NYSAFCS Newsletter

PRESIDENTS LETTER

AAFCS 100 years…………                                     
Looking Foreword

As we pass the gavel over to Laura Land, our  incoming president, we want to thank the Board,  Administrative Assistant, and membership for their  support over the past year. It has not been a year without challenges, but one which has focused on new strategies for keeping in closer touch with the membership and opening new avenues for student participation.

During the year we explored reaching you through the traditional newsletter, postcards, and electronically. Not having complete e-mail addresses kept us from reaching some of you electronically. We encourage you to get your e-mail address updated at the national and local level. We’re also anxious to know which format you prefer, so do let the Board know.

Though behind schedule, we are continuing to work with family and consumer science students at Oneonta and Queens in an attempt to complete an all member survey. We have also completed an insert for use with membership forms outlining the value of professional membership for Family and Consumer Science students and new professionals.

In February we participated in the Affiliate Leaders Conference call and had the opportunity to provide input on three recommendations for action: Professional Development of Members and Potential Members; Visibility of AAFCS’ Purpose; and Membership Outreach and discussed the proposed resolution on Identity Theft. These recommendations for action and resolution will be presented at the Annual Meeting.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2008 Unified Conference in Rochester and completing our terms as Past-Presidents under Laura’s leadership. Laura is enthused about her new role and has many new and exciting things planned for the coming year.  We encourage each of you to get involved.

Thanks again for the opportunity to serve you.

Judy Lynd and Judy Price

In the News

THE FACS OF LIFE

Teaching students lifelong lessons of literacy

By Christina Gullotto

With a curriculum that focuses on hands-on learning and topics such as clothing and textiles, career development, money management, and nutrition how can a home and careers instructor have time or resources to focus on literacy? Easy. FACS Bookclub; a program that emphasizes the key critical skills students need in an ever-changing world that demands a focus on literacy and technology,

So what is FACS Bookclub? FACS is Family and Consumer Sciences Education, which focuses on a curriculum that teaches life skills through English language arts, social studies, mathematics and science. A book club is an interactive forum that allows its participants to engage in meaningful discussion.

What are the requirements of FACS Book Club?

Students will complete each of the following: read a FACS related book of their choosing, complete a Double Entry Diary, in which they write quotes from the reading and react to them, post two comments online (BLOG), and discuss book at the book club meeting.

Why is FACS Bookclub so innovative? It uses life skills education (Home and Careers classroom setting where student are concurrently studying the content of the books and text they are reading) to incorporate literacy, oral speaking skills, online technology and cooperative group learning to facilitate a shared experience of reading, writing, listening and speaking. The program allows the student to be fully engaged and in control of their learning and brings to life a juxtapose of culture and education.

Centenial Celebration

With the Centennial Celebration scheduled for October 16-17, 2009 under the capable leadership of Shirley Ware’s committee, there will be many opportunities to become involved as individuals or as part of a committee. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of history. Encourage retirees and new professionals to attend and to reflect on the history and future of the profession. Consider making a lasting contribution to AAFCS by participating in the Centennial Quilt Project. Contact Linda Traynor, lgtraynor@frontiernet.net , for details.

A Special Salute to Our Long-Time Members
By Mary Lou Tenney

Having served as the Administrative Assistant and more recently the membership coordinator for NYSAFCS, I have had an interest in knowing more about the long-time members of our association. I sent a “survey” to women who have been members for 50 years and longer. I asked them to tell me about their education and professional experiences as well as volunteer opportunities they have enjoyed. Some of the participants wrote about past experiences and particularly about other women who were their mentors.
We have 15 members in the 50-54 year category. Eleven women have been members for 56-59 years and six women have been members for 61-64 years. In all, letters were sent to 32 women with 11 responding to my request. Following is a summary from each of the women who responded.

Barbara Weigand has been a member for 64 years. She received both her BS and MS from
Kansas State University. She taught clothing classes in Kansas and retired from State University College at Oneonta. On the national level she served as treasurer of the College Professors of Clothing and Textiles. Her role model was her History of Costume professor, at Kansas State. She laments the way the name change was handled and the lack of consistency among the names the colleges, universities and organizations are using.

Jean Snyder is a 62 year member. She graduated from Cornell with a BS in 1945,while teaching school full time, and being a wife and mother of two. She attended summer school to receive her MS in 1955. Jean was the first classroom teacher to become President of NYSAHEA. She also has been the newsletter editor on both the district and state levels. In those days she not only wrote copy for the newsletter, but typed, addressed, and folded 1500 copies and mailed them out. She said that her mentor was Madeline Dunsmore who insisted that she join professional organizations and took her to her first state convention and introduced her to many people. When Jean was asked to run for state president, she asked her families permission, which they gave. Later her small son said, “I didn’t know it was going to be forever”. Thanks Jean for many years of service.

