Congratulations Roxanne Trees, she's an AAFCS Leader!

WAFCS congratulates Roxanne Trees for being awarded a 2007 AAFCS Leaders Award at the recent Annual Convention in Reno along with four other FCS Professionals. The Leaders Award began with the AAFCS 75th anniversary in 1984. It was established to identify and
honor Family and Consumer Sciences professionals who have made significant contributions to the field through their involvement with AAFCS. We are so proud of Roxanne! Below are highlights of the letter of recommendation that WAFCS sent with her application. Once you read through the letter, we’re certain you will agreed that Roxanne was a perfect recipient of a 2007 AAFCS Leaders Award!

Roxanne has been a longtime WAFCS member who has impacted our State association in ways that have been used as models nationwide. As President of WAFCS, she began by bringing in new faces and leaders to the Executive Board. A priority of Roxanne’s has been to bring many of the educators who work under her to become AAFCS members, which has increased our membership and expanded our leader possibilities. Her support of continued funding for the WAFCS Executive Director and the development (and hiring) of the contracted position, Public Information Director, has helped to create stability and continuity within our State organization.

Roxanne was instrumental in implementing changes to the WAFCS operational system. Over a three-year period of time, she spearheaded and revamped Bylaws, which had not been updated for many years, and worked as a member of the Bylaws committee on the policies and procedures. This resulted in a new concise, user friendly Operational Handbook with which all officers are guided. By working on restructuring the organization, Roxanne was able to push for a new audit-proof financial management system. Being concerned about our financial situation prompted Roxanne to work with officers and come up with solutions:

• In order to generate more income, Roxanne encouraged WAFCS to become a Clock Hour Provider for Washington State. Developing the orms and guidelines, Roxanne has enabled our state to provide a service to those needing clock hours and, at the same time, bring in extra funds (over $500/year) with which to operate.
• Roxanne was also been instrumental in creating a workable structure with which our Fall Auction operates. It is now quite successful, and yearly provides over $1000 in Scholarship funding.
• Another avenue of generating income for WAFCS has been her development and participation in pre and post-conference tours and events, dating back to 1994. These events continue even today, and are enjoyed by many members of both the WAFCS and the Washington State educator group, FACSE. These have helped to create unity between the two groups, and have also generated between $500 and $1000 annually for the WAFCS General Fund.

In addition to Roxanne’s regular work with Seattle School District, and continued contributor to the WAFCS Executive Board, several times she compiled submissions for the ESAE TOY from our State as well as coordinated Joyce Miles’ Leaders Award nomination from WAFCS (cos ponsored with Florida-AFCS) in 2005.

Roxanne has been a voice for families at our State capitol as our WAFCS Advocacy Chair, helping to push for HB 1252, “Providing for Family and Consumer Science Education,” which encourages teaching of life skills, identifying FACS as the delivery method. The Washington State Legislature passed it, in an overwhelming majority in 2005.

Nationally, Roxanne has been a voice for WAFCS as a Senator to AAFCS annual conferences for many years. She is a reliable source to report back to the members and officers of WAFCS. The means of communication often used by Roxanne has been through regular contributions to our professionally compiled state newsletter, and the WAFCS website.

A colleague of Roxanne’s, Joyce Beery Miles, has summed up Roxanne’s professional contribution to WAFCS and AAFCS in the following statement:

“Roxanne is one of the most consummate leaders I have ever worked with. She inspires me to work even harder as her mentor and her colleague. She never met a challenge she wouldn't take on, or rallies others to take on with her. She serves as an excellent role model for young professionals and is patient enough to help them along their leadership journey. She is visionary and is able to bring others on her journey to the vision. She was instrumental is assessing the strengths of the WAFCS several years ago, and also in seeing its greater potential. The strength of the WAFCS organization today is a testament to her vision and leadership. She is most deserving of an AAFCS Leader Award.”

Roxanne as she received her award at the AAFCS Annual Convention in Reno.

 WAFCS Uundergraduate Scholarship Winner Announced

Congratulations to Amanda Harty, senior at Central Washington University. She is this year’s recipient of the $500.00 WAFCS Scholarship. Amanda is busy at Central successfully balancing school and work with a cumulative GPA of 3.87. Dr. Wyatt writes that Amanda is an excellent student, leader, and a person people count on to get things done. She is definitely a “people” person and is well liked and respected by her fellow employees and classmates. Amanda will graduate this spring with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family and Consumer Sciences.

at the                          

WAFCS / FACSE Annual Fall Conference                         
October 21, 22 and 23, Yakima Convention Center                          

The WAFCS Executive Board is adding a few extras to the Fall Conference schedule, which will
enhance the fun aspects of Family and Consumer Sciences. We will be reminded of the important
roles FCS professionals had in the past 100 years, and the importance of preparing ourselves,
other individuals, and families for the future.

For complete information about the confererence, check the Newsletter or the Educational Opportunities page.

Centennial High Tea Start the conference by joining us on Sunday, October 21, for a light meal kicking off our participation in the Centennial Celebration of the upcoming 100th anniversary of AAFCS in 2009. Guests will enjoy a three course fare and a selection of fine quality teas. Period costumes and hats are optional. See page 8 of the Fall/Winter Newsletter for more information and a registration form.

The Annual WAFCS Silent Auction
One of the highlights at Fall Conference is our Monday evening Silent Auction! Donate, browse, and join in the fun of bidding on more than 100 items. Each year this has been held, due to the generosity of the membership, more than $1000 has been raised for the scholarship fund at this event. Combined with the Social Hour, the Silent Auction is one of the most lively events of the conference. Information about donations is on page 11.

WAFCS is an Affiliate of the

American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences