In The KnowIn The Knowthe OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER of the AAFCS STUDENT UNIT

STAFFBrittany TrotterCoordinator

SU Chair

Erik ScearceEditor

First Vice Chair

Kate BlackWriter

Chair-Elect

Sherry RooksWriter

Second Vice Chair

Amanpreet KaurWriter

Vice Chair of Outreach & Service

Ale O’BeachainWriter

Secretary

Sophy MottStaff Liaison

Jenny SchroederDirector-at-Large

Issue 1September 2012

Visit us online at: www.aafcs.org/Membership/Students.asp

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Welcome to the AAFCS Student Unit!!

The tagline of AAFCS is “Connecting Professionals, Touching Lives.” This year we want to strive to make you to feel connected as a Student Unit. Despite the distance that separates us between our states, we want the Student Unit to become united under our passion for Family and Consumer Sciences. We want you to interact with us on Facebook and Twitter. We want you to submit articles to the In The Know, sharing what your student affiliate is doing and about your views of Family and Consumer Sciences issues that are relevant to us as students and emerging professionals.

We want you to be informed about Student Unit activities and be engaged in FACS-related discussions. We want you to take advantage of AAFCS membership benefits such as the mentoring program, award recognitions, and scholarships. We want you to help us reach out to those in need through our Student Unit Service Project. We want you to help us be advocates for the values and professions of Family and Consumer Sciences. We want you to make the most of this year in AAFCS and discover growth in yourself as a member. As the current Chair of the AAFCS Student Unit, I welcome you all to a great and rewarding school year in AAFCS! We appreciate those that attended the 103rd Annual Conference in Indianapolis,

and we look forward to meeting even more of you at the 104th Annual Conference in Houston, TX! Please do not hesitate to contact any of the officers with your ideas, questions, or concerns about the Student Unit. We are here for you, the student members, and we want you to make the most of the AAFCS experience. You can find our contact information on the AAFCS Student Unit page: www.aafcs.org/Members/Students. This is a year for growth, a year for innovative ways to connect ourselves as student members, a year to be bold and leave our impact on the future of the AAFCS Student Unit and Family and Consumer Sciences. By working together we are the difference, but we need YOU!

Brittany TrotterChair

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2012 Annual Conference Recap

AffiliateSpotlight:

Erik ScearceFirst Vice Chair

As the 2011-2012 school year winded down, preparations for the 2012 AAFCS Annual Conference and Expo were in full gear. From June 24-June 27 AAFCS professionals and students from all over the nation met together in Indiana to learn and grow professionally, recognize organization leaders, network with other professionals, and enjoy the scenic and attractions the great state of Indiana has to offer.

The Student unit was very busy during this time putting on several sessions including Parli Pro Basics, Navigating and Networking through AAFCS, SU Business session, and the social night. Over 100 registered participants of the conference were student members and many of them attended these sessions. Overall, the conference was a huge success! Below are some photos from the conference, we hope you enjoy!

The Ohio Affiliate Student Unit has gotten a great start to the year! As an officer team they met together on August 3rd to discuss the previous year as well as the coming year. The Ohio Affiliate SU Officers for this year are: Katelynn Jordan, Chair; Megan Burney, Vice Chair; Emily Murray, Secretary; and Brooke Scheiderer, Communication Liaison. Each of them is a strong leader in AAFCS as well as with their respective university. Two members of the Ohio Affiliate SU were able to attend the 2012 Annual Conference and Expo including Catherine Susteric and Katelynn Jordan. They expressed that the conference was a beneficial experience for them. Ms. Jordan stated, “It was certainly an experience like no other. We made many new friends that we are still in touch with all over the US, which enables us to learn about other FCS programs and the diversity of involvement in other student unit.” The National AAFCS Student Unit is always looking to here about what is going on in chapters and affiliates across the nation! If you would like to be featured in the next “In The Know,” email Erik Scearce at escearce@sycamores.indstate.edu with all the exciting updates from your chapter or affiliate!

Ohio Affiliate!!!

