July 2015

Table of Contents

President's Message

Upcoming  Webinars

It's "Bows" Time for the Journal Subcommittee

USING the NEAFCS WEBSITE Series:

And The Beat Goes On ... More PILD Reflections from First Time Attendees

Things to See and Experience in Lewisburg

Important Dates

Members-only Webinar • July 16
Home Food Preservation Research and Practice Today

Members-only Webinar • Totally Veggies
Part A: Aug 4
Part B: Sept 15

NEAFCS 2015 Annual Session • Nov 2-5
White Sulphur Springs, WV

NEAFCS 2016 Annual Session • Sept 12-15
Big Sky, MT

NEAFCS 2017 Annual Session • Oct 15-19
Omaha, NE

View All Events...

National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Science
140 Island Way, Ste 316
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
(561) 477-8100
[email protected]

President's Message
Peggy Ehlers, Ed.D. (IN), President

Dear NEAFCS Members,

Happy Summer!!

From our July showers, we will have August flowers! The contiguous United States has been having a great deal of rain. I hope each of you have been safe during this recent time of unusual weather.

Our Annual Session is less than four months away! Meeting at The Greenbrier in West Virginia is going to be a wonderful experience. I am looking forward to  outstanding professional development opportunities. The committees have been busy getting all of the details completed.

I am pleased to announce that the 2018 Annual Session will be hosted by Texas in San Antonio.

I want to congratulate Katie Cullum, Susan Cosgrove, and Cindy Hubbard who found the key in the June eNEAFCS. Look for the hidden key in the newsletter.

Remember you are the KEY- Knowledge, Experience, and You of NEAFCS.

My best to all. Have a great month.

Peg
[email protected]

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Upcoming Webinars  
Julia Zee (HI), Webinar Subcommittee Chair

Join us for these upcoming webinars!

On Thursday, July 16, learn about the latest in home food preservation research and resources with Dr. Elizabeth L. Andress, Professor, Foods and Nutrition and Extension Food Safety Specialist, University of Georgia.

“Totally Veggies,” a 4-lesson series curriculum, will be presented in two parts by Mary Ehret, Frances Alloway, and Dori Campbell of Pennsylvania State University Extension. Part A on August 4 gives an overview of vegetables, focusing on leafy greens, and Part B on September 15 will be an in-depth review of orange, cruciferous and root vegetables.

Register online for the live presentations of these webinars, or visit the Webinar Archives on the NEAFCS website under Professional Development to later view the recordings and download the presenters’ slides and handouts.

If you have a program that you'd like to share with NEAFCS members, submit a proposal online anytime. NEAFCS webinars are peer-reviewed and presented to a nationwide audience.Visit the webinars webpage (http://www.neafcs.org/webinars). Email me ([email protected]) if you have any questions or a suggestion for a future webinar.

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It’s “Bows” Time for the Journal Subcommittee!
Debby Mathews (AL), President-Elect

Yes, it is time for our Journal of NEAFCS subcommittee to take center stage for bows! Their work was concluded when the Journal was posted online in January 2015.      

The objective of this committee is to empower NEAFCS members through shared educational opportunities to publish their research and scholarly activities. In addition to all that goes with creating and editing a journal, this group works hard to solicit both articles and reviewers for the articles. This is time intensive work!

Although much time is devoted to the many tasks involved in journal creation (including proof-reading), those who serve on this committee must have a passion for their work. Fortunately, their work is divided among committee members. For instance, apprentice chairman, Sarah Ransom (TN), is in charge of reviewers for articles and the review process. For the 2014 Journal there were 25 reviewers.

Jessica Hill (GA) chairs this subcommittee. Lauren Weatherford (WV) is the chair-elect, and Chris Kniep (WI) is the copy editor. There are thirteen others on this committee from states all around the USA.  When asked “Why do you do this?” Chairman Jessica Hill had two reasons.  1) She does this to sharpen her critical thinking skills, and 2) she does this to stay abreast of research and best practices in Extension Family and Consumer Sciences. Jessica explained that both reasons relate to enhancing professionalism.

Please join me in thanking these subcommittee members for making the Journal of NEAFCS happen. They all exhibit professionalism through this service to NEAFCS. Of course, your gratitude is best expressed through reading the Journal of NEAFCS.

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USING the NEAFCS WEBSITE Series:
Need a Reviewer? Go to NEAFCS.org
Margie Memmott (UT), Vice President for Member Resources

For members who are currently preparing packets for promotion, or developing new publications and need to find peer reviewers, log in to neafcs.org, click on the Member Resources tab, click on External Reviewers, then click on the External Reviewer (updated 2015) Link, which opens the current list ofNEAFCS External Reviewers for Promotion & Tenure and Publications. http://www.neafcs.org/member-resources---external-reviewers is the direct link. 

This list specifies the reviewer’s title, description or tenure/permanent status process, rank, area of expertise and availability to peer review extension publications. This will help those who are seeking a reviewer determine who will best meet their needs.

This External Reviewer list is just one more member service that can easily be accessed on the neafcs.org website.

