Executive Director Notes
W
hen we look at this year’s National Leadership Conference theme, a great deal of imagery comes to mind. For me, the word Soar invokes the idea of rising above and beyond the ordinary. This is something that FCCLA members like yourself demonstrate on a daily basis through countless service projects, education efforts, and initiatives that you lead in your families, schools, and communities across the country. I came across several outstanding examples of FCCLA members “soaring” to new heights through involvement in our national program, STOP the Violence. As we are inundated by stories about violence and instances of bullying in the news, it’s reassuring to see that members of our organization are taking the steps to recognize, report, and reduce youth violence in such creative and thoughtful ways. Let me point out two great examples: Members of the Sewanhaka FCCLA chapter in New York created and performed short skits that educated their peers on the multiple forms of bullying. This creative approach to peer education proved to be an effective and entertaining way to spread an important message.
members in the Virgin Islands have with their communities and the individuals that help to make them safe and healthy places to live. This summer, we’ll take the opportunity to recognize chapters like these ones and celebrate the achievements that you have made to make this world a better Sandy Spavone place. I hope to see many of you Executive Director “Soar” with us at the 2014 National sspavone@fcclainc.org Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas from July 6–10. It will be an unforgettable opportunity that you won’t want to miss. This summer’s conference will be brimming over with opportunities for you to grow. Be sure to take full advantage of the ultimate leadership experience that only FCCLA can provide.
The Russell Middle School FCCLA chapter in Georgiacontinued their annual tradition of celebrating National Anti-Bullying Week. Members joined together with the student body to raise awareness about the consequences of bullying, and participated in several school-wide activities that showcased their commitment to stomp out bullying to their entire community. During my trip to the Virgin Islands state meeting in February, I also came across great examples of students initiating positive change in their communities. This was evident from the workshops I attended, including one presented by local law enforcement. It was empowering to see the strength of the relationship that FCCLA
March/April 2014 • www.fcclainc.org Teen Times 3