Do you aim to instill students with a love of learning and include them in the only career and technical in-school student organization with family as its central focus? If so, then Family, Career and Community Leaders of America
(FCCLA) is the Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for you.
FCCLA is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences Education as determined by the Tennessee Department of Education. FCCLA is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members. Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities.
FCCLA is designed to be run by students for their own growth and benefit. Through chapter meetings, competitive events, leadership conferences, and activities, students will be empowered to develop career skills and strengthen home and family life. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect to be a wonderful learning opportunity. FCCLA is not meant to produce extra work or burdens for the instructor; instead, it is means to provide an avenue to increase awareness for your program, to showcase your school, to fulfill student performance standards and competencies, and to provide amazing, life-changing opportunities to students.
This packet is designed as an introduction to FCCLA for new and potential chapter advisers, but it is not intended to contain all of the information needed to develop a strong, successful chapter; it is an overview containing basic information. There is still a great deal of information that you will need to review in the 2015-16 Tennessee FCCLA
Chapter Adviser Guide and on the Tennessee and national FCCLA websites. There are additional resources and publications listed below that will provide you with additional information and assistance with promoting FCCLA in your school and community, running chapter meetings, planning your chapter’s activities, etc.
If you are interested in getting involved with FCCLA by starting a chapter or by being involved on the local or state level, please reach out to Tracy.Whitehead@tn.gov
or (615) 532-2804. I look forward to helping with all of your
FCCLA needs.

Tracy Whitehead
CTE Specialist SkillsUSA/FCCLA
(615) 532-2804
Tracy.Whitehead@tn.gov
Tennessee FCCLA website: www.tennesseesfccla.org
National FCCLA website: www.fcclainc.org
2015-16 Chapter Adviser Guide http://tennesseefccla.org/get-connected/advisers/
Calendar of Events
Email Archives http://tennesseefccla.org/calendar-2/ http://tennesseefccla.org/email-archives/
Student Resources
Adviser Resources
Competitive Event Resources
National Service Project
Promotional Toolkit
Membership Resources
Lesson Plans and Activities
http://tennesseefccla.org/get-connected/students/ http://fcclainc.org/advisers/chapter-advisers.php http://fcclainc.org/programs/resources.php http://fcclainc.org/programs/national-outreach-projectoverview.php http://www.fcclainc.org/news--media/guide-to-promotingfccla.php/ http://fcclainc.org/membership/join-fccla.php http://fcclainc.org/advisers/lesson-plans-and-activities.php

FCCLA is a nonprofit national career and technical student organization for young men and women in Family and Consumer Sciences education in public and private school through grade 12. Everyone is part of a family, and FCCLA is the only national Career and Technical Student Organization with the family as its central focus. Since 1945, FCCLA members have been making a difference in their families, careers, and communities by addressing important personal, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education. Chapter projects focus on a variety of youth concerns. Involvement in FCCLA offers members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life necessary in the home and workplace.
Why FCCLA?
FCCLA helps students…
 develop career skills and learn to balance career and family responsibilities
 strengthen home and family life
 prepare for community living as responsible citizens
 experience the connection between career and technical and academic skills
 improve self-esteem
 practice and apply creative and critical thinking
 understand themselves and their relationships with others
 develop a personal leadership style
 identify concerns, make decisions, and carry out activities
 experience the satisfaction of helping others
 observe Family and Consumer Sciences- related careers
 gain recognition for accomplishments
 build supportive relationships with teachers in a less formal atmosphere
 achieve established performance standards and competencies
FCCLA helps teachers…
 incorporate school-to-career elements and applied academics into the Family and Consumer Sciences program, or as determined by the state department of education
 serve special populations
 enrich classroom teaching and motivate students to learn
 fulfill student performance standards and competencies
 reduce preparation time as students take responsibility for learning
 guide students toward meaningful projects that enhance the image of Family and Consumer Sciences education
 model how to help others
 publicize the Family and Consumer Sciences program to parents, administrators, and community
 attract more students
 establish rapport with students
 develop leaders who can assist in the classroom
 expand professional experience and fulfillment
 tap into a professional support system
FCCLA helps schools…
 motivate and improve students’ attitudes toward school and learning
 facilitate the transition from school to career
 demonstrate how academic lessons are applied through Family and Consumer Sciences program
 integrate life skills into Family and Consumer Sciences classes, making school and life relevant to one another
 gain community support for programs
 prepare employable citizens
 support school activities
 demonstrate classroom learning in the community
 build support systems for students

STAR Events
STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition) are competitive events in which members are recognized for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation. STAR
Events offer individual development and application of learning through the following activities:
 cooperative – teams work to accomplish specific goals
 individualized – an individual member works alone to accomplish specific goals
 competitive – individual or team performance measured by an established set of criteria.
To find out more about each contest and how to get involved with FCCLA STAR Events, click here .
Other FCCLA Programs and Initiatives
FCCLA is the only in-school student organization with the family as its central focus. FCCLA is a career and technical student organization that functions as an integral part of the Family and Consumer Sciences education curriculum and operates within the school system, and it provides opportunities for active student participation at local, state, and national levels.
 Career Connection – Learn how to explore career pathways and skills for success in families, careers, and communities.
 FACTS (Families Acting for Community Traffic Safety) – Put the brakes on impaired driving and traffic crashes. Through peer education help your friends arrive alive and lower the number one cause of death for youth in America.
 Families First – Discover how you can strengthen family relationships through FCCLA's national peer education program, Families First.
 Financial Fitness – Manage your money! Use this program to help you make, save, and spend your money wisely to be financially fit.
 Leadership Service in Action – Take Action in your community and discover the difference you can make.
 Power of One – Give yourself the power to make a positive change in your families, careers, and communities, one goal at a time.
 Stop the Violence – Empower youth with attitudes, skills, and resources to recognize, report, and reduce youth violence.
 Student Body – Eat right, be fit, and make healthy choices.
 National Outreach Project – FCCLA's National Outreach Project is a national community service activity that gives states and members the opportunity to make a united impact. When state delegations/members choose to participate, each state works with their local chapters and members to fundraise and collect items from schools and communities through service. The goal of this project is to have each student get actively involved in making a difference by uniting together with the National Outreach Project. FCCLA wants members to see and know firsthand that even a small effort made by many can have a huge and positive impact on others.

Jan. 15, 2016
May 31, 2016
Registration Fee:
$14 per person (applies to all adults/students)
$9 national dues
$5 state dues
*IMPORTANT* There is a 12 student member minimum or
$168 per chapter, plus an adviser fee of $14 per adviser.
Advisers must attach a copy of the invoice to all payments to be accurately processed.
*IMPORTANT* membership affiliation materials and payments will be sent directly to the
FCCLA National
Headquarters.
All
Send Payment/Invoice to:
FCCLA
Attn: Membership
1910 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191
 Before beginning your online chapter affiliation process, review the tutorial video for guided instructions.
 Once you are an official FCCLA chapter adviser, the Chapter Adviser Affiliation Guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions for affiliating your chapter on the state and national level.
 When collecting your member data, use the Member Affiliation Information Sheet to collect all the information you need from your chapter members.
 When you enter your members in the system, be sure to utilize the FCCLA Chapter Member Excel Template to make your chapter member upload as seamlessly and smoothly as possible (Excel member upload not required; you may enter members manually).
 Affiliate your chapter using the easy to use FCCLA Online Affiliation System .

