November/December 2015

Magazine for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Inc.

Also inside...

• Lead2Feed: A Service Focus • Go For the Red • Couch-to-5K® with National FCCLA

November/December 2015

Empowering through Service FCCLA empowers students to become the ultimate leaders in their families, schools, communities, and careers. See how inside!

EXPERIENCE MORE NOW. BE A LEADER TOMORROW. Where will your JWU FCCLA experience take you?

You can continue your involvement in FCCLA when you enroll at Johnson & Wales University — and expand your leadership, communication and teambuilding skills. You’ll also be eligible for a scholarship — last year JWU awarded 1,015 FCCLA scholarships totaling more than $18.1 million.

Receiving White House honors: In spring of 2015, several JWU alumni and students, including incoming freshman Jacob Smith ’19 (left), were recognized by First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House for their work connecting the classroom to real-life opportunities.

Visit jwu.edu/NSO for more information.

2015-2016

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-NOTALL YOUR

Features 4 GROUND Rules: College Visits 101 8 FCCLA Week: February 7-13, 2016

3-7 THE JULY

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16 Transforming Recipes, and Family Time, for the Holidays

Regulars 2 Executive Director’s Note 3 Hello from the National President 7 Social Media Roundup 10 Empowering Members and Communities

through STAR Events

11 FCCLA/Lifesmarts Knowledge Bowl 12 Lead2Feed: A Service Focus 13 FCCLA National Program Awards 15 Service and Servant Leadership 18 Truly Happy Holidays: Tips for Handling Stress 20 Get Empowered Through National Meetings 21 Go For the Red 22 Red Jacket, Red Hot Future 23 Couch-to-5K® with National FCCLA 24 Spot the Changes Photo 25 FCCLA Faces 26 FCCLA in Action

FCCLA Mission

To promote personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education. Focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner, and community leader, members develop skills for life through character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.

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SAVE

14 Safe Rides - Save Lives: FCCLA PSA Contest 19 Give Holiday Cheer, Not All Your Cash

Cash

GROUND Rules

2016

Inside

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DATE

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2016 FCCLA National Leadership Teen Times is the national magazine of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, a Conference career and technical student organization that helps young menSan and Diego women become | CA leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education, or as determined by the state department of education.

Josh Bowar, Editorial Consultant Ashley Pournaras, Layout/Design NATIONAL STAFF Sandy Spavone, Executive Director Beth Carpenter, Director of Programs Leah Buller, Director of Membership Marla Burk, CMP, Director of Conferences Mark Hornby, CPA, Director of Finance Aimee Hardenbergh, Meetings Manager Ashley Pournaras, Communications Manager Charles Carson, Mailroom Manager Christine Hollingsworth, Competitive Events Manager Heather Davis, Partnership Manager Karen Patti, Programs Manager Ana Torres, Staff Accountant Chiquita Boston, Affiliation and Registration Coordinator Stephanie Lussier, Competitive Events & Programs Coordinator Caitlin Osbourne, Communications and Membership Assistant Kelley Conners, Meetings and Programs Assistant Kim South, Executive Assistant Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a private, nonprofit national organization of more than 155,000 members incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia. It functions through public and private secondary school systems in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands as an integral part of the Family and Consumer Sciences education program, providing opportunities for enriched learning.

Editor’s Note: Please credit Teen Times for information you reprint, excerpt, or photocopy. Use the following statement to credit materials you use from this issue: Reprinted with permission from Teen Times, the national magazine of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Vol. 70, No. 2.

Teen Times (ISSN 0735-6986) is published four times per year in September, November, January, and March by Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Inc., 1910 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1584, (703) 476-4900. A portion ($4.00) of national dues pays for a one-year subscription to Teen Times.

Inclusion of an advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser’s claims, products, and services. Periodicals postage paid at Reston, VA, and additional mailing offices.

Additional annual subscriptions for non-members: $8.00.

POSTMASTERS: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: Teen Times, 1910 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1584.

2015-2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 1

Executive Director’s Note

Happy fall! The school year and FCCLA year is off to a fantastic start. It has been inspiring to hear about all of the innovative membership campaigns your chapters are hosting and how well you are implementing the EMPOWER theme already!

In September, I had the opportunity to present a Families Acting for Community Traffic Safety (FACTS) program workshop with the Tennessee FCCLA state officers to the National Association of Women Highway Safety Leaders.

We highlighted projects from our members and shared personal stories about why the program is important to us.

These state officer leaders showed how FACTS empowered them to lead traffic safety efforts in their local communities, and they inspired the adults in attendance to use their “mepower” to work with the teens in their communities.

I love November and the reminder of all of the things in life for which we have to be thankful. Thankfulness and gratitude are cornerstones of empowerment. It is hard to empower others, let alone ourselves, if we are not grateful for what we have. As I count my blessings this month and my list of what I am most thankful for, they all line up with FCCLA. I am so thankful for my family and all of the love and joy they bring into my life. I count each of you as part of my FCCLA family and am so grateful for all that you do for our organization. What better career could a person ask for? I am so blessed to serve as your executive director and am very thankful for this honor and role. Finally, I am thankful for my community and the many ways people make where we live, work, and play a safe and enjoyable place. Although life holds struggles for each of us along the way, we always have a whole lot for which to be thankful.

