State Directors Report April 1, 2012
Spring Break and our State Conference are just around the corner. The staff of SkillsUSA is working hard to get you the information you need and prepare for the upcoming conference. Please take the time to go over all the material that was send and is on line.
Here are a few reminders before conference:
Top Tips for State Conference Success!
Download a copy of the State Leadership and Skills Conference Technical Standards from the website – www.nysskillsusa.org for forms and information.
Use the current 2011-2012 Technical Standards for all of your national contest guidelines and information.
Ensure that every student has a copy of their resume to submit for the contest that they have entered.
Make sure that your contestants have the appropriate clothing for their contest and Opening/Awards Sessions. Read the Dress Code to your students and ensure that everyone understands the expectations for dress.
Ensure that your contestants meet all safety standards for their contest area –see specifics in the Technical Standards.
Bring all of the tools that will be needed for the contests that are entered. Seethe Technical Standards and watch for updates on the SkillsUSA New York website.
let your students know that will be taking a written test Wednesday evening at their orientation.
Prepare for the competition – students should be well aware of and trained on all Aspects of their competition. Practice and prepare to succeed!
Check our website for additional conference information –www.nysskillsusa.org
Check our website frequently for Contest Updates – www.nysskillsusa.org
Name badges must be worn at all times during the conference.
Ensure that every student has turned in to you their Code of Behavior and the Personal Liability/Medial and Photography Release Form. Make a copy of these forms to turn in at the Registration desk when you pick up your conference materials. Also, bring your Eligibility Verification Form to turn in at the Registration desk.
Make sure that you and your students attend the Opening General Session on Wednesday evening of the conference as contest information and orientation is given during the session.
Make hotel changes with the hotel for your chapter.
Registration site will be open Wednesday April 4, 2012 for changes and drops. Please do not make adds.
Other News form SkillsUSA Nationals
More Recognition for Students in Manufacturing
Students can now earn additional recognition for their participation in SkillsUSA under a grant from the MacArthur and Mozilla Foundations. The Manufacturing Institute led the proposal with input from SkillsUSA and Project Lead the Way to earn digital badges credentialing students who have attained skills through learning organizations. Over 500 teams applied for the grants and only four were selected. Other winners include Disney/Pixar and NASA’s Robotics and STEM System. SkillsUSA students in manufacturing programs will earn the badge by doing two of the following: earning a Skill Connect certificate; winning a medal in state-level Championships; earning levels one and two in the Professional Development Program; and, receiving a manufacturing certification.
TOP 10 JOBS EMPLOYERS ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY FILLING GLOBALLY
The demand for the skills our students learn is GLOBAL. A chart from Manpower Group’s 2011 Talent Shortage Survey, listing the Top 10 Jobs Employers are Having Difficulty Filling Globally, is attached to the PDF of this Executive Update at www.skillsusa.org/EXU and is also included as a hard copy with the mailing of this Update for state association directors. “Skilled trade’s workers” appear as number three on the list.
NATIONAL WEEK OF SERVICE
We invite all our chapters to participate in the SkillsUSA National Week of Service on May 6-12. Chapters may participate in two ways: 1) conduct a community service project during that week; or 2) promote a service project the chapter did earlier in the school year during that week. This will help commemorate the founding of SkillsUSA on May 8, 1965. The SkillsUSA National Week of Service not only shines a spotlight on SkillsUSA’s dedication to serving others, but it also showcases the skills and expertise of career and technical education students who are learning to become tomorrow’s leaders.
We encourage chapter advisors to send a brief report on their community service activities to Niki Clausen at the national headquarters - nclausen@skillsusa.org. Please let us know in a paragraph or two what the chapter does to help the community and we’ll post these reports and photos online. The first 50 chapters that report Week of Service plans to the national headquarters will receive a free item.
Imagine one amazing week in May when SkillsUSA students nationwide are busy reporting about their community service event or conducting service projects in their communities. Imagine the power they’ll hold in their hands as they and their fellow SkillsUSA members work nationwide to improve the lives of their neighbors in countless ways. Imagine the difference one week can make.
For planning materials, go to: http://www.skillsusa.org/events/service.shtml.
2012 TIMBERLAND PRO/SKILLSUSA COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY REGISTRATION
Timberland PRO will again host the Community Service Day on Wednesday, June 27th, in Kansas City, and they hope to recruit 350 volunteers. Beginning April 16th, state advisors and directors can register the volunteers online at: http://timberlandserviceday.eventbrite.com. The password is Timberland. All volunteers MUST be registered online.
PLEASE NOTE: Each state has been allotted a certain number of spots. Karen Beatty will be informing state association directors of their numbers. Please do not register more than your state's allotted amount. If a state registers more than its allotted registration limit, Timberland will remove the extra registrants from the state. Volunteers will receive service day tickets as proof of registration. Tickets must be taken to the service day event.
Don't miss out on this fun opportunity as space is limited. Register your group online today and help give back to the Kansas City community. If you have questions or problems registering, please contact Christy Greco at Cgreco@timberland.com
Look forward to a Great Conference.
Bruce Potter State Director
State Directors Report
March 2012
(March 1, 2012)
Important Dates For New York SkillsUSA
- March 7 – Forms Due: Hotel Reservation, T-Shirt, VIP’s
- March 8 – Web-site closed For State Conference
- April 4-17 Re-open Web for name changes State Conference
- April 18 - Payment in full and name changes made with Hotels (last date to drop and receive hotel cost back)
- April 25-27 Conference “Have fun”
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
We just finished CTE Month and we had a lot going on here at SkillsUSA. That includes social media activity during SkillsUSA Week. Here are some of the highlights during this shortest month of the year.
Highlights
- Congratulation to Southern Adirondack Ed. Center for their article on page 17 in the champion Magazine
- SkillsUSA Champions magazine won a silver award this year in the Association Trends All-Media Contest. Among the judge’s comments: “This submitted issue lives up to the mission statement with excellent and focused content and clean and easy-to-read design elements. This organization has a strong Web presence and a digital version to further enhance its commitment to members.
- Also during SkillsUSA Week, we heard about lots of activity from around the State as our chapters were engaged in advocacy and service activities.
- I’m pleased to announce that Lowe’s continues to support NY SkillsUSA as they have given us a donation to help with the cost of our Teamwork contest..
- Here is the latest on New York SkillsUSA membership. So Far this morning, March 1, 2012 we have 16,240 members entered and more Chapters have surpassed their total membership of last year. Congratulations for exceeding last year’s overall membership and a Big thanks to Midge McCloskey our Membership Coordinator for all her hard work to make this happen.
.
.
- Congratulations to Herschel Bhasin from Flushing, NY who has been selected as a SkillsUSA WorldTeam candidate. Nationals are putting the final touches on a rigorous selection process for SkillsUSA WorldTeam
- Sales of the Skill Connect Assessments are double what they were last year at this time and sales of ASE automotive assessments – in which SkillsUSA shares – are also way ahead of last year. We’ve been very fortunate to have an assessment expert helping us review the Skill Connect system, providing significant advice on how and where we can make improvements to the system and helping to develop a tool to show teachers the weighting of competencies in the tests. That will be a big help to teachers to prepare their students.
- New York has the Practical Assessment Rubrics up on the www.nysskillsusa.org under the program tab. They are free to use.
- This Year as you prepare for the upcoming State Conference you will need to also prepare at the same time for the Nationals Conference. We only have TWO days after the end of our conference to get names and money in to Nationals for registration and to our travel agent for air flight and hotel. Please inform your students that are going to States to be prepared to commit to going to Nationals the day of awards. We will be sending out information and reminders about this dual prepare as we move along.
Money and Graduation have always been a concern so please start now to explore these areas. Your student may be the one that earns a chance to go to Nationals.
That’s it for now. Thanks for all you do for the great students and teachers we serve.
MILLER ELECTRIC AWARDING ADDITIONAL PRIZES TO STATE CHAMPIONS
…Miller Electric Mfg. Co., Inc. is pleased to be adding awards offers to state gold medalists. The following state contests will receive additional support. Collision Repair Technology, Welding Fabrication and Welding Sculpture. These prizes will be awarded only to the state gold medalists in the respective contests.
NATIONAL COURTESY CORPS – NEW REGISTRATION PROCEDURE
…We continue to work to improve the National Courtesy Corps (NCC) experience at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC).
This year, because of the change in days when the conference is held and the need for a rapid move-out, we will need your assistance by providing more courtesy corps members. In the past, Missouri has provided as many as 70 of the 150 members we need, and last year, we only received 30 members from outside of Missouri. For 2012, we will require as many as possible to assist in the effort to move out quickly.
