FCCLA

Quarter 1: Membership Recruitment

August / September / October

Kick off the school year with a focus on FCCLA membership! Recruit members and help them benefit from FCCLA’s leadership opportunities. Use FCCLA’s membership recruitment resources to engage potential members and help them find their place in the FCCLA family.

Be sure to share how your chapter utilizes these resources or other activities your chapter does to recruit members using the form at the bottom of this page. 

Action Items:

  • Invite potential new members to an informational FCCLA chapter meeting.
  • Create a bulletin board that highlights FCCLA’s membership benefits.
  • Share your FCCLA skills and experiences with your school board.
  • Complete FCCLA’s Go For The Red application to have your recruitment efforts recognized.

Lesson Plans

Included below are sample lesson plans that chapter advisers can use to help integrate FCCLA into the FCS classroom and recruit new members! 

If you have an FCCLA recruitment lesson plan that you would like to share and possibly see featured below, please email communications@fcclainc.org. 

Recruitment Activities & Resources

Recruiting FCCLA members can be an exciting opportunity for your current members to promote the organization and build a strong chapter. Here are some interactive and engaging activities to inform students about FCCLA and encourage them to join your chapter:

  • General Activities List

    1. FCCLA Annual Membership Campaign: Participate in FCCLA's annual membership campaign, Go For The Red, which sets simple goals to guide your chapter in increasing membership. By achieving these goals, your chapter can earn recognition and rewards, motivating your current members to actively recruit new ones.

    2. Showcasing FCCLA Events: Participate in FCCLA events, such as conferences, community service activities, or social gatherings, and encourage your members to share their experiences with potential recruits. Word-of-mouth recommendations from enthusiastic members can have a significant impact on attracting new students.

    3. "Recruit-a-Member" Contest: Organize a contest to see which class or group within your chapter can recruit the most new members. Offer rewards or incentives to the winning class to create healthy competition and enthusiasm.

    4. Personalized Invitations: Identify students who would be a good fit for FCCLA and send them personalized invitations, such as "FCCLA Grams" or handwritten notes, inviting them to join.

    5. Eighth-Grade Workshop: Host an entrepreneurship workshop for eighth graders, who will be next year's freshmen. This hands-on experience can introduce them to FCCLA's values and programs, fostering early interest and involvement.

    6. Adopt-a-Member Campaign: Engage your current FCCLA members in an "Adopt-a-Member" campaign, where they identify potential recruits and personally invite them to participate in an FCCLA activity. Encourage continued involvement with the new members throughout the year.

    7. Senior Testimonials: Have successful senior FCCLA members speak to younger classes about why they enjoy being part of FCCLA, the benefits of participation, and the thrill of competing in FCCLA events. Hearing from their peers can inspire potential members to join.

    8. Alumni and Business Partners: Invite FCCLA alumni and business partners to visit your school and interact with potential students. They can share their experiences with FCCLA and emphasize the impact it had on their personal and professional development.

    9. Promote FCCLA Through Bulletin Boards: Create eye-catching bulletin boards around your school to promote FCCLA. Display pictures, awards, posters, and information about upcoming FCCLA conferences and activities.

    10. Engage Freshmen and Sophomores: Leverage FCCLA's programs and events designed for freshmen and sophomores to create enthusiasm among underclassmen. Offering specific events for them can make FCCLA more appealing and accessible.

    11. Involve Counselors and Administrators: Actively involve your school counselors and administrators in FCCLA activities so they can experience the organization firsthand. Encourage them to participate in events and provide them with FCCLA merchandise, such as t-shirts, to show support for the program.

  • Game - Leadership, Service, Career, FCCLA!

    Leadership, Service, Career, FCCLA!

    overview:

    This energetic activity is an FCCLA mix on the game Head, Shoulders, Knees, Cup! It promotes teamwork, quick-thinking, and introduces participants to FCCLA concepts.

    The "Leadership, Service, Career, FCCLA!" game offers a lively and interactive way to introduce students to FCCLA's core concepts and values while fostering a fun and inclusive atmosphere. It serves as a unique activity that can be easily organized without much preparation, making it an ideal icebreaker and recruitment activity for FCCLA events and gatherings.

