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.

FCCLA Advocacy in the Classroom and Community

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!

Making the Academic and Membership Case for FCCLA!

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

As students move through their academic career, many are looking for that competitive edge of not only being better leaders but at times of just being a better student.  In our most recent research of students taking Family and Consumer Sciences courses, we found that over 67% of students indicated that FCCLA and Family and Consumer Sciences have had a positive impact on their academic performances.  In fact high school seniors are more likely than students at other grade levels to report a positive effect from FCCLA on their academic performances.  So if you’re looking to expand your chapter’s membership this year, let your students know that being involved in FCCLA will give them that competitive edge!  Also, get involved with our 2012-2013 Membership Campaign.  Our national goal for 2013: 213,000 members.  For more information on the iRecruit Campaign, go to www.fcclainc.org.

Social Networking Strategies

By Allison Kreifels, National Consultant Team

When you hear the word “wall” do you think about part of a room or your Facebook page?  When you hear the word “tweet” do you think about an update from an organization you care about or a sound that birds make?  Whether you are a seasoned pro with everything the Internet has to offer or are just beginning to explore social networking, here are some tips to keep you productive and your audience involved in what you have to say.

First, don’t be afraid to be repetitive.  It is okay to publish something a week ahead followed with another notice a few hours beforehand.  When people see your information posted once they will think about it, but, your success rate is higher if it ends up being seen closer to the time of the event.

Second, engage your audience.  Rather than your social networking just being a place to share information, get your readers involved by asking trivia questions, offering prizes, or getting suggestions for various projects.

Finally, try sending updates during live events.  Now I’m not suggesting that you get your phone out and send updates in the middle of someone’s wedding.   However, while you’re at an FCCLA chapter meeting or completing a service project, snap a picture and upload it to your social networking site.  It’s a great chance to not only advertise your students at their best but also to catalog your chapter’s accomplishments and activities throughout the year.

For additional ideas on using social networking, check out articles online, or even better, ask your students!

How to Train Your Officers

By Cathe Felz, National Consultant Team

Successful chapters have student leaders who are capable of accepting a variety of leadership roles. The big question is how do we prepare our students for the roles of leaders in our chapters? Honestly there is not just one answer to this question and the best teachers are time and action.

Officer training begins well before elections take place. Planning activities, working on projects, or participating on national program teams afford students the opportunity to develop skills in communication, collaboration, and commitment while providing a service to their community. Leadership development during chapter activities is important to allow students to practice new skills in a safe environment.  Establishing a committee for a project consisting of older more experienced members and younger less experienced members allows older members to take on a mentor role.

Many states offer a leadership retreat for state and district officers to assist with leadership training. If your state doesn’t, consider planning your own with other chapter advisers within your district, area or region. There are countless leadership activity resources available online or from libraries. Make the retreat interactive with games and activities which get them up and moving. If you haven’t seen the show Minute to Win It, watch it, they have great activities which could be done by teams in a relay format.

If you are looking for a great way for your local officers to bond as a team, have them prepare a meal. Student officers are given a budget, they have to plan the menu, shop for supplies and actually prepare the meal together in one kitchen.  If the conversation at the meal seems strained, have a couple of table games prepared ahead of time.  For instance, have each person jot down an interesting fact about themselves that they don’t think the others know about them. Fold the slips of paper and redistribute them.  One at a time each person reads the statement and everyone tries to decide who the statement is about.

Set up a time for officers to meet outside of class to work together to manage chapter meetings, develop agendas, and discuss goals for their officer team. Provide opportunities for officers to communicate outside of established meeting times as well by providing mail boxes, exchanging phone numbers, establishing a private Facebook group or using email.

Establish clear expectations for officers at the beginning of their term of office. Provide information in whatever format works best for your team and use a combination of methods. During the early months, check with officers daily or weekly to provide assistance with managing projects and activities then as the year progresses pull back and allow them to explore their potential as leaders.

I look forward to hearing other ideas on training chapter officers.