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ALPHA SIGMA CHAPTER, WISCONSIN JULY 2011
PRESIDENT’S LETTER ESP President Encourages Your Participation A group of stakeholders in Florence County are working to transition people from the jail to the community with the goal of reducing recidivism. At our last meeting, five representatives from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) talked about their experience with that self-help organization. They said that AA cannot guarantee a cure, but it can give hope. AA allows a person with a problem to make the choice. The support AA provides comes from the other members. The power and hope comes from the people within the organization. I believe this is true for all organizations, including ESP. Strength comes from the members. It’s the ―giving back‖ and working together that makes it better for everyone. All of us benefit from the participation of each member. We need each of you to make our organization powerful. And a powerful organization will give us hope to move forward with our important work of extending the resources of the University to the people we serve in our communities. Consider how you could participate in Wisconsin’s ESP:
Become a committee member
Submit a proposal for a concurrent session or poster presentation for the national conference
Make a donation to the ESP foundation to contribute to professional development
Attend the ESP picnic to meet retired and active members
Nominate someone for an award
Offer to run for an office
Write an article for the newsletter
Encourage a colleague to join ESP
Etc.—The possibilities are ENDLESS!
I welcome your contribution to ESP. Join me in ESP, your key to professional excellence. Sincerely, Joan LeFebvre Alpha Sigma Chapter President [email protected]
IN THIS ISSUE
President’s Message .................... 1 Retiree Committee ....................... 2 Alpha Sigma Chapter Officers .... 2 Grants Committee Report ........... 3-5 Awards Committee Report .......... 6 PILD Report .................................. 7 Nominations Committee Report . 7 New Life Members ........................ 8 Mission of ESP ............................. 8 Save the Dates.............................. 8 In Memoriam ................................. 9-10 Resource Development Report ... 10 WI Retirement Funds ................... 11 National ESP News ...................... 12 CES Centennial ............................ 12 Picnic Registration ....................... 13
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President: Joan LeFebvre President-elect: Peggy Compton Past President: Paul Roback Secretary: René Mehlberg Treasurer: Jeanne Baum County Directors: Patrick Nehring, Cara Carper Retiree Directors: Faden Fulleylove-Krause, Mary Mennes State Staff Directors: Ann Keim, Sue Buck Committee Chairs:
Awards Joan Wimme Benefits Review Dwayne Rohweder Grants Mahlon Peterson Global Relations OPEN Membership Edie Felts-Podoll Nominations Paul Roback Resource Development and Management Peg Reedy
Annalist: Yvonne Horton UWEX Liaison: Katie Councilor Newsletter: René Mehlberg Historian: Linda Kustka
July 2011
RETIREE COMMITTEE Paul Roback, Chair
ALPHA SIGMA CHAPTER OFFICERS—2011-2012
After being on hiatus during the ESP Strategic Planning Process, the Retiree Committee has been reactivated with Paul Roback serving as Chair. Additionally, Kathi Vos, Mary Mennes, and Dan Wilson have agreed to serve on the committee. We are currently looking for two additional committee members. If interested, please contact Paul Roback.
As a result of the strategic planning process, a new communication strategy with retired ESP members was designed and implemented. An e-mail distribution list has been developed and utilized to communicate:
ESP updates
Retirement announcements
Passing of colleagues
Communications from the Dean and Chancellor
Communications among retirees
Advocacy opportunities
Other relevant UW-Extension information.
This strategy has resulted in positive feedback from retired members, a donation to the ESP Endowment, and communication with elected officials regarding UW-Extension’s Broadband Initiative. If you are currently not receiving retiree e-mail communications and would like to, please contact Paul Roback at [email protected].
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July 2011
In February 2011, ESP awarded $11,075 in professional development grants. Marvin and Ellouise Beatty Award—Vilas County CNRED Agent Kelly Haverkampf to attend Community & Regional Economic Analysis II and Economic Development Strategies and Programs courses for a Community Development Master’s Degree from Iowa State University J. Mitchell Mackey Award—Milwaukee County 4-H Program Coordinator Michelle Gonzalez to attend Introduction to Research and Introduction to Leadership Theory courses for a Masters of Science in Educational Leadership through Cardinal Stritch University Ellen Fitzsimmons Award—Columbia County Family Living Agent Patti Herman to attend the 2011 Department of Defense/US Department of Agriculture Family Resiliency Conference ESP Professional Development Grants
Sawyer County 4-H Youth Development Agent Lori Laberee to attend a 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Maximizer Workshop
Juneau County CNRED Agent Gary Kirking to attend a professional development opportunity in developing a rural business center in Kazakstan
Fond du Lac County CNRED Agent Diana Hammer Tscheschlok to attend the National Urban Extension Conference and Pre-Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, May 2-5, 2011
Waushara County Nutrition Educator Terri Hernandez to attend the Wisconsin Dietetic Association Conference in Lake Geneva, WI on April 6-8, 2011
Walworth County Nutrition Agent Karie Lutz to attend a First Semester Spanish course through the University of Wisconsin’s Independent Learning
Rock County Horticulture Educator Michael Maddox to attend a Therapeutic Landscapes course from the University of Minnesota and a Tackling the Tough Skills course from the University of Missouri-Extension
The next ESP Grant deadline is August 1, 2011. The grant application is available at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/admin/esp/committees/grants.cfm.
Highlights from Grant Recipients Experiences
Terri Hernandez, Waushara County, WNEP Educator I would like to thank ESP for providing me an opportunity to attend the Wisconsin Dietetic Association (WDA) Conference. The grant paid for conference registration, mileage, hotel accommodations, food, and travel. The theme of the conference was ―Wisconsin Rocks, WDA Rolling Forward‖. Day one included awesome presenters that talked about communicating, remembering to not take yourself so seriously, working towards a greener tomorrow, and having a positive presence. All of these sessions were so well delivered and valuable to me professionally and personally.
The second day focused more on nutrition and research that shows ways to help us stay or get healthy. The sports nutrition presenter from University of Illinois was fabulous. She brought nutrition down to the very basics. The information I gleaned I can directly apply to my work with WNEP. The other speakers were awesome and enlightening; I can apply the research data to my work and personal life.
Thank you very much ESP Grants Committee for allowing me to participate in this professional development opportunity. It really encouraged me both professionally and personally and I can’t thank you enough!
ESP GRANTS COMMITTEE Patrick Nehring, Past Chair
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July 2011
Jenny Wehmeier, Walworth County, Family Living Educator: Marvin and Ellouise Beatty Grant Recipient Over the past two terms, I completed two graduate courses at Aurora University’s George Williams Campus in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. The latter of the courses, Technology in the School of the Future, proved to be an important technology update for me and the Walworth County Family Living Program.
During the course, I used several pieces of software and websites that I had never heard of! Using Photo Story 3, I developed a four minute Family Living movie to use during my annual report to the Agriculture and Extension Education Committee, as well as during my tenure review. I compiled photos of various educational programs, edited them, and set them to music.
Using Windows Move Maker, I developed a public relations piece for the Strong Women-Healthy Hearts program. I interviewed five program participants and obtained 30 minutes of movie footage. Through editing and adding graphics, I created a seven minute introduction to the program that will be accessible through our website.
Additionally, I utilized Glogster.edu to create program flyers to be used in conjunction with social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. These flyers include imbedded media such as short movies, links to other websites, and Extension promotional materials.
Thank you again to ESP and the Beatty family for this opportunity. I learned so much that I look forward to sharing with others!
Bob Cropp, Pepin County Agriculture Agent: Henry L. Ahlgren Grant Recipient Thank-you to the ESP Grants Committee for selecting me to receive Henry L. Ahlgren Award to fund my Mediation Skills Training at the Winnebago Conflict Resolution Center in Oshkosh, WI. The training was very challenging and rewarding. The training is similar to strategic planning in that the skills learned can be applied to so many situations in my work with farmers, agribusiness, community groups, and office staff settings. It clearly helped me better understand my basic attributes as they relate to mediation effectiveness. I was able to fine tune some areas as well as apply existing skills with a focus on mediating parties to an acceptable resolution. This training included numerous direct applications through role plays of actual past cases.
How will I apply this to my work? The most valuable use will be in working with farm and/or agribusiness clients confronting
issues related to their businesses. Typically bigger issues or ―rocks in the road‖ occur in the process of transferring farm businesses. This is true whether it is a business arrangement between non-related parties or a transition between different generations of the same family. The inter-family transfer agreements often run into the bigger issues that can actually be deal breakers. While I often serve as a consultant and/or facilitator of these processes, I will be able to bring another set of tools to the table to help these families in a more defined way.
