Submitted By Janet Black AIFD
AIFD® is made up of twelve committees, each committee has a Chair and most have a Vice Chair. There is always a participant from the National Board called a Liaison. Members on the committees are on two-year staggered terms, with the exception of the Finance Committee which runs on a three-year staggered term.
The Awards Committee is chaired by Tom Bowling AIFD. One of the requirements of the committee is that the chair must be a Past President, or a member of the National Board. A Fellow is also included on the committee to create diversity within the committee and history. Applications for awards sent in by the membership are reviewed by this committee. The Chair acts as the Master of Ceremonies for the Awards presentations at Symposium.
Julia Schmitt AIFD is in her second term as Career Development Chair. The committee focus is on your students. Along with the committee members; there is an Industry Partner Advisor on the committee. One of the main projects is nurturing our FFA connection by assisting the students participating at the convention, and most recently by hosting on-line design programs. Members participate teaching students.
Education Committee shares projects to guide us with our elements and principles. The committee is looking for older symposium CDs to share on line. Most recently the committee coordinated the Orlando Summit Design Programs. Patti Fowler AIFD will head up this committee. There is an Online Advisor that sits on this committee.
Education Partners Committee is required to have International Representation. Educational standards are reviewed, along with guidelines for CFD Certification. Terry Godfrey AIFD,with her considerable Membership Committee experience,is heading up this committee.
Ethical Standards & Bylaws Nominations & Elections is chaired by the immediate Past President, Janet Black AIFD. Currently, the committee is updating the Bylaws, Policies and Procedures. I am also collecting names of individuals interested in running for the National Board. Please contact me and I will throw your hat in the ring.
Finance Committee is chaired by our new Treasurer BJ Dyer AIFD. If you haveFinanceknowledge, enjoy working with spreadsheets and excel with numbers, this committee is for you. The current President, President Elect and a Fellow sit on this committee along with the other committee members. Budgets are created and reviewed, and monetary requests are considered.
Industry Partners Committee is a fun one, many members are on this committee. The set up of the Industry Partner Expo displays is on the top of the list for this committee. Sheri Jensch AIFD chair, helps coordinate our established partners, as well as introducing new ones to our event.
Marketing Committee, promotes what is happening with our regions, members and industry. Sharrai Morgan Faulkner AIFD has lots of energy and will be directing her committee to post, like, share, …. If you are proficient with technology and social media, this is a great committee for you.
Membership Committee is chaired by D. Damon Samuel AIFD with two Vice Chairs and thirteen additional committee members. There are numerous facets involved; coordinating; product, categories, symposium PFDE tables, judge evaluators, monitors, mentors, tabulating scoring, and so much more. Have you ever wondered who the members are that escort the inductees to the stage to be pinned and announce the names? This is the committee responsible for the coordination.
Focal Points Blog is Chaired by Renee Tucci AIFD. Renee is always looking for interesting articles about members, partners, or a cool floral experience. If you like to write, please don’t be afraid to reach out to Renee.
Student Competition Committee, our students were back again this year, with their energy and talents. Nicola Parker AIFD chair,will be looking for those that have an interest in setting up the competition, organizing the products and networking with our future florists.
Student Membership Committee/AIR coordinates students, teachers and members to put on programs for our SAIFD schools. New schools are always welcome and encouraged to participate with AIFD. Marianne Suess AIFD will chair this committee.
History Committee is one of my favorites, started almost ten years ago. Laurie Lemek AIFD is the chair of the committee. The legacy of knowledge that older members bring to this committee is fascinating. The committee is looking into creating something special for our 60th Anniversary. Have old pictures and great stories about the early days? Please contact Laurie.
Emerging Professionals Committee is what used to be called the Young Professionals. Michael Smith AIFD one of our 2022 inductees, is creating some interesting projects for new members of any age. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join. Grow with our floral family, meet new friends. AIFD and CFD members are welcome.Theresa Colucci AIFD, your President Elect, will be looking for new members to fill positions on these committees. Reach out to Theresa theresa@meadowscent.com get involved, we need YOU!
