Calling all Missouri FCCLA juniors and seniors! Do any of you have an interest in government, public policy, and laws and their relation to families, careers, and communities? If so, I encourage you to apply for Legislative Shadowing. You would get to spend a day shadowing a member of the Missouri General Assembly. How great would that be? Through Legislative Shadowing, members gain the opportunity to learn about how the Missouri Legislature works.
Up to 50 members are chosen for this opportunity of a lifetime. Legislative Shadowing is funded by member dues and contributions from MoEFCS. To apply, you must be a dues paying member and a junior or senior in high school. Each chapter is allowed to submit two applications. If your chapter has a State Executive Council member, they are allowed two additional applications in addition to their SEC application.
Let’s take a look at the selection process. First, the application will need to be submitted online. Once the application deadline has passed, the staff and program coordinator of Legislative Shadowing will review all the applications that were submitted. After reviewing the applications, letters will be sent to inform applicants of their application status. An email will be sent to chapter advisers as well. After being selected, members will receive any extra information they need.
Let’s talk about the timeline. Applications opened on November 1, 2024. They are due on December 1, 2024. By December 20, 2024, you will receive an email regarding acceptance. These will be sent to both the applicant and adviser. By December 31, 2024, participant confirmation for the accepted member is due. By January 17, 2025, an email will be sent to the applicant regarding Legislature assignments and pre-program tasks. Pre-program tasks are due on or before February 7, 2025. Legislative Shadowing takes place from February 12-13, 2025. Both of these dates are required. On March 31, 2025 follow-up tasks are due.
The participants of Legislative Shadowing will be required to arrive in Jefferson City on the afternoon of February 12, 2025, to attend the project reception and orientation. The location is to be determined. Shadowing will take place at the Missouri Capitol. All costs are the responsibility of the participants and their advisers. A block of hotel rooms have been reserved at Courtyard by Marriott, but chapters are responsible for making arrangements prior to the block deadline of January 12.
Students are expected to follow the code of conduct and dress code. The FCCLA blazer is required. It is a requirement to attend the Legislative Shadowing Project Orientation and Opening Reception on February 12, 2025 at 4 p.m. with a chaperone. Participants are required to attend all scheduled functions on February 13, 2025 as well. Following Legislative Shadowing, participants are required to complete follow-up activities to educate their chapter, school, and community about their experiences. If you or your chapter does not attend the scheduled events, do the pre-program tasks, or the follow-up tasks by the provided deadlines, your chapter could be eligible for disqualification from the program for the next year. Please pay close attention to application deadlines so you don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!
See you there!
Paige Hanson
Vice President of Programs
