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Volume 5 Issue 14 June 2014

The Professional Development Newsletter for Extension Educators

June 4• Wardrobe Building With Style: Con-cept and Clothing Construction - 432 Human Sciences, OSU

June 5• Refresher Soil Science Course for Environmental Professionals- Stillwa-ter

June 10 • Safety and Environment Issue Teams Meeting-Stillwater

June 11• Monthly Energy Update: June- Ado-be Connect

June 12 • Phosphorus Management-Adobe Connect• E3A In-Service: Part Three-Adobe Connect

June 13• Cooperative Conversation: Backups for Your Computer-Adobe Connect

June 18• OSU CNEP/Langston Annual In-service-Wes Watkins Center, OSU

June 19• June Horticulture Update- Adobe Connect

The officiall start of summer brings more than barbecues, hot weather, and family vacations but also many different kinds of camps and other activities being held in your counties. We wish you the best no matter the weather in your quest to educate communities and improve people’s lives through your programming efforts.

You may not spend as much time in your of-fice chair this summer but we provide some tips in picking a proper ergonomic chair for those times in the office.

Staff members pursuing a graduate degree may be able to receive help in funding for their degree. We give the requirements to apply for the William F. Taggart Scholarship.

We all know what to do when a tornado strikes but what do you need to do when an earthquake strikes? This rare natural disaster is becoming more frequent in our state. So we provide some tips on how to prepare for an earthquake are given.

Earthquakes may not be the only thing stressing you out. So try these quick stress relievers which may be effective in the office, field, or home.

What do you do when you receive a pop up saying you need to update your Java and Adobe Reader, the team at DASNR IT answers that

Calendar

Ergonomic Chairs ............. 2Taggart Scholarship ........... 3Note From Joyce ................ 3Tip of the Month ................ 3Earthquake Responses ...... 4Quick Stress Relievers ....... 4Ask the Technicians ........... 5Question of the Month ...... 6Pin of the Month ................ 6Brain Teaser....... ................ 6

In this issue

question.

Thank you cards are a very impor-tant and effective tool but where can you get them? The question of the month answers this!

With more family and friend activ-ities happening, a display tray can save you time and space. Our Pinterest pin shows you how to make a less expensive tray.

Congratulations to Jan Basquez for answering last month’s

brain teaser correctly. As always take your turn at this month’s!

Have a wonderful summer and re-member to wear lots of sunscreen!

Joyce and KaraThe Staff and Program

Development Team

OCES Staff and Program Development page

EThe

Summer Time

How to Choose an Ergonomic Chair

The Extension Exchange Page 2

Source: Cornell University Ergo

Does the seat pan feel com-fortable and fit your shape?

When you sit in the chair the seat pan should be at least one inch wider than your hips and thighs on either side. The seat pan should not be too long for your legs other-wise it will either catch you behind the knees or it will prevent you from leaning fully back against the lumbar support. Most ergo-nomic chairs have a seat pan with a waterfall front that prevents the seat from catching you behind the knees. The seat pan should also be contoured to allow even weight dis-tribution and it should be comfort-able to sit on.

Is the seat chair height adjust-able? For preference the chair should be pneumatically adjustable so that you can adjust seat pan height while you are sitting on the chair. Some chairs have a mechani-cal height adjustment (spinning) mechanism that is also acceptable.

Is the range of height adjust-ment of the chair sufficient to meet the needs of all users?

You should be able to adjust the height of the seat pan so that the front of your knees is level or slightly below level and your feet are firmly on the ground. In most cases there should be no need for you to use a footrest. The mecha-nism to adjust seat height should be easy to reach and operate when you are seated.

Does the chair have a com-fortable lumbar (lower back) back rest? Many chairs have cushioned lum-bar supports that can be adjusted up and down and forwards and backwards to best fit your shape. If the chair will be used by multiple users then this level of adjustment may be required. If the chair has

a fixed height lumbar support and it feels comfortable when you sit back against this, and you will be the primary user of the chair then a fixed lumbar support may be ac-ceptable.