If there are scoring errors at your state conference and incorrect winners – one option could be to send the correct winner to Kansas City and offer the other student a position as a NCC member.
We request members arrive on Wednesday (6/20/12), by 5:00 p.m., so they can start to work on the contest areas on Thursday (6/21/12). They will depart from conference on Saturday (6/28/12).
All NCC participants will be housed at Park University Campus in Parkville, Mo. This campus is about 12-15 minutes away from Bartle Hall.
The advisors must supervise the students. SkillsUSA will develop an individual schedule for each student and advisor listing work assignments, breaks, free time, etc., and there will be a separate advisor session to review their duties and responsibilities.
There is also a new registration process for Courtesy Corps. To register go to https://www.smartreg.com/webreg/SKILLSUSA12/ and then follow the instructions.
Dorothy Loges from Missouri will serve as the NCC chair, again, and we look forward to working with her.
If you have any questions, please contact Jim Kregiel at jkregiel@skillsusa.org or by phone to 703-737-0634.
WEBINAR COMING IN 2012 REMINDER
Please join us for this national webinar and invite interested students and advisors to attend.
So You Want to Be a National Officer? - March 14, 2012, 1 p.m. (EST)
Do you have a student you think would make a good national leader? Has he or she wanted to run for a national SkillsUSA office but wasn’t sure how? Then this webinar is for you! Our experts will provide an overview of the national officer candidate procedures and national officer responsibilities. You will also get to hear first-hand experience from a current national officer.
URL: http://web.ganconference.com/?meeting=8705179
Telephone: 888-222-0475
Attendee code: 5692952
HEART SAVER SKILLSUSA UNIVERSITY SESSION
The SkillsUSA Alumni & Friends Association is offering the American Heart Association – Heart Saver course during SkillsUSA University at NLSC 2012. This session is open to all NLSC participants, educators and students and will be offered Sunday, June 24, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Every three seconds in the United States someone suffers from a cardiac arrest or other cardiac-related emergency. The American Heart Association now offers a hands-on approach to ensure victims receive immediate care by non-medical personnel. This short SkillsUSA University session will provide the basic knowledge to save a life in the event of such emergencies.
The pre-registration fee is $20 for this certification, $30 registration fee at the door (space permitting). The presenters are: Brice Harader-Pate, RN, BSN and alumna, and Emily Hughes, EMT-B and alumna. Pre-register for this course at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/936H8BM
Contact Niki Clausen at nclausen@skillsusa.org or 703-737-0639 with questions or for further information.
ALUMNI MEMBERSHIP INCENTIVES REMINDER
The Alumni Coordinating Committee is offering two incentives this year. One is for SkillsUSA advisors who sign up alumni from their chapters and the second for students who join alumni. For every five members an advisor gets to join the SkillsUSA Alumni & Friends Association, he or she will be entered into a drawing for a VISA gift card. For each student who joins the Alumni & Friends Association, he or she will be entered into a drawing for a VISA gift card.
To be officially entered into the drawing, the advisor must have students register and join online at http://skillsusa.org/supporters/alumni.shtml. The advisor must then send an email to Niki Clausen at nclausen@skillsusa.org. The email must contain the advisor’s name, school and state, and a list (for verification) of the students (first and last names) who joined as alumni. Remember that graduating seniors qualify to join during their senior year. Former SkillsUSA students are also eligible, provided they are not members already. These students must register through their former advisor to be counted as part of that advisor’s entry. Students who join are automatically entered into the drawing. Students may only join once.
Deadline for entry into the drawing is June 1. Contact Niki Clausen at 703-737-0639 or via email, if you have questions.
SHARON MELTON MYERS MEMORIAL FUND SCHOLARSHIP
Through a donation from the Sharon Melton Myers Memorial Fund, SkillsUSA and the McMinn County Vocational Center SkillsUSA Alumni Association are offering a $500 scholarship to a SkillsUSA student in memory of Sharon Melton Myers. The Sharon Melton Myers Memorial SkillsUSA Scholarship fund will provide graduating SkillsUSA members the opportunity to continue their education in college or technical school.
Sharon Ruth Melton Myers was an active member of the McMinn County Vocational Center SkillsUSA Chapter from 1985 through 1988. During that time, Sharon participated in local, state and national SkillsUSA activities. She served as a local officer in 1986 and 1987, Tennessee state secretary in 1986-87 and national president in 1987-88. Sharon also participated in the Chapter's Opening and Closing Team in 1986, 87 and 88. Following graduation from McMinn High in 1988, Sharon continued as an active supporter of SkillsUSA, serving as a national officer trainer for several years. Sharon was active in establishing a Tennessee SkillsUSA alumni charter and constitution while attending David Lipscomb College in Nashville. Sharon was totally committed and dedicated to the ideals of SkillsUSA and actively worked for the advancement of this youth leadership organization.
A judging committee composed of Catherine Melton and National SkillsUSA staff will review the nominations and select the national winner.
Candidates may nominate themselves. All nominations must include two letters of recommendation from any of the following individuals: a) instructors; b) SkillsUSA advisors; c) state association director; d) community leader. A nomination form can be downloaded from SkillsUSA’s website at www.skillsusa.org. Nominations must be postmarked by April 30.
If you have questions, please contact Christen Battaglia (703) 737-0627 or
SUNDAY CONTESTANT MEETINGS DURING NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Contestant meetings will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 24. The change in starting time is to accommodate the request of some state association directors who wanted to leave time for state delegation meetings in the morning. Because of the later starting time, contestant meetings and orientations will run later in the day. Some meetings won't conclude until after 6 p.m. Students and teachers who attend later meetings -- and who plan to attend the Champions Night at Power & Light -- should pack a change of clothes so they're ready to go from the meetings/orientations to Champions Night.
We'll see how it goes this year with the change in schedule. The national organization will look into alternatives to later orientation meetings during future conferences.
Also, some state directors have asked about attending worship services on Sunday. A list of Kansas City area houses of worship is posted on the state director Web page and included as an insert with the hard copy of this Executive Update. Hotel information desks will have lists too.
NATIONAL EDUCATION STARTUP CHALLENGE
On February 1, 2012, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) launched the National Education Startup Challenge, http://nesc.challenge.gov, asking students to develop innovative, real world solutions to improve education.
Students from across the country are invited to submit business plans and video pitches for a for-profit or non-profit startup that includes an innovative strategy, product or service designed to address one of these four topics:
- Middle Grades Matter – Helping middle school student’s transition to high school and stay on track to graduate.
- Skills, Skills, Skills – Providing students in rural, urban, and/or high-poverty communities with opportunities for internships or other work- and community-based learning experiences that help them develop skills for success in postsecondary education, 21st century careers, and civic life.
- Education Pays – Making it easier for students and families to find and select high-quality, affordable postsecondary programs - whether colleges, universities, or career training programs - that provide good value.
- Finishing Faster – Increasing the likelihood that postsecondary students complete their degrees and decreasing the time it takes them to finish, such as by improving and speeding up remedial education.
Please share this information with your advisors and students. For more information or assistance with outreach, please contact Scott Hess at 202-245-7772 or scott.hess@ed.gov.
AMERICAN DEGREE PINS AND CERTIFICATES
State conferences are a good time to recognize students who have completed the American Degree of the Professional Development Program. We have pins and certificates available for purchase. Pins are $4 each and certificates are 75 cents each. Please call Roxanne or Keith at 800-321-8422.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE RAFFLE AT NLSC REMINDER
SkillsUSA will be conducting a drawing for a Dyna Super Glide Motorcycle at the 2012 National Conference Awards Ceremony, Wednesday, June 27, in Kansas City, Missouri. This event is made possible thanks to a generous donation by Harley-Davidson Motor Co., Inc.
SkillsUSA programs and the Alumni & Friends Association will be the beneficiaries of this year’s drawing. State alumni groups have an opportunity to sell the raffle tickets and raise money for their own state group. We anticipate this will be a lucrative fund-raising opportunity. Tickets are $5.00 each or five tickets for $20.00. For each ticket sold, the state alumni group selling the ticket will receive $2.00.
Adding excitement to the drawing again this year, Justin Barnes of “American Chopper,” will be custom painting the bike.
Please start promoting this raffle at your upcoming state conferences. Tickets can be sold anywhere. All state association ticket sales end on May 31. Ticket stubs, unsold tickets and sales check ($3.00 per ticket sold) need to be sent to Niki Clausen by June 1.
