Ethical Bribe Alert!We'd love to have you as part of our community!We have lots of fun exercises, tips and specials coming and would love to share them with you.So if you join our list, as a thank you, we'll immediately send you a link to get the following charts.Please see ourPRIVACY POLICYto understand who we are so you know we rarely send out emails.

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Have you ever wondered how many calories you are buring during your water aerobics workouts? Our Workout Intensity Chart shows your workout levels, calories burned, what you are burning for fuel (protein, carbs or fat) and more. It is also the first to combine all three ways to monitor your workout levels in one chart; heart rate, percieved exhertion and "talk test". Included with the chart are the first few pages of our "Aquatic Workout Intensity Guidlelines" E-Book with the instructions on using the chart.

The quality of how you move or "stroke" your limbs through the water makes or breaks the results of your water aerobics workouts. We created a STROKE ANALYSIS CHART to help you understand your movements in water, because the more specific you are, the more you strengthen the targeted muscles and burn calories. It's all about truly feeling the resistance on the surfaces of the limbs toget your desired results!

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FREE WATER AEROBICS EXERCISES & CHARTS

Water aerobics have a reputation for being the workout of choice among senior citizens, but new trends like Aquapole, which takes the popular pole dancing class into the water, are bringing new interest to pool workouts. Created in Italy, the classes are now available worldwide and target the belly, shoulders, hips and heart. Whether you go old school and swim a few laps in the community pool or try out a fitness class, the benefits of water aerobics make them ideal for all age ranges and fitness levels. Read on for fivereasons you should consider switching up your workout this summer.

Read:Beer Yoga Is The Workout Class For People Who Dont Like Exercise

The Centers for Disease Control advises water-based exercise for people dealing with arthritis. Research has shown that these workouts can prevent symptoms from getting worse and actually improvejoint mobility. For osteoarthritis sufferers, exercising in the water can help with pain management, too.

Arthritic patients arent the only ones who need to worry about joint health. Cardiovascular activities such as running and Zumba are notably high impact, which could result in injuries. When you do an exercise on land, like jogging, you get an impact on your joints," Torben Hersborg, an osteopath from the Central London Osteopathy and Sports Injury Clinic, explained to The Daily Mail. But when you exercise in the water, you don't have any gravity forcing your body weight down onto your joints. In fact, the paper reports that the buoyancy of the water can reduce joint impact by 85 percent.

In general, exercise is linked with a rosier outlook. However, research has found that underwater fitness can decrease anxiety and depression for patients with fibromyalgia. The activity has also been shown to improve the health of pregnant women and their unborn children. Water has long been linkedto less stress and higher levels of happiness.

Plus, swimming is actually fun. People tend to enjoy swimming more than running or bike-riding, Hirofumi Tanaka, a professor of kinesiology and director of the Cardiovascular Aging Research Lab at the University of Texas, told Time. Tanaka explains to the magazine that 50 percent of exercisers give up a new program within months, but swimmers usually stick with their workouts.

Read:Why Exercise Could Be The Perfect Cure For Cravings

According to the Cleveland Clinic, pool exercises burn between 400 to 500 calories per hour. As water has 12 times the resistance of air, youll benefit from both a strength and cardio workout. No equipment is necessary but incorporating kick boards, hand-held paddles and foam noodles can intensify your workout for an extra calorie burn.

Office workers usually spend hours hunched over their keyboards. A researcher at Indiana University who wrote a scientific handbook about swimming told Time he believes that switching up your position to work out horizontally could actually alleviate some of the damage associated with desk jobs.

Theres no hard impact on your back like there is with running, and instead of being bent forward like you would be on a bike, your back tends to be arched slightly in the opposite direction, Tanner said.

See Also:

Why Sunshine And Exercise Might Be The Best Way To Ward Off Heart Attacks

The Top Reasons You're So Tired When You Get Enough Sleep, From Lack Of Exercise To Dehydration

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5 Reasons To Include Water Aerobics In Your Exercise Routine - Medical Daily

IT will not take only government neither the Ministry of Health nor private organisations to combat non-communicable diseases.

It will take the desire and efforts of each and every one.