As we begin this fall season and work to continue to EMPOWER each other to use our “mepower” to make a positive difference, remember what Bill Gates once said: “As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” YOU are our current and next century leaders, and we are thankful for your leadership and inspired by your work in your FCCLA chapter.

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Hello National President from the

Hello, FCCLA! With the holiday season quickly approaching, excitement is filling the air. The hustle and bustle of the season seems to be for one common cause: family. Whether cooking and sharing a meal with your family during Thanksgiving or coordinating a gift drive in December, our members understand the importance of family and being together.

Now is a great time to share the core value of family with others. With the theme of the 20152016 school year being EMPOWER, this season is an excellent opportunity to empower others to take action in their families, careers, and communities. I encourage you to use FCCLA’s new membership campaign Go For the Red as a tool for recruiting new members while retaining and recognizing current members. FCCLA members have the power to make a great impact, and we are counting on you to make it happen!

You can start by making an impact within your own family. As FCCLA’s central focus, family is the key to working through any societal issue.

With a strong family, anything is possible. Use the Families First National Program for great ideas to help strengthen your relationships and build a more cohesive, happier family. Consider volunteering to serve others in your community

as a family, providing the opportunity to spend quality time together and to experience the joy of giving back. By taking the initiative, you and your family will recognize the great benefits of assisting others that are less fortunate and be empowered with a desire to continue to serve.

Next, use the impact you had on your family and expand it to your school and community.

Be a leader and empower others to serve! Use our new National Outreach Project, Lead2Feed, a Competitive Event, or National Program to outline a service project that impacts many. You may even receive recognition for your efforts at your state conference or National Leadership Conference in San Diego!

Find something you are passionate about and go for it! With hard work and dedication, each and every one of our members has the potential to accomplish great things this year.

Here’s to a great 2016 in our families, careers, and communities!

Empowered to Make a Difference,

2015-2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 3

GROUND Rules: College Visits 101 You’re almost finished with high school, and you’re excited for the next stage in your life: college. But how do you choose a college that’s the right fit for you? With so many great options, finding a college you’ll love—and one that will help you grow—can be overwhelming. But don’t worry! Empower and serve yourself well by following these easy gROUND rules!

List your priorities, needs, and wants before visiting a campus.

What’s most important to you? Think about what you really want in your college experience, and make yourself a checklist. When you visit, see how many boxes you can check.

Ask yourself some important questions. What are you interested in? What are you passionate about? How do you learn best? What do you want to do in the future? These questions will help focus your college visit.

Pick a college that meets your social needs as well as your academic needs. Make sure that the school has the major you want, but also make sure that it has the “extras” you want, too, such as clubs, athletics, music, drama, and more.

Before you head out on your visit, look over the college’s website to get an idea of what places you’d like to check out and which people you’d like to see.

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Keep an open mind. Your first impressions may or may not be correct. Don’t lock yourself in to a certain college right away. Give yourself the benefit of experiencing many colleges.

Visit all areas of the campus. Check out classrooms, where you’ll live, and other buildings on campus such as the library, gym or fitness center, science lab, and student center.

Try to picture yourself at the college. Can you see yourself studying in the library? Can you see yourself living in the dorms? How about using the gym or eating in the commons?

Visit the surrounding community. Could you see yourself living in the community for four or more years? Is it a place that you think you can call home between summers?

Talk to students while you’re on campus. Ask them lots of questions. What are the best reasons to go to this college?

What do you do in your free time and on the weekends? What do you love about this college? What do you wish you could change about this college? Why did you choose this college?

What is it like to live here?

See if you can sit in on some classes that would be interesting to you, and ask to stay overnight in one of the dorms.

Ask the same questions at each visit so you can compare notes. Make a list of questions you think are important to find answers to, ask them while you’re on the visit, and then compare the answers you hear. Look at all of the answers together.

Which college seems to be the best fit for you?

For more help finding the perfect college, check out the helpful links below. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges https://www.petersons.com/college-search.aspx https://www.unigo.com/college-match http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/right-school 2015-2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 5

Check out these youth scholarships and grants!

FCCLA believes scholarships are an important form of recognition of member accomplishments. FCCLA offers its members six scholarships: •

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Beth Middleton Memorial Scholarship: $400.00 -Offered to a current or former national or state officer who is a high school senior Coleene Jossy Memorial Scholarship: $500.00 -Offered to a current or former FCCLA state officer Frank W.H. Fort Civic Engagement/ Leadership Scholarship: $500.00 -Offered to any FCCLA member to support attendance at the National Leadership Conference Raye Virginia Allen State President’s Scholarship: $2,000.00 -Offered to a current or former state president who is a high school senior National Technical Honor Society Scholarships: $1,000.00 -Offered to two (2) qualified FCCLA members who are also current members of the National Technical Honor Society Prestige Scholarship: $1,000.00 -Offered to any FCCLA member

Grant Opportunity The IMPACT Fund provides an opportunity for members to apply for financial assistance for individual and chapter use, as well as support initiatives of the National Executive Council. The IMPACT Fund is sustained by members, partners, and friends of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.

For more information on FCCLA’s scholarships and grant opportunities, visit www.fcclainc.org. Scholarship applications must be submitted online through the FCCLA affiliation system by March 1. Grant applications will be accepted until May 1.

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Sam Houston State University

Family & Consumer Sciences shsu.edu/see/familyconsumersciences

Degrees Offered: Family & Consumer Sciences • General • Teacher Certification

Fashion Merchandising Food Science & Nutrition Food Service Management Interior Design

Apply Now for Fall 2016!

Facebook @Indiana FCCLA : Don’t forget Dine In Day on December third! It could have some great STAR Event potential!

/NationalFCCLA

/NationalFCCLA

Twitter @NebraskaFCCLA : What is your chapter planning on doing to support the National Outreach Program @Lead2Feed this year? @savannahrae421: Uptown Funk brings me back to NLC this summer. <3 #Gimme5 #FCCLAFamily @JacobSmittyS: Every time I head out to work out at the YMCA I think of #2015NLC @NationalFCCLA! @HoCoHighFCCLA: Families that eat together stay together #FCCLAFamily

/NationalFCCLA

/NationalFCCLA

FCCLAleadership .tumblr.com

Instagram @leadtofeed: Snapshot- The retiring Executive Committee and future leaders together at the closing night ceremony at @nationalfccla leadership conference! #2015nlc #fccla #special #leaders #nlc2015 #fccla

NationalFCCLA1945

@ray.knee.yell: 70 years filled with vibrant colors, richness in tradition, and the empowering of youth all across America. Keep shining, FCCLA. Happy 70th Birthday! #70YearsStrong #fccla #fcclafamil

2015-2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 7

FCCLA Week: February 7-13, 2016

Check out these ways you can empower yourself and others this FCCLA week!

Media Monday:

Team Tuesday:

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Focus on Lead2Feed • Partner with Lead2Feed to support this year’s National Outreach Project.

• Partner with another CTSO to organize healthy options at local concession stands for sporting events.

• Partner with local shelters, rape crisis center, etc. to advocate for healthy relationships.

• Partner with a local bank to organize a presentation or tour for students to advocate the importance of healthy financial habits.

• Partner with your parent/ teacher association to organize a family night at your school, such as a family movie or game night.

• Partner with a local civic organization to organize a community beautification day.

• Remember to post pictures about your partner advocacy event using #FCCLAweek.

Empowered To Raise Our Voices

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Post a contest on your social media page. Maybe offer a prize to the winner, or if people follow you and @NationalFCCLA, they’re entered for a prize.

Use your Twitter and Facebook to advocate! Encourage members to share your posts.

Post pictures of service projects you’ve been doing in your chapter or state. Organizations and community members love to see their youth in action!

Have members post short clips on what FCCLA means to them.

Host an event celebrating National FCCLA Week and invite your local news station.

Post a picture of FCCLA t-shirts, balloons, etc. and have members guess the number.

Send an article about FCCLA, FCCLA Week, and what your chapter is up to, along with the community impact, to your local newspaper stations.

Use your school’s media outlets and social media, posters, and announcements to advertise for an FCCLA party! Take lots of selfies and post to social media.

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The Power of Partnership

We Wear Red Wednesday: Turning “Me” into “We” •

Put up an FCCLA booth at lunch.

• • • • • • •

Give out FCCLA bracelets.

Hold a raffle.

Invite non-members to the next chapter meeting.

Host a chapter lunch of red food.

Have a movie night fundraiser.

Offer lunch in your FACS room.

Have a chapter party!

•

And, of course...wear red!

Thankful Thursday:

How Has FCCLA Empowered You? #WhyWeLoveFCCLA • This is a great day to take to social media and share a personal FCCLA story. How and why did you get involved?

What is the best part of being a member of FCCLA, and how has the organization shaped your thinking, your college or career readiness, and your life? Be sure to tag your posts #WhyWeLoveFCCLA so the national office can share your story and help empower others!

• Produce PSA videos for your school to show, having chapter members speak about how FCCLA has empowered them.

• Host a healthy snack hour and talk about how STAR Events have helped members in everyday life.

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Host a photo booth for chapter members to take selfies and post them using the hashtag.

Create a photo board of pictures from your chapter, displaying a year in FCCLA. Decorate member lockers with kind messages of thanks for their hard work in FCCLA. Have members write personal testimonies on note cards (expressing how thankful they are for FCCLA), and put them together for other students to see.

Have chapters put together a short video expressing how FCCLA has empowered them.

Invite community members to a chapter meeting and talk about how FCCLA has empowered them.

FACS Friday:

Empowering Future Generations •

Interview your FACS teacher

•

•

and ask them why he/she decided to teach Family and Consumer Sciences. Then create and decorate posters about your teacher that include the information they have provided. Put them outside of the teacher’s classroom for all students to see!

Have your members decorate a sheet of paper with one phrase on it. This phrase should reflect what part of FACS has impacted them (for example, “people skills” or “service”). Then, take a picture of each person holding up their paper and put it into a slideshow to send to the TV announcements/morning show, or print out the pictures and post them around school.

Ask some representatives of FACS departments from nearby colleges to have a booth during lunches, or even have them

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come speak to your class!

Say Yes to FCS! Check out resources at http://www. nasafacs.org/teacherrecruitment-say-yes-to-fcs. html to support the campaign.

Have your culinary/foods class bake sweets for the teachers at school. Decorate the dessert with the letters “F-A-C-S”.

Host a fashion show at school to showcase the clothing the apparel/sewing classes have created. Then donate a portion (or all) of the proceeds to a local charity/organization.

Partner with local universities to advocate to “Fill the Family and Consumer Science Educator Pipeline”, encouraging students to become Family and Consumer Science educators.

Pick a few school events throughout the year to have members babysit for teachers.

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Empowering Members and Communities through STAR Events Did you know that during the 2014-2015 school year, over 18,000 FCCLA members competed in STAR Events?

Those members completed over 10,800 projects, which made a BIG difference in their schools and communities!

Just how many people did these members reach through their projects? Over 10.8 MILLION! That’s a LOT of people hearing about FCCLA and the topics important to FCCLA members.

Whether you focus on environmental issues, societal concerns, or topics specific to a school or chapter need, your STAR Events project can make a difference in your life and the lives of others. But even the best projects can’t make an impact if they aren’t organized and implemented.

Here are some tips on what you can do to help make your efforts successful.

1. Use – and follow – your plans, using the steps in the FCCLA Planning Process. Turn your great idea into a project that has set goals, a realistic action plan, and involves all the right people, agencies, or

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organizations. Don’t let the saying “a goal without a plan is just a dream” apply to your big ideas and goals for your project.

Develop your plan and follow it.

2. Involve others. Have a big goal? Don’t be afraid to ask others to help you along the way. Maybe you’ve got a great slogan to use in your project but you’re not sure how to make it appeal to the largest audience.

Look for professionals in your community who may be able to mentor you with tips on public relations and marketing.

Sometimes community members don’t know exactly what to do to support local students, so asking for help with a specific project that fits in with their business may be a great benefit to both of you.

3. Be open to criticism. No one likes to receive negative feedback, but constructive criticism can often improve a project. If you’re giving a presentation to a community group, first practice it with people who aren’t afraid of telling you what works and what

doesn’t. Don’t get discouraged.

Just keep improving!

4. Follow through. Everyone has a busy schedule, and students are no exception. Make the time to read your STAR Event guidelines, adjust your project as needed, and follow through on your commitments. Remember, the project is a reflection of you, your chapter, and your school.

5. Say thank you. Once your project is over, let those who helped make it possible know how much you appreciate them.

Whether you earned a bronze, silver, or gold rating in your STAR Event, don’t forget to thank teachers, family members, and friends who helped you turn your idea into a completed project.

When FCCLA members are passionate about a topic, their enthusiasm can become contagious. Take the time to make sure your project is designed to help you make the most of your efforts. With determination, FCCLA members can reach more people than ever in 2015-2016!

FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl Are You Up to Date on the New FCCLA/ LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl?

This year, FCCLA and LifeSmarts combined forces to create an improved Knowledge Bowl program for FCCLA members.

The three levels of the FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl are: • Level I: Direct qualifying through Part 1 online testing and Part 2 National Cluster Meeting competition (November 2015) • Level II: “Second Chance Round” and National LifeSmarts Championships Qualifying Round (January 2016) • Level III: National FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl Championship, San Diego, CA (July 2016)

Teams not qualifying in Level I, but who were registered to attend a National Cluster Meeting, can have another chance in the “Second Chance Round”. New this year: four teams will qualify for Level III competition through the “Second Chance Round”. In addition, the highest scoring chapter team receives a $2500 stipend to represent FCCLA at the National LifeSmarts Championship in Denver, Colorado (April 9-12, 2016). What a great opportunity!

Be sure to check out www.lifesmarts.org and have your adviser register your team of 5 members for competition. The FCCLA/ LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl is the Ultimate Leadership Experience and the Ultimate Consumer Challenge combined!

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Lead2Feed: A Service Focus

By Gabriella Cutrazula National Vice-President of Community Service Looking for a new, innovative way to integrate service leadership into your classroom? Lead2Feed is a program that has exactly what you are looking for!

FCCLA’s new National Outreach Project, Lead2Feed, is a life-changing, service-learning program that nurtures a new generation of leaders – the ones sitting in your classroom and school – while working to end hunger or meet another need in your community.

Students select their projects, and by doing this you may also compete for a chance to win over $275,000 in charity grants and $150,000 in technology grants for schools and clubs. Lead2Feed gives students a jumpstart into the real world of leadership by offering comprehensive lessons aligned to standards and 21st century skills.

But what excites students and teachers alike are the opportunities to put leadership skills into action in their communities. By challenging students to move toward a solution to a local or global need like hunger, they are motivated to step up and step out as leaders. This program will not only be life changing for you, but you will also positively change the lives of those around you.

Start making an impact in your community and join this leadership and empowerment journey today! For more information, head to http://fcclainc.org/programs/nationaloutreach-project-overview.php.

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FCCLA National Program Awards

FCCLA recognizes its members and advisers for their outstanding dedication and achievement through a variety of recognition programs. Chapters are recognized for their outstanding work through National Program Awards.

Recognition is offered to chapters that complete projects within these National Programs: • Career Connection • FACTS • Families First • Financial Fitness • Leadership Service in Action • STOP the Violence • Student Body This honor includes cash awards and special recognition at the National Leadership Conference, online, and in Teen Times magazine. Chapters apply online for recognition for their hard work and innovative projects.

• • •

High School Award - $1,000 Middle School Award - $1,000 Runner-Up Award - $500

For more information on FCCLA’s National Program Awards, visit: http://fcclainc.org/programs.

Applications must be submitted online through the FCCLA affiliation system by March 1.

