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Important Dates
2024 JCEP Public Issues Leadership Development Conference
April 15-16, 2024
Arlington, VA
Webinar: HOT TOPIC: Let Me Tell You What You Need
April 17, 2024 @ 2:00pm EST
NEAFCS Town Hall Meeting
April 23, 2024 @ 2:00pm EST
Webinar: Habit Shift Mindset
April 26, 2024 @ 2:30pm EST
NEAFCS Leadership Book Club Session 3
April 30, 2024 @ 3:00pm EDT
NEAFCS Endowment Grants and Annual Session Scholarships
Deadline May 15
2024 Annual Session
September 16-19, 2024 - Tucson, Arizona
2025 Annual Session
October 20-23, 2025 - Grand Rapids, Michigan
Have Member News to share? Fill out the online form:
https://www.neafcs.org/member-news-form
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President's Message: Springing into PILD and Showing Appreciation
Rick Griffiths (NM), NEAFCS President
It is a busy time of year for the association. I am grateful for everyone participating on the national committee, writing and reviewing impact statements, judging national awards and concurrent session proposals, and all the additional work being done throughout the Association. When this letter comes out, I will be meeting with some of you at the JCEP Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) conference in Arlington VA, and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.
I want to thank Robin Ridgley and Vice President of Public Affairs Christine Zellers for serving as NEAFCS’ representatives on the PILD Planning Committee and planning our Association at PILD. I would also like to thank Past President Susan Routh for serving as the Planning Committee Chair and Immediate Past President Julie Garden Robinson for serving as the Planning Committee Co-Vice Chair.
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What YOU Need to Know NOW in NEAFCS!
National Office Staff
This feature of the newsletter highlights current reminders of member benefits, programs, and approaching deadlines to keep you in the know.
Email Rick at [email protected].
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Final Call! 2024 NEAFCS Board Applications Due May 1!
Julie Garden-Robinson (ND), Immediate Past President
We are in our final weeks of collecting board applications for our upcoming election to be held at our 2024 conference in Tucson, AZ. Applications are due to Julie Garden-Robinson at [email protected] and Danielle Jessup at [email protected] by May 1 for these positions:
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Check Out the In-Depth Sessions We Have Planned for You!
Dan McDonald (AZ), 2024 NEAFCS Annual Session Planning Committee
The Sky’s the Limit for this year’s annual session in Tucson, Arizona, and do we have some fun and informative in-depth sessions lined up for you!
- Check out Biosphere2, a remarkable scientific center located just north of Tucson.
- Explore the Flandreau Planetarium located on the University of Arizona campus.
- Learn about the history and economic impact of the wine industry in Arizona.
- See the future of agriculture close up at the campus farm and Tucson Village Farm.
- Experience the cultural richness of Tucson as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.
- Learn about food safety during food demonstrations at our innovative education center, The Garden Kitchen.
- For the more athletically inclined, hike the historic Tumamoc Hill and learn about the cultural significance of the location and the biodiversity existing at the doorsteps to downtown Tucson.
- And for our Life Members, we have a special treat at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.
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Hot Off the Presses
Chris Zellers (NJ), VP of Public Affairs
Click here for the 2024 NEAFCS Impact Statements
March was followed by another busy month for the Public Affairs Committee. The Education committee wrote 10 individual Impact Statements from the 254 statements received from across the country. Then a two-page flyer was created for members to distribute to stakeholders along with any or all of the 10 area impact statements. Topics include Childhood Obesity and Prevention, Community Health and Wellness, Diabetes Prevention and Management, Disaster Preparedness, Family Stability and Vitality, FCS & STEM, Financial Management, Food and Nutrition, Healthy Homes and Environment, and Home Food Safety and Prevention. Many thanks to members of the education committee who worked diligently to frame the collective programming and outreach of our members to create a resource to share with stakeholders. Special thanks to Amanda Dame, Education Chairperson who worked tirelessly to edit and review the statements and of course to Danielle Jessup from Partners who keeps us all on track.
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He It's Not Too Late! - Run for a National Leadership Role
Michelle Wright (TX) - Appointed VP of Member Resources
If you have ever considered running for a NEAFCS leadership position, it’s not too late. Serving in a leadership role can help you grow by leaps and bounds professionally. Here are several ways you will grow.
Continue reading about the ways you can grow professionally:
In the Realm of Professional Development
Marcia Parcell (IN), VP of Professional Development
If you were not there, you missed it! Traveling to Tampa, FL, was great this time of year. The weather was great, and so was the conference. The highlight was the NEAFCS meeting on Day 1.
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What is the Endowment? And What it Does for You!
