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

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!”

Linsey with her two successors for the position of NE State President.

Chandler and Linsey with newly elected NE State Officer, Alicia Hamling.

Linsey and members of the WA State Executive Council.

                                                   

Linsey and Garrhett Petrea, 2013-2014 WA State President.

                                                     

Alumni Spotlight - Lane Swedberg

Hey everyone! My name is Lane Swedberg and FCCLA has had a huge impact on my life! I know it sounds cliché, but that statement could not be any truer. First, I better start by introducing myself.

As I said, my name is Lane and I am from a small town in southwest Nebraska known as Wallace. I grew up on my family’s farm just north of town with my four brothers, sister, and my parents. I graduated in May of 2011 in a small class of just eighteen students, and now I currently attend Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska. I am a Secondary Math Education major with a minor in Music. Here at Chadron, I work as a Student Ambassador giving tours to prospective students and as a math tutor for the college helping other students with their College Algebra homework. I am also a Resident Advisor in my residence hall where I put on programs throughout the semester to get students out of their dorm rooms and involved on campus. On top of that, I am involved in EVERYTHING, including student government, numerous clubs, and the CSC Campus Activities Board. My involvement in all of these extra programs is all thanks to the leadership skills that I have gained through FCCLA.

When I was a freshman in high school, I was looking for ways to get involved to build up my résumé. I signed up for FCCLA because my siblings had been involved and it looked like a fun organization. Little did I know that this “fun organization” would grab my life and turn me into the leader that I am today. My first year involved, I was elected as the Wallace FCCLA Chapter Treasurer. Being elected to a leadership position my first year was a thrilling experience. I was so determined to complete my duties to the best of my ability. I began to think of ways to build our chapter leadership and get our chapter more involved. I competed in STAR all four years on high school and was fortunate to win two gold medals at nationals in Parliamentary Procedure my freshman and sophomore year. This ambition only grew when I became the District 13 Vice-President and then the Vice-President of Career Student Organizations for the Nebraska FCCLA State Association in 2010.

As a state association, we strived not only to increase the number of FCCLA members but also to build a firm foundation of positive leaders with the members we already had. During my term, I headed the first ever Go Green project and the Nebraska FCCLA Knowledge Bowl. All of this has led up to me being selected to work at FCCLA national headquarters in Reston, Virginia this summer as the Competitive Events Intern. I am extremely excited to see where this adventure takes me. FCCLA has given me so much and I can’t wait to give back in anyway possible. I have been very blessed to have had success in this organization and there are many people to thank that helped me along the way, including my chapter, district, and state advisors, state officer team, friends, family, and most importantly God.

So as you can see, FCCLA has been always been a major part of my life. When I graduated, it was a tough realization that I wouldn’t be able to be as involved in FCCLA, but I had no intention of completely ridding FCCLA from my life. I try to help out in anyway that I can whether it is phone calls with my chapter Parliamentary Procedure team or speaking to students about my experiences in FCCLA. In college, I am using skills that I learned from FCCLA every day when I am organizing my schedule or talking with students. FCCLA has helped me in my character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communications, practical knowledge, and most importantly in my career preparation. Competing in STAR helped me develop public speaking skills and the courage to stand up and take part in a student government meeting by making a motion. The program Student Body has helped me make right decisions when it comes to personal health by eating right and staying fit. The benefits go on and on and all of this was through FCCLA.

Now, to you, the readers. What can you take from my life experiences? 

Students – I encourage you to get involved with an organization whether it be FCCLA or another Career and Technical Student Organization. Do not just sit back and let others lead – step up and do your part! Take on a community service project in your school or run for a chapter office. Don’t let it stop there! Continue on and reach out to large groups of students and encourage them to get involved, run for a state office! The sky is the limit when you become a part of FCCLA!

            Alumni – Stay involved in organizations. Just because you are not in high school anymore does not mean there are not any opportunities out there for you to be a leader. Instead of being a part of a club as a “resume stuffer,” get involved and see where you end up. You would be surprised the joy and satisfaction you receive from seeing other students succeed because of your hard work and dedication. Make a difference by helping out clubs like FCCLA by evaluating STAR projects or being a member of the Alumni and Associates.

In all of this, I hope that my story has impacted you in some way to become a better leader. I am looking forward to being involved in FCCLA again this summer and who knows? I might run into some of you at National Leadership Conference in Nashville, TN this upcoming July!

Lane Swedberg

Photo by Bubblegum Pop Photography

Global Youth Service Day

Serve it up!

Do you want to make a difference in your community?  Do you have a passion for serving others?  Do you want to participate in the largest service event in the world?  If you answered “yes” to any of these you need to create a project for Global Youth Service Day presented by FCCLA’s partner Youth Service America (YSA.)  Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) takes place on April 26-28, 2013 and engages youth from over 100 countries from all walks of life to serve one common goal, to better their community.  You can get involved by creating a service project and registering it on GYSD.org.  This same website has ideas for projects, resources, a project locator, and an interactive map!  Start planning your project today and register quickly so that you can be a part of the largest service event in the world!  As always, feel free to email me at sborchardt@fcclainc.org if you have any questions or check out gysd.org ysa.org or follow @youthservice and #GYSD on twitter!

In the spirit of service,

Skylar Borchardt

National VP of Competitive Events