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Safe Rides - Save Lives: FCCLA PSA Contest FCCLA is excited to launch the 2015-2016 PSA contest Safe Rides – Save Lives. Empowered by FACTS and sponsored by State Farm, the Safe Rides – Save Lives PSA Contest is an opportunity for FCCLA members to engage in creating teen-friendly safe rides safety messaging through a video Public Service Announcement (PSA).

Your mission: Create a video PSA that is exactly 25 OR 55 seconds Your audience: Teen drivers and passengers Your topic: Raise awareness on one of the following: the risks of drugged or drowsy driving, pedestrian safety, or auto safety. Remember, like drivers, PSAs are better when they are focused. So pick one area as the subject of your PSA video and create a PSA message that will stand out, be remembered, and make a positive difference.

Why: Raise awareness of the dangers of drowsy or drugged driving, pedestrian safety, or keeping your ride (auto) safe to drive. The PSA goal is to develop and send teen-friendly messages to prevent traffic crashes and save lives.

How: You have creative license. Just be sure it’s in good taste and that you DON’T film yourself or anyone else while driving or in unsafe conditions.

When: Video submissions are due on or before March 1, 2016, 5 PM EST. Awards: Cash prizes will be awarded directly to the individual or group: • 1st Place: $3,500 • 2nd Place: $1,000 • 3rd Place: $500 FCCLA will submit the winning PSA to the National Association of Broadcasters for use in national PSA outreach opportunities. Visit www.fcclainc.org/saferides-saveslives for more information and to apply!

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Service and Servant Leadership

by Makayla Hendricks, National Vice-President of Public Relations

It starts when you’re little. “Will you clean up the table?” “Can you share some of your candy, please?” Then you move on to holding doors and carrying the groceries.

Service is something we all learn one way or another. But what does it mean to be a service LEADER? Well, maybe you think a service leader would coordinate a service project. But what if I changed a few letters so it reads SERVANT leader? Now what do you think of?

A good servant is someone who does something without complaining. A good servant does their job right the first time.

They put someone else’s needs above their own.

isn’t about wanting power and fame, but instead wanting to help others, to inspire a change.

A servant leader shares power, puts the needs of others first, and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible.

As leaders in FCCLA, you have the power and responsibility to be a servant leader to both your FCCLA members, other leaders, and other peers and community members. I would encourage you to start each meeting by answering the question, “What are we doing to help another?”

“The servant leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead.”

In fact, servant leadership isn’t just a principle to be applied to your leadership roles. It should also be applied to your everyday life! Wake up each morning, look at yourself in the mirror, and ask yourself, “What am I going to do to help someone else?” As you start your day with this goal in mind, you will find ways to serve others, even if that’s just a simple smile. Once you begin serving every day, your actions become examples to others, making you a leader everywhere you go!

As servant leaders, we want to help each other. We want to lift others up! Being a servant leader

YOU have the power to make a difference. So let’s get out there and be empowered to serve!

Robert K. Greenleaf, who wrote The Servant Leader, stated:

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Transforming Recipes, and Family Time, for the Holidays Amy Yelin, The Family Dinner Project Everyone has some favorite recipes they look forward to around the holidays. And very often, those recipes are passed down from one generation to the next, sometimes morphing as they make the journey.

At The Family Dinner Project (FDP), we’re all about food, fun, and conversation about things that matter, and we certainly think that connecting generations via favorite recipes is a mighty fun idea. Maybe you already know where that delicious version of sweet potatoes with marshmallows and brown sugar came from or where that amazing turkey tetrazzini dish (perfect for using up those Thanksgiving leftovers)

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started. But if you don’t know the backstory of your favorite recipes, why not make this the season you get acquainted?

Ask your parents, grandparents, or other relatives some of the following questions: • Who taught you how to cook?

• How old were you when you learned?

• What was the first thing you ever made?

• What’s your favorite holiday recipe to make?

• Who did you learn it from?

• Have you ever transformed it?

If yes, how? If not, how might you change it?

Write it all down—and maybe

even create a family cookbook for everyone, giving credit where credit is due. Then, as the second part of this little experiment, take one of those old favorite family holiday recipes and transform it! We prefer you change it up together with other family members, but if you prefer to work solo, come up with your own modern and maybe healthier spin on that traditional dish and surprise the whole clan.

Here’s one example of a favorite holiday recipe transformation from FDP team member Bri DeRosa.

Fresh Corn Spoonbread What is spoonbread you might ask? Spoonbread is actually a

moist cornmeal-based dish that, while referred to as a bread, is closer in consistency and taste to a savory pudding. Bri recalls her grandmother baking and serving what she calls a corn casserole at many special occasion meals.

“Often corn casseroles and spoonbreads have lots of butter, cream, cheese, or other heavy items used in their recipes,” said Bri. “So I gave my spoonbread a light makeover, and it’s still a delicious and satisfying side dish.”

Want to try it? Here’s the recipe: Ingredients 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels (you can use thawed frozen corn if fresh is unavailable)

1 cup milk 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 2/3 cup chopped green onions 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 large eggs, beaten Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Butter an 8-inch square baking dish and set aside.

3. In a medium saucepan over high heat, combine the milk, butter, cornmeal, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to come to a boil and cook, whisking constantly until it’s thick (about 3-5 minutes).

4. Transfer the cornmeal

mixture to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the corn kernels, green onions, yogurt, and baking powder.