Lifestyle disease has crippled society, some have had to give up certain things or make sacrifice in order to look after a loved one bedridden as a result of NCDs. For others they have had to go on with life after losing their loved ones to these diseases.

It is death that can be avoided, diseases that can be prevented but it all depends on the choices we make, the choice of living a happy and healthy lifestyle.

For everyone has the freedom to choose but no one has the freedom to choose the consequences of the choices they make.

NCD is the leading cause of morbidity, disability and mortality in Fiji with relatively early age of cardiovascular deaths.

According to the Ministry of Health (MoH), this group of diseases, with lifelong disabilities and devastating complications is of great burden particularly to the MOH, as well as the community and the nation as a whole.

Research has seen that more women are likely to become obese as compared with men.

In what was never the case, Naitasiri, one of the most fertile provinces in the country, is now on the verge of a health crisis with more women suffering from lifestyle diseases.

The 2016 statistics released by the Health Ministry from the four health centres in the province revealed that 486 men are suffering from NCD as compared with 746 women. Of this figure, 60 men and 593 women are suffering from hypertension, while 46 men and 122 women are suffering from both hypertension and diabetes.

The Fiji Volleyball Federation, in conjunction with the Australian Government, is working closely with the ministry of health and villages in the province in trying to combat NCD.

"Findings from the Fiji NCD STEPS Survey conducted in 2002 found that females in Fiji were by far more obese than males, with indigenous Fijians almost doubling the rate of obesity compared with Fijians of Indian descent.

"The Fiji Volleyball Federation (FVF) is embarking on a program that aims to get women physically active in an effort to reduce the risk factors of NCDs. The initiative is part of the Australian Government's Pacific Sports Partnerships (PSP) program funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australian Aid program and managed by the Australian Sports Commission.

"PSP is supporting the Volleyball Australia and Oceania Zonal Volleyball Association to build the capacity of the Fiji Volleyball Federation (FVF) to conduct quality sport for development programs," said FVF official Semaima Lagilagi.

Over the past three weeks, officials from the FVF have been conducting health and fitness programs in the province of Naitasiri.

"The team has been working with two villages, Naqali and Naluwai, for the last three weeks," she said.

"The villagers are required to undergo a basic screening at the beginning of the program and at the end to monitor their health and physical activity levels.

"The response that we have received has been very positive.

"The villagers, precisely the women, really enjoyed the program and most of them have recommended that we visit them again."

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Clinics, aerobics fight off NCDs - Fiji Times

Customers love her dedication. She may not know it, but she was, and still is, my motivation for my fitness and health, explained Candy Villareal, Bladium member, who has worked out with Garcia for the past ten years. Amelia has changed my life completely.

This sentiment is common among the members. Garcia has been the Group Fitness Manager of the sports club for the past eleven years. Since joining, she has transformed the lives of countless of individuals, some perhaps initially intimidated at the thought of working out, but who found a safe heaven and a sense of community at Bladium.

It was actually those workouts with her mom that fostered her desire to become an instructor. As a college student at Humboldt State, she did just that, obtaining her certification to teach step-aerobics, and even teaching classes during her time as an undergrad.

Garcias style of teaching, and her devotion to fitness and desire help people get fit, has even converted members of the club into instructors. You gotta love what you do, and it will automatically inspire people, she said.

I tried every class she taught, because I couldnt get enough of how strong and powerful her coaching was, Jayne Gagliano, an RPM instructor at Bladium, fondly remembered. Eventually, I took her RPM class, and that was it: I was hooked, and I knew I wanted to be an instructor myself.

Garcia says that fitness should make you feel good, even if it is just a mental release, and a boost of confidence. But she also understands the struggle to find the time to work out; she is also a mom of two a toddler and a six-month baby girl and also a wife.

Not only is it rare that someone loves what they do for a living, she gives everything shes got, gushed her husband, Gabriel Avila. She leads by example.

Garcias forged a community bond at Bladium. Since her tenure began, she has made sure that members feel comfortable, and actually want to come back and become regulars. Her reach goes beyond the hours at the sports club; she uses Facebook to keep in touch with members, and shares tips not only for fitness, but also about healthy eating habits, too.

