SkillsUSA Texas Chapter Management

Transcription

1 SkillsUSA Texas Chapter Management 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Association Page 1 of 18

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3 New Advisor Checklist: How to form a chapter Congratulations! You ve made the decision to become a SkillsUSA Advisor. You are starting on a journey that is bound to offer many rewards for you and your students. SkillsUSA members develop into well-rounded people with excellent employability and leadership skills. There are a few basic steps to follow when starting a new chapter. Many of the resources you need can be found right here on the SkillsUSA Web site while others are available for purchase. One of the most important things to remember is to help your students to learn an effective planning process for carrying out activities, and to let students take the lead on planning and carrying out your events. They will learn and grow as they carry out their calendar of events. Checklist for New Chapters If you are a new advisor in a school that does not already have a SkillsUSA Chapter at your school, here are the basic steps to follow in starting a new chapter: Obtain a Membership Kit by calling or visit to download membership forms and materials for the current school year. Meet with the School Administrator to request permission to start a new program and to gain support for the SkillsUSA chapter (it s a good idea to have a few brochures on hand to explain program basics and benefits to students, instructors and the school). Our basic brochure, Be a Champion with SkillsUSA covers all the benefits of the program for schools, instructors and students. Contact your state office to acquire a Texas Chapter Number and request to be placed on the state ing list. Check to find out about any upcoming activities or deadlines. If you are starting a new chapter, complete an application for a national charter and the Petition for Texas Chapter number to receive your Texas Association Number. Identify one or more SkillsUSA leaders (technical instructors, a career counselor or another interested person within the school) to help with the new chapter. Gain support from other faculty members if you plan to involve students from other training programs. Explain SkillsUSA to the Industry Advisory Council that supports your program, and ask for their support and involvement as the chapter develops by serving as guest speakers, contest judges, etc. If you are a new advisor starting a chapter in your classroom in a school that already has SkillsUSA Chapters in your school, here are the basic steps to follow in starting a new chapter: Contact the state office to receive information to acquire your Texas Chapter number. Forms to complete include the Petition for Texas Chapter and Professional Membership Application and your membership roster Integrate SkillsUSA activities into ongoing classroom activities and lessons This aspect of the program should be teacher driven. Select activities according to the program of work. 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Association Page 2 of 18

4 Integrate SkillsUSA employability activities using PDP or CSEP Use the SkillsUSA Professional Development Program for high school students or Career Skills Education Program for college/postsecondary to teach employability skills. You can teach the whole program or select activities and competencies that fit best with your curriculum. Stir up student interest in the new chapter Invite students from another school or state officers to speak to the training programs about SkillsUSA Hold a kick off event (show the Week of Champions video) and be sure to make the meeting fun. Establish a student leadership structure Elect classroom officers Elect school-wide officers, if you chapter is school-wide Establish your SkillsUSA Program of Work Activities should be student-driven with support and help from the advisor. See the SkillsUSA Leadership Handbook for details on how to set up and run the chapter. Your committees should be student-led and they will plan and carry out the work of the chapter in the following seven areas. Conduct at least one activity in each area during the course of the school year: Professional Development Community Service Employment Ways and Means SkillsUSA Championships Public Relations Social Activities Create teams or committees of members to organize each activity Form a group for each component of the Program of Work Have Chapter President appoint a chair for each group. Collect membership dues and submit dues and membership roster to the national office Establish a bank account for the chapter Complete and submit a SkillsUSA membership roster (you may use the roster in the Membership Kit, download a roster from the web or join electronically at Help students decide how to pay for membership (do individuals pay, can the school help, or will you hold a fundraiser to pay the annual member dues for the chapter?) Prepare students for competition in the SkillsUSA Championships Determine if you will have a local (school) contest. If so, determine and announce the rules, the date and any awards; invite industry advisory council members to help plan the event, conduct contests and serve as judges. 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Association Page 3 of 18