Starting an FCCLA Chapter
Contact your state adviser form information and materials needed to start a chapter.
Explain the FCCLA Purposes and how they relate to the Famiily and
Consumer Sciences program through introductory lessons in each class.
Dicsuss with school administrators the advantages of starting a local chapter.
Explain FCCLA to the Advisery Council that supports your program, and ask for their support and involvement as the chapter develops by serving as guest speakers, contest judges, etc.
Find a mentor and talk with teachers who have active chapters.
Empower your students to take the lead on planning chapter activities and implementing your program of work.
Membership Recruitment and Signups
 Stir up student interest in your program.
 Invite your state FCCLA officers to speak to your students about FCCLA.
 Hold a kickoff event and be sure to make the meeting fun.
 Collect membership dues, and submit dues and membership to the national headquarters. You may join electronically at: www.fcclainc.org
.
 Establish a bank account for the chapter.
 Decide how to pay for membership (individuals can pay, the school can help, or you can hold a fundraiser to pay the annual member dues for the chapter).
 Elect officers.

The key to a successful chapter is the ability to recruit and retain members. Recruitment is an ongoing process and should involve as many current members as possible. When members and advisers focus on the goal of ensuring that every eligible student has the opportunity to be involved in FCCLA, it makes recruitment easy! Remember, membership recruitment is not so much about the numbers as it is about bettering student lives through participation in FCCLA.
The ideas below are tried and true. They’re taken from a variety of sources so that your chapter can find several on the list that will work when recruiting new members.
Top 10 things to keep in mind when recruiting members:
1.
Create a New Member Committee to educate and guide new members.
By conducting orientation activities, the committee can introduce new members to the chapter and help them become involved. Membership recruitment will benefit by careful planning. The New Member Committee can assist in creating a clear-cut plan with step-by-step instructions.
2.
Engage the entire chapter in membership activities.
Involving the whole chapter in a membership drive keeps motivation high and helps all chapter members feel a sense of responsibility toward the health of the chapter. One of the most popular methods to involve the entire chapter is to have each member name one potential new member to invite to a meeting or event.
3.
Audiovisual presentations make an impact.
Whether with videos, PowerPoint presentations, or DVDs, many chapters successfully use these presentations to explain their chapter to prospective members.
4.
Public relations is very important.
Keeping a high profile in the community is essential for successful membership efforts. People want to join organizations with positive public images. Chapters with strong public relations programs have found that it reaches over to their membership efforts as well. Use every source your group has access to —
Facebook, Twitter, fliers, posters, letters to nonmembers, chapter T-shirts, newsletter, visiting classes, etc.
5.
It is easier (and often more effective) to advertise a specific event, such as a community service activity, than it is to advertise your regular chapter meetings. Allow potential members to take part in the activity so that they can become immediately involved in FCCLA. Ensure that at all of your events you have information regarding your chapter, its purpose, meeting times and upcoming events so that potential members have all the facts in front of them and understand how to join your chapter. Make sure at each open event that you have a sign-in for potential members so that you can follow up with them and ensure that they join the organization.
6.
To stand out, your posters need to be bold and simple.
Do not try to fit too much on a poster or overcomplicate it with too many words, pictures, or cartoons. Ensure that the adviser name, room number, meeting date and time are all listed on the poster. Consider including your chapter website, Facebook, or Twitter if you have these available.
7.
Create and hand out a one-page flier. Highlight local, state, and national projects and activities your chapter has participated in and any awards that you have received.
8.
Actively involve your counselor and administrator.
By actively involving your counselor and administrator in your program, they can experience FCCLA firsthand and become a champion for your program. Give them their own FCCLA tshirts!
9.
Create a bulletin board to post in your school to promote FCCLA.
List the benefits of the program, and indicate how to join FCCLA. Display pictures of students involved in local, state and national activities. These will be sure to get a student’s attention and should help increase membership.

Top Five Recruitment Ideas:
1.
Offer a giveaway, such as a t-shirt when you pay your dues.
This is something physical that members can hold onto right away.
Variations:
 Drawings. Have a drawing for a prize. Often businesses are willing to donate items such as movie passes, dinner coupons, t-shirts or gift cards. Registration is open to all members who have paid their dues.
 Spin the Wheel: Create a winning experience for members by allowing them to spin a wheel and wherever the needle lands, that’s the prize they win! It’s simple, fun and draws a lot of attention from other students. Run
Spin the Wheel for one week. On Monday morning, everyone who has paid membership dues receives five tickets to spin the wheel, one for each day of the week. Students who then come in on Tuesday and pay their dues receive only four tickets to use, and so on for Wednesday payment of dues, etc. By allowing students to spend the wheel on a daily basis, it keeps the excitement high all week long and encourages other students to pay their dues so they have an opportunity to participate, too. Prizes can be as simple as a candy bar or a soft drink during lunch all the way to chapter t-shirts or a free conference registration. Students just enjoy winning something and the fun of spinning the wheel. Make sure to set up your wheel in a high-traffic area so plenty of students catch the excitement and want to know more about joining FCCLA.
2.
Incentive door prizes for attending meetings and inviting new members to join. Everyone loves to win something, and drawings for simple prizes work really well for students. It is the excitement and anticipation that keeps them involved in the process.
Variation:
 Each current member that brings in three new members gets a t-shirt. Students love to receive t-shirts, and it serves as extra publicity for your chapter when students wear the shirts to school and around the community.
3.
Advertise that your chapter is having an open meeting where anyone can attend.
Have several chapter members prepared to welcome potential members and answer any of their questions. Ensure that someone follows up after the meeting with the potential member to directly ask them to join your chapter.
Variations:
 “Bring Three You Know.” This theme encourages members to list three (or more) people they feel would enjoy being members of FCCLA and invite them to attend a chapter meeting. The candidates are endless — friends, classmates or others in your area of study. The main idea is to encourage, motivate, lead and reward members for their efforts. Also, always encourage and expect members to bring prospects to any and all membership meetings.
 Plan icebreakers for local chapter meetings. Icebreakers not only allow members to interact at a meeting, they also make meetings fun! Having fun is important to recruiting and retaining members!
 Food. Have an informational meeting held after school. Create a theme such as “Build Your Own Banana Split
Party.” Hand out invitations to all students in family and consumer science education classes.
 Happenings. Give examples of what has happened in your chapter during the past year. Show prospective members actual pictures (via a PowerPoint presentation) of where your chapter has gone, what you have done, and whom you have met through your FCCLA involvement.
 Every other month, hold a presentation featuring a timely topic and well-known speaker.
Chapter members should be encouraged to invite guests to the meeting, and after the event participants can engage in an idea exchange. Information about the chapter can be presented at each of these bimonthly events.
 “Bring Them Back” Meeting: Occasionally conduct a special homecoming meeting with the goal to invite past members to join as alumni members. Consider asking the former members to tell a one-minute memory of a project/event they experienced in the past as a chapter member. Making time for this during the program is a great way to rekindle their interest and grow alumni membership.
 Divide current chapter members into eight teams.
During four six-week segments, have two teams at a time compete against each other, earning points for bringing prospective members to meetings (one point for each guest) and submitting completed membership forms to the chapter secretary (five points each form). Teams

can receive bonus points for two or more members inducted (five points) and two points for each new member inducted above two. Give small prizes to the winning team members of each segment. Find a unique prize for the overall winning team members. When the new members are inducted, consider having the sponsor’s team stand with the new members during their induction, further emphasizing the team spirit of the competition.
Teamwork and some friendly competition cannot only yield new members, but also is a fun way to unite all chapter members in a common activity.
4.
Candy invitation . Hand out candy bars such as a Payday with an invitation saying, “Come join FCCLA and see how to increase your PAYDAY!” Hand out invitations to all prospective members inviting them to the first meeting.
Variations:
 Locker Signs. Place signs with candy on them on lockers. Use a catchy phrase such as “Be a STAR in FCCLA” and give away Starburst candies.
 Send potential members “FCCLA-grams” or personal invitations to join your chapter — make them feel special!
5.
FCCLA booth/registration table at open house and during lunch. Include plenty of information on FCCLA and how to become a member, but also build in a food item, like a cookie during lunch or a game that they play to receive a FCCLA promotional item. Consider creative ideas to draw attention to your booth and table.
Variations:
 Recruitment nights are successful: Popular worldwide, recruitment nights are an excellent way to reach a large group of prospective members at one time. These events don’t have to be at night or be a traditional meeting to be successful. Chapters have held game night, dodgeball tournaments, festivals or Family Fun Days.
Chapters can even get all of the student organizations together to create one big event that focuses on recruitment for each organization.
 Hold an FCCLA luncheon for new members. Have the officer team greet and serve lunch to your new members to welcome them to the organization.
 Rising freshman assembly is the perfect time to introduce FCCLA. Check with the organizers of the assembly as to if your chapter officers could be given a few minutes on the agenda to make a presentation or possibly present an engaging skit about FCCLA. Whether humorous or informational, skits can leave a lasting impression on underclassman.
 Have senior chapter members talk to freshmen/sophomore/junior classes about why they enjoy your program, the benefits of participating in FCCLA, the thrill of competition, leadership growth, meeting new people, etc.
 Ask alumni to visit with potential students to spark their interest and demonstrate how involvement in FCCLA will help them in the long run by increasing their leadership skills, networking with potential employers, building their résumé, etc.

Secure support from your school administration.
Display the
FCCLA membership poster.
Include administrators in your early success.
Connect to your state
FCCLA adviser.
Involve students right away in a hands-on project that is both fun and meaningful.
Register yourself and your students as members of
FCCLA.
Incorporate
FCCLA into your curriculum.
Hold officer elections.
Create excitement and awareness of
FCCLA .
Select your first meeting date.
Attend an
FCCLA district, state, or national meeting.
Reap the rewards of being involved with the premier
CTSO with family as its central focus.

September October November December







Conduct a membership recruitment campaign to sign up returning and new members.
Chapter leaders speak in
Family and Consumer Sciences classes.
Hold first meeting(s) to build the chapter and consider the year’s program of work.
Affiliate online at www.fcclainc.org.
Download the new
Competitive Events Guide and help students choose events and start projects.
Check the FCCLA website for the latest national program information, recognition opportunities, and deadlines.
Chapter prepares fundraising plans for upcoming National
Cluster Meeting.
January




May
Conduct a New Year’s membership campaign to sign up new members.
Chapter leaders present to a second semester Family and
Consumer Sciences class.
Hold a chapter meeting and create more hands-on chapter projects created and carried out by a majority of members.
Check the FCCLA website for the latest national program information, recognition opportunities, available scholarships and deadlines.




February




Host a chapter recognition event and invite parents, administrators, supporters, and potential members.
Evaluate the year’s accomplishments and record suggestions for future chapter success.
Make plans to carry the chapter through the summer and into next year.
Submit final member names and dues payments no later than May 31.
Sponsor a special event, celebration, or trip for paid members.
Conduct a hands-on chapter project created and carried out by a majority of members.
Extend personal invitations to students who have not yet joined the chapter.
Attend a district/region or state leadership event.




Attend a National
Cluster Meeting.
Chapter leaders speak in a Family and Consumer
Sciences class.
Submit additional member names and dues payments.
Continue to involve members in projects that build the chapter’s image in the school and community.
March



Submit additional member names and dues payment.
Encourage people to join the chapter during
National FCCLA Week and
CTE Month.
Check the FCCLA website for deadlines and prepare award applications for recognition in FCCLA national programs.

June
Chapter leaders pursue leadership training by
 enrolling in the FCCLA
Leadership Academy and start planning for next year.
Participate in local events to publicize and promote
FCCLA!




July
Chapter leaders speak in
Family and Consumer
Sciences class.
Chapter leaders speak to younger students who are preparing to sign up for next year’s classes.
Conduct a hands-on chapter project created and carried out by a majority of members.
Submit additional member names and dues payments.


Participate in local events to publicize and promote FCCLA!
Celebrate with other leaders at the National
Leadership Conference.


Celebrate the chapter team with service projects and a social event. Invite potential members to attend and join the chapter.
Set up a gift exchange activity for Family and
Consumer Sciences students who have not yet joined the chapter. Present small gifts throughout the month. Just before holiday break, reveal that gifts are from FCCLA chapter, which offers many more “gifts” and rewards all year long.
April



Continue to involve members in projects that build the chapter’s image in the school and community.
Participate in the State Leadership Conference
Submit application for iRecruit awards by April 30.




August
Form membership committee.
Committee and chapter leaders meet to plan membership efforts for year.
Set membership goal.
Committee prepares membership recruitment campaign.

If you are starting a new FCCLA chapter, keep the following in mind:
 Your first task is to generate a strong base of support for the new chapter.
 Permission First o Gain the support and permission of your school’s administration before starting the chapter.
 Engage Key Stakeholders o
Other audiences to seek support from include interested student leaders, teachers, school counselors, co-advisers, parents, local business and industry, and school board members.
 Lay a strong foundation by organizing and structuring the chapter with the help of your students.
 Engage student leaders from the start. o
Form a student organizing committee and guide them in the task of organizing the chapter and conducting a strong membership campaign.
 Make it official. o Submit an application for charter to your state director. Also, collect member dues and submit the dues and membership roster to the national office.
 Every member can be involved at the local level. FCCLA members benefit most by being involved at each level of the state and national structure.
 Let Committees Do the Real Work. o
Engage students in planning and implementing local activities through a student-led committee structure.
 Compete. o Hosting local competitive events offers a way to engage all members at the local level.
 Assemble a set of resources to guide you as you work with students to continue building the new FCCLA chapter.
Checklist for Establishing a New FCCLA Chapter
 If you are starting: o • o Gain the support of student leaders. o
• o
•
• o
Schedule a meeting with stakeholders to share the facts about FCCLA. o • o • o Hold a kick-off meeting with prospective students. o
• o
• o
Carry out a membership campaign. o • o
•

o
Conduct a meeting of newly elected officers. o Adopt a constitution. o
• o Complete membership rosters. o
Submit application for a charter to the state FCCLA director.
 If you want to engage members: o
Appoint standing committees. o Appoint ad hoc committees. o
Develop a program of work and calendar of events. o Train the chapter officers. o
Prepare students for competitive events. o Inventory references, equipment, and materials. o Order or download references, equipment, and materials as needed.

If you are planning a membership campaign, keep the following information in mind:
Taking time in the beginning to lay the groundwork for establishing a new membership campaign empowers you to connect with more students.
 Appeal to their interests. o By finding out in which activities students are interested, you can incorporate these facets into your membership campaign.
 Plan it out. o Develop a plan that informs students in the classroom and around campus for a concentrated time of connection.
 Don’t forget the dues. o Consider alternative options for students who may hold back from joining FCCLA because of the dues requirement.
 Once the groundwork has been laid, follow-through is needed to execute your new membership campaign.
 Let your roster tell all. o Completing your membership roster will be a concrete example of the growth you have reaped by implementing your membership campaign.
 Consider the long-term impact. o Develop strategies for long- term success that include promotions and fundraisers, increased exposure through word of mouth, and the incorporation of professional and associate members.
Checklist for Conducting a Membership Campaign
 If you are starting a membership campaign for the first time: o Attend or pay close attention to activities that spark student interest on campus and incorporate the desirable components of these activities into your campaign.
o Take time to develop a plan for spreading the message about your campaign in the classroom.
o Meet with school administrators to identify opportunities and locations for recruitment around campus.
o • o •
• o Plan for success and growth year-round by considering the image your activities portray.
 If you are improving on a previous membership campaign: o
• incorporate the desirable components of these activities into your campaign.
o
• o campaign in the classroom.
• campus.
o Consider alternate forms of dues payment for students who may be limited in funds.
o •
• o Closely examine the promotions and fundraisers your chapter is involved in and the image they portray.
o
•

Elections
Keep the following information in mind to ensure an effective election process:
 Elections are an excellent learning opportunity that can engage your entire chapter.
 Set up an election committee. o The committee should determine the officers to be elected, outline a calendar of events for the elections and set up any necessary guidelines for handling nominations and campaigns.
 Invite candidate nominations. o
Guide the candidate nomination process by making sure members are aware of expectations for leaders.
 Supervise the election campaigns. o Campaigns can be an excellent experience for students whether or not they are elected. At a minimum, encourage all candidates to deliver a campaign speech to their peers.
 Hold a fair election. o
Work with the election committee to identify ground rules for the election process. Involve third party teachers and administrators to ensure fairness in the polling process.
 Install the new officers. o Honor the newly elected officers in a time-honored tradition — the FCCLA Officer Installation
Ceremony.
 Evaluate the process. o
Work with the election committee to wrap up and reflect on the process by evaluating what went well and what can be improved in the future.
Training
Keep the following information in mind when training officers and leaders:
 Training provides students the support they need to take responsibility for making the FCCLA chapter their own. In addition, many advisers find training officers to be an incredibly rewarding experience.
 Plan the training logistics. o Determine details regarding the training, such as dates, length, location and who will be involved.
 Identify the training content. o Reflect on the new officer team’s current level of knowledge and skill as you identify the topics and activities that offer the greatest gain for the students.
 Conduct the training. o
Prepare for the training event and identify the resources necessary, including any people you need to conduct the activities planned.
 Evaluate the process. o After the training event, take time to reflect on your own and with the officers. Focus on identifying improvements and keeping traditions that need to stay the same from year to year.
 Reinforce the training.

o
Excellent training is ongoing training. Find ways to engage officers in opportunities to build on the skills discussed during the initial training.
 Offer other training opportunities. o Engage officers and leaders in training opportunities at the state and national levels.
Checklist for Electing and Training Officers and Leaders
•
 If you are electing chapter officers: o
Set up an election committee.
• o Elect a chair for the election committee. o
Determine the officers to be elected.
•
• o Outline guidelines for the election process. o
Share the election process with the entire chapter.
• o Present the officer duties. o
Discuss effective officer characteristics.
•
•
•
•
•
• o Accept candidate nominations. o
Supervise the campaigns. o Monitor the election process. o
Plan for the officer installation ceremony.
• o Evaluate the election process and prepare a report to identify improvements for future years.
 If you are training officers:
•
•
• o Plan the training event logistics, including the duration, when, where, and whom to involve. o
Identify training topics and learning activities. o Conduct the training. o
Evaluate the training and identify improvements. o Document the current training and any improvements for the next year. o Identify opportunities throughout the year to reinforce and build on the initial training. o Engage students in training opportunities beyond the local level using resources available from the state and national association.
Officer Duties Easy Reference Guide
President
 Presides over all chapter meetings.
 Is able to work with people and encourage them to work for the chapter.
 Possesses the ability to delegate effectively.
 Is able to make impartial judgments.
 Keeps members informed.
 Conducts meetings using parliamentary procedure.
Vice President
 Presides at meetings and functions in the absence of the president.
 Is well informed of the issues and skilled in handling the chapter’s business.
 Carries specific responsibility for program planning.
 With the parliamentarian, is responsible for the arrangement of the meeting room.
 Assists the president.

Secretary
 Keeps all chapter records for continuous reference to all that has happened.
 Sets the agenda.
 Advises the president on agenda matters during meetings.
 Reads previous minutes and takes new minutes at every meeting.
 Counts votes.
 Takes care of chapter correspondence.
Treasurer
 Keeps the record of chapter funds.
 Bills for annual dues.
 Sends out membership records.
 Pays all approved bills.
 Maintains accurate records of income and expenses.
 Prepares financial statements.
Reporter
 Gets news about the chapter before the public.
 Is able or willing to learn to write news stories on chapter activities.
 Prepares and distributes news releases to local media.
Parliamentarian
 Acts as the chapter authority and consultant to the president on procedural matters.
 Has a working knowledge of parliamentary law and gives opinions based on it.
 Calls attention to errors in procedure.

If you are using official FCCLA ceremonies, keep the following information in mind:
 Establishing the tradition of regular chapter meetings provides an opportunity for student involvement and leadership.
 Assemble equipment. o Make sure your chapter has the necessary equipment to run a meeting and that all components are in good condition.
 Set up the meeting room. o Follow the guidelines to set up a professional and consistent meeting room for each chapter meeting.
 Planning chapter meetings empowers students and increases the likelihood of a professional, efficient outcome.
 Develop your agenda. o Referencing the standard order of business, take time prior to each meeting to develop a thorough agenda and provide copies for members.
 Determine the time and length for your meetings. o
Keeping a consistent time for meetings increases student attendance and involvement.
 Take the initiative to make your meetings successful. o
Following the transaction of business, the incorporation of recreation, activities or motivational speakers takes your meeting to a higher level.
 Conducting the meeting efficiently is ultimately the responsibility of the officers. o If planning steps have occurred, officers need only to heed the following reminders:
 Follow the agenda.
 You have determined an agenda, so stick to it.
 Provide members copies of the agenda or make it visible on a poster or PowerPoint slide.
 Use parliamentary law.
 Ensure the will of the majority, while protecting the right of the minority by using parliamentary law.
 Effectively handle the gavel.
 Proper use of the gavel is like a secret code. When used effectively, it quickly signals an action to the delegation.
 Assemble a set of resources to guide you as you work with students to continue running effective meetings in your FCCLA chapter.
Checklist for Chapter Meetings
 If you are starting a new chapter: o
Identify meeting room equipment needed and order, if necessary. o Assess the meeting room and begin to set it up. o
Meet with officers to establish a consistent time for holding regular chapter meetings.

o
Develop an agenda. o Identify methods for making the meeting successful.
 If you are coaching an experienced officer team: o Meet with officers to establish a consistent time for holding regular chapter meetings. o
Develop an agenda. o Identify methods for improving student involvement, efficiency of the meeting and overall success.
 During the meeting: o Follow the agenda. o
Use parliamentary law and reference Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised for any clarifications. o Ensure the president effectively handles the gavel.

When developing your program of work, keep the following information in mind:
 The program of work is the heart of FCCLA because it encapsulates the plan of action for the local chapter.
 Review the national POW. The national program of work provides a great guideline for developing your local program of work.
 Investing time in developing your local program of work will pay off great dividends in the end
 Establish your identity. o Provide officers the opportunity to evaluate the local chapter and determine important factors specific to your membership.
 Check your dates. o
Establishing a comprehensive calendar is a crucial step prior to planning chapter activities.
 Choose wisely. o
Select meaningful activities that align with the criteria you have developed.
 Guide students through the process of continuous evaluation to foster personal development and chapter growth.
 Know yourself. o
Students can complete a personal leadership inventory to evaluate their own leadership characteristics.
 Pre-evaluate activities. o Evaluate the effectiveness of a potential activity before implementing the activity.
 Post-evaluate activities. o Keep a record of evaluations made after an activity is completed to lend to continuous chapter improvement.
 Assemble a set of resources to guide you as you develop your program of work for your FCCLA chapter.
Checklist for the Program of Work
Items to consider if you are creating or revising your chapter program of work:
 Familiarize yourself with the national program of work standards.
 Elect officers for your chapter.
 Gather information to establish your chapter identity.
 Share important dates and develop a chapter calendar.
 Delegate members to serve on chapter committees.
 Guide students in selecting meaningful activities.
 Guide students through a personal leadership inventory.
 Evaluate activities your students want to add to your program of work.
 Once the activity has been completed, evaluate the success of the event.