I intend to serve as a volunteer mediator for the Wisconsin DATCP Farm Mediation Center.
Many aspects of this mediation training can also be applied to other less formal situations. I anticipate to apply these skills to settings when I am working with:
Office colleagues (am the county department head)
Programming team members and workgroups
Academic department members/committees (am currently the chair) Administrative work (working with county, district and state Extension
stakeholders)
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Patti Herman, Family Living Educator, Columbia County: Ellen Fitzsimmons Grant Award I was honored to receive the 2011 Ellen Fitzsimmons Award from ESP. I used the award to attend the ―Forging the Partnership: 2011 DoD/USDA Family Resilience Conference‖ in Chicago, Illinois April 27-29, 2011. This conference was organized by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Unit.
The conference focus was on supporting families in being resilient, with a special emphasis on how we can help build resilience in military families. Since my own work within Family Living addresses family resilience --- including my work as the co-chair of the Families in Stress and Transition Team --- this conference was a good fit for my Extension work.
A few sessions that have particular relevance for my work:
Risk and Resilience in Development – This presentation reviewed research on risk and resilience which will be good information to share with the Families in Stress and Transition Team and will help me be more purposeful about building resilience into my work.
Deep Brain Learning: Pathways to Potential with Challenging Youth – Interesting information about four universal growth needs: generosity, independence, belonging, and mastery. The speaker talked about the need for interventions that focus on meeting growth needs and referred to this as a Resilience Model. While these growth needs were talked about in terms of youth, I believe they have application across ages and I want to explore that idea in my work.
Successful Models in Service Member and Family Support: How Land-Grant Universities and the Cooperative Extension System Partner with Military Components – I have a new awareness of military families who are not living on a base. I will be using the information to learn more about how we can help meet the needs of those families in our county. I’ll be sharing partnership information with my family living colleagues so they can strengthen their ability to be a resource to these families in their counties.
Coaching for Community Change: Approaches for Implementing Sustainable Strategies for Healthy Communities and Youth – I have been trained in one-on-one financial coaching and was interested in learning how the coaching model can be expanded to work with communities. The model fits well with the transformational approach that we take in communities and will strengthen the work I do, including my statewide work with Family Living Program committees.
Bringing Everyone to the Table: Meetings with Purpose and Patience – Like everyone in Extension, I facilitate and participate in a lot of meetings. During this session I learned some strategies that I can use to make meetings more successful. As I use these strategies I will also be modeling them for my colleagues.
Thank you again for supporting my participation in this very informative conference.
July 2011
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July 2011
The Alpha Sigma Chapter recognized several award recipients at the Joint Council of Extension Professionals Award Luncheon in Stevens Point on April 6. Rick Klemme, Cooperative Dean and Director, and Paul Roback, Chapter President, presented plaques to the following award honorees. Early Career Award: Will Andresen, Iron County and Teri Zuege-Halvorsen, Calumet County Mid Career Service Award: Marilyn Kooiker, Burnett County Retiree Award: Mary Mennes, formerly Family Living Education/UW-Madison Chapter Diversity/Multicultural Recognition Award: Theresa Wimann & Edith Felts-Podoll, Adams County; Rebecca Gutzman, Columbia County; and Susan Nagelkerk, Sauk County Administrative Leadership Recognition Award: Mary Meehan-Strub, LaCrosse County Friend of Extension Award: West Bend Daily News/Conley Media and Jerry Murphy, Executive Director of NewNorth ESP Chapter Team Award: Systems Thinking Team with team members of Paul Roback, Washington County; Steve Brachman and Joe Van Rossum, Solid & Hazardous Waste Education Center; Laura Brown, UWEX Center for Community Economic Development; Gerry Campbell, UW-Madison/Professor Emeritus; Stephan Gilchrist, UW-Extension Administration; Kathleen Haas, Columbia County; Mindy Habecker, Dane County; Kelly Haverkampf, Vilas County; Annie Jones, Kenosha County; Mary Kluz, Marathon County; Catherine Neiswender, Winnebago County; Jennifer Stewart, Portage County; Diana Tscheschlok, Fond du Lac County; Karen Vermillion, Menomonee County/Nation; Ingrid West, Environmental Center; Tom Wojciechowski, Ashland County
to ALL honorees and to all who applied!
