CAMPUS VIEW: FCCLA FOCUSES ON FAMILY LIFE, SKILLS

Hello, my name is Erin Sides and I am the president of FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America). Being one of the first student organizations, we have been in existence for over 50 years.

Since our central focus is the family, we try to promote activities and service projects that benefit everyone in our community. Students gain leadership, public speaking skills, and career preparation through various workshops, conferences and meetings.

We participate in service projects throughout our community which benefit a wide range of people with special needs. Some examples of past service projects we have participated in are the Veteran's Home, Monticello House, MDA, Cape Civic Center, Women's Safehouse, Foster Parent Association, Library Reading Program and Adopt-A-Platoon. Through various fundraising projects, we provide money for refreshments, crafts, activities, equipment and services for those who participate in our projects.

Members develop public speaking skills by participation in workshops, conferences and meetings. Officers develop an awareness of their role by attending Regional Officer Workshop. Members learn more about FCCLA through Regional Meeting, State Conference, cluster meetings, Leadership Unlimited, A+ conference and National Meeting. We bring these ideas back to our chapter and incorporate them into our service projects and activities.

FCCLA holds bi-weekly meetings in which members decide as a group on what they would like to accomplish. Some of the activities members participate regularly in are camp-outs, sponsoring a dance with FFA, disco bowling, a float in the Christmas Parade, Christmas party gift exchange, teacher appreciation, volleyball and basketball game with FFA and an end-of-the-year trip to Six Flags.

With the numerous activities and service projects we hold a variety of fundraisers. Some examples are selling candy bars and suckers, having car washes, bagging groceries, face-appointing at Homecomers and brochure sales with Tom-Watt.

There are also individual activities for members to participate in. Examples of those would be Power of One, running for local, regional, state or national office and participation in chapter activities and service projects. These activities provide student enrichment and promote skills necessary for good character development.

As you can see, FCCLA is for anyone who wants to be an active contributor to helping people in the community. It teaches life skills necessary for functioning in our modern world and helps prepare students for various careers. The opportunities available to students help promote critical and creative thinking skills when dealing with decisions they need to make and hopefully condition the decisions they make in the future.