Advisor Update February 2020
SkillsUSA Michigan
This newsletter contains the Advisor Update and the SkillsUSA Flash!
2020 State Conference Info Packet and Forms Available This Month!
The 2020 State Conference Info Packet and Forms will be available in February on our web site at http://miskillsusa.org/advisors/forms/.
Please be sure to download the forms you need for the State Conference, including the conference information packet and hotel registration form. Also, be sure to review the State Contest Information and Updates below for important contest info!
You must register all participants (students, advisors, and guests) for the State Conference at http://www.skillsusa-register.org/. Please follow the instructions posted here: http://miskillsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/1920conferenceregprocess.pdf.
Perkins V CTSO Use of Funds
Under Perkins V, the use of funds has been expanded to include additional uses for CTSOs (aka SkillsUSA). Perkins funds can now be used for transportation, lodging, registration fees and curriculum for teachers. Please be sure to plan for these new allowable expenditures next year! Refer to the "Perkins V Use of Funds Guide" for further information.
2020 National Anthem Audition Winner
Congratulations to Jailyn Campbell from Huron Area Technical Center. She was selected to sing the National Anthem at the Friday Opening Session and she will be recognized at the State Conference. Her advisor is Teri Baranski.
Calling all SkillsUSA Michigan members!
- Do you have cool school swag that others would love to have?
- Do you like to visit MI attractions?
- Do you like to go out to dinner?
- Are you someone that looks for unique gift items for family or friends?
- Do you like to try your luck at prizes and adventures?
The SkillsUSA Michigan Advisor Council is asking for your help! A silent auction fundraiser will be held at the 2020 SkillsUSA Michigan State Conference on April 17-19, 2020 in Grand Rapids, MI throughout the weekend, with bids closing on Sunday morning.
We are asking each school to contribute at least one item or gift basket reflective of your area in Michigan to be auctioned. Items or gift baskets should be valued at $25.00 or better and can be brought to the SkillsUSA Michigan SkillsUSA State Conference Headquarters at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel upon arrival on Friday April 17, 2020.
Schools are welcome to bring additional items for the silent auction. Examples of items or baskets could be: School SWAG items (shirts, hoodies, hats, etc.), gift cards from local businesses, area attractions, restaurants, items from local businesses, items that are specific to your location in Michigan, handcrafted items that are made at your school, and anything else you can think of!
Thank you in advance for your support of SkillsUSA Michigan! We appreciate your help supporting opportunities for students in SkillsUSA Michigan. All funds from this fundraiser will support the State Conference.
For more information please contact Carrie Warning at cwarning@geneseeisd.org.
Chapter Excellence Program
Chapter Excellence Program (CEP) is the single best way to build a successful SkillsUSA chapter. Every chapter is encouraged to participate in CEP and there are three award levels to recognize program involvement. The first two levels are acknowledged by a chapter’s state association and the third level is recognized nationally. Each level is designed to give chapters a benchmark for success and future improvement, leading to stronger chapters and more prepared students.
Start your CEP application today at http://www.skillsusa-register.org, it is due February 15, 2020. It is easy to do and if successful, you and your chapter will be recognized for your achievement at the State Leadership and Skills Conference on April 17-19, 2020. Bonus - for each CEP level achieved, the chapter will receive five entries into the incentive drawing for a SkillsUSA blazer, a $99 value.
Starting this year, achievement of CEP Level 1 will be required in order to be nominated for the State Advisor of the Year. More information about CEP is posted at https://www.skillsusa.org/programs/chapter-excellence-program/.
Save the State Contest Date!
Below is a preliminary list of state contests that are NOT on April 17-19, 2020 in Grand Rapids:
- March 13, 2020 - CPS Culinary Arts, Commercial Baking and Restaurant Service, Culinary Institute of Michigan - Port Huron
- March 13, 2020 - HS and CPS Graphic Communications, Saline High School - Saline
- March 14, 2020 - HS and CPS Aviation Maintenance, WMU - Battle Creek
- March 20, 2020 - CPS Welding and HS/CPS Welding Fabrication, WCC - Ann Arbor
Advisor Code of Ethics
Don’t forget that an Advisor Code of Ethics needs to be on file at the state for all advisors. If you do not have an Advisor Code of Ethics on file, you can download the form at http://miskillsusa.org/advisors/forms/.
