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Extension staffers earn national recognitionNebraska University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension educators recently received the Excellence in Teamwork Award from the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals. Connie Francis of North Platte and Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel of Scottsbluff received national recognition for development and implementation of the Red Carpet Service Program at the Joint Council of Extension Professionals Galaxy III conference in Indianapolis, Ind. Francis and Burkhart-Kriesel created the program because a Nebraska community of about 3,500 asked how to give travelers and tourists a better first impression. They worked with a group of business leaders from the community to develop a curriculum specifically suited to their needs. Since that time, the team has taught the class in 17 Nebraska communities. Each time the team members give a train-the-trainer program, they customize it to reflect the local economies and local situations. They have partnered with the Nebraska Division of Travel and Tourism, regional tourism organizations, economic development groups, convention and visitors' bureaus, chambers of commerce and UNL faculty in the area of restaurant and tourism management. In a letter supporting Francis and Burkhart-Kriesel, Sandra Scofield, director of the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative, wrote that the success of the program is "due to the leadership and commitment of Cheryl and Connie and their ability to work as a team across considerable distances." "They have a statewide network of collaborators and have demonstrably increased the capacity of rural communities in strengthening their local and regional economies," she wrote. NACDEP is an organization dedicated to improving the visibility, coordination, professional status and resource base of community and economic development Extension programs and professionals. The theme of this year's conference was "Celebrating the Extension System: Strengths, Diversity, and Unique Qualities." The conference provided an opportunity for Extension professionals from all subject areas and all parts of the country to network, learn together and continue to build programs that will serve their communities. For more information, visit the Red Carpet Service website at http://redcarpetservice.nebraska.edu. 11/3/08 Date: 10/28/08
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