Six individuals were recognized for their dedicated 4 years of service on the area’s University of Illinois Extension Multi-County Unit Council. Hugo Heredia, Monico Nunez, Francis Morse and Lynne Weber, all representing Bureau County; and Teri Rossman and Steve Tuftie, representing LaSalle County, completed dedicated terms of service for their counties. Mr. Chris Dvorak, Council President and Chair, highlighted the outstanding services of these outgoing council members at the October 27 Council meeting.
University of Illinois Extension Council Members provide leadership in shaping the vision for Extension in support of the citizens in Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall and Putnam counties. Members represent their county and serve as a catalyst to provide input to local issues, needs and concerns that can be addressed through Extension’s unbiased and research-based educational programs and services. Council members are advocates and promote and connect local people to Extension’s educational programming including Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development, Community & Economic Development and Family, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences. The council meets on a regular basis to oversee programming and finances.
Extension Unit Director, Jill Guynn, commented, “we have been very fortunate to benefit from the knowledge and experience of these council members. They have provided outstanding service. They have been dedicated to supporting the needs of their communities and county, and they each have provided a strong voice to ensure the quality and continuation of 4-H and Extension education programming. It has been a great pleasure to work with them as a part of the Extension Council Team.”
Dvorak encouraged local involvement in Extension programming and services, “Our local Extension office has done a terrific job to continue the necessary services and programs through this pandemic. Jill Guynn and the University of Illinois Extension staff lead important educational programs that improve our community--now more through virtual delivery methods. Virtual opportunities are available to help connect individuals as well as to provide learning on so many amazing topics. We are fortunate to have our local Extension office offering such valuable services. Please contact any of our council members to further discuss offerings or to provide ideas for future programming. On behalf of the council and our local Extension, we look forward to best serving your needs.”
The business meeting also included the election of officers for the program year. Mr. Chris Dvorak (LaSalle County) will continue as the President/Chair; Ms. Beth Acuncius (Putnam
County) will serve as the Vice-Chair; Ms. Judy Wright (Bureau County) will serve as Secretary; and Ms. Brandy Sandberg (Putnam County) will serve as the Financial Reporter. Additional Council representatives include: Ms. Alicia Lopez (Bureau County), Ms. Kindra Pottinger (LaSalle County), Mr. Mike Kasap (LaSalle County), Mr. Jeremy Jenkins (LaSalle County), Ms. Lisa Palm (Marshall County), Ms. Carla Schaer (Marshall County), Mr. Luke Holly (Putnam County).
University of Illinois Extension provides outreach education and services from the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) on the Urbana-Champaign campus. The Mission of University of Illinois Extension is to provide practical education you can trust to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. Extension offices are located in Princeton, Ottawa, Henry and in Oglesby on the IVCC campus. The Education Center & Community Teaching Kitchen is located in LaSalle. For more information, visit our website at https://extension.illinois.edu/blmp or call University of Illinois Extension – Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam Unit at 815-224-0889.
Source: Jill Guynn, County Extension Director