The North Carolina Association
of Cooperative Extension Secretaries
History

After a great deal of effort by many of the secretaries throughout the State, notification was received on March 25, 1974 that Senate Bill Number 1448 introduced by Senators Allsbrook and White, and House Bill Number 2118 introduced by Representatives Chase and Jernigan, were on the floor as of that date. The bills were to appropriate money to equalize North Carolina portion of salaries to some extent throughout the State. Both of these bills were passed.

The Board of Directors met with Dr. T. C. Blalock and Mr. Ed Foil, our Extension Administrative Advisor, on April 6, 1974 to discuss the bills and how they would benefit the secretaries. Beginning of the fiscal year 1974-75, North Carolina portion of salaries were adjusted for most of the secretaries.

The first annual meeting of the North Carolina Association of Cooperative Extension Secretaries was held at the Faculty Club in Raleigh on September 20, 1974 with 123 members present. Dr. T. C. Blalock, Mr. Ed Foil, and Mr. Craig Wilburn told how the system of raises would be handled. Questions and answers followed.

The second annual meeting of the NCACES was held at the Blockade Runner, Wrightsville Beach, on September 26, 1975, with 72 members present. Due to her tremendous interest, hard work, research, and help in the organization structure of getting our association started, Eleanor Starnes, retired secretary from Durham County, was made the first Honorary Member.

The third annual meeting was held at the Ramada Inn, Statesville, NC, hosted by Southwestern District, on September 17, 1976 with 83 secretaries attending. All districts were represented.

The letterhead design submitted by Northeastern District was accepted by the association at this meeting. A scholarship award project was adopted, to be rotated by districts. A motion was also made and passed to have a scrapbook compiled for the association. Because she was one of the co-sponsors of getting the organization off the ground, Edith Herter, retired, was also granted Honorary Membership in the association.

The fourth annual meeting was held at the Sheraton Motor Inn, Asheville, NC, on September 23, 1977, with 88 members attending. It was announced that Dr. Black has approved "time" be granted for the 1978 planning meeting. An Executive Board Award was receive by Betty Dail of the Northwestern District.

The fifth annual meeting was held at the Ramada Inn, Nags Head, on September 15, 1978, with 85 members present. At this meeting, a copy of the Handbook was given to each member. Western District received the first scholarship award in the amount of $150. The Executive Board Award was presented to Linda McMullen.

The sixth annual meeting was held at the Sheraton Motor Inn, at Southern Pines, on September 21, 1979 with 112 members present. Frances O'Neal reported that South Carolina is now organized and Virginia is partially organized. Dr. T. C. Blalock reported that a plaque would be presented to all retiring Extension secretaries. the 1979 Executive Board Award was received by Frances O'Neal of Catawba County. The name of the association was changed to: North Carolina Association of Agricultural Extension Secretaries (NCAAES). The scholarship award was received by the Northwestern district in the amount of $200.

The seventh annual meeting was held at the Ramada Inn in Durham on September 17, 1980 with 115 members attending. The $200 scholarship award went to the Southwestern District. The Executive Board Award was received by Betsy Crews of Person County.

The eighth annual meeting was held at the Green Park Inn, Blowing Rock, NC, on September 4, 1981, with 86 members present. The $300 scholarshipaward was received by North Central District. At this meeting, the scholarship was named the "Herter-O'Neal Scholarship" in honor of Edith Herter and Frances O'Neal. The Jewelry Award for secretaries began in 1981. The Executive Board Award was presented to Mariah (Ann) McPherson of Orange County. Secretaries from South Carolina attended the meeting and reported they have been organized for three years on a state level instead of district level. Administration granted two days time for secretaries' association meetings.

The ninth annual meeting was held at the Islander Motor Inn, Emerald Isle, on September 17, 1982, with 99 members attending. The Northeastern District received the Herter-O'Neal Scholarship Award. The Executive Board Award was presented to Margaret Reynolds of Gaston County.

The tenth annual meeting was held at the Plaza Motel in Boone, NC, on September 16, 1983, with 107 members present. The scholarship award was received by the Southeastern District. The Executive Board Award was presented to Betty Penland of Macon County.

The eleventh annual meeting was held in Raleigh at the Jane S. McKimmon Center, on September 19, 1984 during the statewide training for county secretaries. There were 196 secretaries and 27 visitors present for the meeting. The Western District received the scholarship award. The Executive Board Awardwas presented to Ernestine Talley of Person County.