Can you all provide feedback on Ashley’s questions below.

My knee jerk reaction is that at least the recipient needs to be and NCEA member. I look forward to your prompt response.

Jessica Groskopf Exten Educator Director, Nebraska Women in Agriculture University of Nebraska–Lincoln Panhandle Rsch & Ext Center 3086321247 | jgroskopf2@unl.edu | wia@unl.edu

Need to meet with me? Book a meeting here: https://calendly.com/hellojessicag

From: Ashley Fenning <astevens4@nebraska.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 1:47 PM
To: Jessica Groskopf <jgroskopf2@nebraska.edu>
Subject: NCEA Award Nomination and Nominee Guidelines

Hi Jessica,

I received this questions: A co-worker who is not a member of NCEA submitted a NCEA Award application for another colleague who is also not an NCEA member (come to find out it is for the Outstanding Support Staff Award). They are wondering if that is ok or if a NCEA member needs to submit the NCEA award application. 

So I started rabbit hole thinking and I think we approved to allow support staff to be members of NCEA. Is that correct? I couldn’t find it in the bylaws, it says, Any Extension Specialist, Educator or Managerial-Professional Staff Person (4-H Assistant, Extension Technologist, Program Assistant, 4-H Aide or the equivalent)receiving a salary from Cooperative Extension. (Including but not limited to all funding sources such as county, state and grant funds)

So, my questions for you:

• Do nominators need to be NCEA members?
• Do recipients need to be NCEA members?  (I know outside partner in education wouldn’t be members or possibly Excellence in extension advocacy, but what about support staff?)

Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions, or if I need to ask others, I would appreciate your feedback.

Thanks!

Ashley Fenning Exten Instructor Food, Nutrition and Health University of Nebraska–Lincoln NE Ext Engagement Zone 1 514 Main St Bridgeport, NE 69336 3082621022