June 20, 2001

Chris first introduced Millie Casey to us. She is the Chair of the OARDC Staff Council. Next we introduced ourselves so our newest member Dave Scardena from Communication and Technology could get a chance to know us.

June 20, 2001
OARDC, Wooster

Present: Betty Aylsworth, Rita Bowers, Marjorie Dellinger, Janice DiCarolis, Deb Gallagher, Ted Gastier, Jim Karcher, Mabel Kirchner, Barb LaMoreaux, Kathy Mohler, Christine Nielsen, Pat Patterson Carol Poe, Dave Scardena, Susan Sommer, Michelle Spillan, Regina Vann, Shelley Whitworth

Absent: Carol Bunn, Cindy Crawford, Mark Erbaugh, Becky Hooper, Ann Lighthiser Carol Sowers

Chris first introduced Millie Casey to us. She is the Chair of the OARDC Staff Council. Next we introduced ourselves so our newest member Dave Scardena from Communication and Technology could get a chance to know us.

Next we reviewed March 21 meeting minutes. There were no corrections or additions and it was approved unanimously.

Chris gave the Executive Committee update. Letters to the different departments are being sent to Dr. Moser to replace members who are leaving at the end of October. Leaving is Betty Alysworth, Mark Erbaugh, Ted Gastier, Ann Lighthiser, Dave Scardena, Susan Sommer, Carol Sowers and Shelly Whitworth. The executive committee also discussed the September Retreat and October Annual meetings.

Chris talked about the meeting with Dr. Kirwan where all the different council chairs were represented. It was good to see that our council has accomplished more than the others in so short a time. Dr. Kirwan asked them for the opinion regarding the budget. Did they think that a flat increase or a 1% raise was better? A flat fee for everyone put us all on the same ground and was felt to be fair. It was good to see in Dr. Kirwan's last communiqué to the College that he had accepted the recommendation of this group.

Staff Development Task Force: Susan reported for Becky, as she couldn't attend. Susan discussed the 3 page paper that Becky emailed to us on June 5. The Staff Advisory Council views staff training and professional development as two separate issues. Recommendations for staff training were: "The department will provide funds within available resources and release of time to ensure appropriate staff training." and "The staff member and supervisor will determine an appropriate number of days for staff training." Recommendations for development opportunities: "Remove the barriers to ensure the staff from all units within the college have access to training and development opportunities." "Use distance education and alternative delivery methods to make training and professional development more accessible." and " Communicate opportunities for training and professional development with staff through a Web site, fliers, newsletters or En Vision.

Susan next brought up the idea of starting a Communication Task Force. Everyone discussed it and decided it was a good idea. Michele Spillan, Dave Scardena and Susan Sommer signed up for it. If anyone else would like to work on the Communication Task Force they will get back with the Council.

Dave Scardena mentioned that Envision was thinking of going web-based as the cost is over $20,000 to the Communications and Technology department. It was also a suggestion that Envision go quarterly.

Ted Gastier reported on the Facilities Master Planning Committee. He passed out a sheet with the cover page to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Master Plan web page http://www.fpd.ohio-state.edu/mp/faes/faes_mpl.htm The web site is current with all information! There is going to be a meeting on July 11 in room 105 of Ag Admin. Animal and Plant Science together was suppose to be finished by August but 16 more months of meeting dates have been set up. Ted ended by saying "Let people know what you think, it could make a difference."

Deb Gallagher asked for volunteers to be on the nominating committee for this year. The committee will be made up of: Deb Gallagher, Betty Alysworth, Shelley Whitworth, and Carol Poe.

Betty Aylsworth said that she was going to have a Scholarship put in her husband's name. Betty thanked everyone for their support and being there for her. She really appreciated the food platters that the Council provided.

Regina Vann reported on Recognition and Rewards. She handed out a report dated 6-20-01. C.a. CFAES Annual Citizenship Award. - A suggestion that it be named after Shirley Brooks-Jones. She discussed recommendation, nomination process, criteria and further action. C.d. Traveling Companions Program - is a university program not for staff at this time. It was discussed having and opportunity for 2 staff members to spend a day with Dr. Moser. All staff members' names would be put into a pot and randomly drawn out. D. Nurture a Culture of Inclusion and Involvement. - Idea of have task force for specific areas and ideas. Example: Columbus Campus - parking. Issues that pertain to the different areas (OARDC, Extension, Columbus Campus). Columbus needs a staff council for Ohio State University.

Regina motioned to start a task force to review starting staff councils. Deb Gallagher seconded. All were in favor. It was decided to start the new task force at the next regular meeting in July. The question was asked "How much can we lobby to mobilize staff on a whole?"

Pat Patterson reported on Performance Task Force: She talked about accountability to the Chairs. Goals are being handled by Marilyn Trefz and Lori Weber. The plan was distributed at the last meeting. Pat will email us with the information.

Next was lunch then a tour. Betty Alysworth took us through the new Arden Shishler Center for Education and Economic Development. It is used to host public and private teleconferences, distance-education courses, meetings, and other programs. Audio and video links are included in all the rooms. Then back on the bus and off to a tour of the Garden of Roses of Legend and Romance. On 2.7 acres are approximately 1,500 plants and 500 different varieties of roses. Back on the bus and Jim Karcher drove us around the Secrest Arboretum which is 85 acres and has 2,000 different species, varieties and cultivars. What a beautiful and informational tour. Thank you for all your hospitality!

The next meeting will be at the Southwest District Office in Vandalia from 10 am to 2 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2001.

Respectfully yours, 
Kathryn Mohler
Secretary/Treasurer