SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) has decided upon a new vision and set of guiding principles to lead the organization in its work of understanding and strengthening families.

NCFR’s new vision is “Every Family Thriving.” This expansive vision is inclusive of all families and refers to the broadest possible definition of families. Together with a new set of Global Ends that describe the outcomes NCFR seeks to achieve, the new Guiding Principles look towards a future for NCFR that is impactful, transdisciplinary, and actively focused on justice.

This strategic work was led by the NCFR Board of Directors and was crafted during an intentional months-long process that invited and considered input and suggestions, via a town hall, a special member engagement website, the annual member meeting and many engagement opportunities at the NCFR Annual Conference. All told, over 1,600 NCFR members, Certified Family Life Educators (CFLEs), and NCFR staff participated.

These new guiding principles will shape the work of the NCFR staff, its board, elected leaders, and other committee members and volunteers. Beginning in January, NCFR will take steps toward making the organization more focused and financially sustainable for the future.

Meanwhile, the work of the search committee for a new Executive Director will be underway with the goal of installing the new leader before the end of June 2025. The Board is confident that with this new set of guiding principles, NCFR will attract an ideal candidate for Executive Director poised to usher NCFR into its next era.

You can read the full NCFR Guiding Principles here