Have a question about a fitness tracker? Garcia has plenty of answers. Need a quick workout routine to try on your own? Shell even film one for you.

I want our [Bladium] family to continue to grow, make sure that new people feel comfortable, and find something they like about fitness, she explained.

Learn more at BladiumAlameda.com.

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Best Fitness Motivator: Amelia Avila Garcia - East Bay Express

GREENVILLE, S.C., Aug. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Max Sacks International, a global leader in sales training, is pleasedto announce the launch ofanewglobal collaboration with Medpoint University, a division of Medpoint, LLC, a leading provider of quality, regulatory, and clinical consulting and training services.

The new partnership will provide training for professionals seeking certifications in selling skills and sales management skills. Thenew initiative will tailor its training to meet the unique needs of individuals in the medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and quality industries.

"We are very excited to be partnering with Max Sacks International and its distribution channel", said MedpointCEO, Chuck Crumpton.

"One of the challenges in the current competitive business environment is a lack of understanding by B2B sales people and their managers regarding the science and psychology of how people buy and why people buy. We are eager to combine our quality industry experience with Max Sacks to build a truly one-of-a-kind sales training program for this industry.

Medpoint University's sales training will fill the gap with a sales process the Track Selling System that has been field tested and proven effective for more than 50 years. Thousands of large corporations like IBM, Apple Computer, Milliken, Bank of America, as well as many smaller firms have utilized Track Selling globally.

We recognize a need for continuing professional development during a lifetime career in sales. Our partnership is designed to take advantage of an improving selling economy and provide program participants with a successful method of selling from one of the most prestigious sales training providers in the world," Chuck Crumpton added.

Ron Holm, Sales Strategist and Senior Instructor for Max Sacks International and Medpoint liaison, explained further, "Building selling skills and sales tools to improve client results are time-tested hallmarks of our programs on the path to earning these valuable credentials. We are excited about our new Medpoint partnership and the ability to offer our programs in a combination of public and in-house workshops as well as Value Proposition Selling tools. We believe that any company's greatest asset is the undeveloped potential of its people and the Medpoint University will become an asset that has indispensable value for employers as well as employees."

Medpoint University's newinitiative provides direct classroom access to instructors, extending corporate clients and individual learner access to a variety of public and in-house training workshops and sales tools.

About Max Sacks International:

Founded in 1958, Max Sacks International with its Track Selling System consistently ranks among the world's most effective and popular sales training institutions.Max Sacks International based its Track Selling program on the science and psychology of how people buy and why people buy. The company adapts each program to its client products, services, and sales cycles. More than 250,000 sales professionals have attended Track Selling workshops in 22 countries. According to a Pepperdine University Study, comparing before-and-after sales training results, typical graduates increased their sales an average of 30%.

About Medpoint, LLC

Medpoint is a global provider of expert consulting, permanent placement, and training services to clients in the Medical Device, Pharmaceutical, and Biotechnology industries. The company specializes in the areas of quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and clinical affairs.

Media Contact:Ronald D. Mathis, Medpoint, LLC, (800) 200-9292, rel="nofollow">ron.mathis@medpoint.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE Medpoint, LLC

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Max Sacks and Medpoint Start New Sales Skills Certification Program - Markets Insider

Wigler joined HER Realtors in October 2014 as Corporate Development Director and has a vast background in real estate sales and training. During her time with HER, she has been responsible for new agent sales training, and the ongoing professional development of all sales associates. In her newly expanded role, Wigler will be growing the company's relocation services division through corporate calling on area employers and increasing the company's recruitment efforts through area colleges and universities.

"I couldn't be more excited about the expansion and continued growth of services to meet the needs of our corporate clients and sales associates," said Susan Wigler, Vice President of Corporate Development."Our emphasis has always been on quality service and with the incredible growth we've experience over the last few years, we are ramping up our efforts to ensure every relocation client and sales associate gets the support and service they deserve."

Susan resides in Powell with her husband Marc and their two grown children live in the Columbus area.

