Join me at the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Conference June 25-28

I am really looking forward to the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Conference in St. Louis, MO this summer.  You just can't get more central than St. Louis, in the United States.  What a great place to learn, the gateway to the West, as FACS members start forward thinking on making a change in our organization. 

As painful as thinking about making an organizational change may be for some of us, something must be done to sustain the good of what we do and stand for in societal development.

Ashley Davis

 

While there I will be presenting a session on social media with my friend and FACS teacher Ashley Davis.  Ashley is a young, energetic woman leading by example in the FACS field.  She is passionate about FACS and has been a tremendous leader in the Minnesota affiliate. 

Here is the description for our session on Thursday of the conference.

3:00pm-4:00pm "Not Your Mom's PR Anymore!" Using Social Media for FCS Public AwarenessPresented by Jane Hinrichsen, CFCS, Retired, and Ashley Davis
Join the Community on Public Awareness to learn how to the use social media as a tool to publicize family and consumer sciences growth, gains, and projects in our communities. In addition to discussing the importance of using social media, we will also cover traditional media, such as newspapers, magazines, and film.


Hope to see you there!

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

The importance of Family and Consumer Sciences, formerly know as "Home Economics", and still know as "Home Economics" in many countries.

Because I am an advocate of Family and Consumer Sciences I see twitter notifications from all over the world. 

For those that do not know, there is an International Home Economics organization that meets in different countries periodically.  The last meeting was in Australia. 

Recently a young man known as the "ThatHomeEcGuy" posted a video about the importance of Home Economics in Canada. 

Many of my collogues cringe at the United States former name "Home Ec" and they make their feelings known to those of us that do not mind dipping into the past name.  Although I think that Family and Consumer Sciences is a good name, for some reason, it did not carry and many do not know what FACS/FCS stands for.  I want to post the "ThatHomeEcGuy's" link because it is a good start for some of us in helping those around us understand FACS; to positively promote the good that we do in schools, businesses and communities. 

For others to believe that the work we do goes beyond making banana bread and sewing on buttons we need to believe that ourselves.  Sometimes we get stuck in the past and forget to move ahead and promote our updated relevant material to society and the issues that we face together. 

Two of those things that FACS addresses, and society needs constant updating and education, are personal finance and healthy food education.  Although their are many more important components that we deal with, the promotion of these two programs will share a positive light on FACS work and will continue to help produce positive, productive citizens in society.

Here is the link and thanks, Jon Conti, know as "ThatHomeEcGuy"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z46OXb6tTbA

With love from your former FACS teacher, Jane

Minnesota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Conference in review...It was a good one!



We got to assemble an arrangement at the floral wholesaler Koehler and Dramm

We toured Caldrea and Mrs. Meyer's

Although I have retired I chose to attend the Minnesota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences conference.

It was great seeing so many familiar faces and those faces have become my friends over the years.

I went to the pre-conference tour and had a lovely time despite the snow storm and the stress of driving across town in that storm. 

I want to list some of the speakers, especially those they stayed in my mind.   Dr. Verna C Price, a very positive motivational speaker, from the Power of People Consulting Group.   She has published some great, simple books, that inspire young people to take care of themselves first to create success in their lives.

Susan Turgeson from Wisconsin spoke on incorporating STEM into FACS programs.

Susan J. Crockett spoke on food issues and trends in society.

My own former student teacher is now a wardrobe consultant (A LA Mode) and did an educational session on getting the most from your closet. Carly Gatzlaff.

Ashley Davis (also part of the planning team) did two wonderful technical sessions for the classroom.

Dr. Jill Conlon was so interesting, she spoke on current textile trends and incorporating this knowledge in your classroom.

Trudy Landgren and Anu Pasricha both discussed textile work that they are doing with their students at St. Catherines in St. Paul.

Karen Smith and Alyssa Ambrosius spoke on their farm to school programs in Monticello, MN

There are so many more great folks that did educational sessions.  If I did not mention your name it is not because you were not fantastic.....it is because I didn't attend them all. 

I just loved the energy and the thoughtfulness that went into the planning of the conference.  I am so grateful for the 3 young (And by young I mean under 30.  YES!) teachers that took this conference on with gusto and made a positive impact on the field of Family and Consumer Sciences.  It is not easy to produce a good conference with very little for a budget and they did so.

Of course we must thank the wonderful Rachel for her constant effort in coordinating us and keeping us together. 

As a group the association discussed the coming changes they are being talked about for the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.  Change is always difficult for a group that has been around for over 100 years.  Personally I think that change is important to progress with time.  There are many questions about the proposed academy and I hope that our association can answer some of the questions that have been brought up.  It is important for members to feel secure and understand what the future brings for their group.

Minnesota was one of the first FACS Affiliate conferences in the United State and I hope those that follow are as successful in their planning as ours. 

With love, your retired FACS teacher, Jane

 Our 3 planners with our keynote speaker Dr. Verna C. Price

1. Shawna Wilson 2. Dr. Verna 3. Ashley Davis 4.Sarah Schuppenhauer

 

Minnesota's resolution for Family and Consumer Sciences, Please Caucus with your state.

Minnesota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences is getting ready for caucusing on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.

If you intend to go please print and bring the following resolution in support of Family and Consumer Sciences for consideration.

I know this post is about Minnesota only but if your state has taken away the FACS requirement you can use similar wording to bring back the FACS junior high school requirement.

 Resolution

Topic:  Re-instating Junior High School Family and Consumer Sciences as a Minnesota education requirement.

Sponsored by:  Minnesota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences

Preamble: 

Whereas:  Childhood Obesity has become a societal issue.

 

Whereas:  Healthy food preparation and nutrition education is vital to the prevention obesity.

 

Whereas:  The formation of positive lifelong eating habits is crucial to obesity prevention.

 

Whereas:  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention obesity affects more than 1/3 of adults.

 

Whereas:  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention higher prevalence of the adult obesity were found in the Midwest in all income and education levels.

 

Whereas:  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: medical costs for obese people was $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.

 

Whereas:  Family and Consumer Sciences is in a unique position to promote healthy eating practices and to instruct healthy food preparation.

Resolved:  The Minnesota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences

believes that it is essential for the Minnesota legislature in 2014 to pass a requirement and funding for healthy food preparation and nutrition education in junior high schools in the state.