Highlights of Committee Work:

• Two North Carolina counties (Alexander & Yadkin) were represented at the NAE4-HA Diversity Committee Poster Exhibit at the Galaxy Conference in Ohio 1997.
• Donor secured for the NCAE4-HA Diversity Award ($150.00 a year for five years; $100.00 cash award and plaque). Thanks to A.P. Coleman. Three applications were turned in for the year.
• The 1997-98 NCAE4-HA Share Fair focused on Diversity in programs.
• Rodney Sawyer serves as Southern Regional Contact on NAE4-HA Diversity Committee and distributed survey to Southern Regional states for response on status of diversity issues in their state(s).
• In 1998-99 the Diversity Award applications will be due by the Winter Professional Meeting.

Recommendations for Future Work:

• Continued encouragement throughout the state to submit for Diversity Award Recognition.
• Continued updating through Rapport and District Diversity Committee representatives (examples of programs that exemplify Diversity in programming).
• Identification of continued funding sources for the NCAE4-HA Diversity Award (Mr. Jerry Williams, Robert Williams Construction Company, Inc., Wilson, North Carolina - sponsor through 1998-2003).
• Clarify working definition of the NCAE4-HA Diversity Committee and post on the Diversity Web Page.
• Continued work to identify resources and techniques that can be implemented to continue to sensitize the Association and Cooperative Extension organization to the issues surrounding diversity.
• Maintain communication with State 4-H Office on the grant on Inclusion.
• Research ECOP and Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service's "Extension System Award for Diversity."
• Recommend that NCAE4-HA Board of Directors look at the establishment of a Retirees Committee or other options in order to involve retirees actively in the Association.
• Set up Diversity Web Page and link with NAE4-HA Web Page and the Center for Diversity at the University of Kentucky.
• Recommend that a representative of the NCAE4-HA Diversity
• Committee attend the National Diversity Symposium (contact Extension Administration for support).