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Second Century of Helping

Participation Guidelines

“Second Century of Helping” (SCOH) is an official Centennial Project of AAFCS.  Our profession has been committed to strengthening individuals, families and communities since its inception, and our members have always played a role in this strengthening through professional as well as volunteer contributions.

As part of our centennial celebration, this project offers an opportunity to record and track the wide variety of contributions that our members make during the centennial year.  In addition, this project will help launch our next 100 years of service.  The former Home and Community Section (now Community of Partners in Home and Community) pioneered this concept, has been conducting a version of it for more than 10 years, and is a full partner in the initiative.

Here are some guidelines for your SCOH participation:

• Participation is open to Active, Ellen Richards Sustaining, Emeritus and Student members.
• Hours volunteered anytime from July 1, 2008 through June 1, 2009 are eligible to be included.
• To qualify, volunteer hours must include application of FCS expertise and the member must volunteer as an FCS professional.   Hours do not need to be in conjunction with an FCS-sponsored event to be eligible.
• You may not receive compensation for SCOH hours beyond expense reimbursement.
• SCOH volunteer hours are not eligible for PDU credit unless they qualify otherwise.
• Eligible volunteer hours must benefit others outside one’s immediate family.
• All entries must be recorded online to be counted.  Members without online access should consult with a friend who may assist with data entry.

Some members have asked for clarification of types of activities that will and will not count for SCOH inclusion.  Both of these criteria must be met:

• Your volunteering must draw on your FCS expertise.  For example, volunteering for your local Meals on Wheels program would likely benefit from your expertise in aging, nutrition and community development, and it would count for SCOH. 
• You must identify yourself as an FCS professional in your SCOH volunteering.  For example, if you volunteered for a disaster relief team with the Red Cross, you should wear your FCS nametag along with your Red Cross identification.  Providing care for your grandchildren or an aging parent would not be eligible.

If you are unsure whether an activity should count, ask yourself if it meets the spirit, as well as the letter, of these two criteria.  If you are still unsure, go ahead and submit it.

At the 2009 AAFCS Annual Conference in Knoxville, those individuals, communities and affiliates with the greatest number of volunteer hours, and the highest per capita rate of volunteer hours, will be recognized.