Epsilon Sigma Phi

Tau Chapter

Maryland's Chapter of The Extension Professionals' Organization

ESP Key Logo Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) is The Extension Professionals' Organization recognizing excellence in the Extension community. ESP provides opportunity for networking, fellowship and collaborative efforts. ESP fosters leadership development through mentoring Extension professionals in the philosophy and professional practice of Extension education. ESP facilitates professional development.

Mission

Epsilon Sigma Phi is dedicated to fostering standards of excellence in the Extension System and developing the Extension profession and the professional.

Vision

Epsilon Sigma Phi leads the Extension System in promoting and supporting professionalism in Extension.

Affirmative Action

Epsilon Sigma Phi is an equal opportunity/affirmative action fraternity. ESP is committed to the active involvement of all of its members regardless of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability or veterans status. ESP values and seeks a diverse membership.

Membership

Epsilon Sigma Phi is The Extension Professionals' Organization, with nearly 10,000 committed career professionals representing 47 active state/territory chapters. ESP is the only Extension-wide professional organization. Its primary purpose is that of building and maintaining a strong profession.

Membership is open to those Extension professionals who have exhibited excellence in education and programming leadership. Members are generally recruited through their state/territory chapter.

2009 Tau Chapter Leadership


Officers	Maryland	National
President	Chuck Schuster	Sandy Corridon
Vice President	John Lea Cox
Past President	Karol Dyson
Secretary	Debbie Ross
Treasurer	Dale Johnson
Historian	Milt Nelson







Committees	Maryland	National
Global Relations	Jim Hanson	Karol Dyson and Kendra Wells
Member Recruitment	Debbie Ross
Member Services	Cassandra Corridon
Mentoring	Kendra Wells
Nominating	OPEN
Professional Development	Mary Ellen Waltemire
Public Issues	OPEN	Mary Ellen Waltemire and Teresa McCoy
Resolution Welfare	Milt Nelson
Resource Development and Management	Open	David Ross and Madeleine Greene
Futuring	John Hall
Finance	Dale Johnson

Committee members are needed on EVERY committee. Email the committee chair of your interest! (Remember: It looks good on your CV!)

2009 National Awards Recipients

Chapter Distinguished Service :
Karol Westelinck Dyson, Charles County, MD
Diversity Individual - NE:
Alganesh T. Piechocinsk, Montgomery County, MD
Visionary Leadership - NE:
Dr. Jennifer Thorn Bentlejewski, Allegany County, MD
Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) Conference Scholarship:
Elaine Bailey, Calvert County, MD

Dates to Remember

The first 3 meetings will be held via Connect.
Monday, January 25, 2010: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Webinar - Conducting a Webinar.
Monday, April 26, 2010: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Grant Writing Webinar - Idea is to have "Case Study" presentations - participants from 4-H, FCS, and Ag and Natural Resources.
Monday, June 28, 2010: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. - ORAA Mania! - The Nuts and Bolts of submitting grants.
Monday, November 15, 2010: 9:30 to 3:30 p.m. Annual Meeting - location to be announced - also available via Connect. Please plan to join us for the day! Topic: eXtension - Addressing Scholarship Issues.
2010 ESP Dues are Now Payable: The dues are: $40 renewal (National dues - Tau Chapter is waiving Maryland dues for 2010!!), $40 new member (Tau Chapter is picking up the $5 initiation fee for new members for 2010!!), and $200 life member.
FEBRUARY 1 is the deadline to receive applications for the ESP Public Issues Leadership Development Conference Scholarship and the ESP Professional Development Mini-Grant Program and the Mike McKinney Public Issues Scholarship.
MARCH 1 is the deadline for other scholarships including the Administrative Leadership Scholarship and Richard R. Angus Professional Development Scholarship.
2010 - October 12-15, 2010 ESP National Conference, Snow King Resort, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
2011 - October 9-13, 2011 ESP National Conference, Syracuse, New York