2016-2017 State Officer Candidate Guide Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Arizona Chapter
Congratulations! You have taken the first step towards a year that is sure to be a memorable one! Running for a State Office in Arizona FCCLA is an exciting and important decision. Being an FCCLA State Officer is a huge commitment and responsibility but it is also well worth the work! This candidate guide will highlight some of the important aspects to consider when running for an FCCLA State Office including frequently asked questions and an overview of the candidate process before and during the 2016 State Leadership Conference. Best of luck! Arizona FCCLA State Office 2 P a g e
TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview... 4 State Officer Application... 5 State Officer Interview... 6 State Leadership Conference State Officer Schedule... 8 State Officer Meet N Greet... 9 State Officer Prepared Speech... 9 State Officer Informational Booth... 10 Frequently Asked Questions... 11 Each of these sections will give you in-depth information on rules and guidelines for each topic. Any questions should be directed to the Arizona FCCLA State Director or State Officer Coach. 3 P a g e
OVERVIEW Serving as an Arizona FCCLA State Officer is an opportunity to break barriers, stay active and enhance your leadership experience! As a State Officer for Arizona FCCLA, you will test your skills to the limit, travel all across the state and nation, and have a profound impact on thousands of members from all over Arizona. Running for State Office is not something that can be done alone. You will need the support of your adviser, your chapter, your school and your family. Please keep in mind the following commitments that you will have to make if you are elected as an Arizona FCCLA State Officer: You will miss between 20 and 25 days of school, beginning in the fall of the elected year. You will be required to attend all State Officer Trainings, the National Leadership Conference, and a National Fall Conference (Capitol Leadership or National Cluster Meeting). Refer to the current calendar for exact dates. You will be required to attend all Arizona FCCLA sponsored conferences. You will be required to pay for a majority of the expenses of attending the National Leadership Conference. Arizona FCCLA will cover: NLC Conference Registration, NLC STAR Event Fee (if applicable), Leadership Academy Registration, State Officer Training Registration, Arizona Excursions, approximately 1/3 of meals. Arizona FCCLA commits more than $4,000 per State Officer, per year. In-state and out-of-state travel will be required. Arizona FCCLA will cover ALL costs for travel unless otherwise noted. You will be required to have and maintain a cumulative un-weighted GPA of 3.0 or better. You must be an affiliated member of an affiliated chapter. You must have reliable means of communication both electronic and phone (such as the ability to retrieve and reply to emails daily). 4 P a g e
STATE OFFICER APPLICATION Each potential State Officer Candidate must submit a completed application in order to be considered for candidacy. Applications are located on the Arizona FCCLA State Website (www.azfccla.org) under the State Officer page. State Officer Applications are accepted and encouraged year-round. However, the final application is due by February 12, 2016. This is a received-by date NOT a postmark-date. Each application should consist of original copies with original signatures when required. No emailed or faxed applications will be accepted. A completed State Officer Application consists of the following: Copy of one of the following documents: o Social Security number or, o United States Passport or, o United States Birth Certificate Personal Motivation Statement (500 words or less describing why you want to run for a State Office position) Resume Letter of Recommendation from your local chapter adviser Transcript (FCCLA State Officers must maintain a 3.0 GPA or B average and enrollment in or completion of FACS course(s) listed within one school year of running for State Office) Copy of Membership/National Affiliation Form (Must verify the candidate is affiliated with the state and national organization by February 1) Completed State Officer Application including: o Applicant Summary and Checklist o Applicant Fact Sheet o Discipline Policy and Procedures o FCCLA Code of Ethics o Commitment Statement o Travel and Chaperone Consent o Application Certification Completed applications should be mailed to: Andrew Kuntz, Arizona FCCLA Arizona Department of Education 1535 W Jefferson Street, Bin 42 Phoenix, AZ 85007 5 P a g e
STATE OFFICER INTERVIEW Upon receipt, each State Officer Application will be reviewed to ensure that the candidate has submitted all of the required materials and that they meet all guidelines and requirements for office. Approved candidates will be invited to attend State Officer Interviews on Thursday, March 3, 2016. The purpose of State Officer Interviews is for each candidate to have the opportunity to display their personality and skills, network with other potential candidates, and showcase their knowledge of FCCLA. At this time, each candidate will also receive the 2016-2017 Arizona FCCLA Calendar of Events and review expectations and commitments if elected to State Office. The interview process will consist of an individual interview with the State Director and State Officer Coach, a group panel interview and an FCCLA Knowledge Test. Each candidate will receive an overall score that encompasses each of these components. State Officer Interviews will be held at the Arizona Department of Education 3300 Tower (3300 N Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85012). More specific information, including interview time, will be given upon receipt of application. 6 P a g e
STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE The fourteen individuals receiving the highest overall scores at the conclusion of State Officer Interviews will be officially accepted as State Officer Candidates and approved to run for office at the 2016 State Leadership Conference. The following pages will outline the process that will take place for State Officer Candidates at the 2016 State Leadership Conference. 7 P a g e