5 Complete registrations for students to move on to regional events, state events and national events, as appropriate Help students prepare for any events they enter Consider leadership events as well as technical skill competitions. Close out the year with a chapter appreciation banquet to recognize those who helped you during the year. Invite your school administrators or parents, if possible. Review all activities and see how they can be improved. Begin planning for next year. New Advisor Resources A New Advisors Starter Kit is available in the SkillsUSA Educational Materials Catalog for $ (savings of 25 percent). This kit includes the follow chapter resources: ASK: Advisor s Success Kit 2000 CD-Rom electronic encyclopedia A Week of Champions videotape Be a Champion with SkillsUSA brochures SkillsUSA Creed Poster Seven copies of the SkillsUSA Leadership Handbook for your chapter officers Instructor s Guide Professional Development Program Career Skills Education Program, on CD-Rom SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards book and the book on CD-Rom The above items are also available for purchase individually. These SkillsUSA materials are available from our SkillsUSA Educational Materials Catalog. Visit to order these publications. SkillsUSA ceremonial emblems, banners, official clothing, awards and other items are available from the SkillsUSA Supply Service. Visit to order. The SkillsUSA Texas state office keeps a supply of leadership books and technical standards. Call to check, /09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Association Page 4 of 18

6 A Balanced SkillsUSA Program of Work A balanced SkillsUSA program means that every member participates in a variety of activities during the school year. There are seven areas in the SkillsUSA Program of Work, and a chapter should try to do at least one activity for each area per year. If a chapter devotes all its time to community service and not enough to ways and means, money will be scarce. Or, if a chapter spends all its time on social activities, the chapter members will not enjoy the benefits of helping others. Some activities can be used for dual purposes. A chapter may hold a reception (social), but this is also a good time for public relations (invite potential SkillsUSA members and let them see how fun SkillsUSA is). Below are some ideas to help your chapter have a balanced program of work. Each chapter is different. You may have some great ideas of your own already in the making. Professional Development Becoming a professional involves more than skill. Be aware of the importance of labor and management in the work force. Plan a chapter project in addition to section workshops. Hold a school assembly on SkillsUSA and CTE programs Establish an occupational library Attend a local government meeting Invite guest speakers from industry Community Service Let your community know about your school. Show them what students can do. Promote goodwill by planning activities: Help at a hospital or nursing home Adopt a grandparent or become a big sister/ big brother Work to get out the vote at election time Hold a beautification/renovation project Adopt a needy family at the holidays SkillsUSA Championships SkillsUSA competitions give students an opportunity to develop stronger technical skills, gain recognition and meet potential employers Invite the public to your local skill contests (industry reps can plan events, judge or donate prizes) Develop a chapter scrapbook for the Outstanding Chapter contest Get local members to participate in skill or leadership competitions Publish contest dates and procedures Employment Increase your chapter s awareness of quality job practices and attitudes. Provide opportunities for student and employer contact. Host a job fair Involve people from local business and industry in your skill competitions as judges or committee members Invite members of the business community to a SkillsUSA open house and tell them about the program and how they can become involved as supporters Public Relations Informing the community about chapter activities and achievements means credit to you and your school. Almost every SkillsUSA activity has public relations value. Send news releases to local media Submit articles and photographs to local media Make a SkillsUSA float for a parade Circulate your chapter newsletter to a wider audience Ask for an opportunity to speak at a Chamber of Commerce, school board or other community event Publicize SkillsUSA on your school s bulletin board or in a hallway display case Conduct a membership drive Ways and Means Fund-raising activities allow you the financial means to carry out other projects. Have a plant sale or giant rummage sale Hold a car wash or a bake sale Sell products from an approved fund raiser For more information about the SkillsUSA Program of Work, see the SkillsUSA Leadership Handbook or ASK: Advisor s Success Kit. Both items are available through the SkillsUSA Educational Materials Catalog at Social Activities Get to know each other better by holding activities outside of the classroom: Sponsor a picnic or pizza party Stage a school talent show Sponsor a school dance Host a teacher appreciation reception Host a field day for student organizations 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Association Page 5 of 18

7 Sample SkillsUSA Calendar Here is a list of activities that might be held during the school year, month by month. A chapter can do as few as three or four activities per year, or several per month. The level of activity depends on the interest of the members, the size of the chapter and the amount of time available. September October November December Organize the chapter Hold a SkillsUSA kick-off event Elect chapter officers Collect SkillsUSA member dues Have first chapter meeting Start the PDP curriculum Register for Chapter Standards Conduct a fund-raiser Attend a state fall leadership event Install/train chapter officers Form committees, establish budget, and develop a program of work Hold meeting with a guest speaker on professional development Distribute SkillsUSA Champions magazine and discuss in class Submit membership additions to SkillsUSA by Nov. 15 Learn/practice the SkillsUSA Opening and Closing Ceremonies Hold a chapter meeting Conduct a chapter activity Hold a chapter meeting Conduct community service project Conduct a holiday party or other social activity Register and begin to prepare for upcoming competitive events January February March April Conduct a local-level SkillsUSA Championships in your classroom Distribute SkillsUSA Champions magazine and discuss in class Hold a chapter meeting Hold an open house or another activity Celebrate SkillsUSA Week Submit any remaining SkillsUSA membership by the state deadline Hold a chapter meeting Register for district or regional SkillUSA competitions Run for district/state office Distribute SkillsUSA Champions magazine and discuss in class Coordinate public relations efforts to promote chapter activities Hold a program Open House and invite parents and industry partners Complete PDP levels Conduct a fund-raiser Chapter Meeting Attend State Skills Conference Hold a Goodwill Tour to visit local companies and seek support May June July August Hold a chapter meeting Distribute SkillsUSA Champions magazine and discuss in class Attend SkillsUSA national conference, if eligible Send photos and results of national conference to local media Attend summer training/camps Plan for fall activities Plan an end-of-year banquet Plan for next school year Evaluate activities that were conducted this school year 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Association Page 6 of 18

8 President MAJOR DUTIES Presides over chapter meetings, using proper parliamentary procedure Works with other officers to prepare agenda Represents SkillsUSA in school and community functions CANDIDATES: Vice President MAJOR DUTIES Presides at meetings and other functions in the absence of the chapter president Supervises all committees Serves as program chairperson, introduces programs at chapter meetings SkillsUSA Officer Duties Treasurer MAJOR DUTIES Keeps records of chapter funds Collects annual dues from members Prepares financial statements, including annual financial statement CANDIDATES: Reporter MAJOR DUTIES Writes news stories on chapter activities Contacts school newspaper and the local news media about SkillsUSA-VICA events Gets acquainted with local news editors CANDIDATES: CANDIDATES: Secretary MAJOR DUTIES Maintains all chapter records Records minutes of all meetings Handles all chapter correspondence CANDIDATES: Parliamentarian MAJOR DUTIES Oversees proper business procedure of all chapter meetings Serves as consultant and expert on parliamentary procedure using adapted resource materials CANDIDATES: Consult the SkillsUSA Leadership Handbook for a complete list of 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas official Association duties for each office. Page 7 of 18

9 Officer Candidate Filing Form To file for any SkillsUSA office: 1. Candidates are to complete this form and state their intentions to their advisor. 2. Candidates are to obtain, on this form, six signatures by dues-paying SkillsUSA members and signatures from two instructors. 3. Candidates are to give a one-minute campaign speech at the designated time, prior to the election. 4. Members may sign only one petition per office. Example: Joe Doe may sign eight petitions for eight separate offices, but may not sign any two for the same office. Instructors may sign two for each office. 5. The officers to be elected are president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, reporter, parliamentarian, other. Student Members Instructors I hereby declare my candidacy for the office of and if elected, I will fulfill the duties of that office to the best of my abilities. Candidate s Signature Date 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Association Page 8 of 18

10 Name Age Address: Home School A.M. P.M. Teacher Are you currently employed? Yes No If yes, where? Could you represent the local chapter at district, state or national meetings? Yes No List chapter offices you have held or are now holding: Office Chapter Date List extracurricular activities in which you have participated: Parent s Recommendation (if applicable): Employer s Recommendation (if applicable): Signature Teacher s Recommendation: Signature 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Signature Association Page 9 of 18