About HER Realtors

Founded in 1956, HER Realtors is the country's largest agent-owned real estate firm and is consistently recognized as one of the most innovative technologically advanced and award-winning firms in the country. With 1,250 agents and 75 offices throughout Ohio and Northern Kentucky, HER Realtors offers a full-range of services to its clients includingresidential and commercial real estate sales, property management and rental services, mortgage, title services, insurance, home warranties, and other home-related, lifestyle services. To learn more, visitwww.HERRealtors.com.

Contact:

Leanne Chylik

Chief Marketing Officer| HER Realtors

(614)273-8570

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/her-realtors-names-susan-wigler-vice-president-of-corporate-development-300501961.html

SOURCE HER Realtors

http://www.HERRealtors.com

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HER Realtors Names Susan Wigler Vice President Of Corporate Development - PR Newswire (press release)

INDIANAPOLIS -

Most people think they know a franchise when they see oneMcDonalds, Subway, 7-Eleven, Anytime Fitness, to name a few. However, there are some franchise relationships that are not so obvious. Many business relationships, including those in manufacturing and distribution, could easily become accidental franchises if companies are not careful. Becoming an accidental franchise can bring significant ramifications most manufacturers do not appreciate until its too late. For example, a manufacturer that terminates its distributor may find itself in court, defending against alleged violations of state franchise relationship laws. These manufacturer/distributor relationships can also sometimes unwittingly trigger administrative investigations, penalties, and fines from state franchise regulators.

Click for more information about Ice Miller

The good news? These problems can be mitigated by understanding what a franchise is and what steps can be taken to avoid falling prey to an accidental franchise.

Franchise Defined

The definition of a franchise boils down to three elements: (1) a marketing plan, (2) a substantial association with the franchisors trademark, and (3) the payment of a franchise fee. Identifying these factors will help minimize the risk of an accidental franchise. Keep in mind; it is entirely irrelevant what the parties call their agreement or relationship. Substance prevails over form.

This was certainly the case in Master Abrasives Corp. v. Williams, wherein the Indiana Court of Appeals held that a distribution agreement was really an accidental franchise.[1] The distributor in that case paid the manufacturer $3,000 for the selling rights to the manufacturers trademarked product, which triggered the second and third franchise elements. The court also determined the distribution agreement contained a marketing plan, based on the following items: (1) the state was divided into marketing areas; (2) the manufacturer had the right to establish sales quotas; (3) the manufacturer had the right to approve or disapprove of the distributors employees; (4) the distributors employees were required to attend sales training conducted by the manufacturer at which the employees were given quotation sheets, invoices, and other sales forms; (5) the manufacturer instructed the distributors employees as to what types of customers should be contacted; and (6) the manufacturer established a policy on giving sample products. Although subsequent cases acknowledge these factors are not exhaustive, this case demonstrates that accidental franchises can and do happen.

Why Franchise Laws Matter

Federal law, including Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations, governs the sale of franchises in all 50 states and requires franchisors to provide a prospective franchisee with a Franchise Disclosure Document at least 14 days before it pays any fees or signs a franchise agreement. The Franchise Disclosure Document must contain certain information, and the list of required disclosures is extensive. Like the FTC, several states have their own specific laws governing the offer and sale of franchises. In Indiana, for example, prior to offering or selling a franchise, franchisors must first file and register their Federal Disclosure Documents with the Indiana Secretary of State, Securities Division.

In addition to these mandatory disclosure and registration laws (prior to the sale of a franchise), several states also have laws governing the relationship between franchisors and franchisees, often imposing additional duties upon franchisors. The Indiana legislature, for example, has enacted the Indiana Deceptive Franchise Practice Act, which governs a franchisors ability to terminate a franchise agreement and bars certain acts and practices of the franchisor, such as discriminating between similar franchisees and unfair competition.

Manufacturers who inadvertently enter into distribution agreements with third parties, which the law would classify as a franchise, do not know these additional disclosure, registration, and relationship obligations exist. And yet the penalties for violating these laws can be severe, including civil penalties imposed by the government and/or civil damages pursued by the franchisee. These potential claims can also become ammunition for a distributor who is otherwise being terminated and wants to pursue its own claims against the manufacturer and/or wants to leverage a buyout of the distributors business under the threat of alerting other distributors (or state regulators) to the potential franchise-related claims.

