AJMPU UNIT COUNCIL MEETING

November 29, 2007

The Unit Council met at the Union County U of I Extension office at 6:00 pm. Those in attendance were: Chuck Weilmuenster and Chris Boyd from Union Co., Brent Miller from Pulaski/Alexander Co., Jonathan Voelz from Johnson County. Extension personnel were Jody Johnson and Susan Odum.

Meeting was called to order by President Brent Miller. Minutes from the September 2007 meeting were read, a motion by Chris Boyd, seconded by Chuck Weilmuenster. All voted yes.

Council Business:

Unit Holiday Schedule – A motion to accept the proposed schedule for closing the AJMPU offices during the Christmas holiday was made by Chris Boyd, seconded by Chuck Weilmuenster. All voted yes.

Needs Assessment – The council discussed needs in the unit. The group discussed the need for expanding opportunities for beef and pork producers. Markets in southern Illinois are limited and prices are fixed by a few buyers. Jody Johnson told the group about a meeting he was in where China was discussed as needing more pork. The director of Mid-America airport was on the call and mentioned the opportunity to export pork through the airport to China; planes flying into China are only 20% capacity. Jody is going to talk to campus about exploring this opportunity.

Nominating Committee: - Do to the poor attendance, it was decided to select a committee at the next council meeting.

Plan of Work: - The county director, Mr. Johnson, informed the council that the units Plan of Work had been updated and includes some of the new programs the unit completed last year and also some of the suggestions made by last years unit council.

AJMPU REPORTS:

County Extension Directors Report: - Mr. Johnson directed the council to his written report submitted in the mail out. He updated them on the financial condition of the unit…and credited Mrs. Cathy Poshard, Secretary IV for the fine position the unit is in. An update was given about the vacant Agriculture/Natural Resource position…candidates are being sought. Mr. Johnson also announced the hiring of two new FNP workers for Union County. One of them will be working extensively with Choate Developmental Mental Health center and the other working with many Union County schools, some Johnson County schools, and senior centers.

4-H Youth Development: - Mr. Paul McKnight had back surgery and was unable to attend the meeting. His report was submitted in the council packets prior to the meeting. Jody reminded the council of upcoming 4-H events…Saluki basketball on March 1^st and the SI Miners game will be June 13^th , a Friday.

Community Economic Development: - Mrs. Susan Odum informed the council of several events/projects underway in the region. She shared with them some publications she created and had read. The council discussed the Dixon Springs Ag Center and the important role the center plays in the region. Jody and Susan gave a synopsis of the report created by Courtney Flint and Stephen Gasteyer.

The broadband initiative was discussed and how "Premise ID" could be made easier using broadband technology.

Jody updated the council on plans to create a Program Coordinator position in Union County. He is in discussion with Union County Economic Development to make this happen by July 1^st of 2008.

Dates and Times of future meetings:

Once again, due to poor attendance, it was decided to only select the dates of the future meetings. Jody will be selecting locations and time.

Winter --- February 28, 2008

Spring 1 --- May 1, 2008

Spring 2 --- June 26, 2008

Motion to adjourn was made by Chris Boyd, seconded by Chuck Weilmuenster. All voted yes.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jonathan Voelz for Stacey Thomas, Secretary

AJMPU UNIT COUNCIL MEETING

September 25, 2007

The Unit Council met at the Johnson County U of I Extension office at 7:00. Those in attendance were: Bob Caraker from Union Co., Stacey Thomas and Brent Miller from Pulaski/Alexander Co., Tina Colson from Johnson County, . Extension personnel were Jody Johnson, Susan Odum and Paul McKnight.

Meeting was called to order by Vice-President Brent Miller. Minutes from the June 2007 meeting were read, a motion by Stacey Thomas, seconded by Bob Caraker. All voted yes.

Council Business:

Elect Officers – A motion to open nominations was made by Bob Caraker, seconded by Stacey Thomas – all yes. Nominations were made for the following slate of officers:

President – Brent Miller

V-President – Bob Caraker

Secretary – Stacey Thomas

Financial Officer – Tina Colson

A motion to close nominations was made by Bob Caraker, seconded by Stacey Thomas – all yes.

A motion to accept all the nominated officers was made by Bob Caraker, seconded by Stacey Thomas – all yes.

Check Signatories for AJMPU: - The council was informed of having to approve check signers for the next fiscal year. The council made the following recommendations:

Johnson – Jane Molt and Jonathan Voelz

Massac – Robin Mizell and Linda Walter

Pulaski/Alexander – Brent Miller and Bonita Hancock

Union – Chris Boyd and Chuck Weilmuenster

A motion to accept these recommendations for check signers for the AJMPU unit in FY 2008 was made by Tina Colson, seconded by Bob Caraker – all yes.

AJMPU Financial Board: - The council was informed by the County Director that a financial board needed to be elected to prepare the AJMPU budget for FY 2009. The council made the following recommendations for AJMPU financial board members:

Johnson – Tina Colson, Financial Board Chair

Massac – Robin Mizell

Pulaski/Alexander – Janet Moses

Union – Chris Boyd

A motion to accept these recommendations and to request a County Commissioner from each county be appointed to the Financial Board for AJMPU unit in FY 2008 was made by Bob Caraker, seconded by Tina Colson – all yes. NOTE: County Director informed council an attempt was made to each county board to elect a delegate. No delegate has been selected from any of the five counties.

Plan of Work: - The county director, Mr. Johnson, informed the council that the units Plan of Work had been updated and includes some of the new programs the unit completed last year and also some of the suggestions made by last years unit council.

AJMPU REPORTS:

County Extension Directors Report: - Mr. Johnson directed the council to his written report submitted in the mail out. He updated them on the financial condition of the unit...and credited Mrs. Cathy Poshard, Secretary IV for the fine position the unit is in. An update was given about the vacant Agriculture/Natural Resource position...candidates are being sought. Mr. Johnson also announced the hiring of two new FNP workers for Union County. One of them will be working extensively with Choate Developmental Mental Health center and the other working with many Union County schools, some Johnson County schools, and senior centers.

4-H Youth Development: - Mr. Paul McKnight informed the council of his terminal contract due to the Governor's recent veto in the FY 2008 state of Illinois budget. He explained efforts underway to overturn the veto. Some council asked what they could do...the County Director explained to the council who Extension Partners are and what action is being taken. The County Director recommended the council talk to Extension Partners and get direction from them. Mr. McKnight talked about the 4-H youth programs recently completed and programs soon to happen. Special recognition was given to council member Chuck Weilmuenster for his volunteering to drive his church's van to a SI Minors game with the Pulaski/Alexander county Camp Clover participants. Mr. McKnight referred council to his written report and welcomed any comments.

Community Economic Development: - Mrs. Susan Odum informed the council of several events/projects underway in the region. She updated them on the Connect SI – Southern 5 initiative. Other programs/activities can be found in her written report to the council.

Dates and Times of future meetings:

Do to the poor attendance at the meeting, it was decided to hold-off from scheduling future meetings until the next council meeting. Members present agreed to Thursday, November 29^th at 7:00 pm at Shawnee Community College. Exact location at the college will be sent to the council in the future.

Motion to adjourn was made by Stacey Thomas, seconded by Bob Caraker – all yes.

Respectfully Submitted,

Stacey Thomas, Secretary