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Coming soon to FCCLA Adviser Blog!!!!

Beginning this summer, the FCCLA Adviser Blog will have a posting every Wednesday with new and up-to-date material regarding curriculum integration, FCCLA National Meetings, advocacy information, and chapter project ideas. Additionally, once a month, the blog will feature a post from National Executive Director, Michael Benjamin! Make sure to check the blog frequently so get all the up-to-date adviser information!

We Can’t Wait to See You in Anaheim!!

By Jessica Marlow, National Consultant Team

The 2011 FCCLA National Leadership Conference is just around the corner! We would like to take a minute and let you about some of the amazing opportunities available for advisers this year.
Join us on Sunday, July 10th from 4:00 to 5:30 for Adviser Networking! This is an excellent opportunity to meet with advisers from around the country and share ideas about what has worked best for you throughout the school year and within your chapter.

On Monday, July 11th, there will be three Adviser Professional Learning Sessions available that morning: Creating a Leadership Bootcamp, Taking on the New National Outreach Project, and Teaching Using the Planning Process.

On Tuesday, July 12th, the Adviser Professional Learning Sessions available will be: Integrating Core Academics into the FACS Classroom, Personal Growth for Advisers, and The Future of FACS.

All of these workshops have been created especially for you, the advisers. Check out the program for specific locations and exact times. Most workshops will be offered in back to back sessions to provide you the opportunity to attend several.

We will again be having a Media Center available for Conference Attendees. The Media Center will be located in California Ballroom H Foyer in the Hilton.

Last but not least, we are very excited to be able to provide an Adviser Resource Room at NLC this year. This will be a location for you, the adviser, to receive information that will help you succeed this year. It will have handouts, ideas, and will provide you a place to come and relax. It will be located in the Green Room in the Hilton. The Adviser Resource Room will be available on Sunday, July 10th from 6:00-9:00 pm; Monday, July 11th from 11:30am-3:00pm; and Tuesday, July 12th from 8:00am-1:00pm. The Adviser Room is being sponsored by Goodheart-Wilcox and AAFCS.

Again, we are very excited about everything that is planned for NLC this year! We will see you in Anaheim where we will be putting our Imaginations in Action!

Adviser Professional Development at NLC

FCCLA will welcome over 6,300 members, advisers, and guests to Anaheim, California for the 2011 National Leadership Conference! While there are many things for students to enjoy from Disney tours to STAR Event Competition, FCCLA did not forget about those wonderful advisers who made it possible for their students to attend the National Leadership Conference. This year’s conference will highlight many Adviser Professional Development sessions, trainings, and recognition. Below is a list of Adviser Professional Learning opportunities offered at this year’s National Leadership Conference.


Sunday

• Future FCCLA Adviser Prep 1

• Adviser Academy Track 1

• Adviser Academy Track 4

• Adviser-to-Adviser

Monday

• Creating a Leadership Bootcamp

• Take on the New National Outreach Project

• Teaching Using the Planning Process

Tuesday

• The Future of FACS

• Integrating Core Academics into the FACS Classroom

• Personal Growth for Advisers

Wednesday

• Future FCCLA Adviser Prep 2

Finally, don’t forget to attend the Adviser Recognition Session on Wednesday July 13, 2011 at 8:30 -11:30 a.m. Celebrate advisers receiving special recognition for going above and beyond as master advisers, adviser mentors, spirit of advising, and more. Also hear from speaker, Cheryl Cran, for her keynote address on 3 generations, 1 workplace of choice- 8 ways to keep the generations engaged. Advisers get ready to put your Imagination in Action!

Chaperoning 101

by Cathe Felz, National Consultant Team, Montana

 

Congratulations, your chapter has been selected to attend an event that requires extra adults to accompany your group. Whether it is a local event or the National Leadership Conference every chapter adviser needs additional adults to assist with chaperoning chapter events from time to time. Making the trip fun and educational is important but our top priority should always be safety. One of the key factors in providing both a safe and enjoyable trip for members and adults is to select and train adults to serve as chaperones. These adults will be responsible for the well being of students throughout the trip. Selecting chaperones is a daunting task for many, including myself.

 

Chaperones should be an authority figure that is fair, firm, and consistent. These adults should also be comfortable with the age and abilities of the students they are traveling with and be familiar with school policies and chapter expectations. Some of the best chaperones come from individuals who are actively involved in the everyday operations of the school and know the students on a personal level. Parents are usually eager to volunteer to chaperone for trips their student may be attending. A good rule of thumb is to select chaperones who have worked with the chapter to complete fundraising events, and chapter projects. These individuals know the students on a different level and have a vested interested in the chapter. When students and adults work together to meet a common goal they establish a relationship based on trust and understanding and learn to appreciate the viewpoint of the other person.

 

If the goal of the trip is to provide opportunities for students to learn and grow as well has have fun it important for the adult chaperones to work together to meet these goals. Chaperones need to be informed of the itinerary and activities prior to signing up to chaperone the trip. Everyone needs to realize when you travel as a group, the majority decides what activities will be attended and the responsibility of each participant is to follow timelines and schedules in order not to inconvenience the entire group.

 

Once the chaperones for the group have been selected it is important for the adviser to meet with them as a group and cover expectations and the itinerary for the trip. Some topics to cover would include:

1. A review of school policies so the chaperones are familiar with expectations of the school district. All adult chaperones should make every effort to assure the rules will be firmly supported by other adults in the group. 
2. Review expectations for adult behavior on the trip. Adult chaperones should model the way by being on time for events, being dressed appropriately, and refraining from the use of alcohol and tobacco, stay with the group at all times, and provide a positive role model for students. 
3. Review trip itinerary pointing out the opportunities for students to learn and grow through educational activities and tips for creating a memorable trip. Chaperones need to remember they are responsible for checking in with students regularly and being aware of where the students are and who they are with at all times. 
4. Review with chaperones the types of problems that can arise on school trips, emphasizing which ones chaperones have the authority to deal with and which should be referred to school staff. 
5. Stress the chaperones’ role is to be the authority figure, no a buddy to the students. Let the chaperones know that the adviser will support and guide them throughout the trip. 
6. Review emergency procedures that could occur during the trip. Provide medical release forms and insurance information for parents prior to departure and secure these materials in a binder which is readily available to the adult chaperones. Exchange cell phone numbers with all chaperones and participants. 
7. Review nighttime security procedures at the hotel. Chaperones should check student rooms to make sure everyone is where they are supposed to be before retiring for the evening. They should also check in the morning with each room to make sure everyone is accounted for and ready for the events of the day. During room check, chaperones should physically ID each student assigned to that room. 

 

Selecting and training adult chaperones for chapter travel will prepare them to do their job well, and ensure that the safety and well being of chapter members is a top priority. Safe travels.