Catherine Cowell has been a member for 59 years. She earned a BS from Hampton University in Virginia. Her MS was earned at the University of Connecticut and her PhD at New York University. She also served as our state president from 1971-73. Before that she was the Hospital in NY City and staff public health nutritionist from 1949-1971 to the NYC Department of Health and Director of the Bureau from 1971-1991. As might be expected, Catherine has earned many awards ranging from public service to excellence in public health and distinguished alumni. She also is the author or co-author of several books and many peer reviewed articles in professional publications. Her role model was the late Flemmie R. Kitrell who was the Dean at Hampton University when she enrolled.

Audrose Mackel Banks is in her 57th year as a member of NYSAFCS. She studied and received her BS at Bennett College and an MS from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Audrose taught Adult Education in the Philadelphia School District and later became a Cooperative Extension Agent in Monroe and Erie Counties of NY. She has also counseled clients in credit education in Buffalo, NY. She is currently interested in metric conversion and has joined the US Metric Association. She feels this would help students in math and science. Audrose says that it seems “the more things change, the more they stay the same”. She is available for conversation with anyone interested in talking with older professionals in our association. Her mentors/models were her parents.

Carolyn O. Boegly has been a member for 56 years. She earned a BS in textiles and clothing at Michigan State University in 1949. In 1964 she received an MS in Extension Administration and Adult Education from the University of Wisconsin. In 1972 she spent her sabbatical at North and secretary of our state association. Her professional life has been spent in New York State. She first worked in Rensselaer County and then Broome County Cooperative Extension before moving to the NYS College of Human Ecology for Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Dorothy R. Kafalas has been a member for 55 years. She majored in nutrition education and received her BSC and MEd from Douglass College and Teachers College Columbia. She taught home economics until retirement in 1987 and still substitutes in her local school. Dorothy serves as a deacon in her church and is in charge of the education programs as part of her work and outreach. She also volunteers at an after school and summer programs at a nearby camp. In Oct. 06 she was awarded their Commitment Award as Volunteer of 2006. Congratulations. Her mentor was Esther McCabe of Parents Magazine. Dorothy helped to test products for the Seal of Approval for that magazine. She has seen many changes in the education field from co-ed classes to computer technology.

Enid A. Carter follows with 54 years. She studied Home Economics Education at State
Teachers College and State University College. She was president of the Eastern District. Her experience as a Home Economics Teacher began in 1953 at Earlville, NY and took her to Coxsackie-Athens in 1956 and as the Coordinator of Home Ec. in Mohanasen Central from 1964- 69. From 1969 until retirement in 1985 she taught in Oneonta. When retirement came, Enid was commissioned as a Lay Preacher for the Presbyterian Church USA. Enid says “It is interesting how similar the process of preparing lessons is to the process of preparing a worship service, though there is a difference in the subject matter”.

Sister Sheila O’Friel, D.C. became a member 53 years ago. She received a BS from Carnegie
Mellon and an MS from Cornell in home economics education. She also has a certificate in
administration from Columbia University. Sister Sheila has taught in high schools in Maryland and Virginia. She also has been an administrator in several homes for children in NY and MA. She has served as a vice president at Carney Hospital in Boston and as a Family Coordinator for NE Province. From 1997-2004 she was an NGO representative at the UN. This was followed by a year of being a docent at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Maryland. Presently she serves as the parish minister in a volunteer position at Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament Church in Bayside, NY. She visits the sick/homebound of the parish.

Frances G. Bliven has been a member for 52 years. She attended SUNY Oneonta and received both her BS and MS there. She has been a board member for the Southern District. Her high school teaching days took her to Geneseo Central School and Stamford Central School, both in NY. From 1943 to 1990 she was an Associate Professor and taught at her alma mater SUNY Oneonta. Frances served as the president of the NYSHETA in 1967 and 68. From 1989-91 she was the president of the New York State Council, Educational Association. Frances lists Leah A. Hancock, a professor of Home Economics at SUNY Oneonta as her mentor. Frances states the following: “Participation in professional organizations and other organizations have kept me motivated and informed. While leading to a very busy life I can’t imagine life in isolation from the many opportunities afforded. In retirement I continue serving a variety of organizatons”.

