FCCLA

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a nonprofit national career and technical student organization for young men and women in Family and Consumer Sciences education in public and private school through grade 12. Everyone is part of a family, and FCCLA is the only national Career and Technical Student Organization with the family as its central focus. Since 1945, FCCLA members have been making a difference in their families, careers, and communities by addressing important personal, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education.

Today over 160,000 members in more than 5,300 chapters are active in a network of associations in 49 states, in addition to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Chapter projects focus on a variety of youth concerns, including teen pregnancy, parenting, family relationships, substance abuse, peer pressure, environment, nutrition and fitness, teen violence, and career exploration. Involvement in FCCLA offers members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life -- planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision making, and interpersonal communication -- necessary in the home and workplace.

Mission

To promote personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education. Focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner and community leader, members develop skills for life through: character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.

Motto

Toward New Horizons

Purposes

1. To provide opportunities for personal development and preparation for adult life

2. To strengthen the function of the family as a basic unit of society

3. To encourage democracy through cooperative action in the home and community

4. To encourage individual and group involvement in helping achieve global cooperation and harmony

5. To promote greater understanding between youth and adults

6. To provide opportunities for making decisions and for assuming responsibilities.

7. To prepare for the multiple roles of men and women in today's society

8. To promote Family and Consumer Sciences and related occupations

Creed

We are the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. We face the future with warm courage and high hope. For we have the clear consciousness of seeking old and precious values. For we are the builders of homes, homes for America's future, homes where living will be the expression of everything that is good and fair, homes where truth and love and security and faith will be realities, not dreams. We are the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. We face the future with warm courage and high hope.

Program Emphasis

FCCLA is the only in-school student organization with the family as its central focus. FCCLA is a career and technical student organization that functions as an integral part of the Family and Consumer Sciences education curriculum and operates within the school system, and it provides opportunities for active student participation at local, state, and national levels.

Membership

FCCLA has a national membership of over 160,000 young men and women in more than 5,300 chapters. FCCLA chapters span 49 states including Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Since its founding in 1945, FCCLA has involved more than nine million youth. Former members and advisers are eligible to become members of Alumni & Associates.

Governance

Ten national officers (students) are elected by voting delegates at the annual National Leadership Conference and together make up the National Executive Council. The National Board of Directors is composed of adult representatives from education and business and four youth representatives. State associations and local chapters elect their own youth officers. State programs come under the direction of Family and Consumer Sciences education staff. Chapter advisers are Family and Consumer Sciences teachers.

Financial and Cooperative Support

FCCLA is supported primarily by student membership dues. Additional funds are raised from individuals, corporations, and foundations. FCCLA is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education (Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education) and the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS).

National Staff

An executive director leads the organization and heads a national staff that gives direction to and carries out programs, communications, membership services, and financial management.

National Publications

Teen Times, the official magazine of FCCLA, is published in the Fall and Spring online.

The national staff also publishes a variety of other resource materials for members and adult leaders.