5. Add the beaten eggs and mix thoroughly.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake at 400° for 4050 minutes, until the spoonbread is golden brown and puffed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Let the spoonbread cool slightly before serving.

Visit The Family Dinner Project for more food, fun, and conversation!

2015-2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 17

Truly Happy Holidays: Tips for Handling Stress You’ve got lots of exams and assignments to finish before winter break. Family is coming to town. You haven’t picked out a gift yet for your parents… or anyone else. The schedule is filling up with parties and gatherings. Your Aunt Ethel (the one who gives lots of kisses) is coming to visit. All that holiday food is making your jeans a little tight. And you’ve got to practice for the upcoming program.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year? It can be! Follow these easy tips and ideas to help your holiday be stress free. It’s as easy as 1-2-3!

1 Thing to Remember Focus on the most important things of the season: spreading joy, spending time with family, and celebrating. Keep these ideas in mind, and everything else will take care of itself.

Remind yourself that it’s the big idea that’s important, not all of the small details. Don’t allow others to put pressure on you with their expectations of the holiday season. Set your own.

Empower yourself by getting – and keeping – your priorities straight.

2 Ways Stop Stress Manage your time by not overbooking yourself. Be realistic about what you need to take care of. Remember that you can’t do it all, and you shouldn’t feel the pressure to do so. Pick 2 or 3 “must do” things 18 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org 2015-2016

for the entire season, and hold yourself to them.

your community to really spread Christmas cheer.

Take care of yourself. The holiday food is delicious, but it can also pack on the pounds and make you really drag. Keep your exercise routine intact, drink plenty of water, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep.

Plan something fun that you enjoy doing. Consider a service project, a fun outing, a physical activity, a social event, and more. Involve your family and friends in the activity to really melt that stress away.

3 Things to Do Serve others in as many ways as you can.

Consider starting a Secret Santa Week at your school. Students can sign up to be part of the event, and everyone draws a name. Participants purchase small gifts or perform acts of kindness for the person they drew, keeping their identity a secret.

At the end of the week, reveal yourself and find out who your Secret Santa was!

Spread joy and the holiday spirit by giving of yourself to others.

Go caroling, pass out candy canes, write encouraging notes, help a friend study for the big exam, visit those in long-term care facilities – the possibilities are endless!

Connect your passion with opportunities in

S

A E D I T GIF

Family T

ime

Serving Others

SCHO

RK O W OL

-NOTALL YOUR Want to give gifts, but don’t have a lot of cash? No problem! Check out these lowand no-cost gift ideas to ring in the holiday season.

Empower someone else (and yourself) by giving service. Could you help around the house, check in on an elderly neighbor, do some yard work for your teachers, or offer to provide childcare for your cousin?

Give the gift of time. Visit your grandparents and prepare a favorite holiday recipe with them, go to a movie with a friend, plan a family game night with your parents and siblings – the list is endless.

The key is to connect quality time with doing something everyone enjoys.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• Host a movie marathon with treats, great movies, and even better conversation.

Do a quick search on Pinterest for “cheap but thoughtful gift ideas”. Lots to choose from!

Keep your cash by budgeting and then spending a little on gifts like the ones below.

• Trays of holiday treats • A photo in a nice picture frame

Cash

Hats, mittens, or scarves A potted plant Movie rental coupons and movie treats A coffee mug with a bag of coffee Board games A jar filled with candy or a favorite treat Nice socks A book Scented candles Christmas tree ornament A mug and collection of hot chocolate mixes Nail polish Homemade bread, jellies, jams, and more A coupon book for guitar lessons, cooking meals, running errands, chores, and more Journal, notepad, and pens

Remember that it’s not about how much you spent (your worth is not wrapped up in the cost of your gift). As you’ve probably heard before, it’s the thought that counts. Don’t feel the need to compete with others when giving your gifts. Pick something that you think the other person would really enjoy, and have fun giving it.

Thoughtfulness adds value to a gift that money can’t buy. Happy gift giving!

2015-2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 19

Get Empowered through National Meetings

3-7 THE JULY

2016

SAVE DATE 2016 FCCLA National Leadership Conference San Diego | CA

2015 National Cluster Meetings This November, over 3,700 FCCLA members, advisers, and supporters will be “Empowered” at National Cluster Meetings in Dallas, TX, and Indianapolis, IN. The 2015-2016 National Executive Council plans to lead general sessions that will be an inspiration to all in attendance. FCCLA members will attend a variety of workshops on FCCLA’s new Student Body Program and FCCLA National Programs, and will be empowered by keynote presentations from Kent Julian, Cometry, Shane Feldman, and Tei Street.

For those interested in competition, Skill Demonstration Events will give attendees a chance to showcase their knowledge of Family and Consumer Sciences. During the FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl, attendees will compete in head to head buzzer round competitions for a chance to advance and compete at the 2016 National Leadership Conference.

20 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org 2015-2016

2016 National Leadership Conference Don’t miss your chance to meet, compete, learn, and network with more than 7,000 fellow student leaders in San Diego, CA, July 3-7 during the National Leadership Conference!

FCCLA’s National Leadership Conference provides opportunities for students and advisers to come together to hear inspiring speakers, expand leadership skills, and explore career pathways. The theme for this year’s conference is “Empower” and speaks to making the right choices and committing yourself to making a positive impact within your family, your school, FCCLA, and your community.

Visit the FCCLA national website in January to find all the information you need to begin planning your trip to the 2016 National Leadership Conference in San Diego. See you there!

With the launch of a new affiliation system for the 2014-2015 school year, National FCCLA was able to accurately gather membership data of the organization. This muchneeded update led to a drastic difference in membership numbers, but also a firm foundation to grow and develop the organization. Current membership totals are now accurate and portray numbers that represent our active membership while giving us a starting point to build FCCLA. And now we need YOU to help us shape the future of

the organization. National FCCLA has launched a brand new membership campaign called “Go For the Red” encouraging advisers and students to take part in the Ultimate Leadership Experience. Chapters are encouraged to focus on the three FCCLA R’s of Membership: Recruit, Retain, and Recognize.

Recruit: Bring in new members and fresh ideas

Retain: Keep current members and continue to grow in expertise and enthusiasm

Recognize: Acknowledge

member contributions and accomplishments Your FCCLA chapter can offer fun incentives or create a promotional video to recruit new members to join FCCLA. To retain students in the organization, make sure to develop an active, fun, and diverse program of work. Or even shake up your chapter meetings with a new speaker, fun energizer, or door prizes.

And don’t forget to recognize members for contributions to the chapter and for leadership above and beyond. Members can be recognized for outstanding achievements, setting a good example, or tackling a difficult challenge.

The list is endless!

So get involved in FCCLA this year. Take advantage of opportunities to gain career readiness skills, develop leadership, and explore new horizons across the nation.

We want you to be part of the Ultimate Leadership Experience, cause leaders, career leaders, family leaders, and community leaders!

2015-2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 21

Red Jacket, Red Hot Future

“

We face the future with warm courage and high hope.

This line in the FCCLA creed may be small, but it has a big meaning. FCCLA members across the nation are always looking to the future. That’s why they are such great leaders. Through their involvement in their families, careers, and communities, members are empowered to envision what their futures may hold.

FCCLA wants to highlight members who use their opportunities in the red jacket to prepare for a red hot future. In this edition of “Red Jacket, Red Hot Future”, meet Maggie Uceny, past National Officer Candidate and current Washington State FCCLA Intern.

1. What is your favorite FCCLA experience?

Being a part of FCCLA for the

22 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org 2015-2016

”

past 7 years makes it extremely difficult to pick just one experience. I love competing in STAR Events! I love working with chapter members on a project and then putting together a presentation to show others. Earning a gold at Nationals really is hard to beat, and the traveling with your chapter is super fun, too!

2. What advice would you give a new FCCLA member to ensure that they get the most out of their FCCLA journey?

To have an amazing time in FCCLA, you have to learn not to be afraid to put yourself out there. The first time I competed in a STAR Event, I was a little 6th grader. I made it as far as our state leadership conference.

At the award banquet, they announced my team as silver, and I knew I would not be going

on to Nationals. When the next year came around, I vowed to give it my all, and I earned gold at the regional, state, and national level. So I guess what I am trying to tell you is if the first time you try or even the third time and you don’t meet your goal, you need try again because in the end the payoff will be amazing.

3. How has FCCLA empowered you?

FCCLA has been a constant leadership progression for me. Each FCCLA opportunity I took advantage of built my confidence and molded me into the leader I am today and will be in the future. I am currently on the Competitive Events Advisory Team, I have facilitated workshops at Cluster Meetings, and I have been a state officer, a National Officer Candidate, and the Washington

Couch-to-5K® with National FCCLA Are you an exercise enthusiast? Or are you a couch potato? Regardless of your level of fitness, FCCLA wants you to gear up for the Run4Red 5K at the 2016 National Leadership Conference in San Diego, California. With a focus this year on the newly revised Student Body Program, now is the perfect time to join us on the journey from Couch-to-5K®!

Stay tuned in upcoming Teen Times issues for Couch-to-5K® plans, tips, and updates on the progress of national staff and other FCCLA members. In the meantime, check out some 5K races in your local area, or even organize your own Run4Red with your FCCLA chapter!

State Intern. I have competed in STAR Events for 7 years, have advocated for CTE and CTSOs on Capitol Hill, and have attended five National Leadership Conferences. The best part is I can’t wait to see what opportunities come this year!

4. What’s next for you?

Next year I plan on attending Washington State University to pursue a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education.

Ultimately, my goal is to teach and advise my own FCCLA chapter and compete against my mom!

So mark your calendars for the 2016 Run4Red race and get ready to run (or walk) your way to “The Fit You”!

Image by Christian Ferrari

2015-2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 23

Answers: State Farm logo moved, khaki pants became navy, inflatible giraffe spots changed color, pink glasses became red, eyeglasses were removed, hair tie on wrist was removed, name tag was removed

24 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org 2015-2016

What differences can you find between the two images below?

Spot the Changes

FCCLA Faces Nikki Leggett, Irwin County FCCLA Member Empowerment through service builds a person from the inside out.

Josh Sorbe, National President To me, it means giving someone the first step and encouraging them to walk the rest of the way on their own.

Anne Phelps, Adviser Realizing that one person can make a difference empowers me to continue to work for change, fight for those who canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help themselves, and ultimately make this world a better place for future generations.

Cathe Felz, Adviser Students gain confidence and leadership while engaging in meaningful service. They also practice workplace skills and learn to work as a member of a team to meet a common goal.

Students are empowered when they make a difference.

