Fellows Committee

The Fellows Committee is elected by the full NCFR membership to recommend the honorary title of "NCFR Fellow" to the Board, which bestows the title on NCFR members distinguished by their record of service and scholarship in the family field. The members of the Fellows Committee serve a three-year term.

Membership

The Fellows Committee shall consist of five members elected by the membership serving staggered terms of three years. Where possible, the Fellows Committee will include two NCFR Fellows, with one rotating on and one rotating off each year. The committee members shall serve as chair or co-chairs in their third year. This will be determined at the annual meeting in November of each year. Outgoing chairs will meet with incoming chairs before the conference to discuss the expectations of the role. Members of the Fellows Committee shall not be considered for Fellow Status while serving on the committee. Committee members may be re-elected.

Responsibilities

To review and to act on applications for honorary Fellow Status in the NCFR. Each member of the Fellows Committee is expected to fulfill responsibilities as assigned, review NCFR Fellow candidate nominations, participate in conference calls as necessary, attend agreed upon meeting(s) during the NCFR Annual Conference, and refrain from conflicts of interest in the selection of NCFR Fellows.

What is Fellow Status in NCFR?

Fellow status in NCFR is an honor awarded to relatively few living members on the basis of their outstanding contributions to the field of the family in the areas of scholarship, teaching, outreach or professional service, including service to NCFR. By definition, outstanding contributions are those which have broad impact on the field and are enduring over time.

What are the Criteria for Fellow Status?

  1. Nominees must have made outstanding contributions to the understanding and strengthening of families and to NCFR as an organization. Satisfying a combination of these criteria is required. Examples of outstanding contributions include:
  • Published, referred scholarship that has shaped or reshaped the study of families.
  • A history of innovation in practice or outreach that has transformed the field, such as the development and implementation of novel or significant interventions or programs designed to promote healthy family relations.
  • Recognition of teaching excellence through awards and mentoring.
  • The development and implementation of innovative curricula for training family scholars and professionals.
  • The development and implementation of innovative social policy relevant to families.
  • A history of innovation and publication about the methods and measurement strategies used in related family research and practice arenas.
  • Outstanding contributions to NCFR as an organization may include a history of organizing conference symposia, editing/guest editing NCFR journals, or developing nationally distributed products/curricula that bridge family research and practice.
  • Individuals who were previously nominated for Fellow status, but not recommended by the Fellows Committee, are eligible to be nominated again after a three-year waiting period.
  1. At least 10 years of professional experience after the receipt of the appropriate graduate or professional degree.
  2. Been a member of NCFR for at least 5 continuous years at the time of nomination.