2020 Regional Qualifiers Numbers Chart
The 2020 Regional Qualifiers Numbers Chart is now available on our web site at http://miskillsusa.org/advisors/forms/.
Regional Competitions Reminder
All regional contests must be completed by March 1. Regional information will be posted on the web site at http://miskillsusa.org/conferences/regionalcontests/ as it become available. Please be sure that you are in the loop! Contact your regional representatives for information regarding your region’s competitions.
2019-2020 Competition Theme
The SkillsUSA competition theme for the 2018-2019 is: SkillsUSA: Champions at Work, I'm Ready. The topic is to be addressed by contestants in the Chapter Display, Prepared Speech and Promotional Bulletin Board competitions. More information is available at http://skillsusa.org/competitions/skillsusa-championships/theme/.
Regional School Cancellation Policy
In the past, there have been school cancellations on the day of a regional contest, therefore the Advisor Council has approved the Regional School Cancellation Policy at their meeting on December 13, 2011. be aware that all regional contests should plan two contest dates: the original contest date and a makeup date. The policy is posted on our web site at http://miskillsusa.org/advisors/forms/.
Online Regional Direct to State Form due February 15
All Direct to State contestants MUST be submitted via an online form by February 15, 2020. The online form is available at https://forms.gle/kxutN21PaTuKrxEF9. This is a major change from the past in both format and due date. FYI - The old Direct to States form WILL NOT be accepted! This form MUST be filled out for both HS and CPS divisions. I cannot stress the importance of this form.
- Failure to submit this form will result in your student NOT being allowed to compete at the State Conference!
Regional Contestant Ranking Sheet
The Regional Contestant Ranking Sheet is REQUIRED for all regional contests so that we know what contestants have qualified for States. An accurate contestant count is necessary for contest supply orders, contest site set-up, conference registration, etc. This form MUST be filled out for all regional contests and for both HS and CPS divisions. The form is on the web site at http://miskillsusa.org/advisors/forms/ and are Excel compatible.
- The Regional Contestant Ranking Sheet must be signed by the contest coordinator and emailed or faxed to your regional representative no later than 2 days after your contest.
- Failure to submit this form to your regional representative will result in those students NOT being allowed to compete at the State Conference!
- If we receive a State Conference registration for a contestant NOT on the Regional Contestant Ranking Sheet, he/she will NOT be allowed to compete!
- NO EXCEPTIONS!
2020 Official Voting Delegates Chart
The 2020 Official Voting Delegate Chart will be posted this month on our web site at http://miskillsusa.org/advisors/forms/. The official voting delegates represent your school at the Annual Delegate Business Meeting on Saturday afternoon at the State Conference and vote on state issues and for the new state officers. Each school is allowed x number of official voting delegates based on your SkillsUSA membership as of January 15, 2020.
Intent to Compete on Web Site
The 2020 Intent to Compete Grid is now posted on our web site at http://miskillsusa.org/advisors/forms/.
SkillsUSA Michigan’s Advisor of the Year
We are looking for a few good advisors! Honor that special advisor that has gone above and beyond the call of duty by nominating them for SkillsUSA Michigan’s Advisor of the Year. The Advisor of the Year form is due February 15, 2020. The nomination form is available on our web site at http://miskillsusa.org/advisors/forms/.
Starting this year, achievement of CEP Level 1 will be a required in order to be nominated for the State Advisor of the Year. More information about CEP is posted at https://www.skillsusa.org/programs/chapter-excellence-program/.
Advisor State Conference Checksheet
An Advisor State Conference Checksheet is available on our web site at http://miskillsusa.org/advisors/forms/. This checklist is a great tool with tips to help you keep on track and organized for the State Conference.