2011-12 Awards Committee Joan Wimme, Committee Chair Matt Hanson Renee Vertin Marma McIntee Will Andresen Marty Havlovic René Mehlberg, Board Liaison Linda Olson
AWARDS COMMITTEE Joan Wimme, Committee Chair
Rick Klemme, Will Andresen, Paul Roback
Rick Klemme, Mary Mennes, Paul Roback
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July 2011
Submitted by ESP PILD delegates Shelley Tidemann, Fond du Lac County and Matt Hanson, Dodge County The above theme resonated throughout the 2011 PILD conference held in April in Washington D.C. We felt very fortunate to represent our ESP chapter and state as delegates for the PILD Conference.
The concurrent conference sessions focused on professional growth and issues relating to Cooperative Extensions relevancy, plus the need to communicate this relevancy. There were meetings to prepare us for our state elected officials visits on the ―hill‖. The changes being experienced in our counties and state, plus the federal outlook regarding the undergoing transformation were presented
by the different speakers throughout the conference. All presentations gave insights to keep in mind to discuss what Cooperative Extension provides in relation to Public Value.
At the time we visited with our congressional staff, there was concern about a rumored 10% cut to Smith Lever Funds which provides base funding for our Extension Staff across Wisconsin. The proposed cuts were part of a budget cutting package to offset an imminent governmental shutdown. The timing of the congressional visits, the awareness generated about the Extension network, and the programs we provide during these financially challenging times had to have played an important part in the proposed 10% cut being reduced to a 1% cut. This will take some very important pressure off of the state and local budgets in maintaining Extension presence.
At the Annual ESP meeting, we were still looking for a President-Elect nomination. I am pleased to inform our membership that the ESP Board approved the nomination of Peggy Compton at their June 13 Board Meeting. If you have attended any of the ESP Olympics at the past several JCEP Conferences, you will recognize Peggy as one of the dynamic duo that dresses in costume who shares their enthusiasm for ESP during this event. Previously, Peggy served on the JCEP Board and Chaired the planning committee for the 2009 Annual JCEP Conference. We are fortunate that Peggy will bring this enthusiasm and her leadership talents to the position of ESP President-Elect!
Peggy is the Natural Resources Educator for the Grant - Platte - Sugar - Pecatonica Basin. She joined UW-Extension and the Basin Educator program in 1998 following working at the Lancaster Agricultural Research Station. Peggy holds a BS in Agriculture from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and an MS in Horticulture from Virginia Tech.
If you have any questions regarding the Nomination Committee, please contact Paul Roback at [email protected].
2011 PUBLIC ISSUES LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COOPERATIVE EXTENSION: RELEVANT NOW & BEYOND
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE Paul Roback, Chair
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July 2011
Save the Dates!! August 16, 2011 - ESP Picnic, Middleton October 9-13, 2011 - National ESP
Conference, Syracuse, NY April 10-12, 2012 - JCEP Conference,
Holiday Inn, Stevens Point October 6-9, 2012 - National ESP
Conference, Mobile, AL September 15-20, 2013 - ESP Annual
Conference held in conjunction with the 4th Galaxy Conference, Pittsburgh, PA
MISSION OF ESP
The mission of Epsilon Sigma Phi is to foster standards of excellence in the Extension System and to develop the Extension profession and professional. Since Epsilon Sigma Phi was established in 1927 in Bozeman, Montana, members have worked to strengthen the impact of the Extension System to address needs of individuals and communities through research-based education. ESP is one of the oldest and is the largest organization of Extension Professionals. Epsilon Sigma Phi is an equal opportunity/affirmative action organization. The organization values and seeks a diverse membership.
ALPHA SIGMA CHAPTER WELCOMES NEW LIFE MEMBERS
Dick Pederson, Donna Menart, Edie Felts-Podoll (Membership Chair)
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July 2011
IN MEMORIAM -- We are saddened to share that we received information of losing five friends and colleagues since our last newsletter. Priscilla D. Hargraves, age 90, passed away February 28, 2011 in Atlanta, GA from complications of a stroke. She was born in Janesville, WI. She attended Milton College and graduated from the University of Wisconsin, and later earned her Master’s of Science from the University of Wisconsin. Following her service in the Women’s Air Corps in WWII where she trained pilots, Priscilla began her career as a Home Agent in Walworth County from 1928-1962. She then became a State Family Living Specialist until her retirement in 1980. She continued her active involvement in AAUW, ESP, WREA, Janesville VFW Auxiliary and many others. She was an avid reader, enjoyed travel, loved music and playing cribbage. Priscilla moved to Atlanta to be near family as her health deteriorated.