Avoiding an Accidental Franchise

It is possible for manufacturers to avoid application of the franchise laws, though it is admittedly sometimes easier said than done. Each state, for example, does not apply the same standard for establishing the elements of a franchise.

Practically speaking, there is typically little dispute whether the distributor enjoys a substantial association with the manufacturers trademarks. Rather, manufacturers hoping to avoid the accidental franchise should pay particular attention to the marketing plan and franchisee fee elements.

The existence of a marketing plan is a fact-specific inquiry where manufacturers can protect themselves with a proactive approach. To determine whether a marketing plan exists, Indiana courts have looked at whether the purported franchisee is able to make business and marketing decisions free of restrictions or consent of the purported franchisor, whether there are certain sales quotas that must be satisfied, and whether the purported franchisor mandates specific training. The less control the manufacturer retains, the less likely a marketing plan is established.

Manufacturers should also be careful about the types and names of payments the distributors pay for the right to distribute products. Critically, Indiana (as well as other states) exclude from its definition of a franchisee fee, payments which do not exceed the bona fide wholesale price of goodsin other words, inventory purchased for resale. Thus, when a distributors only payment is for the bona fide wholesale price of goods, a distribution agreement is not a franchise, because there is no franchise fee involved. However, if the distributor is required to pay a separate fee for the right to sell the goods, in addition to purchasing inventory at the bona fide wholesale price, that additional fee could trigger the franchise element.

At the end of the day, each business arrangement is different. The world of franchising can be complex; manufacturers should be careful not to cross the line. Otherwise, they could create an accidental franchise relationship, which can necessitate complex regulatory compliance and potentially result in costly fines and penalties for noncompliance and create unintended leverage for disgruntled or terminated distributors.

For more information, contact Christina Fugate (317) 236-2374 or George Gasper (317) 236-2275.

[1] 469 N.E.2d 1196 (1984).

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Avoiding Accidental Franchise Pitfalls - Inside INdiana Business

If any American university might be positioned to begin a new online program all by itself, Harvard University -- with its world-famous brand, many-billion-dollar endowment and founding relationship with the online course provider edX -- might be it. But the university announced Monday that three of its schools would create a new business analytics certificate program with 2U, the online program management company.

A collaboration between 2U and professors at the Harvard Business School, the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the department of statistics in Harvard's main college, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the program will teach students how to leverage data and analytics to drive business growth.

Aimed at executives in full-time work, the program will be delivered through 2Us online platform and will feature live, seminar-style classes with Harvard faculty members. The program will cost around $50,000 for three semesters, with an estimated time requirement of 10 hours per week.

More Coverage of Digital LearningIf these issues interest you,please check out Inside Higher Ed'snew weekly newsletter, InsideDigital Learning, publishedevery Wednesday. Readmore here.

The Harvard Business School already offers certificate programs through its online education platform, HBx. But Karim Lakhani, a professor of business administration at the business school, said the university had decided to work with 2U rather than developing the program completely in-house, because of the company's strong technological capability and experience -- particularly in incorporating "live" aspects of online programs.

Chip Paucek, CEO of 2U, said the technology 2U can offer universities goes far beyond just what the student sees. The company can use analytics to predict things such as enrollment and completion of courses, in addition to making programs widely accessible, and securing content from cyberattack.

Aside from technology, 2U also offers up-front money. The company invests heavily in each of its partnerships, said Paucek, typically spending between $5million and $10million in the first few years. Each 2U partnership lasts a minimum of 10years to give the company time to recoup its investment from a significant slice of the student enrollment fees. Paucek said the partnership with Harvard was a high point in the companys 10-year history, and that the company was honored to be a brand ambassador for one of the best-known brands in the world.

Deciding to work with 2U was not a trivial decision for Harvard, said Paucek, adding that university officials were clear they would not commit to it if it was not one of the worlds best programs. Conversations about working together began around five years ago, according to Paucek. But it was not until two years ago that talks centered specifically on creating a business analytics program.

Lakhani acknowledged that Harvard has many resources at its disposal, including its existing technology platforms edX (which it founded with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and HBx, the business school's adapted platform. But while the university has used these platforms mostly to experiment with asynchronous massive open online courses, Harvard was interested in "another exploration in this space" and other ways to "reconceptualize the [educational] delivery model," Lakhani said.

