Welcome back! Become a Champion!

Welcome back to another school year and another opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives. As you kick off the school year, I encourage each advisor to take a look at the SkillsUSA membership kits and the lesson plan activities set up to introduce and engage students. SkillsUSA Minnesota serves more than 2,500 students, instructors and alumni annually and answers the call of American industry by helping to produce better - prepared employees for the technical workforce. Minnesota has 202 chapters located across the state. The first Advisor Update of the year is always a big one, lots of good stuff to tell you about, so I have broken this into four sections along with few important notes up front:

• The SkillsUSA Framework
• Membership Guidelines
• Announcements
• Fall 2015
• 2015 - 2016 Calendar of Events

NEW THIS FALL | The SkillsUSA Framework!

In 2015 - 2016 Chapters can look forward to programming focused on how to showcase CTE programs and SkillsUSA through the use of the framework. The SkillsUSA Framework, which impacts the lives of America’s future workforce through the development of personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academics, reveals how career and technical education programs and SkillsUSA are relevant in today’s economy. Pillars of the Framework include; innovative programming, quality instruction, and industry partnerships focused on preparing students to succeed at work and in life. Membership Guidelines

• Student members must be enrolled in a CTE program.
• Advisors are encouraged to become professional members.
• Once a roster has been submitted online to National SkillsUSA, the chapter is responsible for payment for the number of members submitted (the amount due on the roster). Changes or substitutions cannot be made, only additions.
• State and national membership dues are non - transferable and non - refundable.
• All students must be paid members of SkillsUSA Minnesota by February 5th, 2016 in order to participate in state and national competitions and/or conferences.

Click here to go to SkillsUSA’s Membership Registration

Announcements

SkillsUSA Minnesota at 2015 National Conference

SkillsUSA Minnesota had great showing at the 2015 National Leadership and Skills Conference held on June 22 - 27, 2015 in Louisville, KY. SkillsUSA Minnesota was represented by 185 students, advisors, state officers, NET, alumni and guests from 31 High School and College/PostSecondary chapters. SkillsUSA Minnesota received a total of 19 medals, including 6 national champions. SkillsUSA Minnesota also had 48 of our contestants receive their Skill Point Certificate at NLSC.

Fall 2015

2015 - 2016 Membership Dues

The 2015 - 2016 membership dues are: Student: $14.00 = $8.00 (national) and $6.00 (state) Professional: $20.00 = $14.00 (national) and $6.00 (state)

2015 - 2016 Membership Kits

All advisors with members last year should have received the 2015 - 2016 membership kit in the mail by now. If you did not receive a membership kit, please let me know and I will have one sent to you.

2015 - 2016 Membership Registration Deadlines

November 15, 2015 is the deadline for your initial membership registration to be submitted to the National Office to be able to receive all four issues of Champions Magazine and free teacher items. All rosters are to be submitted online at http://www.skillsusa-register.org/. Schools are encouraged join by November 15, 2015 in order to ensure full membership services for the year, including all mailings and magazines. February 5, 2016 is the deadline for your final membership registration to be submitted to the National Office. All students must be paid members of SkillsUSA Minnesota by February 5, 2016 in order to participate in state and national competitions and/or conferences. If you have any questions/concerns about this deadline, please contact me! All membership registration must be submitted online at http://www.skillsusa-register.org/. Paper rosters are discouraged. Please make sure that all membership checks are sent directly to the National Office. When registering, be sure to also register your section under the specific program name, not just Mixed Training. All membership forms should be submitted by SECTION – or skill area. This will increase our operational funding from the Minnesota Foundation for Student Organization’s. PLEASE put each class or skill area on a separate roster. THANK YOU!

2016 Membership Incentives

SkillsUSA Minnesota is encouraging each chapter to increase their membership this year. Each chapter that submits their membership by the due date listed below will qualify for the following incentive(s). Membership MUST be submitted online at www.skillsusa - register.org by the due dates in order to meet the requirements. Membership Increase by February 5, 2016

• For every ten members that you increase over last year’s membership, the chapter will receive one entry into the drawing for a SkillsUSA blazer, a $120 value.
• Both student and professional members are included in the chapter’s total membership.
• Drawing will be held at the State Leadership and Skills Conference in April.

2015 New Advisors Fall Planning Workshop

SkillsUSA Minnesota is pleased to offer assistance in establishing your chapter by holding a New Advisor Fall Planning Workshop on October 1, 2015, at South Central Service Cooperative in North Mankato. This workshop is for teachers who have been a SkillsUSA advisor for 2 years or less. There is a $25.00 registration fee per participant. The fee will cover lunch, materials, and useful resources for new chapters. The registration form is available on the SCSC web site and Registration is Required at: http://www.mnscsc.org. Space is limited so please sign up for this special workshop ASAP! (Flyer attached)

2015 - 2016 SkillsUSA Theme

The SkillsUSA theme for the 2015 - 2016 year is: SkillsUSA: Champions at Work “Connecting You to Career Success” The topic to be addressed by contestants in the Chapter Display, Prepared Speech and Promotional Bulletin Board competitions is how our theme, SkillsUSA: Champions at Work, addresses the SkillsUSA national program of work in the area of professional development. (Flyer attached)

2015 State Fall Leadership and Professional Development Conference

The State Fall Leadership and Professional Development Conference is a great way to kick off your year and to motivate your members to have a great year with SkillsUSA Minnesota. The conference is a combination of team building activities and breakout sessions on SkillsUSA with special professional development sessions specifically for advisors. The State Fall Leadership Conference is October 22 - 24, 2015 at the Holiday Inn in Alexandria, MN. Registration is required. More information is available at http://mnskillsusa.org. An electronic registration form will be used, so please read the instructions carefully! Faxed or mailed forms will not be accepted!

• Early Registration deadline – October 12, 2015
• Payment deadline – October 21, 2015

Request a School Visit from the State SkillsUSA Office

• If you’d like someone to come to your school and talk with administration, teachers or students about SkillsUSA Minnesota just call for a personal visit. A Membership Rally is a great way to Kick - Off the “NEW” School Year - please call the State Office and set up a day & time. The state office will bring out a presentation geared towards your school with flyers, DVD, if available one of our State Officers and additional membership packets and some surprises.
• Call and schedule your appointment TODAY! (763) 560-1932