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Start expecting a great year, because it’s coming! The student unit board has been working to make the AAFCS student unit more accessible for students across the country, and we simply ask for your help through your participation. First, start preparing for summer conference. Yes, it is only September, but the conference this year in Indy was so informative and helpful we know you will want to be in Houston with us next year. Start saving your pennies and looking for funding to head to the great state of Texas! You might be surprised how many of your universities and state organizations will help fund your trip to the conference if you simply ask. In other news, we are striving to use media to stay more connected. You may have noticed that “In the Know” has been

updated and is looking stunning, we hope you continue to receive and read the information provided here. We are also seeking to have followers on Facebook on the page AAFCS Student Unit (find us, we’ll let you join!) and on Twitter @AAFCS_SU. Lastly, please add your phone number to our texting list by texting 424-543-6467 with the message @members. We will never receive your number or other information (just your name when it asks you to provide) and will only send you a few texts a year reminding you of scholarship and leadership opportunities, important information about conference and other crucial announcements. Our biggest goal this year is to build the student unit and keep it going strong. Please use technology to help us do this and spread the word to your other FCS friends. We look forward to all of us collectively growing the profession in the coming years.

Exciting SU Updates!!Kate BlackChair-Elect

Have you ever wondered who to contact when doubt about something? Do you need support carrying out events for your chapter? Would you like to let other student chapters know the accomplishments of your association? If you answered yes to any of

AAFCS SU Regions and Regional Contacts

Amanpreet KaurNorth Atlantic RegionCT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA,

RI, VT, and WV.

Erik ScearceSouthern Region

AK, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, ND, OK, PR, SC, TN, TX,

VI, and VA.

Sherry RooksCentral Region

IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH,

SD, and WI.

Kate Black Pacific Region

AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR,

UT, WA, and WY.

Ale O’beachainSecretary

the question above, we can help you. The AAFCS SU has student representatives for every region in the Country and is there to help you when you need it. Your 2012-2013 student regional representatives are below. They are here to support your local and state student units. You are more than welcome to contact them at any time to search for answers, ideas, or simply keep us “In the Know”.

ONC Video Challenge!ONC wants to know how you

use technology to manage your prescriptions

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is sponsoring the Managing Meds Video Challenge, a competition for consumers and healthcare providers to create short, inspiring videos demonstrating how technology can help manage meds effectively and improve overall health and safety. The goal is to show how you use health IT to properly manage your medications, or support individuals to do so. Videos should be no more than two minutes in length and must show how health information technology enables effective medication management. Five winners who create the most instructive and inspiring videos will be awarded $7,500 in prizes. Submissions are due October 1. For more information on eligibility, rules, prizes, and more, visit the challenge homepage at managingmeds.challenge.gov.

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Community service is great way to get involved. As individuals, we can list our volunteer efforts in our resumes and discuss experiences during interviews to impress scholarship committees and employers. Service learning is community service with an extended component of academic learning, so community service may be part of your coursework. Community service brings together people from all walks of life, so you can network your way to a promotion or new job by connecting with non-profit organizational staff, volunteers, donors, and other supporters. If you move to a new location, engaging in community service and volunteer activities is a positive way to socialize and get connected with your new community. Community service is not always about the personal benefits you receive. The greater cause also benefits. Whether you helped with fundraising, educating, or advocating you are helping to increase the social awareness on the larger scale. The more social awareness the more resources become available to organizations related to that cause. Within local

communities, there are usually charitable organizations and places of worship that are looking for new members to take on leadership roles. You may be able to donate discounted professional services, contact businesses and grant foundations for donations, organize events, speak in educational sessions, et cetera. This list of how to get involved is endless.

Family and Consumer Sciences can make a difference in the community. As students, community service opportunities may be on or off campus. For instance, last year, the Iowa State University Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies Club sponsored a guest speaker about human trafficking and hosted a sale of clothes, handbags, and

other accessories made by rescued slaves. These rescued slaves went through technical job training in apparel during the rehabilitation process. The proceeds of this event went to rescuing more human trafficking victims. Partner with organizations on and off campus and explore what is needed in the community (ex: services, resources, funding, education,

publicity, volunteers, events). This year, the Student Unit’s yearlong project will be Share Our Strength, the organization that created the No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger in the United States. Share Our Strength is also one of Family Career and Community Leaders of America’s National Outreach Projects. The AAFCS SU is excited to support the fund raising and volunteer efforts of Share Our Strength and FCCLA in the No Kid Hungry campaign. Please visit http://www.fcclainc.org/content/level-i-share-our-strength/ for more information

and ideas on how you can help feed American children. The SU is looking to do a hands-on evening of service during the AAFCS Annual Conference in late June 2013 in Houston, Texas. If you have any suggestions of charities that work in the Houston metropolitan area, please email Aman, the SU Vice Chair of Outreach and Service, at akaur@iastate.edu.