Is the chair back rest large enough to provide good back support?Many chairs have back supports that are large enough to provide mid-back and upper-back support, in addition to good lumbar sup-port. When you sit back against the lum-bar support is there ample space for hip room? Insufficient hip room can make you sit too far forwards on the seat pan so that you will not have enough thigh support.

Does the seat pan still feel comfortable after you've been sitting in it for 60 - 120 min-utes? If the seat pan is made from low-density foam then continuous use can cause it to become perma-nently deformed and then it will not provide adequate cushioned support. Insufficient cushioning and inappropriate contouring can cause discomfort, imbalance and hip and back fatigue.

Does the chair backrest re-cline and support your back in different positions?Movement of the back while you are sitting helps to maintain a healthy spine. Look for chairs that allow you to easily recline, that provide you with good back sup-port in different recline postures, and that have a back that tracks where your back is. Locking the chair backrest in one position generally isn't recommended or beneficial to users.

Does the chair have a 5 pedes-tal base? If chair mobility is important to help you to do your work then the chair should have at least a 5 ped-estal base with casters that glide freely over the floor surface. You may also want to choose a chair that swivels easily.

Do you need armrests on your chair? If so, are the armrests broad, contoured, cushioned and comfort-able? While sitting can you easily adjust the height of the armrests and can you move the armrests closer together or further apart? Can you easily move the arms out of the way if you need to do this?

Other considerations:

Do you need a footrest?

In the vast majority of situations you should not need a foot sup-port to be able to sit comfortably on your chair? However, if you do need a foot support then choose a free-standing floor-mounted sup-port that allow you to rest your feet out in front of you in a comfortable manner.

Monthly Travel Tip

The Extension Exchange Page 3

William F. Taggart Scholarship

Source: Kirsten Crittenden Financial Assistant

Tipping Expense

Please note that tips for transpor-tation expenses, such as a taxi, can-not exceed 15% of the reimbursable charge. For example, if a taxi fare totals

$20.00, the maximum reimburs-able tip would be $3.00. In addition, tips for hotel staff,

such as bellboys, are not reimburs-able expenses. If you have questions or need help

with travel, please call Extension Finance at 744-5517.

For those of you attending graduate school this summer, fall or next spring you might consider applying for the Taggart Scholar-ship. Funds from this program are to be used for the pursuit of a graduate degree. Preference will be given to applicant(s) having completed 15-18 hours of graduate study and wish to pursue a graduate degree as a full-time student. However, staff pursuing an advanced degree on a part-time basis are also en-couraged to apply.

To be eligible, staff must meet the following minimum requirements:- Must have an approved Plan of Study on file and at least 10 hours completed toward that plan. - Two years of satisfactory or better performance in an Extension field staff position. - Must be majoring in Agricul-ture, Family Consumer Sciences, Adult Education, or a similar field of study designed to enhance the individual as an Extension profes-sional. - Must be an active member of the OSU Cooperative Extension field

staff and a member of an Okla-homa Extension Educator's profes-sional association.Application and approval pro-cedure. - Applicant will submit a com-pleted application to appropriate District Extension Director for approval. - District Extension Director will forward all applications to the Staff and Program Development Office on or before the following deadline. Summer or Fall June 11 Spring October 6

- The selection committee will meet and make scholarship rec-ommendations based on criteria and funds available. The selection committee will be comprised of one OSU field staff per district and two assistant directors, with the total committee representing all four program areas. Committee appointment will be for a two-year period. The Staff and Program Development Director will serve as Ex-officio member of this commit-tee.- Final approval for all scholar-

ships will be by the Vice-President, Dean and Director, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

The number of scholarships ap-proved each semester and the amount of each scholarship will be dependent upon the amount of funds available. However, the fol-lowing guidelines will apply.

