Written by Audrie DeBates, President Elect
Within FCCLA there are numerous opportunities for members to step into larger leadership roles at a local, area, state, and national level. Being an officer of any kind is an incredibly rewarding task, but also comes with a lot of responsibility. Being a leader takes dedication, determination, and a desire to lead.
Being a chapter officer is the perfect opportunity for new FCCLA members or members who are just starting to be interested in pursuing an office! They work within their own chapters to boost membership and engagement, run meetings, and help members with problems that arise throughout the year. Talk to your advisor if you’re interested in becoming an officer at your own chapter.
The next step up from chapter office is area office. Area officers work within their area of the state to run regional meetings, communicate between chapters to boost interpersonal relations, and are a great resource for members within their area of the state. Peer educators also work at an area level in helping educate and share FCCLA knowledge to an area/chapters member! Area offices and peer education are perfect for members who are looking to take some bigger leaps in their FCCLA leadership.
The highest level of leadership within the state is becoming a State Officer. There are many different responsibilities dependent on the specific office, but in general state officers set the tone for MN FCCLA, serve as role models, plan meetings throughout the year, and do their best to advocate for MN FCCLA’s members wants to be heard. Being a State Officer is an incredible opportunity for members looking to work on a large scale, take leaps and bounds in their leadership, and get out of their comfort zone. It’s a major responsibility, but very rewarding.
Finally, there is the National level. Every year at the National Leadership Conference, 10 members from across the country are elected to serve on the National Executive Council. These 10 members work vigorously to ensure that FCCLA is providing for its members to the best of its ability and serve as a liaison for FCCLA members to be heard by National Staff. Being a National Officer is not for everyone, it is a major commitment, however, for the right person, it can be an incredible experience to grow as a young professional and gain critical leadership experience!
For more information about running for any office, talk to your advisor and check out mnfccla.org/leadership.
