Public Affairs

Through its public affairs activities, NEAFCS keeps members informed about issues that relate to FCS Extension and raise awareness of FCS Extension among consumers, the media and policy makers.

Advocacy Activities and Programs
Build support for Extension Family and Consumer Science programs with targeted awareness among stakeholders. Forging national, state and local coalitions with other organizations to strengthen public awareness of Extension activities and programs are critical actions for Family and Consumer Extension educators.

  • Living Well Month — Learn how to participate in the NEAFCS Public Service Campaign.
  • FCS Day (Previously Dine In Day) - December 3rd - Every year, FCS Day is celebrated to honor AAFCS Founder, Ellen Richards, on her birthday.  We invite you to be part of FCS Day 2021. 
  • NEAFCS Creed – Members are encouraged to print and display the NEAFCS Creed in Extension offices and promotional materials.
  • Hope is Not a Strategy, a Case Study On Penn State Extension’s Engagement to Restore State Funding  In the FY 2015/16 Pennsylvania state budget process, the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences was caught up in a political state budget stalemate and faced the elimination of their entire state appropriation. The college and its stakeholders engaged in a comprehensive advocacy and communication strategy in an attempt to restore funding. The outcome was not only the full restoration of the college’s funding, but an increase of 9.5%. This webinar will discuss the three key parts of this, and any, advocacy strategy and some lessons learned along the way including established relationships, an action plan, and effective messaging.
  • Friend of NEAFCS Award— Initiated in 2005, the annual Friend of NEAFCS Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Association in recognition of an individual or organization who has made significant contributions to Extension Family and Consumer Science education programs. View a list of Friend honorees.

Education Activities and Programs
You may have heard that lobbying activities by government employees are prohibited. Learn how to legally share information about your project and programs using Education strategies with effective Impact Statements and a conference devoted to these activities.

NEAFCS IMPACT STATEMENTS

The Impact Statement Portal is now open through February 1, 2023.

Members are invited to contribute to the official Impact Statement of NEAFCS using the information and materials supplied below. The Affiliate President and Affiliate Vice President/Chair of Public Affairs should finalize and coordinate their state’s submissions by the date due. 

NEW THIS YEAR: Specific questions will be asked in order to assist National in collecting impact numbers related to each program.  The numbers will be compiled and used to create infographics on the front page of each impact statement. It is suggested that each Affiliate create a survey using SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, etc., to gather affiliate collective data to include on the impact statements. This will make it much easier to submit on the national portal.  Please keep in mind, there is a word limit for impact statements.  

Each state is invited to contribute information and data using the guidelines, instructions and templates listed below for one to three projects/programs in each of the subject areas listed in the on-line submission form. NEAFCS IMPACT is used at the Public Issues Leadership Development Conference as an education piece at state delegation visits to Capitol Hill where Extension employees and volunteers visit their Senators and Representatives. Education is provided by Extension employees, and Advocacy is provided by Extension volunteers. NEAFCS IMPACT is also provided to all NIFA FCS Program Leaders.

NEAFCS IMPACT may be used at the state and local levels with legislators and stakeholders with permission from and coordinated with your state’s Extension Administration.

Important: Prior to submitting your reports, please be sure to review the following PowerPoint presentation.  This will help you determine what information we are looking for, what category your data should be submitted under, and much more. CLICK HERE to access PowerPoint.

Additional Resources to help you build your impacts:

PUBLIC ISSUES LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT (PILD) CONFERENCE

Sponsored by the Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP), PILD Conferences are conducted by and for Extension professionals. Visit jcep.org for additional details.

NEAFCS provides scholarships to first-time attendees of the PILD Conference.  Click the following link to apply for a scholarship - https://www.neafcs.org/jcep-public-issues-leadership-development-conference. To view past PILD scholarship recipient reflections from their conference experience, click here. 

Marketing and Communications Activities and Programs
Build your visibility and show your pride with NEAFCS Member Merchandise!

  • Shop at our NEAFCS e-Store! The friendly staff at Land’s End have our logo on file, already, so can be added to clothes or items for a small fee.
  • Buy nifty NEAFCS logo-ed items at the NEAFCS Annual Session Member Merchandise Table in the Exhibit Hall
  • Say “hello” or “thank you” with NEAFCS Notecards!SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave