CTSOs Rise to Virtual Challenge

What a year! The pandemic brought an end to in-person sports, proms, and graduations. And career and technical student organizations (CTSOs) had to pivot quickly from in-person state and national conferences to virtual events. Many CTSOs have risen to the challenge of keeping students engaged and providing a wealth of opportunities. Most important, virtual interaction has proved it has some advantages worth keeping.

Kevin Miller, State SkillsUSA Director, sees the advantages. “[Virtual events] are not limited by geography, so an event can include chapters and students from nearly anywhere as long as they have adequate internet bandwidth,” he says. “They can also be conducted with much lower costs, making them more inclusive.”

Other CTSO state advisors agree. “Weather is a factor. And travel is expensive and time-consuming,” adds Diane Ryberg, FCCLA State Adviser. “And then some students like tech vs. face-to-face.” She also points out that students who are in a lot of extracurricular activities can compete in CTSOs without missing other school events.

FFA proves the point. The Wisconsin Association of FFA State Officers 2021 theme, “Unstoppable,” could have been last year’s state convention theme as it has played out throughout the year. “We were able to engage more students than ever before [for all events] because they could chime in from anywhere in the state,” says Jeff Hicken, State FFA Advisor.

CTSOs went all or partially virtual this year. Consider these creative solutions to communicate with and support members:

• Sporting the theme, “Beyond Measure,” Wisconsin FCCLA is partnering with five other states to offer its first-ever Virtual Wisconsin Leadership Academy featuring exhibitors, career development, pathways, breakouts, guest speakers all online.

• FBLA’s state officer team offered no-cost virtual leadership training. Working directly with Tri Leadership to use a nationally recognized 100X Leadership program and 7 Voices training through the Giant Worldwide Enterprises platform, FBLA expanded a program originally planned for 60 days to 90 days, according to Dave Thomas, Wisconsin FBLA State Adviser.
• Under the guidance of Wisconsin DECA Advisor Tim Fandek, Wisconsin DECA developed new content on the Wisconsin DECA YouTube Channel (including Competitive Excellence, Monthly Flash Reports and Minute Monday), interacted on a Chapter Connections monthly call/Facebook Group, and revamped the Wisconsin DECA website.
• The Wisconsin Association of FFA State Officers produced and released a series of “Learning to Do” videos to help members better understand FFA awards and competitions.
• Christina Patrin, HOSA State Advisor, reported that the Wisconsin HOSA State Officer Team led Chapter Leader Town Hall Meetings that increased the connection between the state and local levels. Feedback indicated local members felt more connected, supported, and inspired by the state officers to implement activities in their own schools and communities.
• SkillsUSA Wisconsin Leadership Conference participants worked through numerous Program of Work activities they could later conduct with their chapters.

In-person was definitely the preference with all six CTSOs, but state officers of all organizations stepped up and did an outstanding job, helping members with leadership, service learning, and having fun.

And CTSOs are now considering “hybrid” events with some in-person aspects and virtual aspects even after things open up. “We may be able to use these lessons to increase participation and make connections across a broader geographic area,” says Miller.

—Jeff Hicken, Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource Education Consultant/State FFA Advisor

Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash