Taking the Next Step

We all know that community support is the key to a successful chapter, but finding that support isn’t always obvious. Starting an advisory board can be one of the best ways to gain both financial and general support.

The make-up of an advisory board can vary depending on what your chapter needs are, but a good start is a chapter officer, two or three local business representatives, a parent of active members, and a member of the school board. Reporting monthly activities to the advisory board will make them aware of all that is going on in the chapter. First hand perspectives from parent and chapter officers will help the rest of the group better understand the need for support. Including administration such as a school board member can give your chapter a leg up when going to ask for more funding or travel vouchers.

Picking business representatives can be the trickiest part. Try to start with those that are interested. Send out invites to several people you’d like to be on the board. Not all of them will say yes or have enough time to give the support you need. Start with people on the school alumni board, booster club, city chamber of commerce. Choose businesses that directly benefit from chapter projects.
Remember to check your school’s guidelines for advisory boards to adhere to preexisting rules. After a year or two a successful advisory board will sustain itself and be an invaluable asset to your chapter.

Do YOU Dig It!?

FCCLA and Cause Creative are excited to present the 2009-2011 National Outreach Project benefitting the Children’s Miracle Network. All affiliated chapters should be receiving their Dig It! kits any day now. The kits will include information and materials – including seeds, envelopes, and guide sheets.

It is up to each chapter to figure out what to do with the seeds – although the possibilities are endless, some ideas include: planting a flower garden outside of your school to honor a sick student or with permission, plant them in a children’s hospital garden. Most importantly, chapters are raising money to make miracles happen for sick children and each seed planted will represent a miracle.

For more information on the National Outreach Project, please visit the national FCCLA website by following this link: http://www.fcclainc.org/content/dig-it--childrens-miracle-network/

The Power of Advocacy

Last week students and advisers from all across the country came to Washington, D.C., to participate in USA Leadership Training and Adviser Academy. Held simultaneously, these conferences build on earlier phases of state officer and new adviser training. Advisers attended sessions on legislative training and advocacy methods, fundraising and grant writing, and building leadership in student members. The group spent a day on Capitol Hill visiting their Congressional representatives to talk about the importance of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). Several groups met with staff while others had the opportunity to meet directly with their Congressperson or Senator. The Ohio group of students and advisers had a very productive session with Minority Leader Congressman John Boehner (R-OH). Con. Boehner weekly newsletter highlights his visit with the visitors. Congratulations, Ohio, on the great meeting and follow up!

MEETING WITH THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW

On Thursday, Congressman Boehner met with student leaders of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) in his Washington, D.C. Office. Included in the group were two residents of Troy. The students and their chaperones were attending a national conference of FCCLA Students in Washington.
"These students are the future leaders of our nation," Congressman Boehner said. "As the former Chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee, I am very familiar with the many challenges facing our education system today, and I understand how important these organizations are to the development and success of our young people."
Students grilled Congressman Boehner on everything from the future of Pell Grants (he supports them) to whether the congressman plans to run for president (he doesn't; he just wants Nancy Pelosi's speaker's gavel).
FCCLA is a nonprofit national career and technical organization for young men and women in family and consumer sciences education in public and private school through grade 12. Involvement in FCCLA offers members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life - planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision making, and interpersonal communication.

The Adviser-to-Adviser group was asked to share their favorite fundraisers with you.

Sheila T. from Arkansas shares her fundraising ideas below.

The first fundraiser we plan to conduct is selling Sonic Coupon Cards for $5.00 each. They do not cost us anything and it is all profit for the students. I check out 3 cards to each student to pay their membership dues, $15. After their dues are paid they may have 2 more cards to pay $10 on their state T-shirt. If they sell 5 cards they have $25 to pay their dues. Membership dues are definitely the first fundraiser we have. The next fundraiser is a high school dance and the proceeds go to our National, State, and District projects that need money. In November we will sell poinsettias for the month of December. We have a nursery 6 miles from the school they deliver to the school and members deliver to the customers. We make $5.00 per plant. We are looking into the “Crush “project for homecoming.

For more information on raising money check out the new Fundraising Ideas section on our website at http://fcclainc.org/content/fundraising-ideas/.