SDCAA Spring Meeting
Izaak Walton League, Pierre, SD
May 16, 2008
The Spring meeting of the SDCAA was called to order by Vice-President Paul Johnson. Acting Sergeant of Arms Maurice Lemke reported that there were 28 members and 3 guests in attendance.
Vice-President Paul Johnson presented the meeting agenda. Maurice Lemke moved while Don Guthmiller seconded to accept the agenda.
The secretary’s minutes were handed out and reviewed. Mike Huber moved and Clint Clark seconded accepting the secretary’s minutes as written. Motion passed (attachment A).
Ann Price moved to accept the treasurer’s report while John Keimig seconded the motion. Motion passed (attachment B).
OLD BUSINESS:
Joint Council of Extension Professionals (J-CEP) Reimbursement—Steve Sutera moved to provide $ 500 each for two officers to attend J-CEP but if only one officer attends then they can receive up to $ 1000 for reimbursement which is retroactive this year. Tracey Renelt seconded the motion. Motion passed.
By-Laws and Resolutions—Passed out the new, updated copies of the by-laws and resolutions (attachment C).
Specialists as Members to the Organization—After much discussion it was decided that we have it covered and that if specialists wanted to join, they are more than welcome.
NEW BUSINESS:
AM/PIC—Greensboro, NC—July 13-17, 2008
Those attending:
~ Heather Gessner—Communications Regional Finalist, PRIDE Regional Finalist, Achievement Award Winner, & Voting Delegate
~ Gary Erickson—Distinguished Service Award Winner
~ Lanette Butler—Excellence in Livestock Production Regional Finalist & Voting Delegate
~ Steve Munk—National Policy Chairman
The 2009 AM/PIC will be held in Portland, OR, September 20-24.
Galaxy—September 15-19, 2008
~ Registration of $ 395 is due by June 15
~ FCS & 4-H National Meetings
~ Opportunity to travel as group to cut costs
~ Is anyone planning on attending?
Committees—propose changing length of chairman terms
Maurice Lemke moved to set the committee chair terms for 2 years. Adele Harty seconded. Motion passed.
Resolutions:
2008-01
AG COMMUNICATIONS DEPT
Whereas; one of the main forms of educating the people of South Dakota is through the media (radio, print, and TV);
Whereas; the College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences publishes many research reports, educational materials and support materials;
Whereas; the expertise and assistance within the department is recognized by all Educators and Specialists that have worked with the department and recently publically recognized that expertise by awarding Lance Nixon the Specialists Association Distinguished Service Award;
Whereas; all areas of the cooperative extension system has access to the creative resources, statewide mailing/email lists, and communication resources; therefore, be it
Resolved; that SDCAA commends the faculty in the Ag Communications Department for a job well done; and
Resolved; that SDCAA supports filling open positions within the Ag Communications Department ensuring that this resource is available to specialists and educators, research and teaching staff within the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences.
Kevin Vaith moved to accept Resolution 2008-01 Ag Communications Dept. while Ann Price seconded the motion. Heavy discussion followed. Maurice Lemke called for the question. Motion passed.
2008-02
HIRING PROCESS
Whereas; the South Dakota Extension Service serves the entire state and has a local presence in most counties; and
Whereas; County Educators rely on specialists to help with programming, training, and answering questions from the public; and
Whereas; all staff benefit from having a full administration team in place to answer personnel questions, provide professional development opportunities, and create continuity within the extension system; therefore, be it
Resolved; that the South Dakota County Ag Agents Association encourages all members of the CES administration team, as well as SDSU Human Resources, the Dean’s office, and all others involved in the hiring process to streamline the hiring process and shorten the average number of days all positions are open; be it
Resolved; the SD County Ag Agents Association would support a differential pay scale for educators, based on industry beginning and average salaries, in order to fill empty positions with top quality educators.
Kevin Vaith moved to amend the resolution by removing “be it Resolved; the SD County Ag Agents Association would support a differential pay scale for educators, based on industry beginning and average salaries, in order to fill empty positions with top quality educators.” from the proposed resolution. John Keimig seconded the amendment. Much discussion occurred on this topic. Jim Krantz called for the question. Amendment passed. Bob Fanning moved to accept the amended resolution while Clint Clark seconded the motion. Motion passed as amended.
Resolution 2008-02 Hiring Process now reads:
2008-02
HIRING PROCESS
Whereas; the South Dakota Extension Service serves the entire state and has a local presence in most counties; and
Whereas; County Educators rely on specialists to help with programming, training, and answering questions from the public; and
Whereas; all staff benefit from having a full administration team in place to answer personnel questions, provide professional development opportunities, and create continuity within the extension system; therefore, be it
Resolved; that the South Dakota County Ag Agents Association encourages all members of the CES administration team, as well as SDSU Human Resources, the Dean’s office, and all others involved in the hiring process to streamline the hiring process and shorten the average number of days all positions are open.
Friend of SDCAA
Don Guthmiller moved to recommend that Crop Improvement receive the “Friend of SDCAA” Award. Bob Fanning seconded. Motion passed.
Awards
The members decided not to nominate anyone for the NASULGC Award but we will support any one of our members if they are selected for this award.
Seminar Awards
Shooting—1st Place—Maurice Lemke, 2nd Place—Jerry Mills, and 3rd Place—Terry Hall
Golf—1st Place—Chuck Langner & Tyler Melroe, 2nd Place—John Keimig, Justin Keyser, & Kevin Vaith, and 3rd Place—Ruth Beck & Roger Barrick
Pool—1st Place—Roger Barrick, 2nd Place—Duaine Marxen, and 3rd Place Jim Krantz
Darts—1st Place—David Vander Vliet, 2nd Place Chuck Langner, and 3rd Place—Don Guthmiller
Committee Reports:
SD Stock Growers Association—John Keimig reported on BQA.
SD Association of County Commish—Maurice Lemke reported that he sat in on a program that discussed grazing leases & custom rates as local producers are getting older and land values have been going up.
Weed & Pest—Mark Rosenberg stated that pesticide container recycling will be held again this year but as for pesticide recycling you can register your products this year but pick up will not be until next year. They have increased $ 25 per chemical to go to the Weed & Pest Commission. Mike Ascher (Spink County) is the new Weed & Pest Supervisor.
Life Member—Terry Hall reported that with the mailing that was sent out to the life members we had one member (Larry Madsen) come to the steak supper and that Dale Curtis sent an email message. As for the County Agent Prints there are some in the Brookings County Extension Office and some in the Clark County Extension Office.
Kevin Vaith moved to adjourn the meeting with a second by Steve Sutera. Motion passed.
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________
Connie Strunk
SDCAA Secretary/Treasurer