Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

In 2005-2006, NCCC052 focused on setting research priorities for multi-state and national work by identifying 3 key focus areas (financial security; economic vulnerability in times of disaster; and financial management, food security, and health). The committee brought in national experts to speak at the 2006 meeting on emerging research in each of the three areas. Throughout the year, members of the committee worked to disseminate research publications, make presentations, and obtain grant funding in these three areas. The committee also held a national conference call in November 2005 to encourage national research on the economic consequences and adjustments for households following natural disasters, terrorism, and wars. The committee's anticipated activities for 2006-2007 include: 1. Creating a 1-page flyer identifying (a) the key research focus areas, (b) who we are, and (c) who to contact for more information. List serves and personal websites would be used to disseminate the flyer. The objective is to communicate and disseminate research priorities to family economists and possibly expand the network. 2. Placing the three research focus areas on each committee members personal website. 3. Writing research briefs. During 2006-2007, all committee members will submit a research brief written by themselves and/or their colleagues. 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. Organizing a session related to using large data sets at the 2007 NCCC052 meeting to expand researchers opportunities for conducting more rigorous research in the three focus areas. 5. Present research at relevant and appropriate conferences. Look for opportunities to host special research sessions in the three focus areas. 6. Set guidelines/benchmarks for measuring the aggregate impact and rigor of research being conducted at committee members institutions (i.e., quality of publications, presentations, grants).