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NCFR’s Board of Directors is charged with providing strategic directions to the organization based on a series of policy statements known as the Global Ends.     

The key actor who receives the strategic direction of the NCFR Board is the executive director (ED), who guides the NCFR staff in developing programming that results in the fulfillment of the stated Global Ends. For instance, if the ED believes providing a Family Life Education Summit will encourage and facilitate the use of research-and theory-based family practice (Global End #2 A), then it is within the ED’s scope to charge the staff with developing such programing.  

Each year, the board reviews and, if needed, amends these statements to reflect changes to the organization’s strategic direction. For example, if the board wanted NCFR to shape the training of and thereby the expertise held by physicians who practice family medicine, the board could amend the Global Ends Policy #3 to include scholars and professionals in medicine. NCFR programs would then be altered to achieve that end. Similarly, if it was determined that any existing NCFR program was no longer fulfilling a global end, that program could be eliminated. While this is how global ends and governance works in theory, it would be unwise for an executive director to eliminate a deeply embedded traditional program without first seeking board input.  

The most recent change to the Global Ends occurred during the Board’s meeting at the 2022 NCFR Annual Conference in Minneapolis. Under Global End #2.C. NCFR will raise the visibility of family research, theory, and practice to policymakers and the general public, the Board replaced one of the six criteria for advocacy (criteria for organizational actions). After years of struggling with how to determine whether there was “…a high level of member consensus regarding the research to the issue,” the board eliminated this criterion and replaced it with “…Members will be given an opportunity to provide guidance through broad membership engagement.”   

What this revision means is that the board intends to seek input from NCFR members when it deliberates on issues. If you receive an invitation from the board to complete a survey in the future — take the survey! Your thoughts on the matter at hand will be considered and assist the Board in its decision making.  

NCFR’s Global Ends, the NCFR bylaws, and the policies to which the executive director is accountable are available on the NCFR website. For your convenience, the Global Ends are reprinted here.  

Global Ends Policy #1 
NCFR will provide opportunities for professional development and knowledge development in the areas of family research, theory, education, policy, and practice.

1. NCFR will provide ongoing education and training in scientific methods to understand families. 

2. NCFR will provide opportunities for members to be on the forefront of research, theory, and practice on families. 

3. NCFR will facilitate networking among members in ways that enhance interdisciplinary dialogues, strategic partnerships, and mentoring relationships. 

4. NCFR will provide information about the policymaking process and the impact of public policies on families. 

Global Ends Policy #2 
NCFR will support the dissemination and application of research- and theory-based information about the well-being of families. 

1. NCFR will encourage and facilitate the use of research-and theory-based family practice. 

2. NCFR will encourage and facilitate the use of research- and theory-based family pedagogy. 

3. NCFR will raise the visibility of family research, theory, and practice to policymakers and the general public. 

Criteria for Advocacy (Criteria for Organizational Actions) 

• The issue is important for families and/or NCFR members. 

• The issue is informed by research and member expertise. 

• Members will be given an opportunity to provide guidance through broad membership engagement 

• There is the potential for NCFR to make a timely contribution to the issue as a result of the proposed activity. 

• There are resources currently available within NCFR to support the proposed activity. 

• The proposed activity must not jeopardize our 501(c)(3) status, or non-profit classification. 

Global Ends Policy #3 
NCFR will represent the scholars and professionals in Family Science by establishing standards for research, education, and practice and by advocating for the development and advancement of the discipline and the professions of Family Science. 

1. NCFR will develop and monitor standards for Family Science programs and Family Life Educators. 

2. NCFR will infuse inclusion and diversity and international perspectives into all aspects of its mission, governance, programming, and professional practices. 

3. NCFR will advocate for Family Practice professionals. 

4. NCFR will provide information and resources on career options and opportunities to its members.