Jane T. Brown, Adviser Empowering through service means that my students will learn through active participation. Hands-on projects will build their leadership, collaborative, and organizational skills. These skills transfer directly into life and work, making my students empowered people within their families, careers, and communities.

What does empowering through service mean to you?

Makayla Hendricks, National Vice-President of Public Relations Empowering through service means loving others unconditionally and being willing to help, regardless of how small or how inconvenient it may seem.

Karen Patti, National Programs Manager Empowering through service provides an opportunity for the recipients of your efforts to recognize that they matter and have value. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the small acts of service such as a kind gesture like opening the door for someone or through big events like organizing a food drive for a community, it is empowering to a person to know that someone values them and cares. Lead as you want others to lead, as most will learn by what you do, rather than what you say.

Kim Easter, Adviser Members feel empowered when they make arrangements to volunteer and follow through.

Rhonda Dunavant, Adviser The seeds that are planted during FCCLA participation in service projects will continue to grow in studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; futures in their families, careers, and communities. They are making a difference one step at a time.

2015-2016 www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 25

FCCLA...In Action Appling County FCCLA Appling County FCCLA, Georgia, and Appling County FFA met for the annual FCCLA/FFA Pig Pickin’ BBQ (a recruitment event). Both clubs had participants who gathered for a great afternoon of fun, activities, and food.

River View High School River View High School’s Finley FCCLA chapter held their annual leadership retreat. There were leadership games, empowerment speeches, and sweet snacks. Everyone had a great time bonding and coming together and ended the getaway with a splash.

Gainesville High School Gainesville High School FCCLA has recently opened the “Vintage Bistro Café”, a coffee shop carrying healthy beverages and meals for breakfast and lunch. Run by the FCCLA officers, the café will serve as a fundraiser for the chapter.

Want to be featured in FCCLA In Action?

The process is simple! Email your story to communications@fcclainc.org and include photos of your event! National FCCLA will feature a sampling of FCCLA in Action from around the nation!

26 Teen Times www.fcclainc.org 2015-2016

THE ULTIMATE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY WORKFORCE Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) has more than 200,000 reasons – its legions of members – that Family and Consumer Sciences Education prepares youth with the employability skills and rich experiences critical for success. As the only Career and Technical Student Organization with family as its central focus, FCCLA develops skills that last a lifetime, from creative and critical thinking to practical knowledge and career preparation.

FCCLA Reach and Demographics 2014-2015 Total Membership 202,825

Gender

19.7

Diversity

Other/Multiracial: 3.9

%

Community Hispanic: 17.2%

%

Asian: 2.7 Male American Indian: 8.4% Ethnicity Unknown: 7.9% % Middle Eastern: 1.0% Female African American: 21.5%

%

GPA

3.0

Rural: 59.8%

to Suburban: 23.4

%

80.3

Urban: 16.8%

White: 55.2%

4.0 86%

Making the Grade: Why FCCLA Members Excel A survey of 30,000 students indicated they attribute learning the following to FCCLA/FACS: Time management Organization and prioritization

Communication Conflict resolution Building strong relationships with peers

Being a team player Taking leadership roles

The DNA of FCCLA 1. Employability Skills

2. Leadership Training

3. Career Preparation

4. Conferences and Special Training

5. Competitive Events

6. Life Skills

7. Advocacy 8. Scholarship and Recognition Source: myCollegeOptions.org®/FCCLA Cooperative Research Program (2015)

FCCLA & FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES (FACS) CONNECTIONS Preparing Youth Today for Tomorrow’s Career Success Foundational 21st Century Employability Skills

1.

• Since 1995, FACS Education has included eight key skills: critical thinking, management, cooperative learning, problem solving, goal setting, decision making, leadership, and creativity.¹ • FCCLA and FACS Education have been successful in helping youth develop real world problem solving abilities with transference to other areas of work and life, which raise students’ employability skills.²

STEM and FCCLA/FACS Connection

2.

• FCCLA/FACS Education develops STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) literacy skills in youth, including critical thinking, reasoning, collaboration, problem solving, and creativity.

• FCCLA models problem-based, project-based, and challenge-based strategies within the competitions which are the same experiences that are required in STEM education.

Areas Youth Feel Prepared for by FCCLA/FACS • FACS provides foundational instruction in early childhood education, offering industry credentials and post-secondary training.

3.

• FCCLA offers authentic assessment of content applications, 21st century skills, and industry skill attainment.

• FCCLA members’ interests in the following college majors and careers exceed the national average by more than 100%: Child Care/Development, Social Work/Human Services, Culinary Chef, Teaching/Education, Interior Design, Law/Legal Services, and Advertising.2

A Healthier Society Starts with FCCLA/FACS Education

4.

• FACS provides strategies to avoid obesity and health risks while introducing youth to careers in health-related fields.

• FCCLA offers numerous opportunities for youth to seek solutions for healthrelated issues in self-directed, school-based and, community-focused studentled projects.3 • Participation in FCCLA/FACS provides members experiential career exploration opportunities.

• FCCLA promotes healthy family meals to reap long-term benefits through its national campaign, FCCLA@ The Table. Studies have shown that family meals promote healthier eating habits, strengthens family ties, and lead to students’ improved academic performance.3

¹ www.nasafacs.org “National Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences Education,” pp. 15-25;² myCollegeOptions.org®/FCCLA Cooperative Research Program (2015);3 www.fcclainc.org