From the Executive Office
AAFCS and FCCLA held first joint staff meeting; and teacher well-being surveys!
On December 11th, the FCCLA staff hosted the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences in our first joint staff meeting. Beginning with a continental breakfast, staff members discussed priorities and projects, and identified areas of mutual interests and ways to collaborate and leverage resources.
And in closing out 2009, it was pleasant news to receive information that teachers rankest highest on a Well-Being Index according to a Gallup survey released December 23, 2009. The poll was part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index which surveys more than 1000 people nightly to determine their perceived health and contentment. This study included responses from 179,000 people from July 2008 to June 2009 (visit www.well-beingindex.com for more information.) Have a great 2010!
Michael L. Benjamin, M.P.H., CAE
Executive Director
Disaster in Haiti
Yesterday, Thursday, January 14, the President gave another update on relief efforts in Haiti, promising the people of Haiti that “you will not be forsaken; you will not be forgotten.” Again, while the US Government is doing all it can, you can also help immediately by donating to the international fund of the Red Cross to assist the relief effort
· Donate $10 to the Red Cross to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting “HAITI” to “90999.”
· Contribute online to the Red Cross
· Find more ways to help through the Center for International Disaster Information
· Families of Americans living in Haiti should still contact the State Department at 888-407-4747
Awards and Scholarships
Master Adviser & Adviser Mentor Awards-Deadlines Approaching!
Deadline for Master Adviser & Adviser Mentor application form & recommendations due to State Adviser is February 1, 2010. Visit the Adult Awards section of the website to download the application.
Scholarship Applications
The 2009-2010 scholarship applications are now available on the national FCCLA website. Visit the Scholarship Applications section of the website for more information. All scholarships must be postmarked by April 1, 2010.
Competitive Events
Important STAR Events Announcement!!!
Three pages of the STAR Events Manual have been revised and are available in the STAR Events section of the FCCLA website. All STAR Events Manual documents have also been updated to include the revised pages. The revised pages affect the rubrics of Illustrated Talk, Job Interview, and Promote and Publicize FCCLA!.
Spring 2010 FCCLA Contests
FCCLA is pleased to announce three new contests for the Spring 2010 semester.
· Capture the Cover – An FCCLA photography contest!
· FCCLA Leaders to Watch – Recognizing the most promising students and advisers across the nation!
· O-riginals Recipe Contest – Get creative in the kitchen with Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough!
Encourage your chapter to participate in one or all three of these fun and exciting opportunities. Check out the Contests section of the FCCLA national website for official contest rules and forms. Contest entries due April 15, start today!
STAR Events Questions
Are your students preparing for STAR Events? Do they have questions that you aren’t able to answer? Coming soon in the STAR Events section of the FCCLA national website is a STAR Events Q&A guide. Don’t forget that all questions you don’t find answers to should be directed to your state adviser, not national headquarters.
Marketing & Membership
ACTE Essay Contest
This year’s topic for secondary and postsecondary students is "How is CTE an investment in your future?” In the essay, students will illustrate how career and technical education (CTE) has helped them enter or make strides towards a challenging career field or postsecondary education. ACTE will use these essays to inform policymakers, parents and educators about CTE’s role in preparing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be competitive in today’s global economy. The contest is open to secondary and postsecondary students taking at least one course in CTE. For complete rules on the contest, please visit ACTE’s Cliff Weiss Essay Contest.
Adviser Academy
FCCLA’s successful Adviser Academy is now taking applications for 2010-2011. Applicants must have less than 5 years experience and be willing to participate in all five tracks of the Academy within two years and must be supported by their state adviser. Applications can be found on the Adviser Academy section of the website. Family and Consumer Sciences student teachers are also encouraged to apply.
Call for Membership Kit Ideas
FCCLA is updating and revising our membership kit. To create an outstanding tool for everyone, we need help from those in the field. Please send any and all ideas you have to adoane@fcclainc.org.
Membership Recruitment ideas (both stand alone events and those integrated into the classroom)
Team building activities—for officers and all chapter members
Ways you integrate programs into FACS courses
FCCLA Billboard Order
Visit http://www.tvaccessreports.com/fcclaorders/ for information on ordering an FCCLA billboard.
National Consultant Team Applications Now Available
Applications for FCCLA’s National Consultant Team (NCT) can be found on the State Adviser and Chapter Adviser sections of the national website. NCT members assist national staff in state and national professional learning training, take on staff duties at national meetings, and act as an extension of national staff. The submission deadline for applications is March 1. New NCT members will be trained at the 2010 National Leadership Conference and will be expected to attend. For more information about the position, please email Amy Doane at adoane@fcclainc.org.
Meetings
Call for Youth Workshop Proposals
FCCLA is looking for innovative workshop ideas for our annual student leadership conference. Proposals must be submitted electronically no later than April 9, 2010. We are accepting proposals from chapters, alumni, business and industry representatives, corporations, and other interested parties with expertise in youth personal development. Click here for detailed information.
Programs
Act Out Loud Contest
As part of National Youth Traffic Safety Month (NYTSM), National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) and The Allstate Foundation are challenging FCCLA chapters and schools across the country to take part in “Act Out Loud.” Participate in the 2010 Act Out Loud contest, by creating an Act Out Loud team at your school and a great traffic safety project. In turn, FCCLA members will have the chance to compete for awards and cash prizes sponsored by The Allstate Foundation! Get involved now and work together to make NOYS during the upcoming National Youth Traffic Safety Month, May 2010! For more information visit, www.actoutloud.org.
Lesson Plans and Activities
Share your FCCLA lesson plans and activities with other advisers, and find lessons to use in your classroom. Use the provided template to email FCCLA integrated lessons to bstandley@fcclainc.org (please include attachments). The Lesson Plans and Activities page also includes Power of One and Dynamic Leadership content, previously found on the national program CD.
IHOP National Pancake Day – February 23, 2010
Known also as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, National Pancake Day dates back several centuries to when the English prepped for fasting during Lent. Strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products... hence the name Pancake Tuesday, or Shrove Tuesday.
Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised nearly $4 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. With your help we hope to raise $5 million in five years for Children's Miracle Network through your donations in 2010! For more information, visit http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/
Looking for volunteer opportunities? Contact your local IHOP to see how your chapter can contribute to this important cause. If your chapter participates, please send all photos to Jessica Hagood, National Vice-President of Community Service at jhagood@fcclainc.org.
Souper Bowl of Caring
Last year FCCLA chapters collected more than $20,000 in cash and cans and donated 100% to nonprofits in their local communities. Your chapter can still participate this year by collecting food and/or money through February 7. For more information go to www.souperbowl.org.
Miscellaneous
Stirring up Health Recipe Contest
Healthy Kids Challenge announces the 8th annual middle school recipe contest, Stirring up Health. Contest categories include snack, make-ahead breakfast, and meal side dish. For more information, visit www.healthykidschallenge.com.
2010 FCCLA Summer Internship Program
FCCLA is seeking applications for three summer internships at national headquarters in Reston, VA. Strong FCCLA alumni are encouraged to apply for one or more of the positions. Information on the internship program and the application process is available on the Careers/Internships page of the FCCLA national website. Applications will be accepted until February 15.
Marketing & Membership Assistant Opening
FCCLA’s Marketing & Membership Assistant position is open and applications are welcome. A job description for the part-time position is available online. We welcome alumni to apply for this opportunity. Please pass along this information and the job description to anyone you feel qualifies. Applications are due January 22.
Spring Semester Internship Available Now
FCCLA is looking for a Communications, Marketing & Membership Intern for the spring semester. A job description has been posted on the FCCLA website. Please pass along the description to anyone you feel would qualify. Applications are due February 1 and we enjoy having FCCLA alumni to serve as interns in the office. While the semester internship is unpaid, school credit is available upon request.
Visa, Inc. and Practical Money Skills for Life Teacher Newsletter
Get the best lesson plans, games, articles, and updates from Visa’s Practical Money Skills financial education program delivered direct to your inbox for free. Visit www.practicalmoneyskills.com/newsletter to sign up.
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