By Chloe Merrill, Ph.D., CFLE, ACB Chair

The Affiliate Councils of the National Council on Family Relations are state, regional, and student groups who work in their immediate areas as well as with the national organization to further the mission of NCFR. Affiliates, at all levels, are an important part of NCFR. This year has been exciting for the Affiliate Councils Board as we have approved four new affiliates and would like to welcome them. NCFR new affiliates are:

Eastern Illinois University (student affiliate); President, Theresa Lindsay

University of Tennessee at Knoxville (student affiliate); President, Karen Bluth

Utah Valley University (student affiliate); President, Jeron Parry

Wisconsin Council on Family Relations (state affiliate); President, Jami Kaiser

Throughout the year we have continued strategic planning and involvement in a variety of activities to help strengthen all affiliates. We have continued to hold conference calls quarterly with all the state, regional, and student affiliates presidents, advisors, or their designee. We have found that this is a good way to interact and be more aware of affiliate needs.

At the NCFR Annual Conference, this year's Affiliate Councils Workshop on Wednesday, November 16, is entitled "Affiliates Matter: Planning for Success." The workshop will be held from 8am to 1pm with a business meeting included. Come hear from Deb Cashen and Susan Marsh and learn from other affiliates in the following roundtable discussions: Planning for Success, Recruitment, Webpage Ideas, Career Paths in Family Science, and Program and Conference Ideas. Workshop participants will have opportunities to interact with their peers during this time.

At the Affiliate Councils business meeting we will be honoring four NCFR members with the Affiliate Councils Meritorious Service Award. The recipients are Marcie Brooks, Dr. Richard Sales, Dr. Paul Schvaneveldt and Dr. Jennifer Hardesty. We would love to see you there.

This workshop includes lunch. Registration is required. No charge for affiliate presidents and officers; $30 for others.

The Affiliate Councils will also be sponsoring the Affiliate Councils Student Breakfast on Friday, November 18, 7:30-10am, entitled "Bridges to Building a Successful Student/Local Affiliate." This breakfast is a great opportunity for student officers and advisors to meet their counterparts from other areas, network, and learn how to develop a strong student affiliate. A presentation will be given by advisors Glee Bertram, Nate Cottle and Kaye Sears.

Also at this meeting, awards for the Outstanding Graduate and Undergraduate Student Research Papers will be awarded and the Student President-For-A-Day will be recognized. These winners are:

Outstanding Graduate Research Paper: "He Could Scare Me Without Laying A Hand On Me" by Kimberly A. Crossman, M.S.; Jennifer L. Hardesty, Ph.D.; and Marcela Raffaelli, Ph.D. Sponsoring Affiliate Council: Illinois Student Council on Family Relations.

Outstanding Undergraduate Research Paper: "Religiosity Impacting Stepfamily Dynamics" by Michelle Burton, Andrew Chris, and Paul Schvaneveldt, Ph.D. Sponsoring Affiliate Councils: Utah Affiliate Council on Family Relations; Weber State Student Council on Family Relations.

President-for-a-Day Award: Michelle Burton, senior student at Weber State University, Ogden, Utah.

The Affiliate Councils will also be hosting affiliate displays this year. Each affiliate has the opportunity to set-up a display within the exhibit hall Thursday through Friday. Affiliates need to contact Lynda Bessey at NCFR headquarters by September 15 if they are interested in showing off their affiliate and setting up a display.

More information and flyers will be forthcoming concerning all of these activities.

Please let us know how we can continue to serve you and your affiliate and help you meet your goals.