What do social media networking, money management and healthy eating habits have in common?
All three topics — and others — will be discussed at the Alberta Human Ecology and Home Economics Association’s conference in Red Deer on April 26 and 27.
Although organized for professional human ecologists and home economists, portions of the conference will be open to members of the public.
These include a presentation by Jeff Mulligan, the mayor of Lloydminster and a longtime businessman. He will share his insights into how social media can be used to make a positive impact in life, business and even politics.
Also speaking will be Lesley Scorgie, a financial consultant and the author of the bestselling book Rich by Thirty: A Young Adult’s Guide To Financial Success, and more recently Rich by Forty. Scorgie will describe how you can develop sound money management skills and a financial acumen, and build your net worth.
Dietitian Lee Finell, who works for Alberta Milk, will discuss how many people lose touch with their hunger awareness, and eat for social, emotional, habitual or comfort reasons.
The Alberta Human Ecology and Home Economics Association represents professional human ecologists and home economists. Its members are trained in a diverse range of areas, including money management, consumer education, food and nutrition, housing, clothing, textiles, family behavior and human development. They work in a variety of vocations and professions.
Association president Kathleen Johnston said human ecologists and home economists are similar, with their names reflecting different terminology.
“It’s the same kind of focus on individuals and their near environment,” she said of their mandate, which includes improving the quality of life of individuals and families by helping them make the best use of their resources.
The Alberta Human Ecology and Home Economics Association has 266 members, said Johnston, with 165 of these registered professionals with university degrees and who have satisfied the requirements for their professional human ecologist or professional home economist (PHEc) designation. The remainder are associate, related, affiliate or student members.
Association branches are located in Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton, with the annual conference rotating among these cities.
The 2013 conference will be held at the Holiday Inn & Suites on Gasoline Alley, with Mulligan presenting from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on April 26, and Finell from 1 to 2 p.m. on April 27, and Scorgie from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on April 27.
Members of the public can register to hear Mulligan for $25, or Finell and Scorgie together for $25, by going to the Alberta Human Ecology and Home Economics Association website at www.ahea.ab.ca and clicking on “Events & Meetings” and then “Apr 26 AHEA Annual Conference.”
Association members and others who are interested in attending the entire conference, which will include additional industry-specific presentations, can do so at the same site.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com