Sunday

My apologies for not getting back to the blog yesterday. We went to dinner last night at the India Royal downtown and by the time we got in, all I had a notion to do was sleep.

Yesterday morning was fairly uneventful after the PMC meeting. I attended the Network Advisory Council meeting and the Sea Grant Association meetings. The idea of publically recognizing key figures involved with Sea Grant (with a ceremony and award) was voiced, and I think this would go a long way towards both keeping Sea Grant in the public eye and helping those people remember our names when the next opportunity to champion our cause comes along.

In the afternoon I attended the Sea Grant International forum. I wasn't even aware that we had a Sea Grant International! It was very enlightening to see presentations by the Korean and Indonesian visitors, demonstrating how the organizations in their countries have evolved and are managed. I came away from the session envisioning Sea Grant as truly a worldwide entity and hope that a future Sea Grant Week might be international, with representatives from all over the world!

Later I attended a presentation by Randy Olsen. It was entitled "Don't Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in a Age of Style." Randy, drawing upon his experiences as both scientist and filmmaker, showed us how to present factual information in a manner that was fresh and entertaining. Oh, and if want you to see an example of Randy's work, look for "Flock of Dodos" on Showtime! It should be a real hoot, but it will also get you thinking.

Sea Grant Progrom Mission Committee

Good morning! I'm coming to you live from Sea Grant Week at San Diego, CA, where I've just been privileged to sit in on the Sea Grant Program Mission Committee Meeting. There was a lot to discuss, but I'll try to hit the highlights.

LaDon Swann, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium presided.

Of interest was the fact that no voting members for the PMC were present at the meeting. The opinion was also put forward that voting members of the PMC could replace ex-officio members.

Ralph Rayburn presented some helpful information on the Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship, citing a new adage that is bandined about in Washinton D.C., "If you need a good friend in D.C., get a Knauss Fellow." But the fact of the matter is, few Sea Grant programs follow up with their Knauss Fellows after they leave for Washington. This is a wasted opportunity, as Knauss Fellows are walking advertisements for Sea Grant! One recent Knauss Fellow has joined FEMA in studying how FEMA deals with climate change and ways to involve Sea Grant in this.

The PMC noted that means by which to improve long-term relationships with Knauss Fellows will be brought up with the Sea Grant Association.

Dr. Rayburn also brought up an issue of a recent draft put to Congress for proposed amendments to the Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, and the Food Security Act of 1985. The amendments would mitigate the impacts of agriculture (specifically nutrient pollution) on coastal and ocean water habitat and quality, promote restoration of habitats, improve water quality, and avoid the need for regulatory programs. Not only would this serve to reduce hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico and other regions affected by nutrient pollution, it might also involve inland states that would otherwise have no reason to associate with Sea Grant (those that drain into the Gulf of Mexico). As agriculture accounts for 45% of water use in the U.S., this is a significant issue.

It was noted that international activites involving Sea Grant are on the rise and are absolutely not going away. The issue was raised to better define "international involvement," as well. Currently, international travel within Sea Grant is not authorized, so much as simply permitted if justified. This needs to be examined and possibly refined.

The PMC was invited to share their thoughts on the new RIT Performance Assessment. Here are some of the opinions put forth:

• Estimated costs are needed for each level, compared to the PAT. Is it worth, for example, a 20% loss of program activities to get an evalutaion of your program?
• The new process is more developmental than judgemental and provides constant feedback, allowing progressive refinement.
• Is it just a lightweight PAT? Are programs still competing against one another for funding? Funding should not be a competition.
• The PAT system did not judge on a uniform basis, where the RIT seems to do so, and is more constructive than critical.
• There seems to be no emphasis on the role of the Programs Officer, and their roles actually needs to be better defined and stressed.

Well, those are the highlights. I'm off to the next meeting. I'll post again later!

Greetings from San Diego, CA

Good day, all. This is John Grigsby with the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium checking in from sunny San Diego, CA; live from Sea Grant Week 2007! I'll be with you through Wednesday, bringing you daily updates on the proceedings here, and I hope that whether you were able to attend or not, you'll join us as we hit the highlights of this annual meeting of the minds!

There isn't much happening tonight, but tomorrow looks like a full day of meetings. I'll check in as time allows, but at the very least, I'll hop up here each evening to fill you in on the goings on of the day. I also have my camera and if I'm able, I'll post some photos. Otherwise, I'll be certain to post them upon my return.

That's it for now, but be sure to stay tuned!