FOREWORD

This handbook contains the philosophy, objectives, policies and organizational structure of the Maryland Association of County Agricultural Agents (MACAA). It outlines the relationship between the MACAA and the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) with which we are affiliated.

EXTENSION PHILOSOPHY

Maryland Cooperative Extension is a unique organization. Broad organizational objectives and policies are established at the national and state levels. Programs are planned and executed at the county and local level. This provides this individual Extension Agent/Educator with an opportunity to develop programs and activities with people to meet the interests and needs of many audiences.

Extension programs, since they are people oriented, are quite varied and flexible. This people-oriented concept and approach has allowed Agents/Educators and the programs of Maryland Cooperative Extension to make significant contributions to rural, suburban and urban situations.

Each day brings new opportunities and challenges in the life of an Extension Agent/Educator. While teaching others, Agents/Educators will be engaged in their own informal and formal learning experiences. Outstanding Agents/Educators will give and receive as they approach each new challenge.

Extension teaching is an exciting and rewarding experience. Material rewards (salary, fringe benefits, retirement, schooling, etc.) will be supplemented with recognition and praise from people. The greatest rewards come to Agents/Educators in knowing they have done their best to be of service to others.

By following this philosophy since 1914, Maryland Cooperative Extension has become envied by many other professional groups for its integrity and success.

EXTENSION WORKERS' CREED

I love the big out-of-doors; the smell of the soil; the touch of the rain; the smile of the sun; the kiss of the wind; the song of the birds and the laughter of the summer breezes in the trees.

I love the growing crops; the rustle of the corn; the golden billow of the ripening wheat; the fleecy cotton bursting from the boll; the musky odor of the ripening fruit and the shimmer of the grass that is blue.

I love God's creatures, great and small, that minister to man's needs; the friendship of the horse; the confidence of the sheep; the gentleness of the cow and the contented confidence of the fattening swine. These represent the response of service to kindness and care.

BECAUSE I LOVE THESE THINGS

I believe in open country and the life of country people; in their hopes, their aspirations and their simple faith; in their ability and power to enlarge their own lives and plan for the happiness of those they love.

I believe in the farmer as the Nation's sure defense; the reservoir of its prosperity; its haven of security from those who would despoil it from within or without.

I believe in the farmer's right to a comfortable living; to such recompense for his capital and labor and skill as will make him the peer of those who work in office, shop, or mine; in his right to cooperate with his neighbors for the security of his business life and in the helping service science sends as handmaid to his common sense.

I believe in the sacredness of the farmer's home; in the holiness of the country woman's love and the opportunity that home should assure to culture, grace and power.

CODE OF ETHICS

My professional standards shall have in them a note of understanding for our common humanity. My work, ambitions and relations shall always cause me to take into consideration my highest duties as a member of society.

In every position of business life, in every responsibility that comes before me, my chief thought shall be to fill that position and discharge that responsibility to lift the level of human ideals and achievements a little higher than I found it. I shall:

FIRST: Consider my vocation worthy and as affording me distinct opportunity to serve society.

SECOND: Improve myself, increase my efficiency, and enlarge my service.

THIRD: Remember that I am a professional person and want to succeed, but that I am first an ethical person and wish no success that is not founded on the highest justice and morality.

FOURTH: Respect and hold in high esteem science in all its phases and to recognize that Experiment Station and USDA findings constitute professional authority in agriculture and to respect the opinion of those men who have established themselves as authorities in this branch of science.

FIFTH: Be loyal to our State Universities, the USDA, our local, state, and national government.

SIXTH: Hold in high esteem the callings of both rural and urban activities including farming, urban and youth development programs and homemaking.

SEVENTH: Recognize that the development of leadership and the building of communities is the highest service I can render as County Extension Agent/Educator.

EIGHTH: Maintain an open mind, seeking always to understand the viewpoints of others.

NINTH: Not engage in any activity which will interfere with the proper fulfillment of my professional duties and bring discredit to my office.

TENTH: Support and contribute to strengthening my State or Regional and National Association of County Agricultural Agents in their efforts to improve and advance the Extension Service Program for the betterment of our nation.

Source: National Association of County Agricultural Agents

ASSOCIATION RELATIONS WITH MARYLAND COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

The administration of Maryland Cooperative Extension and the University of Maryland recognize the MACAA and the NACAA as official professional organizations. Association activities are sanctioned by Extension Administration, with provisions made for official time and financial support.

