Contributed by: Mia Kegley, Nebraska FCCLA President
This November, I attended that National FCCLA Capitol Leadership Conference with the Nebraska FCCLA First Vice-President, William Wilton. This conference focuses on empowering FCCLA members by educating them on advocacy. Attendees gained hands on experience by going to Capitol Hill to advocate for the Strengthening Career & Technical Education for the Twenty First Century Act. William and I were able to meet with four of the five Nebraska Congressmen to promote Family and Consumer Sciences.
After this experience, I felt so empowered to promote FCCLA and FACS. I encourage you, our members and advisers, to go out and “Spread the Red” across Nebraska! Here are a few tips that you can use to advocate for our organization:
- Find your passion!
- Talk with others around you to find opportunities to voice your support.
- Stay up to date on what’s happening in your area of interest.
- Network and meet with people (especially those who are in officer/leadership positions).
- Find others whom you can work with to make change!
- Plan events for your team to reach the public.
- Talk to the press about the issues you believe are important– remember that doing a radio PSA is something that is free of charge.
Overall, just remember that change cannot occur alone: it requires a linchpin to spread an idea like wildfire.