2008 Board, Committees, Sections & Focus Group Meetings - Alphabetical
2008 Board, Committees, Sections & Focus Group Meetings - Chronological

2007 Family Policy Section Minutes (pdf document)
2007-2008 Family Policy Section Work Plan (pdf document)

NCFR Family Policy Section Minutes
Pittsburgh, PA
November 9, 2007

Call to Order—Jackie Kirby Wilkins called the meeting to order at 5:45pm and welcomed attendees.

Introduction of Officers
The current section officers were introduced:

• Jackie Kirby Wilkins – Outgoing Chair
• Tom Chibucos – Chair-Elect
• Suzanna Smith – Past Chair
• Bethany Letiecq – Secretary-Treasurer
• Christine Pegorraro Schull – S/NP Representative

Minutes 2006 – Posted on webpage, please review and send comments to Bethany Letiecq (bletiecq@montana.edu)

Secretary-Treasurer Report
Bethany Letiecq presented the secretary-treasurer’s report, including the financial statement. The section approved the financial statement by consensus vote.

Letiecq reviewed changes to section membership fees. Next year, each section will receive $2500.00 and membership to sections will be free. These funds must be spent by the following year (use or lose policy) and may not be used to contribute to endowed awards. The funds can be used to bring in speakers. It was suggested that we partner with other sections, possibly to bring in “big name” speakers, etc.

Chair Updates
Jackie Kirby Wilkins reported that:

• 2007 Annual Report is available
• 2007 Conference Program Report
• Submitted, placed on-line
• Section proposals and sessions for 2007 conference:
• Section was allotted 4 papers/workshops/symposium, 12 posters, 2 roundtables
• Paper sessions focused on political construction; worklife; poverty, welfare, and financial security; and vulnerable children
• The section reviewed 38 proposals and accepted 28, a 74% acceptance rate. The submission rate was higher than average.
• Newcomer’s Reception had strong attendance and the raffle of an Ipod seemed to help
• Feldman Fundraiser Dance to be held Friday evening
• 8:30 dance—the Lost Faculties
• Funds to go to the Feldman award
• NCFR Nomination Forms available
• Section members were encouraged to put their name in for the Board, Program Chair-elect, Fellows committee, Elections Council, Association of Councils

Focus Groups Updates

• Work and family roundtable met
• Suggestions: young professionals felt that there is a need for speakers to discuss resources on work and family. Possible speakers were mentioned:
• Judi Casey, Boston College (e.g., teaching family policy)
• Bob Drago, Penn State U (e.g., family friendly policy in academics)
• The focus group participants also mentioned their discussion about the family-friendliness of NCFR
• Could a room be set aside for young mothers for breast feeding, kid space?
• Can we add a question on the evaluation form inquiring about the need for family-based services?
• Questions raised around liability insurance issues…
• Other focus groups not represented at the section meeting
• Focus group by-laws: Current focus group practice is not in-line with by-laws across NCFR sections
• This issue will be revisited by the Board
• Executive Director (ED) Diane Cushman suggested that a different structure may be needed. She said, “the by-laws are out of sync…the structure should be supportive of function, not run counter to it”
• Diane Cushman will make recommendation to the Board
• Board will have to approve change
• Section members were encouraged to provide feedback to section chair about focus groups. The Chair will deliver comments to the ED

Margaret Feldman Internship Award—S/NP Update

• S/NP Representative Christine Schull presented the S/NP Award to Katie Henderson
• Discussion: Update on Margaret Feldman Award
• $10,000 donated by the Feldman’s; Last year section agreed to donate $5000.00 to the Endowment [This transfer of funds has not happened yet; Letiecq to request transfer from John Pepper]
• Discussion of reaching the $20,000 goal ensued. If we don’t reach $20,000 this year, may want to delay one year to reach the goal
• Recommended that we email members to solicit funds; if small amount remained to be funded, the section could cover the remainder.

Public Policy Section Discussion

• Public Policy Pre-Conference Update
• Discussion of roles/responsibilities of committee versus policy section
• Diane Cushman suggested that there is redundancy between the committee and section. She knows the section’s roles and responsibilities, yet doesn’t know the section’s role relative to NCFR global ends of impacting public policy. Diane suggested that the Public Policy committee serve the ED. Policy advisors could construct process whereby NCFR becomes the go-to entity of family policy in US.
• The history or the committee was revisited:
• Elaine Anderson: public policy committee structure changed 10 years ago when Carver governance changed. When sections were brought on to the committee, the nature of the work changed. Prior to that, the committee was housed in Washington, DC and run by Margaret Feldman. The committee had a federal “lens” and informed members about federal policy movement. When the committee changed, it became “muddy;” the roles and responsibilities were unclear.
• Tom Chibucos: 1999-2003 public policy committee chair
• Suggested former ED wanted the committee to be more activist; section representation was to inform other sections about committee work
• Karen Bogenschneider: Public policy member at –large during changes to Carver model
• Diane Cushman: Let’s continue conversation
• NCFR is a non-profit org = educational identity, not “political”
• She would prefer “policy wonks” on the committee, not section representatives, to advise her about policy matters.
• A Sharepoint “blog” will be set up to further discussion

Introduction of Incoming Officers
Jackie introduced new section officers and turned the meeting over to them:

• Tom Chibucos – Chair
• Wm. Michael Flemming – Chair-Elect
• Jodie Hertzog – S/NP

Jackie Kirby Wilkins, Suzanna Smith, and Tom Chibucos were recognized and thanked for their service to the section.

2008 Conference Program Plans and Call for Submissions/Reviewers

• Tom Chibucos: development of theme for conference is his first step; he will address this issue with the section via email and other on-line communiqués.
• Please email suggestions to Tom by Dec 15th

Nominations for 2008 Section Positions
Bethany encouraged section members to run for available offices. Interested members can contact Jeanne Strand for more information about positions. The nomination deadline is in early December!

• Chair-Elect (5 year commitment)
• Sec/Treasurer (2 year position)

The meeting was adjourned! Thanks for coming.

Respectfully submitted,

Bethany Letiecq, Ph.D.
Family Policy Section Secretary/Treasurer