11 SkillsUSA Committees Professional Development Provide training and experience for all members in public speaking, chapter business procedure, citizenship and other leadership areas Offer programs to chapter members to improve their knowledge of their occupational areas through industry presentations and involvement in the classroom and training laboratory Coordinate activities associated with member participation in the Professional Development Program CHAIRPERSON: MEMBERS: Community Service Find out what projects will be of value to your community and your chapter and go to it! CHAIRPERSON: MEMBERS: Ways and Means (Finance) Plan and work within an annual budget Conduct fund raising activities CHAIRPERSON: MEMBERS: SkillsUSA Championships Conduct a local skill competition Involve business people as technical committee members or judges CHAIRPERSON: MEMBERS: Employment Inform local business people about the benefits of hiring SkillsUSA students Put students and business people in contact CHAIRPERSON: MEMBERS: 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Association Page 10 of 18

12 SkillsUSA Committees (cont.) Public Relations Tell local newspaper, radio and TV stations about SkillsUSA-VICA Publish a chapter newsletter CHAIRPERSON: MEMBERS: Social Get together in something other than a classroom setting Host social events so members are rewarded for their efforts CHAIRPERSON: MEMBERS: 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Association Page 11 of 18

13 Agenda SkillsUSA Chapter Meeting 1. Opening a. Call to order (President) b. Invocation c. Opening ceremony d. Pledge to flag 2. Roll call and reading of minutes of last meeting (Secretary) 3. Correspondence 4. Reports a. Officers b. Standing committees c. Special or ad hoc committees 5. Business a. Unfinished business b. New business 6. Announcements 7. Program a. Speakers b. Educational activities (video or demonstration) c. Presentation of honors and awards 8. Ceremonies a. Initiation b. Installation of officers c. Granting of honorary memberships 9. Closing ceremony 10. Entertainment or social activity 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Association Page 12 of 18

14 SkillsUSA Member Interest Survey Our SkillsUSA chapter is interested in helping each member to fulfill his or her potential. To do this, the executive council needs to know what your interests are. Help us by completing this questionnaire. Name Training Program Would you like to be a chapter officer? Yes No Would you like to be a chapter section officer? Yes No Which office? Mark below the committees on which you wish to serve. Write 1 in the box of your first choice, 2 for second choice, and 3 for third choice: Professional Development Ways and Means (Finance) Employment Social Community Service SkillsUSA Championships Public Relations Mark all the SkillsUSA programs and activities below you think are important and should be developed by our chapter. SkillsUSA Championships Industry Contact Community Service Professional Development Program Public Relations Leadership Workshops List below the SkillsUSA programs and activities you would most like to participate in. First choice: Second choice: Third choice: What Leadership workshop subjects would you like our chapter to sponsor? (Public speaking, job interview, etc.) First choice: Second choice: Third choice: Would you attend? Yes No 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Association Page 13 of 18

15 Give examples of community service projects you would like to have our chapter sponsor. First choice: Second choice: Third choice: Would you participate in these projects? Yes No What special abilities do you have that might be used by the chapter? (Art, public speaking, carpentry, etc.) Comments: (We want to know what you want from the chapter!) 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Association Page 14 of 18

16 Dear Parent: This year in the training program, your son/daughter has an opportunity to be a member of SkillsUSA. This is a national student organization that teaches leadership and employability skills to help students succeed both on the job and in life. I hope you will support participation of this activity by your child. Membership dues for our SkillsUSA Chapter are $ and they are payable by check or cash, and are due on. These dues will help cover the cost of local activities for the chapter this school year. Active SkillsUSA members will have a chance to conduct a variety of professional development activities including competitions that test their job skills against industry standards. There will also be opportunities to receive credentials that will enhance a job portfolio. And, students who elect to participate in skill or leadership events are eligible to represent their school at the state or national level, and to win industry awards and scholarships. Additional information about regional, state or national events will be sent home later, once we determine participation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at or send an to. I appreciate your support of this activity. Sincerely, Instructor For more information about SkillsUSA, go to 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Association Page 15 of 18

