FCCLA Elevator Speech

By: Donna Corder, National Consultant Team

“What is FCCLA?”

FCCLA stands for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.  We are the only student organization that has the family as its central focus.  We not only teach students how to strengthen the family, but also teach them how to serve and improve their communities and develop career and leadership skills.  FCCLA has over 200,000 members, across the nation, serving and learning how to develop our nation into a better place to live.  FCCLA is the Ultimate Leadership Experience.

Teaching students how to explain what FCCLA is in 30 seconds like this description is a skill that needs to be practiced.  This is referred to as the “Elevator” Speech because you often see people in elevators and have a short amount of time before they reach their floor to describe all the awesome aspects of our organization.

The first time I heard about the elevator speech, I questioned how we would train students to be eloquent, while accurate in a short amount of time? After approximately 6 years, I can honestly say that the elevator speech is one of our most valuable public relations tools.  I have lost count of how many times I have heard officers give this speech to people, not only in elevators, but in airports, amusement parks, and school events.  The results:  AMAZEMENT!!!  People are truly impressed that HIGH SCHOOL students are able to explain their organization in a professional and accurate manner. 

So, how do you teach a student to create an elevator speech? 

1. Have the students write down what FCCLA is.  They will definitely need to explain what the letters stand for, but they can also incorporate some of the mission, purposes and other facts.
2. Next, have them write down what they personally enjoy about FCCLA.  This is a brainstorming session, where they write down ALL their ideas. 
3. Lastly, have them think about what impressed their parents/grandparents about FCCLA. 

Require that the students write out their speech, word for word, at this point.  Give them some time to practice their speech on their own, and then have them role play with each other.  Bring in adult guests: parents, administrators, other teachers, alumni, to help them.  Students are often nervous to speak to adults and the only way to overcome that fear is to have them practice in a safe environment. 

The “Elevator” Speech is one of the most valuable tools we can use to showcase our most impressive asset:  our members.  When students talk, adults listen, especially when the students speak professionally.  Teach your students how to develop an elevator speech, and you give them a skill they will use for the rest of their lives.