Greetings! Today I want to make a special appeal and ask for volunteers to serve on standing committees.

Why standing committees?

Family Policy is the subject of one of the primary initiatives for our current President, Elaine Anderson. In addition to the focus on policy, we need to meet the diverse needs of our section members. One way to move toward that end is to establish standing com-mittees. Some initial goals are to (a) continually enhance the quality of conference planning related to policy, programs, and impact analysis; (b) develop conference sessions or webinars and identify resources to support teaching excellence in the area of family policy; and (c) actively engage members in activities that promote advocacy and policy.

We need your leadership and professional service. Join us in moving our section forward. We need four to five individuals to serve on each of the following standing committees, recognizing we will need to fine-tune the goals and objectives during the course of my term. There will be monthly conference or Skype calls. In addition, we should consider meeting at the annual conference in November 2012.

Communications Committee - Assist the following Family Policy Executive Committee with the following:

• Get pertinent information to section members.
• Identify authors and content for NCFR Report, journal submissions, and policy updates.
• Identify authors to write articles, white papers, fact sheets, and other items to enhance the understanding of policy – research, theory, best practices, and instructional approaches.
• Submit updates, reminders, accolades, and other pertinent information to the section.
• Provide updates and seeking guidance from the Executive Committee.
• Submit a one-page annual report to the Family Policy Executive Committee by August 31 of each year.

Conference Program Committee - Assist the Chair-Elect and Family Policy Executive Committee with the following:

• Identify speakers and session sponsors.\
•  Identify reviewers of conference abstracts.
• Review conference proposals.
• Organize conference proposals in most appropriate format for the annual                               conference and other forms of media (i.e., webinars, pre-conference workshops, special sessions, teleconference sessions, and more).
• Promote high quality, innovative sessions, programs, and activities that coincide with the mission of NCFR, including inclusion and diversity initiative. See the following web link: http://www.ncfr.org/about/board-directors/board-committees/inclusion-div...
• Submit a one-page annual report to the Family Policy Executive Committee by August 31 of each year.

Awards Committee - Assist the Family Policy Executive Committee to administer the awards, including but not limited to the following:

• Work with the section’s Secretary-Treasurer and Communications Committee to announce and solicit submissions for the award.\
• Review submissions using a rubric.
• Submit an engaging report profiling the receipts for the NCFR Report, Zippy News, and webpage.
• Announce the award winners by June 1 of each year (a bylaw change).
• Assist with developing fundraising activities to enhance the funds for Family Policy Awards and funds for other activities, including speakers, special sessions, and more.
• Promote high quality, innovative sessions, programs, and activities that coincide with the mission of NCFR, including inclusion and diversity initiative. See the following web link: http://www.ncfr.org/about/board-directors/board-committees/inclusion-div...
• Submit a one-page annual report to Family Policy Executive Committee by August 31 of each year.

Creativity and Innovation Committe - Assist the Family Policy Executive Committee with the following:

• Use and/or find new pathways (i.e., partners, collaborations, media formats, and other approaches) necessary to enhance the knowledge and skills surrounding family policy seasoned with best practices, research, instruction, theory, and culturally aware practices.
• Determine creative ways to disseminate quality evidence-based information, relevant theories, culturally aware and respectful approaches (i.e., Community-based Participatory Research), and best practices for advocacy and educating the larger society about policy concerns in an inclusive manner.
• Identify current or new pathways to enhance the skills, knowledge, and practice of family professionals, including but limited to practitioners, researchers, educators, program providers in the policy arena.
• Identify ways to integrate professional excellence and collaborations with CFLE. Affiliate Councils, and other sections regarding family policy.
• Promote high quality, innovative sessions, programs, and activities that coincide with the mission of NCFR, including inclusion and diversity initiative. See the following web link: http://www.ncfr.org/about/board-directors/board-committees/inclusion-div...
• Submit a one-page annual report to Family Policy Executive Committee by August 31 of each year.