FCCLA National Executive Council: SLC Recaps

Elliot Johnson, President

Iowa, Oklahoma, South Dakota

Although I was plagued by the flu from attending Georgia's SLC and stopped by winter weather from going to Ohio's and Minnesota's SLC, I was honored to attend Iowa's and Oklahoma's State Conferences! The conferences were filled with eager leaders who were doing amazing things in their states. Being able to witness the hard work the members put together for their communities was a true testament to why FCCLA is the ultimate leadership experience! I am attending the conference of my home state in South Dakota this weekend and can't wait to see all the members this summer in Nashville, Tennessee!

Elliot speaking at a general session.

Justin Hess, First Vice President

Virginia

I had the honor of assisting the 2012-2013 Virginia FCCLA State Executive Council and state staff plan an Extraordinary State Leadership and Recognition Conference held in the beautiful city of Virginia Beach. The 2013 SLRC had over 1, 300 members, advisers and special guest getting a Reality Check. The state officers conducted entertaining general sessions as they created a Virginia FCCLA reality show.

Justin and the VA State Executive Council.

Magda Hernandez, Vice-President of Community Service

Texas

The Texas State Leadership conference had over 4,000 attendees. Many were excited to participate in competitive events, LEOs, and different member mixers. Through great speakers, participants were able to discover that they too can be leaders.

Skylar Borchardt, Vice-President of Competitive Events

Minnesota

The Minnesota State Conference was a memorable one with being blasted with over 8 inches of snow! The over 1,000 attendees made this conference worthwhile. Minnesota had a teen bulking prevention summit with Craig Scott of Rachel's Challenge as a featured speaker. Craig shared is inspiring and motivating message to all which attracted press from around the state at legislators! The new state officer team was also elected, good luck to them!

Members of the 2013-2014 MN State Executive Council.

Skylar and the 2013-2014 MN State President, Ethan Dressen.

Chandler Classen, Vice-President of Development

Delaware, Nebraska, Minnesota

On March 25th I was able to fly to Delaware for their State Conference in Dover. Throughout the conference I was able to present workshops on topics ranging from, promoting FCCLA to the 4 Keys of Confidence, and running for office. I was also able to present a keynote address on the importance of following your passion and not taking “no” for an answer. I was able to meet with many students and talk about the impact of FCCLA and the importance of CTE and CTSO’s.

At the Nebraska State Leadership Conference, I spoke at general sessions, presented a workshop on the 4 Keys of Confidence and assisted with the FCCLA Knowledge Bowl.

On April 11th and 12th I was able to attend the Minnesota FCCLA State Leadership Conference. Throughout my time there I presented a workshop on promoting FCCLA and how to develop leadership skills. I was also able to conduct a networking session and met with hundreds of members throughout the state. In Minnesota I was also a part of the opening general session and skit.

Throughout all of the state conferences I attended I was able to meet hundreds of members, and encourage some of them to do take the next step in FCCLA and Discover their Voice.

Ashley Faulkner, Vice-President of Finance

Florida, Pennsylvania, West Virginia

I had an amazing time attending State Conferences and meeting tons of members! I got to attend the Florida State Leadership Conference in sunny Orlando, Florida! Alongside the amazing weather, I got to discover FCCLA: The Best Kept Secret! I was so excited to give the welcome amongst their 800 awesome attendees. Their keynote speaker, Scott Backovich literally made me laugh until I cried. In the Snowy Mountains of Seven Springs with Pennsylvania FCCLA I got a #realitycheck at Leadercon! They had 500 attendees who all discovered their super power! I presented a workshop on running for office and had the pleasure of introducing the state officers! Kent Julian, the keynote speaker, was the master of Simon Says. In my home state of West Virginia, our State Meeting was held at Cedar Lakes, the FCCLA FFA camp where we found our Incredible Leadership! I presented two workshops, one on National Outreach Projects and one on paying it forward. It was great being in the place that my journey started! Thank you to Florida, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia's state officers and members for making me feel like a part of their family!

Ashley giving the welcome in Florida.

Ashley and two new FL State Officers.

Ashley with two new PA State Officers and State President.

Ashley and the WV State Council.

Caleb Hearon, Vice-President of Membership

Indiana, Missouri

In March I was privileged enough to attend the Indiana State Conference in Indianapolis! We strolled down the red carpet of leadership and it was lights, camera, action the whole weekend! The conference was very impressive which is no surprise based on the quality of state officers and staff that I met. The passion for FCCLA and Family and Consumer Sciences is definitely alive and well in Indiana to say the least!

At the 2013 Missouri FCCLA SLC the Mission was Possible! Close to 2,000 MO FCCLA members gathered to celebrate leadership and have some fun. The state officers put on a wonderful show as usual and the state staff/advisers gave 110% to make this conference incredible! I loved being at my last Missouri conference and my incredible state association did not disappoint!

Marquis Johnson, Vice-President of Parliamentary Law

Arkansas, Kentucky

I had a great time at my home state, the Arkansas State Leadership Conference. The State Executive Council was awesome to work with. The theme was Explore your Horizons with Arkansas FCCLA.

The other conference I attended was in Kentucky. It was also amazing the Kentucky delegation. They were so hospitable they treated me as their own. There were about 900 or so members were in attendance. Their theme was Adventures in Kentucky Leaderland.

Ashley Labrum, Vice-President of Programs

Wyoming, Colorado, Utah

Wyoming: SURVIVOR! Members had a blast as they competed in a “quiz FCCLA bowl” test the state officers had put together. All members got together outside as we made the BIGGEST assembly line known to man to help with the on-site serve. As the night was late to the old ones, but young to the kids we had a blast at the “Fun Night!” We played on blow up toys, minute to win it games, ate food, and then, we all watch the doogle ball game! It cost $1 to play and the money is going to March of Dimes.

Everyone did an outstanding in there STAR Events and the workshops were well attend. Plus, who doesn’t love WY? It’s cowboys and cowgirls!

Colorado: Lights! Camera! Action! What a conference.

• Did your chapter do a National Program? If they did, join us at the V.I.P party!

• Need a great keynote speaker? We had one! Scott Bachovich.

• Need a change of heart? Go to any of the many workshops prepared just for you!

• Don’t forget the dance- WOOOT!

• State Officers all have Ipads on stage with their lines on them? High tech right here in Colorado.

Utah: Pack your Bag!

Members came ready to pack their bag to the future as they learned new leadership skills with the activities the State Officers had planned for the two days. Members were able to attend workshops, sing and dance their heart out, and watch very funny skits! Utah had an outstanding number of applications for State Officers this year.

Everyone had a blast and did really well in there STAR Events! I had a ton of fun at all the conferences and I would come back any day!

Ashley with her State Adviser and a member sporting FCCLA gear.

Linsey Armstrong, Vice-President of Public Relations

Nebraska, Washington

I attended the Nebraska State Leadership Conference on April 7-9^th. I had a great time bonding with the state council, as well as meeting the new group of officers. I served as Lead Honorary Conference Assistant, spoke at general sessions, and presented a workshop on Spread the Red. About 1,500 members were in attendance, with over 600 STAR event participants. “Lights, Camera, Take Action” was a great theme for the fun conference!

On April 10-12^th, I flew to Wenatchee, Washington, for their state conference. I had an amazing time in the Apple Capital of the World! I enjoyed bonding with their amazing State Executive Council, keynoting at their second general session, and presenting the Spread the Red session. Other fun things included the mixer, dance and STAR awards banquet! Over 600 members got to experience “#realitycheck – Check Yourself into Leadership!”