Lance Hansen (ID), NEAFCS Treasurer
Endowments play a crucial role in various organizations' financial stability and long-term sustainability, particularly in the nonprofit and educational sectors. An endowment is a financial asset donated to an institution, stipulating that the principal amount remains intact. At the same time, its investment income is utilized to support the organization's activities and mission. Here's how our endowment benefits NEAFCS members:
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Voices From the Past - Present - Future
Christine Kniep (WI), Past President & Historian
On June 29th, 1933, in Milwaukee, WI, during the annual meeting of the American Home Economics Association, The National Home Demonstration Agents’ Association became a reality. Present were twenty-one home demonstration agents from 13 states: Alabama, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Vermont, Virginia and Wyoming.
The 90th Anniversary Committee has asked each of these 13 states to collect stories of their work and membership in NEAFCS from a retired or life member, the affiliate president, and a “new” member – the start of an ongoing narrative history of NEAFCS. Between now and our 100th Anniversary, stories will be collected from all of the affiliates. These stories will be included in our newsletter, posted on our website, and included in our historical records. Read More:
The Role of Intersectionality in Extension Education
Kyleigh Brown (MO), Diversity Committee Apprentice
The term intersectionality, first coined by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw in 1989, is a theoretical perspective that acknowledges that an individual's experiences are shaped by the intersection of various social factors, such as race, gender, class, and more.
When considering extension education and intersectionality together, it implies a recognition of the diverse needs, backgrounds, and experiences of the target audience for extension programs. Read More:
Springing into Action: Planning Ahead for Next Year's Award Season
Noel Wilkinson (AZ), Awards & Recognition Training Committee Member
March 19th marked the Vernal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere – a celestial event where day and night find perfect equilibrium, a balance I find fascinating. It's funny how such a scientific concept can find its way into our everyday lives. Just the other day, my daughter was excited about the arrival of Spring; she was especially eager for the longer play hours in the evenings. Meanwhile, I couldn't shake from my nightmares the impending yardwork that comes with the onset of Arizona's spring weather (so many spikey plants down here).
But amidst the transition from winter to spring, there's an underlying lesson – the cyclical nature of life and the importance of readiness for what's to come. Just as nature meticulously readies itself for the eventual return of winter, we too, as members of NEAFCS, should take this time to begin laying the groundwork for the upcoming award season. Read More:
Leadership Moments
Jennifer Bridge (KY), NEAFCS President-Elect
When I started exploring ideas to expand opportunities for member involvement, a book club seemed like a logical choice. A book club would involve a short-term, low-cost way to connect beyond committees and special projects. I thought maybe 30-40 members would join. I was pleasantly surprised when 80+ members signed up. While not everyone joins the live discussion, many watch the recorded sessions and share their thoughts and experiences with me afterwards. We will finish up the series on Dare to Lead with our last session on April 30, 3:00 p.m. ET. We will focus on the remainder of the book. Feel free to join in! Read More:
Central Region Update
Barbara Wollan (IA), Central Region Director
During this busy season of programming, ELC, PILD, award applications, and impact statements, central states have few actual association activities to report, but they are much in the way of plans!
Many states are planning local celebrations of NEAFCS's 90th birthday! It will be fun to share some of those next time! Read More:
Additional News & Opportunities for NEAFCS Members
Christine Marie Jessen, 59, passed away peacefully in her home on December 17, 2023. Chris was born on September 30, 1964 in Missouri to Grant and Marietta Woodward Wood. Her family moved to Bellingham Washington where she attended Ferndale High School. Chris was actively engaged in many activities at her high school. She loved participating in her school marching band, school events and especially track and field.
Shortly after getting married, she landed her dream job at Utah State University Extension/ 4-H. She has touched the lives of kids from all around the state of Utah, especially her home county of Piute. She recently celebrated 30 years of dedicated service to Utah State University.
On the morning of October 10, 2023, after a brief illness and surrounded by her family, Dorina Espinoza passed away at the age of 61. She was the youngest of three daughters born to Dolores and Bernardo Espinoza on June 15, 1962, in Oxnard, CA.
Dorina earned her Masters and PhD from Michigan State University in Kinesiology and Exercise Science which led to a two decade career of serving her community. First with Humboldt County Health and Human Services and most recently with the University of CA Cooperative Extension 4-H and Community Health and Nutrition Programs. Her career enabled her to pursue her passion of addressing food insecurity through the food bank, youth programs, supporting emergency preparedness, strengthening local agriculture and regional food systems and food preservation programs. Dorina was admired by her colleagues and set an important example for others with an inspirational vision that will long outlive her.
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