Rocking It Up WithCommunity Service

Amanpreet KaurVice Chair of Outreach & Service

L to R: Bethany Siefert, Kyley Brooks, Catherine Susteric, Brittany Trotter, Erik Scearce at Annual Conference collecting pajamas for the National Student Unit Service project in Indianapolis, IN.

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Amanpreet (Aman) Kaur,

My name is Aman. I am excited to be the 2012-2013 Vice Chair of Outreach and Service.

I am originally from New Jersey. I grew up with my mother, father, and younger brother. My childhood favorite memories involve hearing my parents speak different languages. Between the four of us, we can communicate in about a dozen distinct languages.

I am currently a senior at Iowa State University majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences Education and minoring in Engineering. FCS Education is not offered as a major in

any college or university in my home state of NJ, so I applied to universities and colleges across the country. ISU sent me my first acceptance letter, so I travelled 1,100 miles to follow my passion for FCS Education.

This is my fifth semester as a Community/Residential Advisor. I tutor student athletes and give campus tours to prospective students. I like to change up my extracurricular activities each semester.

Upon graduation in May, I hope to join the AmeriCorps and/or Peace Corps. I plan to enroll in a graduate program in Human Development and Family

Studies, College Student Affairs, or FCS Education. I hope to earn a doctoral degree.

In Fall 2009, I joined AAFCS, when a fellow ISU student was serving on the AAFCS Student Unit. In 2011, I was a student videographer at the AAFCS Annual Conference in Phoenix. I was a 2011 peer mentor for the Human Development and Family Studies Learning Community. I chose to become a National Officer because I would like to have a positive impact on FCS. I hope to carry out two SU service projects this year. Foremost, I am excited to serve you. Feel free to contact me at akaur@iastate.edu with any questions, ideas, et cetera. I look forward to hearing from you.

Ale O’beachain, Secretary Hello everyone, my name is Ale and I’m from Texas. I will be serving as the AAFCS Student Unit (SU) Secretary and Ethics

Committee Student Representative for the 2012-2013 term. I hold a degree in Clothing, Textiles and Fashion Merchandising with minors in Management, Marketing and Administration. However, I’m currently an undergraduate student at New Mexico State University (NMSU) seeking a 2nd Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetic Science. I’m also minoring in Community Health and Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management.

Upon completion, I plan to go on to graduate school and work on a Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. My goal is to become an FCS educator to young persons. I became an active member of AAFCS during the spring of 2011. I had the opportunity of attending the New Mexico (NM) affiliate chapter annual meeting five days after joining the association. This is where I met FCS students from both universities in NM and professionals from the state. It has been from that day on that I have remained an active member at the university, state, and now national level. I am currently serving my second term as

the president for the NMSU-AFCS. I am very passionate about helping others. Therefore, I enjoy being part of organizations (professional/student) that like giving back to the communities. That is the reason for which I decided to become part of AAFCS. Other organizations in which I’m currently an active member are the NMSU Human Nutrition & Food Science Association, and the National Society of Human Resource Management. I believe they all provide great resources to grow as an individual and as future professionals. I greatly encourage all students to become an active member of the AAFCS-SU. I look forward to working with everyone this year!

Meet Your 2012-2013 National Officers

Vice Chair of Outreach and Service

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Brittany Trotter, Chair One of my favorite quotes has always been, “try to pursue the very things that you are passionate about ‐‐ that is the difference between good and great!” In my

life I have discovered that FCS is my something “great.” My FCS journey began in high school through FCS courses, and my dedicated involvement with the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). From being both a FCS student and serving as the Georgia FCCLA State President, my FCS knowledge has progressed to an interest, and my interest has reached farther into a passion that has been

continuously growing over the past seven years. I am currently a senior at the University of Georgia majoring in consumer journalism with an emphasis in both FCS and public relations. As my college journey is approaching its end and I prepare to embark into a professional career, I am remind of the positive impact that FCS has, and continues, to leave upon my life. FCS has allowed me to become a wiser consumer. FCS has equipped me with useful knowledge for when I have a home and family of my own. FCS has encouraged me to pursue a healthier lifestyle. FCS has created in me a sense of awareness for

social issues. Ultimately, because of FCS I have become an individual that can face my future with a bold confidence. FCS has abundant real‐life value, and with numerous professions in the realm of FCS there are endless opportunities. However, what makes the diversity of FCS unique is that everything is interrelated to focus on promoting the well‐fare of individuals, strengthening the function of the family, and uniting communities. Also, through AAFCS and involvement within the Student Unit, passions for FCS and future pathways can shine bright like the flame of the Betty Lamp. By “connecting professionals, and touching lives” AAFCS uses the values of FCS to strengthen futures for all.