The winner does not need to be present for the drawing. However, the winner will be responsible for picking up the motorcycle at a local Harley-Davidson dealer in his or her community.
.
BE HEARD, BE SEEN, BE YOU AND BE MORE (BMOR) THROUGH THE 26 SECONDS CAMPAIGN REMINDER
Did you know that every 26 seconds a young person in the United States drops out of high school? You can help turn that statistic around by participating with SkillsUSA in the 26 Seconds Campaign. By doing so, you can win prizes, scholarships and help SkillsUSA and the student drop-out crisis in the process.
For more information on how to participate in the 26 Seconds program, go to http://www.skillsusa.org/blog/?p=2004
The 26 Seconds Campaign will be ending on June 30, 2012.
Bruce Potter, NYS SkillsUSA Director
4252 Hartland Road
Gasport, New York 14067
Direct 716-772-2433
Cellphone 716-504-7176
E-Mail Bpotter@nysskillsusa.org
State Directors Report
February 2012
January has come and gone and we are now on the track for Area /Regional Contest and the State Conference.
Here are some important items:
- Membership:
We still have many Chapters that have not completed their Membership registration. Now is the time to complete that membership registration as this must be done no later than March 1, 2012 or sooner if your regional is before March first.
- State Conference:
It is now time to go to the forms page on the website and start the process of completing the forms necessary to compete at State Conference. Please do not wait to the last minute to look at these form as you will find that some have changed.
- Delegates:
I hope that you are looking at having a student run for a Delegate. Delegates are going to play more of a roll in this organization. We will be asking them to review some by-Law changes and approve them. They will choose their State Officers and we will ask them what we can do better for them in the years ahead. We will be looking to them to provide guidance in what we will be selling as New York SkillsUSA merchandise. It is their organization so Please encourage student to participate.
- Other important dates
States and Nationals Dates and deadlines are posted on the Forms page under “State & Nationals Important Dates” Please look at this list and copy it for you information.
FOUR NEW YORK SCHOOLS RECEIVES GRANT FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation funds students’ good works
Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has awarded $10,000 and $25,000 to the following school’s community projects
Kenton Career & Technical Center, Erie 1 BOCES $10,000
Tonawanda, NY
Playground equipment for Miracle League, construct scoreboard, press box, landscaping
Rockland BOCES $10,000
West Nyack, NY
Renovate Haverstraw Community Garden area
Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical School $25,000
Schoharie, NY
Storm destruction repairs:
Lasell Park, Fox Creek Park, Sloansville Valley Cemetary
Broome Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services $25,000
Binghamton, NY
Rebuild structures at Northside Park and Johnson City School sports fields devastated from storm
“The grants represent Lowe’s commitment to career and technical education,” said Marshall Croom, chairman of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “By supporting schools like [those above], we believe we are contributing to a cause that’s important to our customers and employees by helping provide improved learning environments and build stronger communities.”
CTE MONTH AND SKILLSUSA WEEK EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
February is Career and Technical Education Month and February 5-11 is SkillsUSA Week. SkillsUSA Week activities are a great way to highlight the good work your state association and local chapters are doing. For SkillsUSA Week ideas, see the Chapter Management section on the SkillsUSA website. SkillsUSA offers downloadable public service announcements at: http://www.skillsusa.org/educators/skillsusaweek.shtml.
On February 7th, at 1 p.m. E.S.T., SkillsUSA will be holding a Web conference to kick off SkillsUSA’s week of celebration. Hear from your SkillsUSA leaders on the state of the organization. Listen to a special guest speaker on what it means to be "Skilled and Motivated" which is this year's theme. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions. All state directors, instructors and members are welcome to participate in the Web conference.
To participate in the Web conference, go to the following link on February 7 at 1 p.m. EST: Web address at http://web.ganconference.com/?meeting=1736891. To dial in for audio, call: 888-222-0475. Attendee Code: 5692952
CALL FOR SKILLSUSA TALENT
Do you have a talented singer in your state that would enjoy a special performance opportunity? SkillsUSA seeks talented singers for the opening ceremony or awards ceremony during the 2012 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. We are looking for a SkillsUSA student member to sing the national anthem or another patriotic song appropriate for opening a general session. Singers may sing a capella or to a pre-recorded instrumental track. Send in all audition videotapes on DVD, postmarked by February 1 to Heidi Ambrose, SkillsUSA, 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Leesburg, VA 20176. Questions may be directed to Heidi at 703-737-0610 or by email to hambrose@skillsusa.org.
KAVLI SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING VIDEO CONTEST
The Kavli Save the World Through Science and Engineering Video Contest is open to students in Grades 6-12. Deadline is March 1, 2012.
Students make a short video (:30-:90) that shows how scientific discoveries and inventions can improve our lives and change our world, either right now or in the future. Then they enter it on Schooltube.com and compete for cash prizes! First prize is $2000 and a travel stipend to Washington, D.C. to the USA Science and Engineering Festival: April 28-29, Second prize is $750, Third prize is $500, and People's Choice is $250. Winners will be honored in a special awards ceremony hosted by Bill Nye the Science Guy.
http://www.schooltube.com/contests/2012-kavli-save-world-through-science-engineering/
STATE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
January 2012
I hope that you had a nice holiday.
Now that we are in the the New Year there are many things to be done and they will come quickly.
Here are some of them:
- Membership: Now is the time to complete that membership registration as this must be done no later than March 1, 2012 or sooner if your regional is before March one.
- State Conference: Please complete the Pre-registration for the State Conference. Due date is January 20, 2012. We Need these number from the Pre-registration to help us plan what will be needed at the State Conference.
- State Officer Screening: I hope that you are looking at having a student run for a State office. You have until February 1, 2012 to turn in the application and Screening is on February 4, 2012 at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool, NY
- Other important dates for both States and Nationals are posted on the Forms page under “State & Nationals Important Dates” Please look at this list and copy it for you information.
You Do Change Lives
The reminders of how SkillsUSA changes lives are all around us this time of the year. They show up in the news stories of community service events conducted by SkillsUSA chapters such as nearly 2,000 food items donated to a food bank in Utica, New York, Roosevelt-High students walk to raise money for sick kids and countless other New York chapters that have done many outstanding things that are changes lives.
Please keep up this great work and send me your articles to share with other States and Chapters.
.
WEBINARS COMING IN 2012 REMINDER
Three national Web conferences are scheduled for 2012. It’s your chance to hear from and communicate with national staff. We’ll provide some training and information on professional development, some updating and motivating advice and tips on being a national leader.
Please join us for one or all of these events. Invite students, officer teams, key advisors, fellow instructors, alumni and others.
Value of Professional Development - January 18, 2012, 1 p.m. (EST)
No matter who you are or what you do, professional skills can make or break you. Business and industry look for quality employability skills, not just technical skills. Find out why this set of skills is important to your future success.
URL: http://web.ganconference.com/?meeting=4471090
Telephone: 888-222-0475
Attendee code: 5692952
SkillsUSA Week: Skilled and Motivated - February 7, 2012, 1 p.m. (EST)
Use this webinar to help kick off SkillsUSA Week celebrations. Hear from your SkillsUSA leaders on the state of the organization. Listen to a special guest speaker on what it means to be “Skilled and Motivated” which is this year’s theme. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions.
URL: http://web.ganconference.com/?meeting=1736891
Telephone: 888-222-0475
Attendee code: 5692952
So You Want to Be a National Officer? - March 14, 2012, 1 p.m. (EST)
Do you have a student you think would make a good national leader? Has he or she wanted to run for a national SkillsUSA office but weren’t sure how? Then this webinar is for you! Our experts will provide an overview of the national officer candidate procedures and national officer responsibilities. You will also get to hear first-hand experience from a current national officer.
URL: http://web.ganconference.com/?meeting=8705179
Telephone: 888-222-0475
Attendee code: 5692952
BE HEARD, BE SEEN, BE YOU AND BE MORE (BMOR) THROUGH THE 26 SECONDS CAMPAIGN
Did you know that every 26 seconds a young person in the United States drops out of high school? You can help turn that statistic around by participating with SkillsUSA in the 26 Seconds Campaign. By doing so, you can win prizes, scholarships and help SkillsUSA and the student drop-out crisis in the process.
