Question10
Are there some creative ways to support vocational student organizations
within limited fiscal and time constraints?
STW Wizard Strategies
Strategy 1
For the past nine plus years, our equity program has utilized the student
vocational clubs (VICA, DECA, TOEC - Office of Education) at a rural vocational
center to prepare our quarterly newsletter for shipment. This school-based
work experience has been a positive experience for all involved.
The printer delivers the newsletters in boxes to the vocational center.
Then the club members count, label, pack, and seal 100,000 newsletters into
some 370 mailers and boxes (almost a ton and a half of paper). The packages
are then picked up and delivered by a parcel delivery service to all of
the high schools and post-secondary schools in the state. Students also
prepare some 1,400 individual pieces for bulk mailing. The process takes
from 3 to 4 days. From 15 to 20 students of all ability levels are involved
in the project (approximately one-third to one-half of the students who
work on the newsletter are either learning disabled or handicapped). They
work in groups of five or six. Since students are only at the vocational
center for a half day, they individually work about an hour and a half to
two hours for one or two days.
This project has allowed the clubs to raise almost $20,000 without having
to resort to selling candy. The club members get a pizza party about a week
after the newsletter is shipped, and the money is primarily used to pay
for the costs of students participating in district and state competitions
as well as for club social events. The students really enjoy the experience.
We have little or no difficulty getting volunteers - some of them are disappointed
when the other clubs get a turn. Our project benefits from having our newsletter
prepared quickly and efficiently at below market cost. Some teachers also
tie the experience directly into their curriculum.
While not everyone has a newsletter as large as ours, there are other
kinds of shipping and mailing preparation projects that could provide the
same benefits.
Strategy 2
Minnesota is developing a State STW Student Organization Foundation that
will be a public foundation to develop funding source for these outstanding
organizations. Plus this new foundation will develop opportunities for collaboration
between the organizations.
The Minnesota legislature has recently authorized this "STW Students
Organization Foundation." The person who can give you the best information
about this is Wendy Ambrose (state FLA/FHA Director). Wendy can be reached
through e-mail at: wendy.ambrose@state.mn.us or by phone at (612) 296-1088.
Strategy 3
Supporting vocational student organizations creatively: Generally students
need a time, place, FOOD, and a group facilitator who has some "standing"
within the community of vocational students. A former student who has successfully
accomplished job placement after a vocational program would be a good leader
or co-leader. If they are in a community where a local technical college
has a work study program, the school may be able to link-up. Either facility
could provide the space, food, leadership (perhaps a work study assignment!)...
Students tend to come together to accomplish a task that is fun not just
talk, talk, talk.
Perhaps it could start as a task group whose purpose is to develop a
six to eight week support group curriculum with activities designed to explore
the world of work and work skills... empowering them and setting them free
to be creative with just enough structure and guidance to get them going
and staying on task.
Strategy 4
Working with your local school-to-work partnerships would give answers
as to how to play a role. If time does not allow full participation, then
a communication with one person and volunteering your resources and knowledge
as needed would be worthwhile. It is individualized in every area of our
state, so its hard to give specifics.
| 
