President's message

Becoming President of WVAFCS a second time was a responsibility I accepted from you, knowing that each will work to increasingly assure this is a viable and important support and learning network for family and consumer science professionals in West Virginia. This is a transition year for the organization. We are participating in the transformation of AAFCS. We are facing many changes at the state and national level as an organization and we must plan for these changes. At the same time we have much to celebrate as we begin to embrace and plan for our 100th anniversary as an organization. We will work together to make the adjustments needed to assure a healthy and positive future.

No one person can “go the miles alone” in meeting the needs of the organization. It takes each member reaching out to others to create the kind of learning and support network that has meaning. As we are challenged with specialization and all that goes with that, as well as the dwindling numbers of family and consumer science professionals in some segments of our population, it is especially important that each member assume the task of positive outreach to others. Two challenges seem to me to be particularly important for us to “walk up to” at this time.

1) Maintaining Membership Growth. I encourage each member to invite a co-worker and/or acquaintenance who is working in family and consumer sciences or a related organization with common commitments to become a member. You will read in another article in this newsletter about the opportunity to bring new members to the table. Now is the time!

2) Providing Service and Commitment to Move the Organization Forward. As Vincent Van Gogh noted, “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together. What do you want to see happen in your state organization? Please do seize the opportunity to make a positive difference. We are presently without a President-Elect! There are many additional roles and tasks that need attention. What task or role would you like to assume? Will you walk up to the plate? Please do consider this.

This is an exciting time for WVACS and AAFCS as the organization grows and changes to meet the needs of members in West Virginia and across the country. For questions regarding membership, contact Deborah Shriver, DSShriver@mail.wvu.edu. To learn more about AAFCS see AAFCS.org. To talk with someone regarding the organization, call or e-mail me (304)599-8040, milesnichols@aol.com or other members of the Board of Directors.

“Every calling is great when greatly pursued.” Oliver Wendell Holmes

Sue Miles, President, WVAFCS

(Footnotes) 1 Ward, Janet D. and Cheryl L. Lee. “Teaching Strategies for FCS: Student Achievement in Problem-Based Learning Versus Lecture-Based Instruction.”Family & Consumer Sciences. Vol. 96. January, 2004. p. 72-76. 2 Gardner,J. (1991). Community. Unpublished manuscript. 3 Theobald, R. (1997) Reworking success: New communities at the millennium. Gabriola Island, BC, Canada: New Society Publishers. 4 Putnam, R.D. (2000) Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon & Schuster. 5 Tough, Allen. “Future Generations Forum”. World Future Society. http://www.wfs.org .January 16, 2004.

'07 HUGS Addendum | Handbook

Website updated and maintained by: Amanda Nagy