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S/NPs - Valued as a Key Part of NCFR
NCFR is particularly committed to its students and new professionals. They have an elected role in each section, and are represented on the Board of Directors and the Program Planning Committee for the annual meeting. Their voices are important to us and we value their involvement. A few years ago I asked some of my graduate students who had attended their first NCFR conference how they liked the annual meeting. They said that they learned a lot, but more than that everyone was so friendly to them. I think that many of us first joined NCFR as graduate students and new professionals, so now, in turn, we really try to be supportive of them. A new professional recently told me that she liked being a NCFR member and going to our meetings, because NCFR was an "organization with a heart."
When I encourage students and other interested persons to become members of NCFR, they often ask "Should I join a section, and why?" Although joining one or more sections is optional, it is a key to involvement in our organization. NCFR sections are particularly helpful to student and new professional members. Since sections more intimately address individual and group needs, members can give their unique voice to issues, solutions, and future endeavors. Sections also provide opportunities to develop a leadership path toward the future of their choice. All sections have a Student/New Professional Representative as an officer, so student interests and needs can be represented in that section. It should be noted that several sections also provide monetary support for S/NP's. Some sections offer travel funds to the national meeting for the S/NP representatives or provide travel awards for the best proposals/papers written and presented by S/NP's at NCFR's Annual Meeting, whereas other sections fund a policy internship or dissertation award. Since funding varies based on the number of section members and other sources of income, you may want to check with your section of interest to see what monetary support is available.
To illustrate the importance of sections for Student/New Professionals, I think it is best to share the reactions of a S/NP to his involvement with sections and what it has meant to him. Bill Rose, who is currently an Assistant Professor at Towson University, commented that he was completely overwhelmed when he first came to NCFR as a graduate student. The enormity of the conference made him feel disengaged and aimless. A few kind people, both S/NP's and more seasoned professionals, encouraged him to find a section that appealed to him and get involved. He became involved with three sections and "fell in love" with NCFR. He was doing meaningful projects, meeting prominent and informative scholars and leaders in the field, and most importantly found direction and purpose. He perceived that at the section level, there is so much that S/NP's can do and contribute. Joining sections was an effective way to gain name recognition and make contacts that could lead to future positions, further study, research experiences, training, and of course, the "fun" that NCFR can really offer.
Since NCFR promotes the professional development and socialization of researchers, educators, and practitioners, it has many opportunities for students and new professionals to communicate with colleagues who have similar interests. Being an active member in NCFR helps students to become involved in the profession; network with other students and professionals; and establish feelings of connectedness, commitment, and collegiality. We welcome all students and new professionals to NCFR. You are the "key" to our future.
Carol Anderson Darling, Ph.D., CFLE
NCFR President 2001-2003
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