Nellie Rose McCannon, age 93, passed away on Friday, March 11, 2011. Nellie was on the University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty for 37 years, 10 years of that at the Milwaukee County Extension Office. She earned a bachelor of science degree from Iowa State University and her master's from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She joined the Agricultural Journalism Department to head their home economics journalism major. She handled the home economics news service and taught news writing and feature writing classes. She was also president of the Wisconsin Home Economics Association and on the board of the American Home Economics Association where she started a communications section and served as its first chair.
Theodore (Ted) Brevig, age 88, passed away March 3, 2011. Ted was on the Agricultural Engineering staff at Michigan State University from 1947-1955 and became a member of the UW-Madison Agricultural Engineering Department from 1955 until his retirement, serving as Extension Specialist in Farm Buildings. He collaborated in designing farm buildings, county fair buildings and buildings at the Upham Woods 4-H Youth Camp. He also served as a navigator and torpedo officer on board a light cruiser during World War II. Ted received numerous awards including the Second Mile Award from the WI County Agricultural Extension Agents and several ASAE Blue Ribbons for Extension Publications. He also received the Epsilon Sigma Phi State Distinguished Service Award.
Lowell Lavern Pierce, age 82, passed away early April 5, 2011. After service in the Navy at Pearl Harbor, Lowell completed his BS and MS degrees in Extension Education at UW-Madison. He served as a 4-H Agent in Calumet County in 1958-1960 and in Waukesha County from 1960-1974. He then served on the Kentucky state 4-H staff from 1974-1978 and on the South Dakota state 4-H staff from 1978 until he retired in 1987. Lowell was known by his extra-ordinary sense of humor. His hobbies were photography, videography, travel and camping in most of the 50 states.
Ernest (Ernie) Ehrbar, age 88, died May 3, 2011. Ernie came to the U.S. at age 5. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture from UW-Platteville in 1948 and a Master's Degree from the University of Wisconsin. Ernie served Cooperative Extension as a 4-H and Youth Agent, Agricultural Agent and NE District Director. He retired in retired in 1983 as Professor Emeritus after 35 years of service. Outside of work, Ernie was active in Kiwanis as well as the Green Bay Redevelopment Authority and the Green Bay Area Visitor and Convention Bureau and was an avid Packers fan.
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July 2011
Eugene "Gene" A. Radloff, age 77, died June 21, 2011. He grew up on a farm in the Neenah area and graduated from the UW-Madison School of Agriculture in 1956. Following two years in the Army, Gene began a 28½ year Cooperative Extension career as the Vilas County Resources Agent in 1963. Through thousands of photographs, Gene promoted and chronicled the Musky Marathon, Colorama and the World Championship Snowmobile Derby. He also served as Vilas County 4-H Youth Agent for several years. Following his retirement in 1991, he continued to enjoy photography and many outdoor activities. Help Us Recognize Colleagues Who Have Passed On As a service to our ESP membership, we try to share information of deaths of colleagues. You can help if you would forward information you become aware of to JoAnn Gruber-Hagen. She will prepare announcements for ESP newsletters are well as for ESP gatherings. If you have an ESP event coming up and would like to be able to recognize colleagues who have passed, please contact JoAnn and she will be sure you have the most recent information. Contact JoAnn at W4048 Kammes Drive, Belleville, WI 53508 or [email protected].
JCEP Fund Raising Activities a Success for ESP Endowment Fund The 2011 JCEP Conference provided a great venue for the ESP Resource Development fundraising activities as $1,333.00 was raised through the silent auction/raffle activities. The success was due in a great part to the enthusiastic ―encouragement‖ of Cara Carper and Peggy Compton. Thanks Cara and Peggy for your continued creativity and support. In the first five months of 2011, $2,813.00 was donated to the endowment to support professional development for our Extension colleagues. The Resource Development Committee is looking for new members as the terms of Ellen Fitzsimmons, Keith VanderVelde, and Nancy Brooks are expiring. Thanks so much for your service and support in promoting the endowment. Please contact Peg Reedy (262-741-4961; [email protected]) to become a member of the Resource Development Committee. You can support the ESP professional development fund at any level. You may contribute by sending a check to ESP Endowment Fund, Cooperative Extension, 601 Extension Building, 432 North Lake St. Madison, WI 53706 or go to http://www.uwex.edu/ces/admin/esp/ to use a credit card. Contact the UW Extension payroll office of donating through payroll deduction. Individuals giving to the ESP endowment can be recognized for different levels of contribution on ―The Evergreens‖, a metal sculpture displayed outside the VandeBerg Auditorium at the Pyle Center. Thank you for your all of your support! ESP Resource Development Committee: Peg Reedy, Chair Ellen Fitzsimmons Keith VanderVelde Nancy Brooks Don Last Annie Jones Gloria Fauerbach Paul Roback
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Peg Reedy, Chair
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July 2011
Wisconsin is a national leader in managing its long-term liabilities for both pensions and retiree health care and other benefits, according to the Pew Center for the States. In February I reported that the returns for 2010 were not sufficient to avert a pension reduction for many retirees. In May 2011, Keith Bozarth, SWIB Director reported that the WRS Funds are "On the Road to Recovery". Data showing the recovery since 2008 are shown in Table 1. Table 1: ONGOING RECOVERY FROM 2008 (Preliminary May 31, 2011) Fund 2009 2010 2011 YTD* Core Fund 22.4% 12.4% 6.7% Variable Fund 33.7% 15.5% 7.7%
Continuing increases in Year to Date recovery rates for both WRS funds are shown in Table 2. Table 2: MONTHLY CHANGES IN ANNUITY RETURNS YTD 2011 Month Core Fund Variable Fund December 31, 2010 -1.2% + 11.0% January 31, 2011 +1.2% +1.9% February 28, 2011 3.3 5.2 March 31, 2011 4.2 (3.8%)** 5.6 (5.5%)** April 30, 2011 7.3 (6.9) 9.4 (9.3) May 31, 2011 6.7 (6.2) 7.7 (7.5)
Values in ( ) are Benchmark values WRS fund values for each month in 2011 are positive reflecting in part the positive returns in the stock markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average at the end of March reflected the best first quarter for the market in 12 years. Both the Dow and the S&P 500 were still up 5.7% and 5.8% for the year at the end of May. However, the three stock funds have been down six weeks in a row as of June 10. SWIB is managing to reduce risks and costs in investing. Values in parentheses for the last three months show that SWIB fund managers have exceeded their benchmark values. Global recovery appears to be on-going but, there are several obstacles that are slowing the recovery rate: Unemployment of over 9%, Consumers spending for food and fuel, Euro area debt crisis, Home price decline, and Emerging market inflation. On your Federal pension, Social Security, and Military Pension, the CPI monthly inflation change has increased 2.21% as of March 31 giving retirees possibility of a COLA in 2012. Dave Stella, ETF Secretary reports that it is important to remember that the WRS is unique among public pension plans because the risk is shared by employers, employees, and retirees. The results of actuarial and investment market changes are reflected in annuity adjustments, contribution rates and interest crediting to member accounts. The WRS is one of the best funded public pension plans in the U.S. As of 12-31-09 the WRS was 99.8% funded. The WRS retirement benefits are modest. The original Core fund annuity paid when a member retires can not be reduced. Only positive annual post-retirement adjustments can be reduced if investment returns result in negative adjustments. Once a WRS member retires their accrued rights and benefits are guaranteed by law and cannot be taken away by a subsequent act of the legislature. Despite the long-term trend of increasing retirements and the recent surge in retirements, the WRS is well-positioned to pay benefits now and in the future.
