For Clippings- include a suggestion that members could sponsor half of a new member's dues this year.

Webpage

• Beth asks that we all review the webpage and reply to her about any changes. Add board meeting minutes to webpage.
• Publicize webpage in Ag Upbeat, CCE Notes and Clippings.

Logo review

• Overhaul is needed. One suggestion: graphic used in Protecting the Environment Poster (may be too busy).
• Ask Beth to pursue options for presentation at next meeting.

ACCEE Affiliation

• NYSACAA could become a section of ACCEE. Question about what that means? What do we contribute/get?
• Need to speak with Andy Turner or Nancy Potter for clarification. Invite them to our next meeting.
• John will find out when the next ACCEE Board meeting is and attend.
• ACCEE is planning to have an in-state "Galaxy" conference on Oct. 13-15, at the Holiday Inn in Waterloo. We may want to plan a joint annual meeting for that time.
• Need a vote of members. Joan will write an article for Clippings with a tear-off paper for voting on affiliation.
• Replies to be sent for tabulation to Monika.

National Ag Agents Meeting, July 26-30 in San Antonio, TX

• Looking for discussion group leaders. Include info in Clippings.

National Chairs/Vice-chairs Vacancies

• Chairs: Life Members, Professional Excellence, Public Relations, Recognition & Awards, and Resource & Program Development
• Suggestions: Recognition and Awards - Dave Reville; Life Member - Bill Worth
• Vice-Chairs: Communications, 4-H & Youth, Professional Excellence, Scholarship
• Suggestions: Scholarship - Tom Gallagher

Other Items:

• Norman Rockwell Photo of County Agent: being sold by MN Agents as a fundraiser ($75). Approved purchase of one for Roberts Hall.
• State Assoc. Flag & Flagpole: needs replacing. Need to approve expenditure.
• Life Memberships and Retirement Plaques: Life memberships to be paid for Jerry Skoda, Bill Snedeker, and Dave Wood. Charlie to follow-up. Plaques, Check with Judy Wright.
• Meshew Award: need a write up on the purpose (for agent to attend a national meeting) and how to apply, put in Clippings. Check with Judy Wright about the application.
• Items for Clippings:
  • Presidents letter
  • new board members, who I am info
  • financial statement
  • recognize individuals who raised over $1000 for national conference
  • list of committee chairs
  • national committee openings
  • ACCEE Info
  • Award winners
  • national meeting
  • dues sponsorship idea for new members
  • webpage
  • Educational partnership proposal
  • Agent Leadership Institute proposal

Next meeting date: MARCH 27, 10-2, ITHACA CE OFFICE

• Future dates: June meeting with Dean/Director - Joan will check on schedules for dates
• August Meeting: Aug. 26, Wed. Ithaca CE office