Thoughts to Ponder

Issue 1/30/03

Jo Britt-Rankin, M.S., Ph.D., Associate Dean, University of Missouri Extension  britt-rankinj@missouri.edu

Happy New Year!
As we begin another new year, things continue to change at a rapid pace. As I assume the new role as Interim Associate Dean for HES Extension, I feel positive that we will continue to grow our program and achieve new heights even through the most difficult times. I feel we have an excellent staff in place and are reaching new milestones each year.

I would challenge everyone to set goals for the upcoming year. Jot these down in your planner and refer to them periodically. I will try to ask each of you throughout the coming months if you are reaching those goals and how I may be of benefit to you.

Speaking of being of benefit to each of you, I do look forward to working with everyone. I hope to travel out to see programming and to work with you and your regional directors to see that programming is of high quality and that all staff have materials and funding to be most efficient. I have told some of this already but I want each of you to know that I want to act as a facilitator. I hope to facilitate your program efforts and assist in any way that I can.

We may not have flush budgets at this time, however, we need to continue to seek new ways of doing business. This is good time to take inventory of what our most successful programs are and to concentrate on our strengths. We have all heard it before, but it is even more important now--"Find YOUR niche!" I would encourage you all to think differently and to not limit yourself by current constraints. If we are all willing to take some risks, we will reach our goals.

To keep you informed, I will try to write my "Thoughts to Ponder" every week to two weeks. This will contain information about what is currently happening on campus and in the field around HES. I will also try to keep you informed of where I will be so you can contact me if needed. As you know, along with being Interim Associate Dean, I will remain Administrative Director of FNEP.  I will be working out of both offices, so below is my schedule for the next two weeks.

Martin Luther King Mini-Grants Available
Thanks to Lucy Schrader and Tammy Gillespie for alerting me to the Martin Luther King Mini-Grant Program. I would encourage each of you to read the files below to determine if this is a funding source that would benefit your program efforts. If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.

2003 Martin Luther King Grant
MLK Timeline
MLK Minigrant Application

HES Spring Meeting--April 9 & 10 @ Sun Spree Resort, Lake Ozark
It is my pleasure to invite each of you to attend our 2003 Spring HES Extension Meeting April 9 & 10 at the Holiday Inn Sun Spree Resort, Lake Ozark, MO. Many of you may remember the location as the former Holiday Inn at the Lake. This facility is newly remodeled and under new management. The staff at the Sun Spree bend over backwards to assist in the planning of events. Each room is equipped with a small refrigerator, microwave, hair dryer, mini safe, iron and ironing board. It is sure to please everyone's needs.

Below is the draft agenda that was sent to you earlier this month. Remember you are asked to room with another staff member. All roommate selections and special dietary needs are due February 15 to Ruby Idle. If you are looking for a roommate, contact Ruby and she can let you know who else is in need of a roommate.