Procedures have been developed whereby the President, Executive and Policy Committees may communicate with Extension Administration.

PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT EXPENSES

Dues and unreimbursed expenses associated with MACAA and NACAA activities may be recognized as tax deductible by the Internal Revenue Service.

WHAT THE ASSOCIATION CAN DO FOR YOU

• RAISE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS by providing a medium for the exchange of ideas and methods.
  
• SECURE BENEFITS collectively such as awards, recognition, prestige, and fringe benefits that may not be obtained individually.
  
• INITIATE NEW PROGRAMS AND DEVELOP their understanding and support.
  
• PROVIDE a channel for communication with the Associate Dean and Associate Director of Extension and the Administration.
  
• PROVIDE opportunities to meet and enjoy the fellowship of members at the County, State and National level.
  
• SERVE as a professional Extension organization.

WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THE ASSOCIATION

• SHARE ideas, philosophies, objectives and concerns with officers, committees and members of the Association.
• SUPPORT the objectives as developed by the Association.
• PARTICIPATE in Association programs and activities, making contributions so others may benefit.
• STRIVE to develop excellence as an Extension professional.
• GIVE the Association financial support.
  

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AGENTS

The National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) was organized by a small group of County Agents attending the International Livestock Show in Chicago in 1916. NACAA now has over 5200 members from state associations.

The officers of NACAA are President, President- Elect, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the immediate Past President. The President-Elect is the automatic successor to the office of President. The remaining officers are elected to one year terms. The Board of Directors consists of the NACAA officers and five Regional Directors. The Directors represent the state associations in the Northeast, North Central, Western and Southern regions.

The Annual Meeting of NACAA is set-up on an eight-year rotation among the four regions. The Annual Meeting is held two of the eight years in the Southern Region, two of the eight years in the North Central Region, and one year each in the Northeast and Western Regions and two years open to all states.

The NACAA nominating committee consists of the Immediate Past President, the Directors, and two persons elected from each region.

Directors are nominated and elected by regions. All officers are elected by the delegate body at the NACAA Annual Meeting.

State associations choose voting delegates to the NACAA Annual Meeting on the basis of one delegate for the first 40 members and one delegate for each 30 additional members or fraction thereof.

The Individual Extension professional, regardless of title, becomes a member of NACAA through the state association.

These state associations have established committees, many of which parallel those of NACAA in function. State association members are kept informed by delegates and others attending the annual meetings, by the County Agent magazine, and by visits of regional directors and national officers. State associations communicate with administrators and serve them in an advisory capacity.

AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES OF THE NACAA

1. To provide professional education and training opportunities for our members in cooperation with the members' state associations;
2. To encourage a high standard of professional performance among our Extension staff;
3. To promote a high degree of cooperation and loyalty among Extension people;
4. To assist in furthering the effectiveness of Cooperative Extension work;
5. To advance the basic importance and position of American agriculture in our national economy; and
6. To cooperate in carrying out the policies and programs of the Land-Grant universities in the United States.

The NACAA has a long history of promoting professional growth and development of its members and member associations. Distinguished service and program excellence are recognized. Professional improvement opportunities are offered and encouraged. Standards of professional conduct and ethics have been established. Leadership development opportunities are provided through state and national programs, meetings and workshops.

The national association represents its members on matters pertaining to budgets, benefits and Extension policy direction.

NACAA SERVICE TO MEMBERS

Effective committee work has enabled the NACAA to become a dynamic force in the growth of Extension work. National committees, programs and sponsors are:

MACAA SERVICE TO MEMBERS

NACAA Committee	Programs conducted	Sponsor
Annual Meeting	Annual meeting in region
Communications	Commmunications awards program	AT&T
Professional Excellence	Excellence in Forestry	American Forest Foundation
Extension Programs	Livestock Production Program	Dow Elanco
	Environmental Protection Through Responsible Use of Pesticides	TruGreen-ChemLawn
	Farm & Ranch Financial Management	Deere & Company
	Crop Production Program	Novartis Corporation
4-H and Youth	4-H Recognition Program	NACAA
Life Member	Life Member Programs	Rural Route Tours
Scholarship	NACAA Scholarship
Policy	Councils and National Officers and Directors
Professional Training	Applied Science & Technology Seminar	Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
	Building Common Ground Workshop	NACAA
Resource and Program	Rise Horticulture/turfgrass	RISE, PLCAA & TrueGreen-ChemLawn
Development Committee	Study Tour
	Dairy Price Risk Management Workshop
Public Relations	PRIDE Program	National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
	Agriculture Ambassador Program	Zeneca Ag Products
Recognition and Awards	Pursell Pinnacle Award	Pursell Industries, Inc.
	MACAA Scholarship	NACAA
	Achievement Award	NACAA
	Distinguished Service Award	NACAA
State Relations	Communications link with state associations
MACAA Committee	Programs conducted	Sponsor
Extension Programs	Evaluate New and Ongoing Extension Programming	MACAA
Professional Training	Professional Improvement Program	MACAA
Recognition and Awards	MACAA Retirement Dinner	MACAA
	Mid-Career Award	MACAA
Membership	Enrollment	MACAA
Public Relations	Service to Agriculture Honorary County Agent Award	MACAA
Annual Meeting	Host annual summer meeting	MACAA
Policy		MACAA
Foundation Fund		MACAA
Audit		MACAA
Nominating		MACAA

Vacancies shall be filled as indicated in the MACAA Constitution.

In addition, the President shall perform all such duties as usually pertain to the office.

The President-Elect may also be asked to substitute for the President as the MACAA representative at certain functions where the President may be unable to attend. In addition, the President-Elect will perform any additional tasks assigned by the President or Executive Committee.

The Vice-President shall submit to the Executive Committee and subsequently to the NACAA Vice-President names of members as prospective national committee chairs. Usually they will be the persons selected to serve as chairs of State Committees.

The Treasurer shall serve as the Membership Committee Chair.

The Secretary shall submit new officers to NACAA and perform other duties normally associated with this office.

The Immediate Past President, because of his valuable experience, can be of great assistance to the association's officers and should stand ready to accept responsibility as assigned.

The Executive Committee makes final selection of the MACAA Service to Agriculture Award recipient and the Honorary County Agent Award recipient.

Committee Chairs should pass all information on the duties and operations of the committee to the incoming chairs and assist during the transition period.

In addition to programs of the NACAA, this committee should concern itself with the overall program objectives of Maryland Cooperative Extension as they affect MACAA members. The committee can evaluate ongoing and new programs, with emphasis on strengthening and unifying educational efforts. For instance, are program priorities based on the needs of clientele? Are program objectives adequately formulated and effectively communicated to faculty? Are program thrusts sufficiently supported by specialists, publications and other resources? Are allocated funds influencing program direction in an appropriate manner? In arriving at recommendations, the committee may consult clientele, the membership, specialists, state program leaders and administrators.

DUTIES OF THE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING COMMITTEE

This committee should also work closely with the Extension Administration to promote professional training opportunities for the membership.

This committee shall administer the NACAA Professional Excellence Programs. Currently, these are the papers for the NACAA Annual Meeting Poster Session and the Excellence in Forestry program. The poster session for papers has two categories to recognize NACAA members. The first category gives individuals an opportunity to present a paper on applied research and the second category is designed to give members the opportunity to discuss how an identified educational need in the community was addressed using different educational methods or technologies. Awards for the best poster papers in each category are as follows:

Best Contributed Poster - $500 and a plaque
Second Place - $250 and a plaque
Third Place - $100 and a plaque

The purpose of the Excellence in Forestry program is to recognize NACAA members who are conducting outstanding educational programs related to forest and woodland enhancement/tree farming. State winners will receive $50 and a plaque. Three National finalists will receive $250 and a plaque. The first place national winner will receive $500, a plaque, meeting registration fee eimbursement and a sponsored trip to the Forestry Foundation Annual Meeting.

DUTIES OF THE RECOGNITION AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

This committee is also responsible for planning and conducting the MACAA Member Retirement Dinner in the spring of each year. The purpose of this occasion is to honor members retiring since the last retirement dinner.

In years when the NACAA Annual Meeting is in the Northeast region, the 4-H and Youth Subcommittee will designate talented 4-H members for the NACAA 4-H Talent Revue.