State Officer Candidate Application
Being a state officer is one of the highest honors a student can achieve in SkillsUSA Michigan. It can also be one of the most rewarding experiences for a student. If you have a student who wants to run for a 2020-2021 state office, please have them complete and submit the State Officer Application by March 6, 2020. The State Officer Application is available on our web site at http://miskillsusa.org/advisors/forms/.
IMPORTANT - There are several major changes to the State Officer Candidate application and requirements this year, so please be aware of them, the due dates and the new state officer candidate rubric. All items must be completed and submitted by the due date in order to be able to run for state office!
SkillsUSA Scholarship Opportunities Now Open for Applications
Applications for several scholarships are now open to benefit SkillsUSA students in pursuit of higher education or certification in their chosen field. Help spread the word so SkillsUSA students can take full advantage of these opportunities:
- SkillsUSA in conjunction with the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) will award four $1,000 scholarships to SkillsUSA members who are also members of NTHS. Two will go to college/postsecondary winners and two will go to high school division winners. Awards will be made directly to an accredited educational institution with an active NTHS chapter. Recipients may only receive one NTHS/SkillsUSA scholarship per lifetime. Deadline for applications is April 1. For more information and to apply: www.skillsusa.org/membership-resources/scholarships-financial-aid/national-technical-honor-society/
- Sharon Melton Myers Memorial Scholarship: https://skillsusa.wufoo.com/forms/sharon-melton-myers-memorial-scholarship/. Deadline is April 15.
For additional scholarship information, continually check the website at: www.skillsusa.org/membership-resources/scholarships-financial-aid/.
SkillsUSA Help Is a Phone Call Away
If you or any chapter advisors need assistance with SkillsUSA membership or registration, hotline operators are ready to help you register, answer questions about starting a new chapter, or provide ideas on how to engage chapter members and strengthen an existing chapter. Operators are available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday (Eastern time). To reach the hotline, call 844-875-4557 or email operators@skillsusa.org. You can also chat online on the membership registration site.
Sign Up for SkillsUSA National Signing Day on May 8
SkillsUSA National Signing Day will be held on Friday, May 8 to celebrate high school seniors and college/postsecondary students who have chosen to pursue a career as a professional in the skilled trades. This year, students who plan to participate must register themselves online. Registration opens on Feb. 24. The deadline to register will be April 24.
SkillsUSA chapters are encouraged to host a local signing day event by inviting business partners, school administrators, teachers, elected officials, SkillsUSA alumni, family and friends to their school to honor students signing “letters of intent” for a job offer, apprenticeship or advanced technical training.
An electronic toolkit of resources will be provided to assist advisors with planning their local chapter event. The toolkit will include event logo, an invitation template, sample social media posts, a sample press release, thank you notes and an event planning checklist. A SkillsUSA National Signing Day table runner will be shipped to chapters that register by Friday, April 24. Additional SkillsUSA National Signing Day merchandise will be available to purchase for easy event planning.
Watch for more information as plans develop. Additional details will be available here: www.skillsusa.org/events-training/national-signing-day/. If you have questions, contact Kim Hegedus at khegedus@skillsusa.org or 317-544-8750.
Nominations Open for Honorary Life Membership, Outstanding Career and Technical Educator
Nominations are open for SkillsUSA’s national Honorary Life Membership and Outstanding Career and Technical Educator. Nominations must be submitted online, and the deadline is Feb. 15.
- Honorary Life Membership: skillsusa.org/membership-resources/awards/honorary-life/
- Outstanding Career and Technical Educator: skillsusa.org/membership-resources/awards/outstanding-educator-nomination/
If you have questions, please contact Laura Rauch at lrauch@skillsusa.org or 703-737-0619.
State Leadership and Skills Conference
Friday, Apr 17, 2020, 12:00 PM
Grand Rapids, MI, USA
National Leadership and Skills Conference
Monday, Jun 22, 2020, 09:00 AM
Louisville, KY, United States
About Us
Email: info@miskillsusa.org
Website: www.miskillsusa.org
Location: Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, United States
Phone: 734-487-3888
Facebook: www.facebook.com/miskillsusa
Twitter: @miskillsusa