Erik Scearce, First Vice Chair Hello AAFCS Student Unit! My name is Erik Scearce and I will be serving as your National First Vice Chair for this school year! I am very

excited for this year as the National Officers have a lot of great programs in the works! A little background info, I was born and raised in the great state of Indiana. I am the son of Donna and Robert Scearce who blessed me with a twin brother, Adam, and a half brother, Jake. Growing up I remember the beautiful, breezy summer nights where I would ride my bike for hours on end with my friends. It’s one of my childhood

memories that I will cherish for many, many years. After graduating high school, I made the decision to attend Indiana State University where I am majoring in FCS Education with a minor in HDFS. When deciding where to attend college, ISU felt most at home for me. Stepping onto campus for my tour I could see the Sycamore pride all around and everyone was so welcoming and kind. I knew this was the place for me! I have just started my junior year and boy was I right! Since starting at ISU I have gotten involved in various organizations including Residential Life as an Academic Peer Advocate, Alpha Lambda

Delta Honor Society, and more! However, the organization that I am most thankful for joining is the AAFCS Student Unit! I joined the organization in the spring of my freshman year and right away become chapter and affiliate President, and in the fall of my sophomore year I was elected to serve as the National Secretary. In high school I was a member of FCCLA and I always regretted not getting more involved with the organization and not taking on as many leadership position. Therefore, when I joined the AAFCS SU, I instantly knew I wanted to get involved as possible. I am thankful for another year as a National Officer and I am very excited for all the programs that are being planned for this year! Make sure to keep in touch this year!

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Kate Black, Chair-Elect Howdy AAFCS SU members! My name is Kate Black and I will be serving as the chair-elect for the Student Unit this year.

St. George is found in the very southwestern corner of Utah, almost in Arizona, and is the town I call my home. With its famous red rocks and close access to various national parks such as Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon I grew up with a great appreciation for the outdoors. And with the temperatures soaring well above 100 degrees in the summer I also gained a wonderful appreciation for the indoors and air conditioning. My home was large, noisy, and bursting with life for most of my childhood as I have four older siblings, a younger brother and a cousin who lived with us for several years. I loved the chaos

of my home, but I also enjoyed the quiet privacy that I occasionally relished in my bedroom. When I was 18 I left my desert of St. George and moved 400 miles north to the frigid wasteland of Logan, Utah. But despite my general dislike of location, I came here for my university. I love Utah State University! We boast one of the best FCS programs in the state with a 100% pass rate on the Praxis exams and a 100% job placement rating for graduates who seek jobs in the education field. It is great to be an Aggie! I do study Family and Consumer Sciences Education with the intention of being a high school or college educator. Besides my constant involvement with FCS throughout my college years, I have also been actively involved with other activities, especially recruiting

as an Ambassador for the College of Agriculture, within which we are housed, and working as a student at the USU bookstore. It has been an amazing 4 years and I am looking forward to continuing my education as a graduate student at Utah State. My participation with AAFCS began only this summer, so I’m still learning all the ins and outs! I got involved with AAFCS because this opportunity arose for leadership positions and my adviser suggested I apply, so I did and here I am. I have been so grateful already for the connections I have made, the information I have gained and the friendships I have formed. AAFCS is very helpful for students and professionals alike, it is my goal over the next two years to help more students understand how beneficial this organization can be for them. Come enjoy the journey with me!

Sherry Rooks, Second Vice Chair I was born in Anderson, Indiana and currently reside in Texas. I have one elder sister who also resides in Texas, along with my mother,

and three daughters. My favorite memory growing up is fishing with my Grandmother, on her fishing lake in Indiana.I attend college at Walden University

Online. My Major is Instructional Design with Technology. This University had the degree I wanted and needed to go for my goal. Currently, I work with the “at-risk” youth of my community by getting them back into the school system. My career goal is to design online courses for the compensatory classes of public education.After I passed my student teaching state exam, I joined AAFCS as a student. I became an officer to make

a difference! My goals for the Student Unit this year is to be part of a team that effects a change in AAFCS and carries it forward into the next generation.In closing, I know that change can be a very scary thing for a lot of people. However, now is the time, and the Student Unit is the tool, to effect the change needed to bring AAFCS back into the forefront once again. Our country is now in a dire situation, the family is crumbling, and the United States needs what we at AAFCS have to offer!