YOUR WISCONSIN RETIREMENT FUNDS IN ACTION Dwayne A. Rohweder, ESP Representative to the Coalition of Annuitants
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July 2011
National Information for You to Know Taken from espconnection, The Newsletter of Epsilon Sigma Phi
Registration is now available for the 2011 ESP National Conference The National ESP Conference is October 10-13 in Syracuse, New York. Come join the great Professional Development Opportunities and the Fun! If you are planning on attending, contact Wisconsin ESP President Joan LeFebvre at [email protected]. For more information or to register go to http://espnational.org/
In 2012, Wisconsin Cooperative Extension will celebrate 100 years since E. L. Luther became the first county Extension agent in Oneida County. The Centennial Steering Committee, honorary co-chairs Jerry Apps, Ellen Fitzsimmons, and Gerry Campbell, have met through the past year to identify Centennial celebration purpose, objectives, goals, and structure. Steering Committee members include Kathleen Haas, Marie Stafford, Rick Klemme, Yvonne Horton, Pamela Seelman, and Linda Kustka. The Centennial will highlight the rich past which led to the relevant present Extension work. The evolution of CES prepares the organization to address important future county and state needs with many audiences. ESP retirees and current CES staff shared Centennial ideas this Spring via email surveys. A gathering of NE District retirees provided an opportunity for sharing celebration thoughts. We hope to hear your thoughts at the August picnic and via communication to committee members. Celebration committees being formed include: History (to identify content involving impact and stories for other committees); Displays; Media; Social Media; and Events. We’re looking at 8-10 existing statewide events to feature Centennial celebrations (i.e. JCEP and Wisconsin Association of County Extension Committees). In addition, staff will have opportunities to use Centennial materials in county and campus settings. The ESP board has a Centennial involvement question on their agenda: What, if any, contribution/effort should ESP provide to the Centennial? Let the ESP leadership know your thoughts.
WISCONSIN CES TO CELEBRATE CENTENNIAL IN 2012 Linda Kustka, ESP Historian
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2011 ESP Picnic Tuesday, August 16
It’s time to register for the annual ESP Summer Picnic. Catch up on the latest from friends, Cooperative Extension Programs, and CALS. Mark your calendar and send in your registration now. When: Tuesday, August 16, 2011 Where: Lakeview Park Shelter on Allen Blvd. (Middleton between University Ave and
Century Blvd)
PROGRAM 2:30 pm Social Time with complimentary beverages 4:00 pm Introductions - John Wedberg, Picnic Chair Welcome - 2011/2012 ESP President Joan LeFebvre Retirement Benefits Update - Dwayne Rohweder Greetings and Administrative Updates:
UW-Extension Chancellor Ray Cross
CES Dean Rick Klemme
CALS Deans Bill Tracy (interim) & John Shutske Gone But Not Forgotten - Joann Gruber-Hagen Invocation - Jerry Doll 5:00 pm Picnic Buffet - Grilled Beef Ribeye (6 oz) and Grilled Chicken Cost: $18 per person. Includes both entrees, tax and gratuity Hosts: Ron Doersch (Chair), Truman Graf (Vice-Chair), Marv Beatty, Larry Binning, Al Bringe, Larry Bundy, Bob Cropp, Dave
Dickson, Jerry Doll, Jim Everts, Vern Forest, Walt Gojmerac, Craig Grau, Frank Groves, Bob Hall, Pete Hoekstra, Keith Kelling, Bob
Luening. Rollie Manthe, Leonard Massie, Mary Mennes, Tom O’Connell, Clarence Olson, Tom Parslow, Art Peterson , Will Pierick,
Dwayne Rohweder, John Roberts, Ron Schuler, Jerry Smith, Rosemary Stare, Walt Stevenson, Glenn Thompson, Dick Vatthauer, Dick
Vilstrup, Gale VandeBerg, Leo Walsh, Gayle Worf, John Wedberg , Maury White, and Jeff Wyman.
NOTE: Any checks from no-shows will be donated in their name to the ESP Foundation (tax deductible donation).
Name(s): __________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________ City/ZIP: ______________________ Phone: ____________________
Enclose check payable to ESP for ____ person(s) @$18 each TOTAL = $ ________ Respond by Wednesday, Aug. 10 to
Mary Mennes 7747 Schurch Road Barneveld, WI 53507
Questions? Contact Mary at 608-924-1721 or email: [email protected]
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EPSILON SIGMA PHI Newsletter 432 N. Lake Street, Ste. 601 Madison, WI 53706-1498
This newsletter is published in March, July, and November. The deadline for submission is the 1st of the month preceding publication.
Epsilon Sigma Phi ~ Alpha Sigma Chapter ~ Wisconsin
