ESP Treasurer Position

Learn more about the new treasurer position for ESP. The application is open for those interested and will be appointed at the same time as the 2025 spring board elections.

The National ESP Treasurer will be appointed by the board under the provisions of the national bylaws—Article 6, Section 1—Management.

“The National ESP Board shall be empowered to employ a non-voting National ESP Executive Director and any other personnel on a full or part-time basis as is needed to carry out special activities and programs of Epsilon Sigma Phi. The National ESP Board shall determine their duties and fix their wages and have power to dismiss such employees when they are no longer needed, or if they are ineffective.”

Role of the Treasurer:

The treasurer will serve as a non-voting liaison to the National ESP Board and a non-voting liaison member of the RDM committee. They will monitor the regular day-to-day financial activities of ESP, ensure proper financial controls and compliance with all organizational rules.

The treasurer role does not replace the Executive Director duties and responsibilities. This role is intended to enhance accounting controls and oversight with independent validation to ensure the accurate and timely completion of Board/Committee/HQs financial duties.

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2024 National Conference Recap

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Invitation to 2025 National ESP Conference

Save The Date: October 6-9, 2025 in Fort Worth, TX

Scholarships and Grants Deadline

• PILD Scholarship  (Due December 1)
  Epsilon Sigma Phi, through the ESP Development Fund, has established this scholarship for eligible members to attend the Public Issues Leadership Development National Conference in order to become informed about and develop skills in responding to public issues and legislative matters affecting Extension programs and personal needs.  The scholarship is to be used to defray the cost of attending the Public Issues Leadership Development Conference.  Four to six (depending on funding) scholarships of $600.00 each will be awarded annually.
  

• Angus Professional Development Scholarship (Due December 1) (May 1 for second round if funds available)
  Epsilon Sigma Phi, through the ESP Development Fund, provides $4,000 annually to fund scholarships not to exceed $1,000 per member to encourage, stimulate, and support professional development through participation in courses, seminars, conferences or workshops.

All Grants are due December 1. A second window for grant applications may be announced for May 1 if funding is available.

• Professional Development Programming Grant 
  The purpose of the Epsilon Sigma Phi Professional Development Grant is to stimulate development of Extension professionals. Grants will be awarded to interdisciplinary teams to plan and conduct a project with an appeal to a broad audience of Extension professionals. Through the ESP Development Fund, funding for at least four $1,000 grants is available annually and will be awarded through a competitive process.
  
  
• Rita T Wood Grant 
  The Rita T. Wood Grant is intended to provide funds for one or more grants per year to individual members or chapters of Epsilon Sigma Phi. Grants to a chapter may be for programs or activities supporting leadership development and chapter growth. Grants to individuals may be made for the leadership or professional development of others within ESP.  Award amounts may vary. Current maximum annual grant award is $1250.00.

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Secretary Vilsack Honored as ESP Friend of Extension

Membership Campaign

It's membership renewal time! Don't forget to pay your annual dues by February 1st to be eligible for scholarships, grants, and awards! To ensure your dues are paid, click on your name in gold at the top right corner of your screen, then click on the invoices tab. If you need assistance call or email the national office.

Know someone who should join your ESP Chapter? Click the button below and send this link to a friend!

Send This Link to a Friend and Ask Them to Join ESP!

www.portal.espnational.org/new-member-application

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JCEP Conferences

Registration Now Open for the 2025 JCEP Extension Leadership Conference

Join us for an unforgettable experience at the 2025 JCEP Extension Leadership Conference in beautiful Savannah, GA, on Wednesday, February 19, and Thursday, February 20.

This year’s conference offers cutting-edge leadership insights and an exceptional lineup of presentations from renowned leaders in Extension, State, and Federal Government.

Conference Highlights:

• Karl Bradley, Extension Foundation, with two powerful new presentations, including “All-Time Super Best” and “The Key to Motivation and High-Performing Teams.”
• Dr. J. Scott Angle, Senior Vice President, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida, presenting “Trends in Leadership Amid Changing Times.”
• Former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal sharing his insights with “Making a Stand on Shifting Sands.”
• A dynamic panel discussion from leaders in the U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Recognition of our JCEP Award Winner.
• Concurrent and poster sessions featuring innovative ideas and achievements from Extension professionals across the nation.

Preconference Event:

• Join us to kick off the event with our optional preconference walking tour, “Dark History Tour of Savannah,” on Tuesday, February 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. Enjoy an evening of intriguing local history while networking with colleagues. We’ll dive headfirst into the eerie side of the city. Remember, the only thing more spine-tingling than the darkness of Savannah will be the truth behind it.
• Registration Details:
• Don’t miss the early bird rate (until Jan. 24): $495
• Must-do optional tour (separate registration process): $40
• Late registration (Jan. 25 and later): $595
• Spaces are limited, so register for the conference today at www.jcep.org/elc to secure your spot at this premier Extension leadership event! To register for the Dark History Tour please click here.

RFP Now Open for the 2025 JCEP PILD Conference

April 7- 8, 2025

Arlington, VA

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS for Poster/Ignite Presentations 

The Public Issues Leadership Development Conference planning committee is seeking proposals for the 2025 PILD Conference, to be held April 7 and 8, 2025, in Arlington, VA (Washington DC Metro area). RFP details and a link to input your proposal may be found on the PILD website, here.

The PILD Planning Committee is seeking abstracts from Extension professionals who have demonstrated programming impacts to address critical public issues at local, state, regional or national levels. This year’s conference theme is YEAR-ROUND IMPACT. PILD is open to all Extension professionals in 1862, 1890, and 1994 institutions, and we invite proposals from a wide array of disciplines that reflect the themes of the conference.

Two types of proposals are being sought:

• Posters

• 10-minute Ignite Talks

Why should you submit an abstract for PILD? You will be joining hundreds of Extension professionals and volunteers in Washington, D.C. that are: 

• Preparing for the role of educator/advocate by learning about crucial topics, including an understanding of the entire Cooperative Extension System, our connection to the federal government, and effective communication with policy leaders 

• Interacting with elected leaders and staff on Capitol Hill, in an exciting and confidence building experience

• Learning strategies of how to communicate the impact and value of Extension, and how to talk with elected officials at the local, state and national level

All proposals must be received by 11:59 p.m. (PST), December 9, 2024.

All proposals will be peer-reviewed; therefore acceptance would be appropriate to list on scholarly vitae.

If selected, presenters will be expected to attend the PILD conference and to pay their own registration fee and travel costs.

Sponsored by: JCEP – Joint Council of Extension Professionals 

Conference details coming soon! Visit the conference website to stay up to date

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Happy Holidays From ESP!