Here is what to do:
Help take back the stat by taking the pledge to graduate via the BMOR Project (direct link: http://www.facebook.com/26seconds?sk=app_270882582923170) and on Facebook it is facebook.com/26seconds. When you pledge, select SkillsUSA as your affiliation. Then, return to the BMOR Project regularly to participate in the new activities that launch on the 26th of each month. Not only will you be eligible to win prizes, you can also help SkillsUSA. The organization with the highest number of graduation pledges and activity participants per month wins a grant.
Right now, in addition to a chance to win monthly prizes when you participate, you’ll also receive a 26 Seconds T-shirt just for pledging. The online activities are fun, easy and show you how to channel your interests into a future after graduation. The grand prize is an end-of-the-year celebration that one lucky student will bring to their school and community. But, you must complete at least five of the activities to be eligible for the grand prize.
Plus, you can share videos, photos, projects (like SkillsUSA’s Student2Student Program), artwork and creative writings on the Facebook page. By doing so, your creativity may also be chosen to be featured on www.26seconds.com. Shine a light on yourself, your school and the importance of high school graduation.
Visit 26 Seconds.com and the Facebook page to see what students like you are doing and share your story.
We have just started a New Year and there is plenty of opportunity for NY SkillsUSA students and advisors to show the community what SkillsUSA is all about.
Thanks
Bruce Potter State Director
STATE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
November 2011
Important:
Please try to register at least 20 students members and 1 advisor member by November 15, 2011 to receive the magazine and other benefits. You can add more later.
Fall Leadership Conference is over and it went off without a hitch. There were 290 registrants this year. We were particularly pleased that some of the schools who sent delegations this year were new or haven’t been with us for some time.
There were also some great guest speakers including our Sunday night speaker Payton Holland, State Director from North Carolina.
We also held the SkillsUSA Board of Trustees meeting at the same time and are moving along with policy and organization changes and updates.
Waldorf Astoria Dinner
The Friday before the beginning of the Fall Leadership Conference the State Officers and Advisors were invited to be part of a dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC honoring the CEO of Toyota. Some of our officers, along with officers from other states, participated in an opening ceremony. Officers and advisors were able to sit at dinner tables and have conversations with top executives of many large corporations.
.
Highlights from Fall Leadership Conference:
Sunday:
- Peyton Holland our guest speaker spoke to all at the dinner about how you can overcome adversity and become successful individuals.
- Bruce Potter State Director spoke to the advisors about the goals and direction that the organization was going and the changes that they will see as we move forward.
- Group leaders worked with the students on Program of Work and Life Map Activities.
Monday
- Cheryl Winstel and Bruce Potter spoke to advisors on SkillsUSA assessments and State Ed. Requirements.
- Katrina Fiorenza and Midge McCloskey worked with advisors on reports, forms, and State Conference Updates.
- Jeff Plummer worked with new and experienced advisors to help them better run their chapters.
- Ellen Coughlin and the Skills Committee reviewed with the advisors the State contests and changes for this year’s conference.
- Group Leaders continued to work with the students on Program of Work, Parliamentary Procedures, Community Service and the Professional Development Program.
- Monday ended with an Ice Cream Social and Karaoke.
Tuesday
- Staff had a Q/A meeting with Advisors
- The students, at a general session, presented their work to the audience on Community Service and Program of Work.
- The Conference ended at noon.
The following title changes (in Red) were made by the Board of Trustee’s
- State Coordinator/National Liaison to: (State SkillsUSA Director) Bruce Potter
- SED Corporate Member to: (State SkillsUSA Ed. Dept Director) Cheryl Winstel
- Skills Coordinator To :( State Leadership & Skills Conference Coordinator) Ellen Coughlin
- Financial /Membership Officer To: (State Financial Officer/ Membership Coordinator) Midge McCloskey
- Conference Manager To :( State Conference Coordinator) Katrina Fiorenza
That’s it for now. Thank you for all you do for the great students and teachers we serve.
State Coordinators Report
September 2011
Welcome to a New Year of SkillsUSA. We have many exciting events for the 2011-2012 year.
I hope you all had a nice summer, but for some, the last weeks have been a challenge. As we are a community focused organization, we are more than willing to help those areas that are in need. Please let me know how your areas are doing and what help maybe needed.
This year we would like to see our membership grow as it did last year. Membership packets have been sent to each chapter. If you know of a school that would like a membership packet or did not get one, please let me know. I will send them one.
The State Officers had a great meeting in August and are now ready to lead the members through this year’s events. You will be hearing from them as we move forward.