Marlene Ostertag has continued her membership for 51 years. Her major was Home Ec.
Education and she studied at Hunter College for her BS and Cornell for her MS. She taught
home economics at the junior high and high school level for eight years. For the next 35 years she developed and managed a destination resort campground which consisted of 150 campsites and 17 cottages. During that time she also raised three daughters. They became a librarian, an educator and a counselor. Marlene has also served as a 4-H leader and judge of advanced clothing at county fairs. She is a member of Alpha Rho honor society.

Joan Firmery has been a member of NYSAFCS for 51 years. Joan received a BS from
Skidmore College and an MS from SUNY Plattsburgh. She began her positions with our state
association by being an International Section Chair and then bylaws/handbook chair and has served as our treasurer for many years. Joan taught in the South Huntington School system for 34 years, teaching 7-9th grades. She also served as department chair. Joan has served as a volunteer for over 20 years at a nursing home. She says that she is one of the “sewing ladies” and even to do something as simple as sewing on a button for someone can be rewarding. She has served as president and treasurer of the volunteer group. She also does short term volunteer activities such as sorting food after the annual post office food drive. Joan’s mission in life must be to be a treasurer as she also serves in that role in her local church. Joan received the Spotlight Award from Long Island District and the Orchid Award from Suffolk Co. NYSAFCSE.

A committee of fairgoing garbologists at the 28th Annual Brookhaven
 Country Fair held at Longwood Estate voted "Pin Cushion Hats" as the most
 useful recycled entry.  The "Objects de Garbage" contest was sponsored by the
 Town of Brookhaven--Suffolk County--Department of Waste Management.

Kathleen Saladino, a Home & Careers teacher recently retired from
 Bellport Middle/High School, entered her project which she made with her 6th
 grade students just before Mother's Day.  It used tablet or cereal box
 cardboard,a tuna or cat food can and material scraps.  Decorations for the hats
 came from old floral pieces, bath accessory packaging and ribbons.  Used for
 a first sewing activity, the students learned to use a needle and thread,
 do a running stitch and tie a knot while talking about other ways their
 family recycles to keep the earth green.

A certificate was presented at the Brookhaven Town Board Meeting Oct 2,
 
2007.

Let Your Voice Be Heard

New York State Protocol for writing to YOUR Legislators

The following information is about tips for writing your state legislators. The information is from the <www.state.ny.gov.> website.

The letter is a direct way to communicate with a state legislative office. When writing a letter, this list of suggestions will improve its effectiveness:
· Individually written letters, rather than mass generated form letters, make a greater impression on your legislator. Type your name, address, and phone number at the top.
· Most state legislatures are only in session part of the year. The New York State Legislature is in session January 03, 2007 through December 31, 2007. When the legislature is out of session, it may be more effective to send your letter to your legislator's district office.
· Addressing correspondence:
To a State Senate: To a State Assembly: The Honorable (Full Name) The Honorable (Full Name)State Capitol, (Room Number) State Capitol, (Room Number)New York Senate New York AssemblyAlbany, NY 12248 Albany, NY 12248
· Be specific. Your purpose for writing should be stated in the first paragraph of the letter. If your letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, be sure to identify its full name and number, e.g. Assembly Bill: A_____, Senate Bill: S_____. Try to send your letter while the issue is still alive.
· State your position. Explain why you support or oppose this particular issue. Keep in mind that local examples concerning the impact of this legislation are very powerful. Be courteous and to the point, keeping your letter focused on one issue.
· Ask for a response. Indicate to your legislator that you would appreciate a reply containing his/her position on the issue. "Sincerely yours" is a proper way to conclude your letter.
· Follow up. If you agree with your legislator's vote, take the time to let him/her know that. Similarly, if you disagree with his or her vote, inform your legislator.
We need to be proactive with legislation in our state. Check out what your representative is doing in your area. Information from your VP Legislation and public policy: Laura Land, CFCS.
Our National organization AAFCS has proposed changes in the senate. The address is: <aafcs.org/res/senate_actions/senate_results2006>. Take the time to read the actions and results of the senate that concerns your organization.

LEGISLATIVE NEWS 

On August 15, bill S.5972/A.5396 was signed into law by Governor
 Spitzer. 
This bill amends the education law, making it a school district's 
resonsibility to bear the burden of proof in hearings about services
 for 
children with disabilities. The law took effect on October 14, 2007. 

An Affiliate of the American Association of Family and Consumer Science

www.aafcs.org