    Instructions:

    1. Setup: Gather all participants in a large open area. Pair them up with a partner, forming two lines across from each other (similar to an egg toss game).
    2. FCCLA Concepts: Explain that in this version, each body part will represent an FCCLA concept:
      • Head: Leadership
      • Shoulders: Service
      • Knees: Career
      • Cup: FCCLA!
    3. Cup Placement: Place a plastic or paper cup equal distance between each partner.
    4. Game Start: The leader (or you) stands in the middle of the room and starts calling out the FCCLA concepts randomly.
    5. Gameplay: When the leader calls out "Leadership," "Service," or "Career," both participants touch the respective body part (e.g., head, shoulders, or knees) with both hands simultaneously.
    6. "FCCLA!" Moment: When the leader calls out "FCCLA!", both partners quickly compete to grab the cup placed between them. The first one to grab it wins the round.
    7. Winner and New Pairing: The winner finds another winner, and they both join the leader for the next round. The remaining participants find new partners to continue the game.
    8. FCCLA Twist: Before starting each round, the leader can briefly share a fun fact or information related to FCCLA's mission, projects, or programs. This adds an educational element and introduces participants to FCCLA.
    9. Continue the Game: Keep playing the game with new rounds, calling out the FCCLA concepts and occasionally adding an "FCCLA!" moment. Encourage participants to have fun, be quick on their feet, and learn about FCCLA along the way.
    10. Debrief: After the game, gather all participants for a quick debrief. Use this opportunity to discuss FCCLA further, encourage them to explore more about the organization, and invite them to upcoming FCCLA events or meetings.
  • Activity - FCCLA Red Blazer Locker Tags

    Show off your new and returning members by decorating your school hallways with FCCLA red blazers.

    • Click here to download the FCCLA Red Blazer cutout.
    • Print and cut out one FCCLA Red Blazer for each chapter member.
    • Write a chapter member’s name on each of the cutouts. 
    • Hang the FCCLA Red Blazers on your chapter members’ lockers for all the students in your school to see!

    Here are a few more ways to personalize the locker tag:

    • Add stickers indicating the number of years each member has been affiliated in FCCLA.
    • Add medals or stickers indicating how returning members placed in competitions.
    • Laminate the tag so members can take them home and save them at the end of the year.
  • Activity - Where Will Your FCCLA Dreams Take You?

    Where Will Your FCCLA Journey Take You?

    Overview:

    This activity aims to inspire students to envision their future goals and aspirations while incorporating FCCLA's programs and opportunities to support their journey toward success. By creating a vision board, students can visually represent their dreams and the ways FCCLA can help them achieve their goals.

    By combining goal-setting and vision board creation with FCCLA involvement, the "Where Will Your FCCLA Dreams Take You" recruitment activity empowers students to visualize their future aspirations and how FCCLA can support them on their path to success. It serves as a dynamic and reflective activity that encourages students to consider how FCCLA can play a significant role in their journey toward achieving their dreams.

    Materials Needed:

    • Poster boards or large sheets of paper
    • Magazines, newspapers, or printed images related to future goals and FCCLA activities
    • Scissors, glue, and markers
    • Sticky notes
    • FCCLA promotional materials (brochures, flyers, posters, etc.)
    • Inspirational quotes related to dreams and success (optional)

    Instructions:

    1. Introduction: Start with an introduction about the theme "Dare to Dream." Discuss why having dreams and goals is important, both personally and professionally. Encourage students to think beyond immediate goals and to consider long-term dreams as well.

    2. Exploring Dreams: Have a brief discussion about the importance of setting clear goals and how they can contribute to personal and professional success. Ask students to write down or illustrate their dreams and aspirations for a few minutes.

    3. FCCLA Opportunities: Explain to the students how FCCLA can support them in achieving their dreams. Use examples of FCCLA programs, projects, leadership opportunities, and community service initiatives that align with their interests and future aspirations.

    4. Vision Board Creation: Provide each student with a poster board or a large sheet of paper, along with resources such as magazines, newspapers, or printed images that represent their goals and FCCLA activities. Instruct them to cut out write down key themes or common elements of the dreams along with images and words that resonate with their dreams and FCCLA involvement.

    5. Incorporating FCCLA: Guide and encourage students to include specific FCCLA programs, events, and projects on their vision boards that would help achieve their goals. Share the importance of timelines, resources, and collaboration within the FCCLA network and how FCCLA’s values of leadership and community service can be integrated into their action plans.

    6. Presentation and Discussion: Once the boards are completed, invite each student to briefly explain their dream, why it is important to them and how FCCLA will play a role in their journey toward success and personal growth.

    7. Display and Showcase: Display the vision boards around the classroom or a designated area. Allow students to walk around and view each other's boards. This showcase can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for everyone involved.

    8. Membership Information: As part of the activity's conclusion, provide interested students with membership information for FCCLA. Share details on joining and participating in activities that support short and long-term goals. Include information about upcoming FCCLA meetings, resources, and opportunities. Encourage students to reflect on how their dreams align with FCCLA's values and to consider using FCCLA resources to develop leadership skills, pursue their ambitions, and make a positive impact in the community.

