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| OFFICIAL LETTER | July 11, 2001 |
Colleagues,
I am excited to have the opportunity to serve you and the citizens of Alabama as the acting director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Dr. Walker tells me that a resolution will be presented to the Auburn University Board of Trustees in the near future in which I will be named interim director. I expect to serve you and the System in this capacity for at least the next year and possibly longer.
As I've visited with many of you since my appointment, I have heard the same questions over and over. "What's going to change?" "What about proration?"
I don't anticipate a major restructuring of the organization at this point. I expect that there will be some fine-tuning of assignments, particularly at State Headquarters.
We cannot and will not change Extension's focus on programs. If we lose our focus on programs that serve Alabamians, we cease to have a reason to exist.
Funding reductions continue to be a concern as we plan not only the 2002 fiscal year budget but the 2003 budget as well. It is an issue that requires our attention, but let's not be distracted from the real work of Extension---programs that touch people and improve their lives.
However, we should be mindful that, despite budget reductions, we are the stewards of a significant amount of public funds. We have to make wise decisions in order to meet the educational needs of our fellow citizens focusing on our six base program areas.
In one of his Official Letters in early 1941, Director P.O. Davis said,
| "But the biggest job is to keep the organization going and doing what it should do. The Extension professional who achieves this is a successful one... An inactive organization is of no value; it may be a liability." |
That sentiment is as true today as it was sixty years ago. This organization has weathered many changes and never lost sight of its goal. I'm confident that we will not lose our focus now.
The Official Letter and its later versions have been important tools throughout the life of Extension here in Alabama. The Letter kept us informed of program highlights, personnel additions and so much more. I intend to continue to use some type of "Official Letter" to communicate with you on a monthly basis.
But we want to create something that you'll find informative and interesting. Plans are being made to expand the "Official Letter" to include not only a column from me, but also program highlights, employee recognitions and other items of interest to the Extension family. If you have ideas or suggestions on what might be included, please provide those to Andrea Musso (amusso@acesag.auburn.edu or 334-844-4444).
It will be web-based, but we will continue to print hard copies for our retirees and others who may not have computer access.
We are searching for a name for this new version of the Official Letter. If you have suggestions for a name, please forward those to Andrea as well.
Many of you have offered your congratulations on my appointment. I am appreciative of your confidence in me. I look forward to working with you as we take the programs of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System to the people of Alabama.
Sincerely,
W. Gaines Smith
Acting Director
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