2008 Family Policy Section Minutes (pdf document)
2009 Family Policy Section Work Plan (pdf document)

NCFR Family Policy Section Minutes
Little Rock, Arkansas
November 5, 2008

Call to Order and Welcome— Michael Flemming called the meeting to order at 7:00pm and welcomed attendees. Michael was standing in for Tom Chibucos who was unable to attend NCFR this year.

Introduction of Officers
The current section officers were introduced. Because of section realignments, terms of service have been modified as follows:

• Tom Chibucos – Chair 2007-2009
• Wm. Michael Fleming – Chair-Elect 2008; Chair 2009-2011
• Tammy Henderson – Chair Elect 2009-2011
• Jackie Kirby Wilkins – Past Chair
• Bethany Letiecq – Outgoing Secretary-Treasurer
• Brenda Lohman – Incoming Secretary-Treasurer
• Jodie Hertzog – S/NP Representative

Minutes 2007
After attendees reviewed last year’s minutes, Michael requested a motion to accept the minutes. There was a motion and a second motion to accept. All attendees approved the minutes, 0 nays.

Secretary-Treasurer Report
Bethany Letiecq presented the secretary-treasurer’s report, including the financial statement.

Letiecq reviewed changes to section membership fees. This year, each section received $2500.00 (section membership is now free). These funds must be spent by the following year (use or lose policy) and may not be used to contribute to endowed awards. The funds can be used to bring in speakers.

Letiecq noted an error in the financial statements produced by NCFR, which shows an incorrect amount of “Reserve” funds. Letiecq has written an email to John Pepper to correct the error.

As was discussed in 2007, the section would like to transfer $5000 from the reserve fund to the Margaret Feldman Award fund. Letiecq requested a motion to transfer these funds. There was a motion and a second motion. All attendees were in favor of transferring the funds. Letiecq will request John Pepper make this transfer.

Lastly, the section generated $1000 from the Feldman Fundraiser Dance held at last year’s conference. These funds will go to the Margaret Feldman fund.

Chair Updates
Michael Fleming reported that:

• Family Policy Section membership = 436 members (an increase likely due to changes in the membership structure)
• Section proposals and sessions for 2008 conference:
• Section was allotted 3 papers/workshops/symposium, 11 posters, 2 roundtables
• We co-sponsored a “Special Update for Researchers and Practitioners” session on implementing evaluations of marriage and relationship skills education; a “Special Session” on evidence-based practice; a “Special Session” on poverty research from the National Poverty Centers; and a “Special Session” on oppression and family therapist/practitioner awareness.
• Revamping by-laws: This year, NCFR is working to revise by-laws (which have not been updated since 2001) so there is increased consistency across sections. Terms of officers have been revised. The membership was asked for their ideas for the “new structure.”
• Membership Listserv: There was a discussion of ways to increase networking between section members—How can we be more inclusive, supportive, and better networkers?
• Listserv
• There was a discussion of how best to utilize the listserv. As a member, what would you like to get? Discussion board? Weekly digest?
• Members suggested keeping the listserv for digests and using other mediums for discussion (e.g., Google groups, Sharepoint, policy Blog). Some shared frustration at the number of emails generated from a recent same-sex marriage discussion on the listserv.
• It was suggested that we archive digests to record section history

S/NP Update:  Margaret Feldman Internship Award

• S/NP Representative Jodie Hertzog provided an S/NP update:
• The S/NP Award went to Lindsey Edwards (Edwards could not attend the meeting)
• Discussion: Update on Margaret Feldman Award
• This year’s award raised concerns about not having a mechanism for tracking award criteria from year to year. This year, we adapted a form from Deb Berke—this form could serve as the basis for award selection annually.
• Questions were raised about requiring references, timeline for the award, etc.
• Jodie raised the point that the internship award was geared to students and the research award geared to NP. If no interns, we could open up call for travel awards
• To address these issues, a subcommittee was formed, headed by Jodie Hertzog.

Focus Groups Updates

• Currently there are focus groups on work and family, rural, family economics, and adoption
• No one from the focus groups attended the meeting.
• Question raised: What is the section relationship with focus groups?
• In the past, membership developed FGs; often temporary
• Sometimes FGs can become sections…
• More information is needed from NCFR about focus group purpose, etc.

2009 Conference Program Plans and Call for Submissions/Reviewers

• Theme = Families in a Multicultural World
• Michael asked for topic ideas:
• Practitioners relationship with policy: CFLE survey conducted by Michael Fleming found that family policy received low scores on importance. Should we address this issue in 2009?
• Round tables on family policy?
• Pre-conference?
• Conducting Family Impact Analyses (PINFIS—Bogenschneider)
• New administration—SCHIP
• Same sex marriage—Nancy Polikoff, author of “Beyond (straight and gay) marriage: Valuing all families under the law” has written an interesting thesis on this topic
• Who sits at the table as policymakers? Policy impact from multicultural groups
• Michael asked members to sign up to serve as reviewers for next year’s submissions.

Nominations for 2009 Section Positions

• S/NP for 2009-2011 term: The section will need nominations for the S/NP position only. Interested members can contact Jeanne Strand for more information about the position. The nomination deadline is in early December! Brenda Lohman will put together the slate.

Nominations for 2010 NCFR Positions—Board

• NCFR Nomination Forms available
• Section members were encouraged to put their name in for the Board, Program Chair-elect, Fellows committee, Elections Council, Association of Councils, etc.

Other

• Public Policy Committee is now the Public Policy Advisory Council to serve the Executive Director
• The Feldman Award will be housed in the section
• Tom Chibucos asks us to encourage NCFR to not have conference during elections!

The meeting was adjourned. Thanks for coming.

Respectfully submitted,

Bethany Letiecq, Ph.D.
Outgoing Family Policy Section Secretary/Treasurer