This committee shall administer the NACAA Communications Committee Awards programs. This program recognizes members who excel in communicating programs and ideas to their clientele in fourteen categories:

1. Radio program
2. News or feature photo caption
3. Slide set/transparencies
4. Direct mail piece
5. Personal column
6. Feature story
7. Newsletter, individual
8. Newsletter, team
9. Video tape/television presentation
10. Fact sheet
11. Publication
12. Home page on the world wide web
13. Learning module/notebook
14. Bound book

Awards in each of the fourteen (14) categories are as follows: National Category winner (plaque and cash), 3 National Category finalists (plaque and cash), 8 Regional Category finalists (certificate), and state category winners (certificate).

If adequate donor funds are secured, the National Winner will receive up to $500 and the three national finalists up to $250. First place national winner and all national finalists must register and attend the AM/PIC to receive award. National winners are expected to prepare a poster display of the award winning entry for the AM/PIC. All state and regional winners will receive certificates. Cash prizes of $500.00 and a plaque will be awarded to national winners in all thirteen categories. Three national finalists in each category also receive $250 and a plaque.

The Communications Committee will also encourage members to make the best use of all available news media and to avail themselves of opportunities to improve their communication skills by participating in appropriate training activities.

DUTIES OF THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

The Scholarship Committee will follow guidelines and interests of the State and National Association and meet with the assigned Scholarship Committee as needed.

The committee will provide information and applications to the active membership list, which is provided by the Treasurer in February of each year. (Note application form is also published in the winter issue of the County Agent).

Applications will be received by June 1. The State Chair reviews the applications and signs. The signature of the State President and State Extension Director are required.

A $40.00 donation to the National Scholarship Fund must be obtained from the State Treasurer or individual to accompany the application. Each applicant must contribute a minimum of $40 to the National Scholarship Fund. (The minimum is $20 if contributed prior to September 25, 1994.)

Submit scholarship applications to the Regional Chair by June 15, due to National Chair by July 1.

Scholarship applications are reviewed and funded or rejected at the National meeting each year.

The state committee will report at the spring meeting of MACAA and submit a written report of the committee at the summer meeting of MACAA.

DUTIES OF THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Purpose
To enroll all eligible faculty as active members in the MACAA.

Structure
The Committee Chairman will be the treasurer and will be responsible for all phases of the committee's work. There should be at least one member on the committee from each of the Extension administrative districts.

Procedures
The committee will be responsible to the MACAA President-Elect and the Executive Committee and will provide the President-Elect with an annual report of its activities including a list of all active and life members.

Committee members shall make personal contacts with prospective members explaining the benefits of MACAA membership. Contacts should also be made with those members who are tardy in renewing their membership.

DUTIES OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE

This committee shall conduct a search for nominees for the MACAA Service to Agriculture Award and the Honorary County Agent Award. The committee should submit three potential recipients for each award to the Executive Committee for the final selection.

The committee will work closely with the President and Executive Committee to provide adequate facilities and appropriate activities to insure a successful annual meeting for members, guests and their families.

This committee will represent the Association and individual members with the Associate Dean and Associate Director of Extension as necessary. The committee will request such a meeting only as needed.

The Commitee Chairman should establish and maintain a permanent file of all contacts with IRS and see that it is delivered to the incoming chairman.

Procedures
Prior to each Annual Meeting the committee will audit the financial records of the MACAA and the MACAA Foundation Fund and report the findings to the MACAA Executive Committee and the membership. The committee may make suggestions for improving financial procedures to the membership. They may make special audits after requesting approval from the Executive Committee or upon request of the Executive Committee. Such as request might be made or requested if a vacancy occurs in the office of Treasurer.

Structure
The Committee Chair is responsible for all phases of the committee's work.

Procedure
The committee will be responsible to the MACAA President-Elect and Executive Committee and will provide the President-Elect with an annual report of its activities.

This committee will administer the NACAA Program Development Programs. Currently these are the RISE Horticulture/Turfgrass study tour and the Dairy Price Risk Management Workshop.

The RISE program is designed to provide the opportunity for selected members to study and learn more about horticulture and turfgrass management in populated areas. The tour will be conducted in a different region on a four year cycle. All transportation, lodging and certain meals will be covered. Five (5) members from each region will be selected.

The Dairy Price Risk Management Workshop teaches participants skills in hedging and futures marketing, develops leadership in the area of milk futures and provides participants information and technology for marketing diary products. Twenty-five (25) agents/educators will be selected based on Extension responsibilities and state membership. Each participant will receive $500 to defray the costs of the two-day workshop.

The committee will develop new professional improvement programs for members upon request by the MACAA Executive Committee.

DUTIES OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE