On behalf of CJ Mucklow:

• Congratulations
• Professional Development Funds
• Changes to FSLA Policy
• June Payday Change
• Program Leadership Team
• Western Region Positions
• State Office Vacancies
• Colorado Conference on Volunteerism

Congratulations
Family Matters Newsletter Team
Congratulations to the CSU Extension Family Matters Newsletter Team of Glenda Wentworth, Anne Zander, Gisele Jefferson, Tracy Trumper, Kaye Kasza, Sheila Gains, Mary Ellen Fleming, Joy Akey, Jessica Haas, Bob Erikson and Enrique Mejia! Their application in the NEAFCS Communications Newsletter Award category has been selected as the 1st Place National Winner and 1st Place Western Region Winner in the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Annual Awards Program.

A big thank you to Bob Erikson of Jefferson County for making the newsletter look professional and inviting each month. They are very fortunate to have the translation services of Enrique Mejia, who not only translates the newsletter into Spanish, but re-frames the monthly message making it culturally appropriate to a large Spanish speaking audience.

Cottage Food Safety Team
Congratulations to the CSU Extension Cottage Food Safety Team of Marisa Bunning, Elisa Shackleton, Mary Schroeder, Ann Duncan, Christy Fitzpatrick, Sheila Gains, Lois Illick, Karen Massey, Wendy Rice, Mary Snow and Anne Zander! Their application in the NEAFCS Food Safety Award category has been selected as 2nd Place National Winner and 2nd Place Western Regional Winner in the NEAFCS Annual Awards Program.

Awards will be presented at the Annual Session at the Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Montana. The Regional Award will be presented Wed., Sept. 15th 8am – 10 am, and the National Award will be presented the evening of Thurs., Sept. 15th.

Professional Development Funds
As an organization we are fortunate that funding is available for staff Professional Development. I want to encourage all of you to take advantage of this opportunity. For details on how to use this fund go to: http://extension.colostate.edu/staff-resources/professional-development-information/

Starting July 1, 2016 there are changes to the system. If you work in one of the three regions i.e. Western, Front Range or Peaks and Plains, your direct supervisor and your Regional Director are now the only approvers to use the funds. If you are campus based or report to a campus based unit, Judy Barth and your direct supervisor approve the funds.

Currently approval for Professional Development funds is based on having an approved Professional Growth Plan on file, or jumping ahead to the new performance appraisal document and completing the section on Professional Development with your direct supervisor and your Regional Director approving it.

Beginning July 1 you can apply for PD funds at any time as long as the event takes place in the current fiscal year. Generally speaking you need to apply for funds at least 30 days prior to attending an opportunity for PD. Your Regional Director can make exceptions to this rule if unusual opportunities happen on short notice.

There are $750 available to each Administrative Professional staff member and $350 for support staff, provided there is enough budget. The total amount available varies from year to year based on budget availability. It is made available on a first come first serve basis.

If you have questions about the fund please contact your direct supervisor or your Regional Director.

Changes to FSLA Policy
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) final changes to the overtime rule were released May 18, 2016. These changes will significantly impact CSU. Changes to FLSA will be in effect by December 1, 2016. If you missed the recent webinars, they are recorded at: https://youtu.be/NH2YzAurpl0

Please review the CSU Human Resources website for additional information including the FLSA PowerPoint, FLSA Overtime Cost Estimate Worksheet and resource links with additional information: http://www.hrs.colostate.edu/compensation/flsa.html

June Payday Change
As in prior years, employees who are paid monthly will receive their June pay on July 1 due to Senate Bill 03-197 which requires the University to shift the June payday for salaried employees to the first working day in July. This shift only occurs for the month of June.

Program Leadership Team
The minutes from the last PLT meeting can be found at http://extension.colostate.edu/docs/staffres/program/plt-160531-minutes.pdf. Our next meeting is scheduled for August 23 on campus. To view the draft agenda go to http://extension.colostate.edu/docs/staffres/program/plt-draft-agenda.pdf. You are welcome to sit in if you would like and find out about what PLT is doing for you!

Western Region Positions
Regional Agriculture and Business Management Specialist – Jenny Beiermann has accepted this position and will start July 18th. Jenny received both her BS and MS degrees from the University of Wyoming. All of you WYO grads please send her a big welcome!!! Jenny grew up in the town of Big Piney, Wyoming. Welcome Jenny.

While not an Extension position, the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences is seeking a new Director for its Diagnostic Lab in Grand Junction. I represent Extension on the search committee and we have had our first meeting to discuss candidates.

State Office Vacancies
The search for the Assistant Vice President for Engagement and Deputy Director of Extension has been completed. Dr. Ashley Stokes, currently Assistant Dean for Veterinary Admissions & Student Services at CSU, has accepted the position and will transition into her new role August 23.

Colorado Conference on Volunteerism
The Directors of Volunteers in Agencies will hold their 2016 Colorado Conference on Volunteerism on October 13, 2016 at The American Mountaineering Center in Golden. This conference will have great information, tools and tips for managing volunteer programs. If interested register at: REGISTER HERE TODAY!