eeping alumni, students, faculty and friends connected to the College of Family and Consumer Sciences is the mission of the FACS Alumni Association. But actually accomplishing this task takes planning. Lots of planning.

For much of the past year, many of you have been involved in developing the 2003-06 Strategic Plan. On January 24, the FACS Alumni Board voted and accepted the plan, which will serve as the blueprint for your Board of Directors for the next three years as we search for new and creative ways to involve more of you with both your alma mater and the Alumni Association. While space doesn’t allow a reprint of the entire Strategic Plan — you can view it on the FACS Alumni website — here are four major goals that are a part of the plan:

Communicate information about the College to constituents: You can keep up with the latest news about the College and Alumni Association activities by visiting the FACS website (www.fcs.uga.edu). Just click on the “Alumni” heading to find the latest calendar of upcoming FACS Alumni Association events.

Support the College’s programs and initiatives through financial contributions and volunteerism: Fourteen percent of FACS alumni made a donation to the College in fiscal year 2001-02. The average gift amount was $233. Another way alumni show their support is by giving of their time by serving on the Alumni Board, working on a planning committee for an area meeting, speaking to students during classes or serving as mentors, and by serving on various committees to connect the Alumni Association with faculty, staff, and students.

Foster relationships between the College and its constituents: To help meet this goal the Board voted to restructure to reflect the need for targeted programming. The 2003-04 Alumni Board will consist of the executive officers as well as two program representatives from each department: Child and Family Development; Foods and Nutrition; Housing and Consumer Economics; Textiles, Merchandising, and Interiors; and FACS Education, as well as out-of-state and graduate degree representatives.

Offer programs and services to meet the needs of alumni: In addition to a minimum of two general programs each year, the Alumni Association will offer at least one opportunity for alumni of each department. Several events are already being planned.

To read the complete Strategic Plan, go to www.fcs.uga.edu/alumni.

How will you give back to your alma mater during the coming year? Will you make a monetary donation? Serve on a committee? Speak to a class? Host an event? What other programs and services would you like to see offered? Let us know – we want to hear from you! Pick up the phone and give me a call (706) 542-4881 or drop me a line via e-mail to suzanne@fcs.uga.edu. Check out the Class Notes section then send us YOUR news for the next issue of FACS Magazine.