WILTON – The Maine Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Conference Planning Group offers a full program at its fall conference Nov. 15 at Thomas College in Waterville. The purpose is to help its members and other interested professionals face the challenges caused by a sluggish economy, educational budget reductions, federal mandates and unemployment.

Executing Peak Performance: Professional & Personal is a one-day workshop designed to provide ideas and techniques that professionals may apply to both career and personal life to maximize job performance, reduce stress and increase success. The one-day program includes speakers on educational practices, career change and job retention, power presentations, and initiation of policy changes.

Maxine Peterson of the Minnesota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, will present Best Practice, a two-hour seminar of teaching strategies, repeating the program recently done at the 2003 AAFCS National Convention in Washington, D.C.

Other presenters are: Sue Mexcur, marketing manager for Headlight Audio Visual in Portland; Judy Hanscom, personal finance instructor at the University of Maine; Eve-Susan McPheeters, proprietor of The Red Geranium II; Ramona Freeman from Hammond Lumber Co., Kathy Walker of Rape Response Services; Katherine Musgrave, professor emerita and dietitian; Sherry Donato, design consultant for Home Depot; Patti Whitten, manager of Organizational Encouragement; and Rep. Tom B. Saviello, Maine House District 77.

Early conference registration is recommended prior to Nov. 8. Workshop sessions begin at 9 a.m. at Thomas College, 180 West River Road, Waterville, on Saturday, Nov. 15. Conference charge is $45 for Maine AFCS members and $55 for nonmembers. For registration forms and information, phone 207-645-3092.