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December 23, 2010

Proud to be a NEAFCS, Minnesota Affiliate Member: A Look at Who We are and What we do

Purpose
The purpose of this association is to provide a professional state organization for Extension Educators with degrees in Family Consumer Sciences and/or working in family related programs or administration in order to promote professional growth and development by:

  • Providing for and recognizing leadership and achievement;

  • Exchanging effective educational methodologies;

  • Encouraging members to conduct research and to use research-based information in programming;

  • Providing means for the exchange of ideas and methods;

  • Promoting cooperation among all branches of Extension;

  • Working cooperatively with National Association of Extension Educators-MN Affiliates and other professional associations;

  • Prioritizing programs that meet current social needs and concerns affecting family and communities. Communicating present and potential contribution of Extension Educators; and

  • Providing support for programs that benefit families/individuals and enhance the profession.

    • Membership
    Active NEAFCS-MN Affiliate membership is granted to any Extension employee who holds a professional appointment, has a degree in Family Consumer Sciences, or related field and is actively engaged in work or on leave from such positions. Rights and privileges of Active members may hold office, vote, serve on committees and participate in section award and recognition programs. Membership in NEAFCS is automatic upon payment of NEAFCS-MN Affiliate dues.

    As a member of NEAFCS-MN Affiliate you are also joining the National Extension Association of Family Consumer Sciences or NEAFCS.

    NEAFCS Mission
    The National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) educate its professionals to empower individuals and families to make informed decisions.

    Our Vision

  • Being the voice for professionals in Extension family and consumer sciences program development;

  • Providing an information network for its members;

  • Providing continuing education for Extension professionals; and

  • Recognizing Extension professionals through awards and recognition

    • NEAFCS Membership Benefits
    As a member of NEAFCS-MN Affiliate, you will enhance your career and have a positive impact on your profession. NEAFCS-MN Affiliate members enjoy the following benefits from their participation in the association:

  • Access to a growing, nationwide network of more than 2,000 Extension professionals actively involved in Family & Consumer Sciences programming in their communities.

  • Opportunities to develop and enhance your leadership and management skills by serving in a leadership capacity on the state or national level.

  • Forums for presenting research and program information and discussing common Extension concerns.

  • Opportunities to publish research in peer-reviewed publications.

  • Recognition for outstanding achievements through an extensive awards and recognition program.

  • Access to professional development opportunities on the state, regional and national levels.

  • The ability to earn continuing education credits through participation in national meetings.

  • Up-to-date information on the latest products, methods, materials, and technological advances to enhance the effectiveness of your programs.

  • The opportunity to develop lasting friendships.

    • To become a NEAFCS-MN Affiliate member contact:
    North Jennifer Garbow jgarbow@umn.edu
    Metro Rosi Heins heins002@umn.edu
    South Kathy Brandt brand030@umn.edu

    Or state membership committee chair, Cindy Petersen peter210@umn.edu

    Encourage colleagues to become a member by sharing this membership encouragement document. Membership encouragement 2011.doc

    Posted by driessen at 8:44 AM | | Comments (0)

    December 17, 2010

    Congratulations on Your Retirement Jo Musich!


    Jo Musich will retire on December 31st after a 24 year career as an Extension Educator with the University of Minnesota Extension. She has contributed a great deal to the profession and we salute her for her dedication and hard work. Jo has provided educational programming for families throughout northeastern Minnesota first in St Louis County and later at Regional Offices in Cloquet and Grand Rapids. Jo also taught Home Economics in Virginia prior to her work with Extension.

    Jo's current programming includes Partnering for School Success where she conducted focus groups, wrote curriculum, trained school-parent teams, worked with cultural guides in the Native American community, and assisted in developing the Spanish curricula for parents. Jo also serves on the Parents Forever program team, most recently revising The Impact of Divorce on Children, conducting webinars with colleagues on We Agree: Creating a Parenting Plan, and providing training and consultation for northeast Minnesota communities offering Parents Forever programming.

    Jo is a Master Trainer for the Powerful Tools for Caregivers curriculum and recently conducted training in northwest Minnesota for staff from a variety of agencies who want to teach the class. She has also offered a number of Powerful Tools for Caregiver sessions and Matter of Balance classes over the past two years.
    As a member of a cross disciplinary team, she helped to initiate five regional Minnesota Women's Woodland Networks across the state.

    Jo served on the Positive Parenting curriculum development and training team and co-authored three curricula: Positive Parenting I, Positive Parenting II and Positive Parenting of Teens. These curricula received a number of awards including the Dean and Directors Distinguished Team Award, NEAFCS Florence Hall Award and the Minnesota Association of Extension Educators Team Award.
    Balancing work, life and family and shift workers education has been an important piece of her work. She has also made important contributions to work with aging families with the programming on "Adult Children and Aging Parents: Conversations between Generations".

    Professional development and contribution is important to Jo and she is a member of the following organizations: National Council on Family Relations, Minnesota Council on Family Relations, Joint Council of Extension Professionals (National), Minnesota Association of Extension Educators, National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science, Minnesota Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science, Iron Range Home Economist Program, Phi Upsilon Omicron, and National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE).

    Jo is a valued member of the Family Relations program team and we'll miss her a lot!

    Posted by driessen at 11:03 AM | | Comments (0)