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And The Beat Goes On ... More PILD Reflections from First Time Attendees                                    
Theresa C. Mayhew (NY), Vice President for Public Affairs

It’s probably an understatement to say that I love music (friends, family and co-workers will attest to the fact that I’m often prone to breaking out in song) so here are some more Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) conference first timer reflections that, to quote one attendee, “sing our (NEAFCS) praises.”

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to attend the PILD conference.  This was an experience that I will never forget. It was the second trip of my eight-year Extension career that I had to travel alone.  During the conference I gained personal growth, career awareness, appreciation and encouragement to continue my passion to improve the citizens and their quality of life. One comment that was shared that really resonated and made me think was “Our Past:  Who and What we were, Our Present:  Who and What we are, Our Future:  Who and What we can and should be.” I was proud to represent NEAFCS and my Alabama Affiliate.”  -- Apriell Burgess, Urban Region Extension Agent II, Auburn University

“My journey into JCEP and PILD has had an even larger impact on me than I ever dreamt. The ability to converse with other delegates from across the country has given me insight into some of the challenges our chapter is facing. I have shared many of the new ideas with our Extension team. I always knew our jobs were very political. The threat of our quorum court cutting our budget years ago helped put that into perspective. And now with our staffing at a low it is even more imperative to sing our praises and help educate the public and our politicians to the value of Extension programming. I was honored to share our State’s successes in EFNEP and FCS with our representative’s staffers.” – Keith A. Cleek, Regional Program Associate – EFNEP, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension

“Perhaps it was soft and delicate movement of the cherry blossoms in the spring breeze but this experience was a relaxing one, not rushed like some National meetings I have attended have been. The program was well designed, the scholarship expectations clearly outlined, and all of the sessions I attended were engaging and interactive. Three segments stood out:  the NC Biotechnology Director’s insights into the best way to approach congressmen and women; the FCS National Program Leaders session Tuesday morning and the NEAFCS business meeting that afternoon; and the utterly dynamic Barbara Chamberlin framing technology for me in a new supportive way.  I was recently criticized for not being as current in technology but she made me feel okay about taking it in small doses so I am not overwhelmed. That alone was worth the price of admission for me. Thank you for my scholarship and the opportunity to meet with so many dynamic FCS educators. At this time North Carolina Cooperative Extension is going through a restructuring and reduction in staff. This conference offered me a chance to catch my breath, step back and reflect on what is going on nationally, and just relax and enjoy the cherry blossoms.  It was work but it didn’t feel like work, it felt like we were doing all we can to continue to promote Extension and our mission.” – Debbie Cox, Stokes County Extension Director, North Carolina State University Extension Service.

“As I packed for my first trip to the PILD Conference, I was unsure of what to expect.  The theme for our conference was “Imagining Extension – Eyes on the future …” and my experience at the conference did afford me the tools to ask what can I do to get the message out about Extension to local, state, and national shareholders.  I was impressed with the variety in the states, the use of volunteers, the 1890 schools, and the fact we had a common purpose of educating our legislators about Extension.  This was a pivotal experience for me in my professional life.  Thank you so much for the scholarship and the opportunity to go to Washington and stand tall as a representative of NEAFCS/GEAFCS.”  -- Heidi L. Flowers, County Coordinator and FCS Agent; University of Georgia Extension – Ware County

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Things to See and Experience in Lewisburg
Kay Davis (WV), WVU-Extension Families and Health Agent

Lewisburg is nestled in the heart of the Greenbrier Valley and offers visitors unique shopping as well as elegant and casual dining experiences. Historic downtown offers southern charm in a small town package. Slow down and take time to explore the local antique shops, clothing boutiques, craft and specialty stores that offer art, vintage collectables, and special one-of–a-kind pieces. The arts come alive at the Greenbrier Valley Theater and local galleries.

The historic General Lewis Inn and Restaurant blends modern convenience with early 20th century antiques and provides visitors with a relaxed dining experience. For a livelier stop, try the Irish Pub on Washington Street and enjoy traditional Irish music, spirits, and an international menu. Other dining experiences range from casual morning cafes such as the Wild Bean Coffee House and two local bakeries, to more elegant fine dining such as the Livery Tavern and Stardust Café, which offers local Greenbrier County foods.

The Greenbrier Valley Theater offers visitors quality live productions in a beautiful theater complete with tiered seating and a lobby bar. Another Lewisburg “must see” is Carnegie Hall, which presents a wide range of traveling performers and highlights local artists in the adjacent gallery.

While in Lewisburg contact the Greenbrier Historical Society and North House Museum to learn more about our local history. Explore the lives of Greenbrier Valley residents of the 19th century with a guided tour of the North House Museum. Tours are available Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment. The historical society also offers tours of the Old Stone Church and Confederate Cemeteries and downtown Lewisburg

Lost World Caverns offers visitors a vast wonderland of stalactites and stalagmites 120 feet below the Earth’s surface. A self-guided tour will take about 45 minutes, but if you are looking for a more adventurous experience, inquire about the wild cave tour, a 4 hour guided exploration of the deepest, darkest part of the cave. No matter what the temperature is outside the cave remains a cool 52 degrees year round. Tours are available daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lewisburg welcomes the NEAFCS Annual Session attendees to its community. We look forward to your visit, and hope you fall in love with our town as much as we have.

More information about the NEAFCS Annual Session can be found at www.neafcs.org/2015-annual-session.

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