17 Sample Instructor Script: Introducing SkillsUSA to Your Students The following script is designed to help instructors talk with students about the SkillsUSA program. Modify it as needed to include your school name, advisor s name and sample activities from the previous year or your intended areas of focus for the program. It will be helpful to review the SkillsUSA Membership Kit before you talk with students, and also to have the materials as a reference during your talk. Hang the classroom poster. To further explain SkillsUSA, brochures are available from the Educational Materials Catalog. See the Advisor s Success Kit (ASK) 2004 for detailed instructions on running a membership campaign, electing officers and training them, as well as planning your program of work and participating in contests. SkillsUSA Fact Sheet: Info for Parents: TEACHER SCRIPT Most professionals have organizations relating to their specific occupation. You can join them for personal or professional development, or to meet other people with the same interests. This year in our classroom [school], you will have an opportunity to be a part of your first professional organization: SkillsUSA. SkillsUSA is a national student organization with more than 284,000 members. Our SkillsUSA group will have a variety of experiences to enhance what we re learning in the classroom [lab]. And, being in SkillsUSA will help each of you, individually, develop some new abilities as team members and leaders. You may have an older brother or sister, or maybe a friend, who has been in SkillsUSA. Or, you may have seen fliers around school. Maybe you ve heard 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Association Page 16 of 18

18 about some of the activities sponsored by SkillsUSA in the past. Now it is your turn to be part of SkillsUSA. There is another very important reason to join now. You ll see how important it is the longer you re in this program. When you re working toward a career, you need to have every competitive advantage over the next job candidate. Even if you do not know exactly what your future career will be, the skills you will gain through SkillsUSA will last your entire life. SkillsUSA will help give you an edge to succeed both in work and in life. There are a lot of fun things you can do as a SkillsUSA member. Together, we can conduct community projects. We can also interact with local businesspeople in our field of study. And, many people like SkillsUSA because of its contests. Through the SkillsUSA Championships program, you can earn recognition, industry tools and prizes, and college scholarships. Here at school, SkillsUSA is a leadership organization where the students are in charge. First, you ll elect officers. Then you ll plan and carry out your own activities. These should include community service, professional development, employment, public relations and competition. All these activities add up to what s called our Program of Work. We ll decide on our own activities and how to carry them out. For example, we might bring in a guest speaker, do a fix-up project, or hold an open house for our training program. Those are just a few ideas of what we can do. [We will also work in the Professional Development Program. This is a leadership and personal development course we will complete during the year to develop better employment skills.] SkillsUSA chapters are located in schools all over our state. Some of you will have a chance to travel and compete in regional or state contests. Others might attend a leadership conference with students from other schools. And, contest winners at the state level will be invited to the national championships in Kansas City, Missouri. So, there will be some great opportunities to meet new people, travel and test your skills against other people in the state. If you re interested in participating, we will enroll members in SkillsUSA this month. [Or, for 100 percent chapters: Every member of this training program is automatically a member of SkillsUSA. Your dues have been paid for you because the school believes participation in a student organization is an essential part of your education.] 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Association Page 17 of 18

19 We will hold elections soon to elect classroom officers and school officers. Some of you can also volunteer to lead or serve on a committee to carry out a project or activity. These leadership positions will help you to practice the same skills you ll need on the job someday. You ll learn how to manage a project, keep track of finances, meet deadlines, and organize people. SkillsUSA will help us to bring a lot of positive publicity to this program and to our school. It sounds like work, but it will also be a lot of fun. You, the students, will receive praise and attention when we are successful with our activities because you will be in charge. I know most of you want or need some activities to include in your job portfolios or to list on your résumés or college applications. SkillsUSA doesn t just look good on paper. It s also the kind of organization that will have a lasting impact on your life. You will develop stronger skills, more confidence and rich friendships. The cost for being part of SkillsUSA at our school is [$00] per student. We will ask each student to pay his or her dues by [date]. To pay for travel and other additional expenses, we will hold a fundraiser. To start off the year, we will have a [SkillsUSA Kick Off Rally and Social] on [date] at [time] in the [name of room]. I hope you will come. We will have some members from last year tell you about their experiences and see a SkillsUSA video, followed by some games and a pizza party. Please be sure to tell your parents about this program so they won t be surprised when we send home information about trips, contests and other fun activities later in the year. The national Web site, skillusa.org, has a lot more information. There are special sections for students and for parents. Does anyone have questions? 07/09/06 SkillsUSA Texas Association Page 18 of 18