Looking around for ways to do that, he said, led the university to 2U. "This experiment allows us to learn to say, if in fact we have a technology provider that will take on the burdens of infrastructure, and that has experience with running this type of program, we should take advantage of their expertise," he said.

Adapting to Explore an Emergent Field

Both 2U and Harvard recognized the potential in creating a program in business analytics. Data analytics has moved from the periphery to the center, said Lakhani. Its a shift thats now affecting every industry. We want our students to be able to understand that shift and develop the skills to take advantage of it. The program is intrinsically multidisciplinary, Lakhani said, and built on partnerships already founded at the university as part of President Drew Gilpin Fausts long-term ambition to break down barriers between Harvard schools.

When the first cohort of 60 or so students begins the program in March 2018, they will be exposed to the latest research in the field from Harvards world-leading faculty. It is the Harvard facultys expertise that Lakhani hopes will separate Harvards business analytics offering from programs offered by universities such as Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

Anne Trumbore, senior director of Wharton Online, said that her universitys business analytics specialization, offered through the online learning platform Coursera, was one of the universitys most popular. Im thrilled that Harvard is entering this space, said Trumbore, as theres a real demand in this area.

Paul Krause, CEO of eCornell, the university's internal provider of digital learning, agreed that there was high demand for business analytics programs but expressed surprise at the news of Harvards partnership with 2U.

OPMs usually partner with universities because they can offer capital or expertise that the university doesn't have, Krause said. "Harvard already has the capital and the expertise.

The deal between Harvard and 2U comes as some analysts and observers question whether universities will (and should) continue to pay outside companies to take their programs online. (A highly critical report Monday questioned whether such arrangements might undermine public higher education.)

Paucek of 2U said that the new arrangement offers an emphatic yes to that question, from one of the highest-profile universities in the world. "It's great for us to be able to show," he said, "that even Harvard is interested in what 2U can offer."

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Harvard Goes Outside to Go Online - Inside Higher Ed

August 9, 2017

By: Adventist Review Staff

A couple with extensive experience in educating families was recently awarded the 2017 Spalding Medallion, during the Adventist Conference on Family Research and Practice held at Andrews University, in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Pattiejean and Jeffrey Brown were presented the Arthur & Maud Spalding Medallion, the highest honor given by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Family Ministries, on July 22.

Jeff and Pattiejean have given outstanding leadership in Family Ministries on several continents for over two decades, as directors, trainers, workshop facilitators and authors of several books, wrote General Conference Family Ministries director Willie Oliver in sharing the news with Adventist Review. Our church has stronger and healthier families because of their intentional efforts.

Our church has stronger and healthier families because of their intentional efforts

Intertwined in Service

Pattiejean (ne McMahon) was born in Bermuda and graduated from Atlantic Union College (BA Liberal Arts, BSc Behavioral Science). Jeffrey was born in England, of Jamaican parents, and graduated from Newbold College (BA) and Andrews University (MDiv, Ph.D. Religious Education, family life and counseling emphasis.)

Pattiejean served as Bermuda Conference Family Ministries Assistant and director of Ministerial Spouses. She is now employed with the General Conference Human Relations department. Jeffrey pastored in Canada, served as Bermuda Conference president and family ministries director, director of the Bradford Cleveland Brooks Leadership Center at Oakwood University, and editor of Family Life. He now serves as associate editor of Ministry and associate secretary of the General Conference Ministerial Association, in Silver Springs, Maryland, United States.

The Browns also have twelve years overseas experience. Pattiejean worked in England as a long-term care worker. Jeffrey served in England as pastor, counselor, and director of Pastoral Studies at Adventist-operated Newbold College.

Pattiejean has authored What On Earth Am I Doing? Leadership Lessons for Clergy Spouses,and Jeffrey has authored Single and Gifted. Together they have authored Total Marriage, A Guide To Parenting, and The Love Seasons. They are blessed with two children, Kristle (MA mental health counseling, Florida) and Jamel (MBA, California).