  • Open House Checklist

    A central part of recruitment is securing prospective members' and families' interest and support. A great way to garner their support is to show them the wonderful things that your chapter has already done in and out of the classroom and what plans your chapter has for the future!

    Use the checklist below to host an open house and inform others about FCCLA.

    1. Use the FCCLA Introductory Presentation to discuss the benefits of FCCLA and provide a general overview of the organization.

    2. Showcase both chapter and individual member achievement. These achievements might include any of the following:

    • Participation in district, regional, state, or national Competitive Events
    • Participation in a National Program
    • Participation in FCCLA partner contests
    • Community involvement, including community service hours members have served
    • Attendance at an FCCLA conference
    • Go For The Red chapter or individual award recognition

    3. Create a take-home packet for prospective members and their families. Suggested resources are linked below:

    4. Consider having current members or FCCLA® Alumni share personal highlights of their FCCLA experience!

    • What have they gained from FCCLA?
    • What skills has FCCLA helped them develop?
    • Where have they traveled for FCCLA?
  • Activity - Map Out Your Dreams!

    Transform dreams into reality with FCCLA's "Map Out Your Dream" activity. Engage students in interactive mapping, connecting states, and discovering inspiring alumni spotlights. Explore how dreams come to life within FCCLA's nationwide community and experience firsthand how the map creates opportunities to build new friendships to celebrate FCCLA's transformative impact on futures across the country.

    Map Your Dreams: Set your sights high and embrace big dreams! Use the outlined map of the United States to mark where your chapter members envision their future aspirations. Engage in meaningful discussions and share your ambitions. Together, create a vibrant tapestry of dreams that paints a united vision for your chapter's collective future.

    Chapter Pen-Pal Program: Connect across borders and bridge distances with a pen-pal program. Reach out to FCCLA Members in other states and share your dream with them by exchanging postcards that also showcase your chapter's impactful work. Color in the states on your map as postcards arrive, aiming to connect with one person from every state!

    FCCLA Alumni Spotlight: Discover how FCCLA influenced alumni journeys from every state. Celebrate their achievements and visions from various states, highlighting how FCCLA shaped their success stories. Use each featured journey to serve as an inspiration for your chapter's members.

Social Media Templates

  • Social Media Captions

    Use the sample captions below, or create your own to encourage students to join the Ultimate Journey!

    • Dream big, achieve bigger! Turn your dreams into reality with FCCLA ✨ #DreamBig #AchieveBigger
    • Take the leap and dare to dream! Discover your passions and unlock your potential with FCCLA 🚀 #DareToDream #UnlockPotential
    • Your dreams are waiting just beyond your comfort zone. Step into your greatness with FCCLA! 💫 #StepIntoGreatness #DreamChaser
    • Every dream begins with a single step. Start your adventure with FCCLA and make every step count! 👣 #StartYourAdventure #MakeItCount
    • Daring to dream is the first step towards extraordinary achievements. Join FCCLA and turn dreams into reality! ✨ #TurnDreamsIntoReality #ExtraordinaryAchievements
    • Embrace the power of your dreams and watch magic unfold. Connect with FCCLA and let's create something incredible together! 🌟 #EmbraceYourPower #CreateIncredible
    • Dare to dream boldly, dare to live passionately! Start your adventure with FCCLA and make every moment count. 🌈 #LivePassionately #AdventureAwaits
    • In a world full of possibilities, dare to dream the impossible. Join our community at FCCLA and let's make dreams happen! 🌠 #DreamTheImpossible #MakeItHappen
    • Dreams are the seeds of greatness. Nurture them with FCCLA and watch them blossom into reality! 🌱 #SeedsOfGreatness #BlossomIntoReality
    • Dare to dream, dare to explore, dare to create your own path. Join FCCLA, and carve out a future filled with endless possibilities! 🚀 #CreateYourPath #EndlessPossibilities
  • Canva Templates

    Click here to access the 2024-2025 Canva Templates. 

Bulletin Board Resources

Share Your Success Stories

We are eager to learn from the amazing efforts of FCCLA chapters across the nation in recruiting new members and celebrating 'The Ultimate Journey' together! Your chapter's experiences are incredibly valuable and can inspire others on their recruitment journeys.

Whether you've used the resources provided above or crafted your own innovative approach, we want to hear about your recruitment strategies and their impact. Complete the form below to tell us your chapter's story, and you could be featured in future national publications and showcased on social media.

Members develop skills for life through: character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.