The Spirit of Family Community Leadership

The Family Community Leadership (FCL) program has a mission helping people make a difference. The FCL philosophy encourages individuals to take control of their lives and then change their world for the better.

"The Leadership Training is an empowering experience that helps individuals obtain skills to make real changes in the community," says Juanita Waits, Maricopa Extension Agent.

The FCL program focuses on three specific goals: Personal Growth, Leadership Development, and Community Involvement. The program helps individuals build communication, decision making, goal setting and conflict resolution skills to make a positive difference in the quality of family and community life for themselves and others.

"The program prepares people for more effective participation in family and community issues," says Waits.

This year's FCL National Winner hails from Mesa, Arizona. Bev Tittle-Baker was honored for her outstanding community leadership and service. In 1995, Tittle-Baker grew weary of watching her neighborhood become run-down and dangerous.

That year she took action by completing the training in the Family and Community Leadership program offered through a partnership between the National Association for Family and Community Education and The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension.

In the year after her training, Tittle-Baker had organized seven FCL institutes, recruited financial support and coalition partners, and taught FCL skills to more than 200 volunteer leaders.

Tittle-Baker and these trained leaders mobilized food and clothing drives, clean-up campaigns, after- school activities, block watches and educational and assistance programs.

The number of women enrolled full-time in college is expected to rise at double the rate of increase for men between now and 2007, according to figures from the National Center for Education Statistics.That trend may raise issues for admissions officers who are concerned about maintaining a coeducational experience at their universities, writes the magazine's senior editor, Shannon Dortch.

Most colleges and universities admit their best-qualified applicants, regardless of gender. Today, those students are more likely to be women than men. Administrators at some small colleges, worried about social life on their campuses, have recently taken steps to attract more men, and the measures usually have involved sports. The University of Dallas even brought back varsity baseball after a 16-year hiatus.

"American Demographics."
Academe, Sept 16, 1997 (Online)

National Hispanic Heritage Month Proclaimed by President Clinton

Throughout our history, America's promise of individual freedom and opportunity has drawn millions of immigrants from across the globe. As these newcomers arrived, they gradually wove their own traditions into the tapestry of our Nation's culture and society. The world's economy is becoming ever more interdependent and competitive, and these changes and others brought on by the revolution in communication technologies are lowering many of the old barriers to economic, cultural, and intellectual exchange among nations. In this new global community, we benefit greatly from the contributions that Hispanic Americans bring to our economy and our society.

To honor them for their dedication to this endeavor and for their many contributions to our Nation and our culture, the Congress, by Public Law 100-402, has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating September 15 through October 15 as "National Hispanic Heritage Month."

As the youngest and fastest-growing segment of our population, Hispanic Americans are an increasingly vital part of our economy. The new head of the Small Business Administration, Aida Alvarez, is a symbol of that spirit and its importance to America. Along with Secretary of Energy Federico Pena, Under Secretary of Agriculture I. Miley Gonzales, and Ambassador Bill Richardson, the United States Representative to the United Nations, Administrator Alvarez reflects my Administration's continuing commitment to bring highly qualified Hispanic Americans into the highest levels of Government.

The contributions of Hispanic Americans to the life of our Nation are much more than economic.

Their strong commitment to family, community, and country sets a shining example for all our people.

Signed William J. Clinton

Dr. Miley Gonzales is a University of Arizona College of Agriculture graduate. He received his BS in 1969 and MS in 1976, both in Agricultural Education.

Research on Cultural and Racial Diversity in Higher Education

The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, with the support of the Ford Foundation, is accepting proposals for grants to support research on diversity in higher education.

The organization is seeking research to determine the effects of cultural and racial diversity on students' experiences, living arrangements, and patterns of interaction on campuses, as well as their later behavior as citizens.

Who is eligible? Higher-education institutions. Deadline for proposals: November 15. Total amount to be awarded: From $5,000 to $8,000 for each of an unspecified number of grants.

What's New?

Skin Deep, a new 53-minute documentary film by Academy Award nominated filmmaker Frances Reid, tells the story of college students confronting race relations in America today.

This unique film documents what happens when culturally diverse students from colleges across the United States talk candidly with each other about the impact of race on their lives.

Skin Deep challenges employees and students to examine their own race-related beliefs and practices. It can help managers initiate much needed interracial dialogue and provide individuals with insights into possibilities for change.

Copies are available for $495. For more information, contact Iris Film Library, 22-D Hollywood Ave., Ho Ho Kus, NJ 07423; 1-800-343-5540.

Managing Diversity, September 1997

Upcoming Events

Building Personal and Professional Competence in a Multicultural Society, October 23 through October 26, 1997, at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, D.C.

The major goals of this conference include creating a multicultural environment in which an open, cross-cultural dialogue can occur. The conference will focus on some of the unique issues that professionals face in working with a culturally diverse population, and offer an opportunity for in-depth training and skill-building in multiculturalism.

The cost to attend this four-day seminar is $620 per person. For more information, contact the National MultiCultural Institute at (202) 483-0700.

Workplace Diversity: New Challenges/New Opportunities, presented by The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), October 8-10 in Washington, D.C.

Join leaders in the field of Workplace Diversity at this 2-1/2 day forum, where participants will attend guided dialogue sessions focusing on emerging issues, current research, and compliance legislation. Each day you will have the opportunity to interact in small learning communities with diversity mentors and peers to engage in in-depth conversations centering around diversity challenges.

The cost is $825 per person. Contact SHRM at 1-800-283-SHRM for more information.

Managing Diversity, September 1997