What I Need from your IFMA Chapter
Lauri Domer, SkillsUSA WI State Assistant Director
Timely communications – let me know if you’re planning on starting a Facillithon competition early so I can get you in my space and communication planning for the year. We finalize our schedule and events in late November.
Lots of volunteers – We often need extra judges and help with our district and regional conferences, your chapter is invited to attend while helping out when we ask. SkillsUSA is all about volunteers, you represent its strength.
Attend our district and regional conferences- if your IFMA chapter wants instructors and students to know about your competition, there’s no better way to connect than these events. District competitions occur after school and Regionals are during the day.
Economic- The Facilithon, like other role-play events, is really inexpensive. Jim can be more accurate, but $50 for materials (printing) is realistic in a year. We do have costs for space at our state conference where your pilot Facilithon is held, buying a booth space ($300-$500) will more than cover our costs for space. When The Facilithon goes national (10 or more states participating), SkillsUSA national HQ sets up a holding account that should cover all the national costs. Those funds are then distributed to your state to cover convention center costs at that same state convention.
Dave Worden, National Director of Competitive Events, estimates that with 50 states, the total holding account would be between $25,000, a drop in the bucket compared with skills-based competitions that require machine tools to be shipped, etc. Those events cost upwards of $400, 000 in comparison. In summary, the Facilithon is an inexpensive pleasure to host and adds a new dimension without the expense.
Create a Scholarship for your state winners- Many state winners get scholarships and job offers- right on the spot. I suggest that in running a pilot Facilithon of your own, your chapter create a scholarship like IFMA-Madison did; $1400 for a year at Madison College’s FM program or similar, approved FM coursework. Not every winner will attend your school, but most winners find themselves in that career field and a focused scholarship keeps them on your track, regardless of the institution.
Most important- Have fun and connect with Students, Teachers and SkillsUSA- Our students really want to talk to you, you’re successful enough to support something like the Facilithon. You, as a volunteer can help steer a student in their ideal path. Talk to them about the Facilithon and our chapter. Tell them how it works, what they can win and why your job is great. You can help merely through these simple conversations, well better than a career fair or mandated appointment with a guidance counselor. Through SkillsUSA, you become a mentor toward a future career.