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Epsilon Sigma Phi – Alpha Beta Chapter January 2009 The Alpha Beta Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi had an outstanding year in 2008 and we’re off to a great start in 2009. The annual meeting in August was excellent. In spite of the stormy weather on Friday, 93 people attended the awards luncheon, along with Representative Richard Royal and his wife, Marilyn, and Wanda Barrs, Chairman of Georgia State School Board. Rep. Royal received the Alpha Beta Chapter Friend of Extension Award from ESP in 2007 and the National Friend of Extension Award in 2008. He has been a true friend of UGA Cooperative Extension for many years and was very appreciative of this award. Wanda Barrs was the 2008 winner of the Alpha Beta Chapter Friend of Extension Award and we were honored that she was able to be with us. To view a picture of Wanda Barrs with her award, click on http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/pea_communications.aspx?ViewMode=1&obj=1687 Scholarship funds were raised through both live and silent auctions and we had 19 poster presentations highlighting the outstanding work being conducted by Cooperative Extension across the state. Thanks to everyone who was involved with planning the annual meeting, scholarship auctions, poster presentations, and awards recognition this year. You really made ESP shine!
The national meeting of ESP was held at the Galaxy Conference in Indianapolis in September. Representing our chapter were Jennifer Grogan and Raymond Joyce. Representative Richard Royal also attended and received the National Friend of Extension Award. It was a significant honor for a nominee from our chapter to be recognized at the National level with this distinguished award.
Raymond Joyce and Gail Hanula represented ESP at the Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) meeting in Athens on December 5. Dr. Sparks, Tony Tyson, Dr. Steve Brown, Dean Scott Angle, and Dean Laura Jolly met with the JCEP leadership team and provided budget updates. Members of the JCEP leadership team expressed appreciation to our administrators for their transparency on issues related to budget during these difficult times. If you have not been able to participate in Dean Angle’s Wimba sessions, transcripts are available online.
In regard to business for 2009, please be sure to send your dues to your ESP District Director immediately if you have not already. If you plan to retire, we hope you will consider becoming a Life Member of ESP. Those planning to retire who have already paid dues for 2009 can still become a Life Member - your 2009 paid dues will be subtracted from the cost of Life Membership. Please contact Rose Simmons, rsimmons@uga.edu, for additional information on Life Membership in ESP.
Other items of interest for 2009 include:
The next ESP Board meeting will be held January 23, 2009 via conference call with GoToMeetings. We will discuss the possibility of submitting a bid to host the 2012 ESP National Meeting, along with proposed changes to the by-laws. If you have items you would like to bring to the Board’s attention, please let your ESP District Director know. Also, representatives from ESP will be travelling to Washington, DC in April for the PILD Conference. In conjunction with this, we will be meeting with several members of Congress and/or legislative aides. If there are success stories you would like to share from your county, please let your ESP District Director know so they can be forwarded to those who will be attending. I would also like to thank Marcie Simpson and Robin Lunsford for volunteering to update the ESP website, beginning this month. Thanks so much!
Best wishes for a happy, healthy 2009!
Gail Hanula, President Alpha Beta Chapter Epsilon Sigma Phi
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