STATE OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHEDULE STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Below you will find a tentative schedule for State Officer Candidates at the 2016 State Leadership Conference. Times are approximate a finalized schedule will be provided to State Officer Candidates upon approval to run for office. Monday, March 28 4:00pm 6:00-7:15pm 7:15pm 8:00-10:00pm State Officer Candidate Check-In at Conference Headquarters State Officer Candidate Meet N Greet Opening Session Rehearsal Opening Session Candidates will be introduced on stage during Opening Session. Tuesday, March 29 7:30am 8:00-9:30am 9:30am-4:00pm 11:00am-6:00pm Informational Booth Setup (Leadership Village) Voting Caucus Candidates will give a prepared speech to Chapter Presidents and Voting Delegates. State Officer Informational Booth Candidates will have the opportunity to prepare a display board and speak with members at an informational booth. Online Voting Wednesday, March 30 9:00-11:00am 11:00-11:15am Closing Session The new State Officer Team will be announced and inducted at the conclusion of the Closing Session. Newly Elected State Officer Team Meeting 8 P a g e
STATE OFFICER CANDIDATE MEET N GREET STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Each State Officer Candidate will be expected to be in attendance at the State Officer Candidate Meet N Greet on Monday, March 28 from 6:00-7:15pm in the Fiesta Area at the Westin La Paloma. Time and location is tentative more information will be provided if approved to run for office. The purpose of the Meet N Greet is for State Officer Candidates to introduce themselves and socialize with the state delegation prior to the Opening Session and Voting Session. Candidates will be expected to remain at the Meet N Greet for the entire duration of time, and although candidates will have time to eat, the majority of the time will be focused on meeting and interacting with members. STATE OFFICER CANDIDATE PREPARED SPEECH STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Each State Officer Candidate will be expected to present a speech while running for State Office. All Candidates that pass the initial interview and FCCLA Knowledge Test round will be asked to give a speech on stage during the Voting Caucus of the State Leadership Conference, prior to the opening of the general election. The purpose of the speech is to give each State Officer Candidate the opportunity to introduce himself/herself and share a bit about him/her and who he/she is as a person. Please use the following as a guideline when preparing your speech. 2-3 minutes in length Creatively introduce yourself, describe your strongest leadership quality, how it makes you an effective part of a team, and how you plan to use this quality if elected as an Arizona FCCLA State Officer. Incorporate the Arizona FCCLA State Theme Anchoring Ambitions. 9 P a g e
STATE OFFICER CANDIDATE INFORMATIONAL DISPLAY BOOTH STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE One of the most important skills that any leader can possess is the ability to network. Networking allows individuals to showcase their skills and personalities while building connections with others who share common passions and interests. Each State Officer Candidate will have the opportunity to network with members on Tuesday, March 29 at their State Officer Candidate Informational Display Booth. The purpose of the State Officer Candidate Informational Display Booth is to allow the State Officer Candidate the opportunity to network with members, share their plans for office if elected, and also showcase their personality and other personal information through the incorporation of a visual display. Please use the following as guidelines when preparing the materials for your display booth. Candidates should create a display board. The display must be tabletop and should not exceed a space 30 deep by 48 wide by 48 high. The display should include the following information: o Name o School/Chapter o Grade o Years in FCCLA o FCCLA Involvement Positions Held, Awards, etc. o Goals if elected o Involvement outside of FCCLA o Other relevant information Candidates are not permitted to distribute any campaign information at their informational booth this includes brochures, handouts, candy, favors, etc. Candidates should make every effort to stand by their informational display throughout the duration of the day. Candidates may leave as necessary to compete, etc. 10 P a g e
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Can I run for State Office if I am currently a senior? Unfortunately, no only FCCLA members who have one or more years left of high school at the time of election are eligible to run for State Office. How many students from each chapter can run for State Office? Each FCCLA chapter is eligible to have two students run for State Office. What is the approximate cost of attending the National Leadership Conference? The cost to attend the National Leadership Conference varies by year. However, it can be anticipated that the State Officer, if elected, will need to pay approximately $800 - $1,000. This money can be fundraised through various means. If I m approved to run for State Office at the 2016 State Leadership Conference, am I allowed to announce my candidacy on social media before the conference starts? Candidates may not publicly announce their candidacy prior to the start of the 2016 State Leadership Conference. Violations of this rule may result in disqualification of the candidate. Do I need to buy my State Officer Uniform if elected to office? No Arizona FCCLA supplies the majority of the State Officer Uniform, including: blazer, 2 white dress shirts, ascot (females), tie (males), officer nametag, officer pin, black skirt and black dress pants (females), and two pairs of black dress pants (males). State officers are expected to supply dress shoes, belt (male) and nylons (females). Do I have to be a State Officer to run for FCCLA National Office? Yes Arizona FCCLA s policy states that potential National Officer Candidates must have served at least one term as an Arizona FCCLA State Officer. This policy is in place to ensure that potential National Officer Candidates have the experience and skills necessary to be eligible to run for a position on the national level. If I am elected to State Office, when will I find out my position? Specific State Officer Positions will be announced at the conclusion of State Officer Training in June. The only announcement made at the 2016 State Leadership Conference will be the eight individuals elected to the State Officer Team no positions will be announced at this time. 11 P a g e