National Executive Director NLC and Membership Update

By Michael L. Benjamin, , M.P.H., CAE, National Executive Director

As this is my first blog of the year, I’d start by saying thank you to the more than 6,800 FCCLA members, advisers, alumni, and guests who attended the 67^th National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, July 8-12.  The NLC had the highest attendance to date with over 3800 participating in competitive activities. Kudos to all the participants in those events and a special thank you to the volunteers and FCCLA staff who helped to make this conference a success!

With this year’s conference theme “#realitycheck,” participants examined and discussed several critical issues, including family, school and community violence prevention, physical as well as financial fitness, the changing roles of men and women in the home and workplace, future career exploration, and countless community service projects.  We received positive feedback on the brand new FCCLA app which gave attendees the ability to upload on their smartphones conference information, speaker and workshop descriptions and real-time conferences updates and feedback.  And attendees created their own conference schedules. We plan to use this app throughout the year at all FCCLA meetings. 

In moving forward, we’re looking for a great membership year. With the 2012 FCCLA member affiliation ending at 202,189, we have established our 2012-13 student membership goal at 213,000. So be on the lookout for the new membership kit.  The kit will be in the mail by the first of August. 

Have a safe rest of the summer!