By: Allison Kreifels, National Consultant Team
Advocacy is, simply put, support for a specific cause or
policy. When thinking about what is
worth advocating for, everyone has different opinions, but if you’re reading
this blog then you and I share something.
We both agree that FCCLA is worth advocating for. You may be wondering where to begin so here
are some things that might help you begin your advocacy efforts.
First, find out why students are taking your class and what
they learn. It’s a great idea at the
beginning and end of a class to survey students about these topics. The words of your students are the most
valuable component.
Second, use FCCLA materials in the classroom. Students want and need to find a practical
tie between what they learn in the classroom and their real life. FCCLA provides that tie through its programs,
competitions, and leadership development opportunities. This will help educate your students about
FCCLA as well and provide them with the basis of what may become an extremely
valuable FCCLA experience for your student.
Third, expand your students’ leadership potential by
encouraging them to advocate for their interests, including FCCLA. For example, through the FCCLA Power of One
unit, Speak out for FCCLA, students could address an issue related to FCCLA and
advocate for that issue in the school and community.
Finally, to enhance your FCCLA advocacy efforts, look for
new opportunities for you and your students to talk about FCCLA. Consider speaking at the Chamber of Commerce
about the future leaders that FCCLA develops, or visit the Lion’s Club to
feature some young community service volunteers. These can provide great opportunities to
expand your students’ speaking skills as well as advocate for FCCLA in a
smaller setting.
Always remember that there are very few ineffective ways to
advocate for FCCLA. The only sure way of
failing is never trying!
Posts
3 comments:
I think advocacy is vital to the ongoing success of FCS and FCCLA. I always have my FCCLA officers present their chapter showcase project to the board of education in the spring. It is a great way to say thank you to the board, and also highlight and showcase the amazing things that we do in the classroom and community. I was just talking to another FCS teacher/FCCLA adviser, and she said that her favorite project to judge at state and regional competition is Advocacy. She was adamant that it helps students to think outside of themselves, take ownership for something they believe in, and is a tool that they will use throughout their entire lives! Thanks Allison for your ideas/thoughts on Advocacy! :)
P.S- I tried to find the adviser blog link on the national FCCLA page and couldn't find it. I had to open an E-Adviser sent out last week to find the blog address. I am in charge of maintaining the Ohio FCCLA Adviser web page and would like to link the national adviser blog on our website. Can I have permission to do this? Thanks!
Jenny
Jen, thanks for your comments. The adviser blog link is found under the chapter adviser section of the national website, http://www.fcclainc.org/content/chapter-advisers/. Please feel free to link the blog! Any publicity of the blog is GREAT!
Advocacy is key to keep our programs alive. We need to work together to not only advocate for FCCLA but also FCS. We are doing some amazing things in Career and Technical Education that we need to be excited to share. Great article Allison!
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