They are certified with Prepare/Enrich and Marriage Commitment Leadership from John and Millie Youngberg, their mentors in family life education. Jeffrey is also a Certified Family Life Educator. They have been privileged to minister in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

The Spalding Medallion

Inaugurated in 1990 by then General Conference Directors of Family Ministries Karen and Ron Flowers, the Arthur & Maud Spalding Medallion was named after the first couple to lead Family Ministries in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

On October 8, 1919, the General Conference Committee created the Home Commission which became operative in 1922 with Arthur W. Spalding as director, who worked in this capacity with his wife Maud, until 1941. Spalding created literature for the education of the entire family. A series of leaflets were produced dealing with different phases of home life entitled, The Christian Home Series. Arthur W. Spalding wrote the lessons and Maud Spalding graded them.

In 1975, at the General Conference Session held in Vienna, Austria, Delmer, and Betty Holbrook were elected directors of the Home and Family Service. Holbrook, who served as director of Family Ministries (the Home and Family Service) with his wife Betty from 1975-1982, was the first recipient of the award. Including the Browns, a total of 43 individuals have been honored with the medallion.

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Couple Honored for Their Contributions to Family Education - Adventist Review

WASHINGTON | Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Wednesday distanced herself from her comment earlier this year about the nations historically black colleges and universities being pioneers of school choice, saying that in the past there were no choices for African-Americans in higher education.

When I talked about it being a pioneer in choice it was because I acknowledge that racism was rampant and there were no choices, DeVos said in an interview with The Associated Press in her office at the Education Department. These HBCUs provided choices for black students that they didnt have.

DeVos, who marks six months in office this week, alienated many African-Americans in February when she described historically black colleges as real pioneers when it comes to school choice. In May, she was booed while attending the commencement ceremony at a historically black college in Florida.

My intention was to say they were pioneering on behalf of students that didnt have another choice. This was their only choice, DeVos said. At the same time I should have decried much more forcefully the ravages of racism in this country.

The Trump administration and DeVos have come under criticism from civil rights advocates for undoing some civil rights protections, including rescinding Obama-era federal guidance that instructed schools to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms of their choice and President Donald Trump calling for banning transgender individuals from serving in the military.

DeVos, a billionaire Republican donor and long-standing school choice activist from Michigan, said that she has spent her career campaigning on behalf of minority children.

Thats where my heart has been for three decades is to really empower and allow all families the same kind of opportunities Ive had for my kids, she said.

At the same time, DeVos acknowledged that she could have done more to reach out to African-American communities around the country to make her position more clear.

Ive had these conversations with some of the African-American organizations that represent higher education, but probably not as explicitly as I am right now, DeVos said.

The NAACP and the National Association For Equal Opportunity in Higher Education did not return requests for comment about DeVos remarks.

The issue of minorities access to higher education remains controversial today. The Justice Department said last week it would conduct an inquiry into how race influences admissions at Harvard University after a coalition of more than 60 Asian-American groups brought a complaint alleging the school uses race as a factor in admissions and discriminates against Asian-Americans by holding them to a higher standard.

DeVos said her department was not involved in that process and added that this has been a question for the courts and the courts have opined.

The Supreme Court last year upheld a University of Texas program that considers race, among other factors, in admissions, offering a narrow victory for affirmative action. A white Texan who was denied admission to the university sued, but the high court said the Texas plan complied with earlier court rulings that allow colleges to consider race in an effort to bolster diversity.

At Americas elite private colleges, many of which have drawn criticism over race-conscious admission policies, incoming classes have become increasingly diverse in recent years.

Asked whether race should play a role in college admissions, DeVos said it is already being considered in the selection process.

Well, they are looking at that, that is a factor today, DeVos said referring to college admissions officers. I am not going to debate that, I am not going to discuss that.

But DeVos said the key to giving students equal access to higher education lies in elementary and secondary school.

It is not fair to think that when students transit through a K-12 system that is not preparing them for beyond, that somehow we are going to waive a magic wand and things are going to be perfect for them at the higher-ed level, DeVos said.

So Ive always said: What we should really be talking about is what are we doing to ensure that every single child no matter their family income, no matter their racial background, no matter their zip code has equal opportunities to access a quality education.

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Education Secretary DeVos says she didn't decry racism enough - Online Athens