Many FCSEM members have requested a summer conference since they are finding it difficult to get permission to attend the conference during the school year. The 2011 FCSEM Annual Conference will be held August 2-4. The Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Lodge and Conference Center will be the site for continued networking and great speakers. (There won’t be a conference in the fall this year.)
The theme, “Moving Forward Together to Strengthen Families”, is very fitting since we have invited the Michigan Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (MAFCS) and the Michigan Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (MEAFCS) to be our guests. Elette Collins, state coordinator of the student organization Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) will be with us also. We will work together on strategies to promote Family and Consumer Science programs in order to provide support for the families served by all the organizations. Every participant will receive a very useful bag designed with the logos of all four organizations.
One SBCEU credit will be offered for attending the entire conference. The $10 fee is payable with your registration.
The conference kick-off will be Tuesday, August 2 at 6:15 p.m. with hospitality and light refreshments. Then at 6:45 p.m. motivational speaker Wendy Shepherd will deliver her message, “Optimistic . . . Even in the Face of Reality: Tips and Strategies to Focus on the Positive”. Join us as we explore the half-full glass through rose-colored glasses! Even when times are the most challenging, we can focus on the positive, learning to be optimistic at every turn. This upbeat, realistic, and positive keynote will help you stay brave in tough times. Following Wendy’s presentation, Norma Tims, Michigan Department of Ed, will present up-to-date information regarding Family and Consumer Science education. During the last portion of the program attendees will break up into state regions and build strategies for promoting Family and Consumer Science programs in their areas in Michigan.
Wednesday morning our keynote speaker will be Maxine Peterson, 2006 Minnesota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year and American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Top Teacher in the Nation. Her keynote speech, “Advocacy: Supporting Family and Consumer Science Programs – How to Win Support from Students, Staff, Parents and Community”, will prepare you to take action to gain respect for your program. In a breakout session Max will be sharing her comprehensive program designed to help students face college life and beyond with confidence, “Senior High Strategies Lesson Plan: Preparing for Success in Life Curriculum”. She will also offer a breakout on “Best Practice Teaching: Strategies to Engage and Motivate”.
Many informative breakout sessions have been planned to provide resources that will help you prepare great lesson plans for the 2011-12 school year. As always, the United Dairy Industry will be presenting up-to-date nutrition information and resources. Su Nottingham will join us for three sessions on Thursday so everyone will have a chance to experience Su’s unique teaching strategies. Dr. Mark Menestrina comes highly recommended with his presentation on “Drugs, Alcohol and Teens – What You Don’t Know Can Harm Them”. As requested by many members, there is a session to discuss strategies to help special education students experience success in FCS classes while providing quality education for regular education students. Come and learn how the Personal Finance course is aligned with the Michigan Math Standards. Michelle Hiscock will demonstrate how technology can be used in the classroom to save time by using free websites. National speaker, Kevin Epling from Bully USA, will identify ways to implement changes that will fight bullying. Diane Mattis from InVest will demonstrate how to make insurance a fun part of financial literacy. These are a few examples of the many sessions that will be available.
The ever popular sharing session will be even better this year because all four Family and Consumer Science organizations will be sharing their best lesson plans and presentations. Please identify one of your great lesson plans to share with others and contact Carol Lile or Louise Bombyk to participate and remember that those who share always get special gifts.
Carolyn Isenga, RD, United Dairy Industry of Michigan, will be presenting the Michigan program, “Fuel Up to Play 60”. The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods and exercise to stay healthy. This is a great opportunity for FCS professionals to show they have the knowledge and skills to join this national initiative.
Kay Reed, Executive Director of The Dibble Institute and AAFCS 2009 21st Century Community Champion Award winner, will be the speaker at the wrap up session on Thursday afternoon, “Staying in the Game – Reclaiming the Relevance of Family and Consumer Science”. She says you can either get discouraged or you can help decision makers connect the dots between the benefits of FACS programs and outcomes we all want for youth. Join Kay for a provocative and thought provoking presentation on how to connect to national concerns such as the National Childhood Obesity Initiative.
Many of our favorite exhibitors will be attending along with a few new ones. Several exhibitors are sponsoring events this year. The Tuesday evening hospitality is being provided by a new exhibitor, CEV Multimedia with Ken Bollinger as the representative. Wednesday lunch is being sponsored by InVest Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America with Diane Mattis as the contact. The United Dairy Industry will be sponsoring Thursday breakfast, along with all-day milk breaks Wednesday and Thursday. Lake Trust Credit Union has very generously offered to sponsor the Teacher of the Year Awards and the Thursday Luncheon. As in the past, there will be plenty of door prizes to give away. Frankenmuth is a great destination for a family vacation. Plan to bring your family and take advantage of the special conference rate of $99 per day (plus taxes) on sleeping rooms. This exceptional value will be extended to the day before and after the conference. Please remember that children may not attend conference activities.
Check out the Bavarian Inn Lodge and Conference Center at http://www.bavarianinn.com/, the town of Frankenmuth at http://www.frankenmuth.org/ and Bronner’s Christmas Store at http://www.bronners.com/.
Register online for the conference. If you have questions about the conference, contact Carol Lile at lmeteach@yahoo.com or Louise Bombyk at lbombyk@power-net.net. Join us as we move forward together in Frankenmuth!