OK Tornadoes: How You Can Help!

At 3:00p.m. on Monday, May 20, 2013 the lives of people in Moore, Oklahoma were changed forever as the place they called home was destroyed by a tornado. Oklahoma FCCLA is collecting monetary donations for the Red Cross. They will make one lump sum donation to the Red Cross on June 10, 2013. Let’s all come together as an organization and help our friends in Oklahoma during their tragic loss. Please make checks payable to Oklahoma FCCLA. Please write “Disaster Relief” in the memo line of the check. Checks can be mailed to Oklahoma FCCLA, 1500 W. Seventh Ave., Stillwater, OK 74074.  Thank you all for your help during this time of need.Here are some safety tips in case a natural disaster was to ever occur in your area.

• Prepare for tornadoes by gathering emergency supplies including food, water, medications, batteries, flashlights, important documents, road maps, and a full tank of gasoline.
• When a tornado approaches, anyone in its path should take shelter indoors—preferably in a basement or an interior first-floor room or hallway.
• Avoid windows and seek additional protection by getting underneath large, solid pieces of furniture.
• Avoid automobiles and mobile homes, which provide almost no protection from tornadoes.
• Those caught outside should lie flat in a depression or on other low ground and wait for the storm to pass.

If you have any questions, or want to know more ways that you can get involved, please contact me at jhess@fcclainc.org.

Staying Involved

If any of you graduating seniors are like me, you’re sad about leaving behind this amazing organization as you move on to the next chapter of your life. While it will be hard to say goodbye to my student membership, I am excited to continue down my path of leadership and put all of the amazing skills that FCCLA has given me into good use. Little tidbits of knowledge such as showing up early to an interview, how to dress professionally, and the mechanics of a proper handshake are just a few of the many things I can thank FCCLA for teaching me. I know the experiences I’ve had, the people I’ve met and the skills I have developed through this organization will follow me into my future endeavors. I am so thankful to have been impacted by FCCLA and want to continue to stay involved with it, even after graduation. If you are still in the same boat with me, don’t worry – there are plenty of opportunities to stay active!

1)      Join Alumni & Associates! Check out http://fcclaalumni.org/ for more information on how to register and become connected to loads of fellow alumni. There are lots of new things with A&A, including an official council, new marketing/membership campaign (Beyond the Red) and more – all for your enjoyment! PS – if you’re a graduating senior, you can use the following discount code when registering for Alumni and Associates – “SNRS-1”

2)      Help out your chapter! Come back and participate in fundraisers, help prepare STAR participants or serve as an interviewer for chapter elections!

3)      Stay active on the state level! Successful conferences greatly depend on the hard work of volunteers. Talk to your state staff about judging STAR events, running the FCCLA store, or helping fill registration packets

4)      Keep up to date with the national organization. Judging STAR events at NLC, presenting workshops at Cluster and NLC, donating money to scholarship funds, and applying to be a part of the Leadership Training Team are just a few of the many ways you can continue to give back to FCCLA!

Again, the above examples are just a couple of ways you can get involved. Talk to your advisers, state staff and check out the national website for more information. Don’t forget to spread the word about these awesome opportunities and help more people stay connected to the Ultimate Leadership Experience!

                                                             -Linsey Armstrong, National Vice-President of Public Relations

It Can Wait

The dangers of texting and driving are a hot topic right now, especially with today’s younger generation. You can join FCCLA and AT&T as they work together to stop distracted driving through the It Can Wait Campaign. The FCCLA It Can Wait panel has lots of great resources available to chapters to get involved. Members, advisers, alumni and more can take the No Text On Board pledge, download the AT&T resources kit, take surveys and participate in new contests where you can win money for your school! For more information, check out the National website: www.fcclainc.org >> Programs >> FACTS – Families Acting for Community Traffic Safety >> It Can Wait Campaign.

                                                                            -Marquis Johnson, National FCCLA Vice-President of Parliamentary Law and It Can Wait Youth Panel member

GYTSM

FCCLA members! Did you know that on average 47 teens every summer weekend die due to distracted driving related crashes? It's officially May which means it is Global Youth Traffic Safety Month. Our partner, the National Organizations for Youth Safety, have done a great job educating our nation about this epidemic. But there is still more that needs to be done! We need YOUR help spreading awareness about GYTSM and the issue of distracted driving. So join help us make some NOYS noise and promote Global Youth Traffic Safety Month this month on social media and by word of mouth! Together we can spark a change and save lives.
                                                                   -Elliot Johnson, National President