Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

In 2007-2008, NCCC052 continued to focus on setting research priorities for multi-state and national work in three key focus areas: (1) planning for a secure financial future, (2) household food security and health, and (3) loss in times of disaster. This year the committee held a mini-conference in the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center and brought in national experts to speak on the financial consequences of the current economic situation. Key speakers included Connie Costner, Eric Scorsone, and David Schweikhardt from Michigan State University who addressed the mortgage and housing crisis. Katherine Nelson and Martin Lavelle of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Detroit Branch, gave a tour of the facilities and presented a seminar about the economic and financial challenges that individuals and families face. In addition, Olga Savic Steel, Vice President of the Business Development of Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, gave a presentation titled Social Compact Detroit Drilldown Another goal of the NCCC052 committee is to help foster more rigorous research in the field of family economics. This year the committee asked researchers known for using rigorous methodical techniques to present papers. Following and during the research presentations by Cindy Fletcher of Iowa State University, Urvi Neelakanta of the University of Illinois, and Craig Gundersen of the University of Illinois, the committee engaged in extensive discussion. An additional goal of the NCCC052 committee is to encourage multi-state research projects. Updates were given on two projects that originated from NCCC052: NC-1172, The Complex Nature of Saving: Psychological and Economic Factors (presented by Michael Gutter of the University of Florida) and NC-1171, Interactions of Individual, Family, Community, and Policy Contexts on the Mental and Physical Health of Diverse Rural Low-income Families (presented by Cathey Huddleston-Caas of the University of Nebraska). In addition to these activities, committee members worked throughout the year to disseminate research publications, make presentations, and obtain grant funding in the three key focus areas. The committee used a standardized and consistent process for reporting research activities at their respective institutions. With the reporting system, the committee is able to quickly and easily compile outcome data on research in the area of family economics. The committee refined the 1-page flyer describing the three family economics research priorities and disseminated the flyer at national conferences, in national newsletters, on Web sites, and in a national research journal. Progress was made on developing a template for preparing research briefs and a site for hosting the research briefs was identified. The committee's anticipated activities for 2008-2009 include: 1. Review and revise last years guidelines/benchmarks for measuring the aggregate impact and rigor of family economics research being conducted at committee members institutions. 2. Continue disseminating the 1-page flyer identifying (a) the key research priority areas, (b) who we are, and (c) who to contact for more information. 3. Prepare and publish research briefs. During 2008-2009, all states represented in NCCC052 are expected to submit a minimum of one research brief for every two researchers listed on their annual report. The briefs will be distributed to the family and consumer economics network and other stakeholders including: other colleagues, Agricultural Experiment Station Directors, educators (extension and resident instructors), funders/partners, government, and private institutions. 4. Organize a session related to using large data sets for the 2009 NCCC052 meeting to expand researchers opportunities for conducting more rigorous research in the three research priority areas. This will be akin to the presentation by Craig Gundersen at the 2007 meeting but will expand beyond the two data sets he covered. 5. Present research at relevant and appropriate conferences. Look for opportunities to host special research sessions in the three research priority areas. 6. Assist in preparing briefs for eXtension. As part of this endeavor, members of NCCC052 will browse various journals related to family economics with the goal of identifying papers on topics relevant for eXtension. After identifying these papers, contact will be made with the author(s) who will be encouraged to write a 1-page brief which will be accessible to lay persons. 7. Increase attendance at the annual meeting by encouraging each participating state to have a representative, increasing participation by graduate students, and increasing the number of new faculty members.