Scholarship Activity $500 one semester as a full-time student $250 out-of-state opportunities such as Extension Winter or Sum-mer Schools or other professional development$150 regular semester or summer term courses taken as a part-time student and a full-time employee

Recipients are limited to two (2) awards from this scholarship pro-gram.

If you have any questions please call.

Note from Joyce OCES Logo Items

We are in the proces of looking at a bulk order of OCES logo cloth-ing items for the fall and would like your input. If you have some suggestions please forward your ideas to me. The vendor has been contacted to secure some samples of new products to add to our catalog .

Recorded In-Services

We have collected the URL’s for all the 2014 in-service sessions that were conducted using Abode Connect and placed them at the Staff Development site under training links-recorded in-

services for your viewing. After listening to a recorded session, please notify the specialist/instruc-tor if you wish to have your at-tendance added to the list of those attending a session. State specialist using other meth-ods besides Adobe Connect can request to have a URL added to this master list of recordings. Just forward the link to us. Hope this will be beneficial to your professional development.

Evaluations

We are in the process of finding new alternatives for evaluating in-services which could save you time and effort. If you have suggestions, please let us know.

The Extension Exchange Page 4

“Shake, Rattle, & Roll” or Earthquake Response

Source: Earthquake Country Alliance

With the hundreds of earth-quakes experienced by Oklaho-mans this year we hear statements like, “With hail, wind and torna-does I know what to do but what in the world am I supposed to do in an Earthquake?” For Okies these tremors are admittedly a little “unsettling”. So we’ve listed a couple of websites that you can review to help you understand the current best practices for an emergency response to earth-quakes. Before the next big earthquake (or other emergency) in your area, do whatever you can to get prepared so you will survive and recover quickly.

These four steps each contain a basic set of recommended actions for how to get prepared at home or in the workplace.Many are free or low cost solutions.

Start with Step 1 by securing a potential danger in your home, something that is easy and fast to accomplish. For example, move a heavy object from a high location closer to the floor. This only will take a minute and will prevent the object from falling onto someone or causing damage. You don't need to complete all of the actions in each step before beginning the next.

You can complete one item a day, one a weekend, or one a month. Just remember that earthquakes strike without warning, so you want to get as many completed BEFORE the shaking starts. Soon you will be prepared to survive and recover!

Click on the source link below to find detail instructions for each step!

Quick Hands-On Stress Reliever

Wrist SaverRelax your wrists and relieve the pain and strain that can result from typing and other repetitive motions: Rest your elbow on a desk with your hand hanging over the edge. Gently stretch your fingers back with your other hand and hold for five seconds. Repeat for the other hand.

Got a minute? Get a massage - a self- massage, that is. These moves can help relieve tension around your head, neck, shoulders, and hands.

The scalp soother. Place thumbs behind your ears and spread your fingers on top of your head. Move your scalp back and forth slightly by making circles with your fingertips for 15-20 sec-onds.

The palm pleaser. Lace your fingers together, leaving thumbs free. Slowly knead your left thumb into the palm of your right hand for 20-3- seconds. Then repeat on your left hand.

The shoulder saver. place your left hand on the right side of your neck by your shoulder. Press fingers firmly into the muscle while tucking your chin in toward your chest. Hold this position for 10 seconds, release, and then re-peat on the left side.

The eye easer. Close your eyes and place your ring fingers directly under your eyebrows, near the bridge of your nose. Slowly increase pressure for five seconds, then gently release. Repeat 2-3 times.

The palm pleaser. Lace your fingers together, leaving thumbs free. Slowly knead your

left thumb into the palm of your right hand for 20-3- seconds. Then repeat on your left hand.

Source: TopHealth

The Extension Exchange Page 5

Ask the Support Technicians

Source: Scott Wilson, Levi Arnold and Cynthia Hobbs

DASNR IT

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is: “Do I need to update my Java and Adobe Reader when there are pop-ups asking me to do so?”

The short answer is yes, it is very important to update your Java and Adobe programs when there are new updates available. These updates will keep you secure and fix any problems that the software may have. The long answer is yes, it is very important to update your soft-ware; however, there is an easier way to update your software than through the pop-up windows. We use a program called Ninite which downloads and installs updates for several programs including Adobe Reader, Java, Flash, PDFCreator, Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Security Essentials. It does not install any of the optional toolbars or programs that can be installed if you use the stand alone installers. If you do not already have Ninite (it may be called “Weekly Up-dates”) on your desktop, then you can download it from our website under helpful links (http://support.dasnr.okstate.edu/links-and-downloads-1)

Another question we often get is this: “We’re hiring a new employee – what do we need to do to get a computer set up for them? How about email?”

If you’re buying a new computer, we generally need AT LEAST 3 weeks of lead time. It will take 2 weeks to get a new machine from Dell, and then it has to be set up and delivered.If the new employee will be using a machine you already have, the best option is to rebuild it. (Back up files, wipe the hard drive and reinstall Windows.) This can be done in 3-6 hours, but needs to be done on campus.If you can’t get the machine rebuilt before the new employee starts, then your support tech can connect to it and get it ready by scanning the machine and adding a new user. Call your support person to schedule a time for this.New employees need to authenti-cate in Okey before their email can be set up; to do this, go to http://okey.okstate.edu, click on “Ac-count Activation” and follow the prompts.New users may take up to two weeks to appear in the system – if you don’t show up at first, try a few times a day until you do!

Another frequent question we receive concerns about OKEY passwords. Every 120 days, our passwords expire. Approximately 30 days prior to this happening, we begin receiving emails to remind us that the expiration is approaching. It is a good idea to change it when the reminder emails begin; how-ever, on occasion we procrastinate and the password expires. When this happens, having an alternate email address or authorization number is imperative to resetting your password because they pro-vide identity confirmation.

If you do not have either of these set up, you will need to contact the OSU Helpdesk (405-744-HELP), which often results in a lengthy process to prove who you are. To check if you have an alter-nate email address or authoriza-tion number set up, access your OKEY account (okey.okstate.edu) and select “Alternate Email” and “Authorization Number” from the list on the left side of the page. Having these set up will allow you to receive a token via email or text message that will grant you access to your OKEY account.

For further information or ques-tions, contact your Extension Support Specialist. We are happy to help.

The Extension Exchange Page 6

• October 20-21 - CPR/First Aid Training • October 28-29- Administrative Assistants Conference

Be sure to check out thetraining modules on News Ar-ticles, Organizing Your Office, Time Management, and Work-

Life Balance HERELike us on Facebook

OCES Staff and Program Development

Email your exchanges to joyce.sherrer@okstate.edu

or call 405-744-7969

Joyce Martin Sherrer Kara Holman255 Ag Hall

Stillwater, OK 74078

http://intranet.okstate.edu/staff_development

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.

~James Dent

Quote of the Month

Reminders

Brain Teaser of the MonthLast month’s answer:

GREAT JOB YOU GOT IT!

Congratulations to Jan Basquez from Okmulgee

County for answering first!

Try this one:

If you throw me from the window,I will leave a grieving wife.Bring me back, but in the door, andYou’ll see someone giving life!

What am I?

Question:

I was wondering if OSU had a blank thank you note card that we could order?

Answer:

You can order your blank thank you cards from ToolboxMany other paper & promo-tional items are also located at this site.

Pin of the Month:

Cake Pan Dessert Display

With the help of a few pieces of pipe, some washers, and an ever trusty drill, this set of pans was transformed into a tiered food display stand.This would be a perfect solution for your next party or get together and would be great at holding small bites. The whole set up can be dis-mantled and stored in the small-est of spaces, which is a bonus for those of us who don’t have room for a display piece.

Email us your answer and be the first one to respond.

Let’s see who wins this month!

Question and Pinterest Pin of the Month