www.aafcs.org
Spring 2013
THE FACS CONNECTING PROFESSIONALS.TOUCHING LIVES.
A M E R I C A N
A S S O C I A T I O N
O F
family & Consumer Sciences
Leading in Times of Change The 2013 AAFCS Annual Conference is less than two months away! I’m looking forward to being at “Embracing and Managing Sue Buck, CFCS, Change Through Family and ConPresident sumer Sciences.” Our Annual Conference Program Advisory Committee has planned an excellent program and our Texas Affiliate is ready to welcome us with their Southern hospitality. We look forward to seeing many of you June 26 – 29 in Houston. Addressing change continues the leadership theme for 2012 -2013. Embracing and managing change is a key skill for leaders. Oftentimes “daring to be different” is the way to move a program or an association forward. There are many excellent sessions to be presented at the Annual Conference by our colleagues that develop leadership skills through managing change. Some of these include “Using Civility in Problem Solving to Enable Change,” “Public Policy and Practice: Using the Public Policy Tool Kit to Promote Legislation That Enhances the Lives of Families and Consumers,” “Student-Centered Leadership in Family and Consumer Sciences,” “Moving With the Cheese: Embracing and Managing Workplace Change,”
and “Embracing Differences: Changing Cultural Attitudes.” These are just a sampling of the sessions that will help us lead in a time of change. Here are some of the other ways to build your leadership skills at the Annual Conference: • Networking with family and consumer sciences professionals. • Serving as a senator and/or observing the Senate process. • Volunteering to serve on a committee or serve as a Community leader. • Applying to be nominated for a Board of Directors position. • Becoming a mentor for a student or new professional. The opportunities are endless! We hope that you take advantage of them. Even if you are unable to attend the Annual Conference, there are other ways you can be a leader for the Association and the profession. One
of the ways is to help promote the field of family and consumer sciences. The AAFCS/FCS Media Tool Kit has just been updated and can be found in the members-only section of the AAFCS website. This resource includes a number of tools that will help you clearly and consistently communicate the value of AAFCS membership and family and consumer sciences. The Tool Kit consists of an introduction and overview of how to use the material, key message training, a section on understanding and working with the media, and a variety of press release templates. Although geared toward the media, the materials can also be used with stakeholders and decisionmakers concerning family and consumer sciences programs. It is a great resource for all of us to use! Whether you attend the conference or use Association tools, we value the leadership and support you contribute. We hope to see you in Houston this June!
Featured Items in this Issue AAFCS Partners with Food Day AAFCS Professional Certifications International Day of Families Guide to Using the Public Policy Tool Kit Announcements Newly Certified Professionals
Thank you, Nasco, for sponsoring this issue of The FACS!
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