We will be working to have a great Leadership Conference this year in Syracuse on November 6-8. Please check the website www.NYSSkillsUSA.org for information.
Plans are going forward to improve the website and we are asking each Area to see what they can do to improve the Area Pages to reflect what is going on in the Areas.
We are working to improve the State Conference and your comments have been reviewed. Ellen Coughlin and staff have met and have already begun the task of making the State Conference bigger and better.
Upcoming Events:
- WLTI at Nationals, Leesburg, VA for State Officers and others. September 17-21.
- Lowes New Store Opening-Cortland, NY, October 6, 2011.
- SkillsUSA Corporate Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. November 4, 2011.
- Fall Leadership Conference, Syracuse, NY. November 6-8, 2011.
Please check the new calendar on the www.NYSSkillsUSA.org Website as it will be updated regularly with events and information.
Please let me know how things are going and what exciting things you have planned for the upcoming year that we can share with the rest of the members.
Bruce Potter
State Coordinator
State Coordinators Report
June 2011
As we begin to close this school year, there are many events that continue on well into the summer.
State Officers will have their Summer Leadership Workshop August 23 thru 26, and well attend National WLTI September 17th thru 21st, 2011. WLTI (Washington Leadership Training Institute) is held each year at a hotel near the National Headquarters in Leesburg, VA. WLTI is open to any student and advisor who would like to attend. You can see the agenda and cost by going to: www.skillsusa.org/events/wlti.shtml
I have not received notice of anyone willing to serve on the NY Leadership Conference Committee. If you are interested, please let me know as we will need to get started very soon. We will hold most of the meetings by Web conference. We may ask the NY Leadership Conference Committee members who can travel to Syracuse for the day, to come to the officer’s training in August for a face to face meeting.
I want to thank all of you that have sent comments about our State Conference to me. They are a help as we move forward to improve next year’s conference. Please feel free to send along comments at anytime.
Nationals are just two weeks away. Everyone who is going should be reviewing their check list of what they need. Let’s not leave anything to chance.
I will continue to send out updates during the summer so check your e-mail from time to time.
Have a nice summer and be safe.
Bruce Potter
State Coordinator
State Coordinators Report
May 2011
As your State Coordinator, I want to extend a thank you for a great State Conference. Each of you are to be commended for being a part of this capstone event. By doing so, you have each made the decision to step up as a leader in this great organization. Thank you for being an individual who wants to make an impact. My hope is that you left this event with a new sense of direction and purpose – to be an ambassador and an advocate for New York SkillsUSA in your schools and your community.
I also want to extend a very special thank you to the teachers. You have each had a tremendous impact on your students. Your inspiration is why these great students were at the conference. Advisors/Teachers are the heartbeat of our organizations!
We had our first meeting with the Fair Grounds to review how things went for our first year. In all the first year was a success.
- We are working with the Fair Grounds to have better opening and awards ceremonies at the Fair Grounds. The cost of using the War Memorial was very expensive.
- Contest locations will be evaluated. Now that we know the area we have we can put them in better locations.
- We will have the International Building open for advisors and visitors to go to when they are not allowed in the contest areas.
- There were other small items that were also discussed as to moving in and out.
We would like to hear from you as to what you found went well and what improvements you would like to see going forward. Please send you suggestions, ideas, and thoughts to me Bpotter56@rochester.rr.com as we will be having many more planning meetings and we would like to hear from you.
Our next big event for New York will be the Fall Leadership Conference in November 2011.
We are forming a committee to oversee this event and are asking anyone that would be interest in serving on the committee to please send me an E-mail to Bpotter56@rochester.rr.com stating your interest in serving. I will review your request and put together a committee. We will hold most of the meetings by Web conference.
I received a Membership report from Nationals showing the overall membership by State for SkillsUSA I am proud to say that New York State ranks 6th in the Nation.
We are in the process of putting together a SkillsUSA Alumni Association for New York. If you know of anyone that would be interested in serving on this committee please let me know. I will be sending out information about this soon.
Now is the time to start planning for next year. SkillsUSA is often described as one big family with a support system that helps its members realize their full potential. It takes many hands to build this support system and it starts with local officers, members and advisors. The management Team of New York SkillsUSA stands ready to help. Just let us know how we can support you.
State Coordinator
Bruce Potter |