Using the acronym FHA-HERO with the tag-line Building Strong Leaders for Families, Careers, and Communities gives members a great new opportunity to reinforce that our powerful student organization has been helping young people become leaders for more than 50 years! Tell everyone you know about FHA-HERO and the way we have changed with the times to a broader focus on career and leadership development, community involvement, and member recognition, as well as family concerns and managing work and family life.
Our name FHA-HERO, has an important meaning to our former members, parents, business, industry, community leaders, school officials, and legislators.
California officers, members, and advisors have expressed a strong desire to retain the name, California Association FHA-HERO. Recently chapters received information from the national organization, Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) regarding the name change of the National Organization of Future Homemakers of America, Inc. to FCCLA. However, California chooses to use the name, FHA-HERO for the State Association and indicate that it is affiliated with FCCLA at the National Level. California chapters will be expected to use the name FHA-HERO. The questions and answers provided below will help you better explain the mission, vision, and program of the California Association FHA-HERO.
Why do California’s members and advisors favor keeping the name FHA-HERO?
- State legislation provides funding for FHA-HERO and Home Economics Careers and Technology. To change names recognized by legislators may jeopardize future funding.
- There is a desire to retain the identity of an association that has provided a strong leadership and career development program. The loss of an established identity would jeopardize the support of former members, alumni, and business and industry.
- Marketing principles indicate that it is easier to change an image than to re-establish an identity.
- The fact that other vocational organizations dropped the full title and retained initials that were easily recognizable (e.g.: Future Farmers of America now uses FFA; Distributive Education Clubs of America now uses DECA; and Future Business Leaders of America is now referred to only as FBLA.) All of these associations are increasing their memberships.
- The California Association has a well-established image as an organization of pre-professionals who are serious about their career goals.
What name should chapters use?
Chapters are strongly encouraged to use the acronym FHA-HERO with the tagline "Building Strong Leaders for Families, Careers, and Communities." Hence, the name would be California Association FHA-HERO: Building Strong Leaders for Families, Careers, and Communities.
In the 1970’s the State Association changed its name from California Association Future Homemakers of America to California Association Future Homemakers of America-Home Economics Related Occupations. This was done because of a new focus on career preparation programs, thus resulting in a two-faceted program: personal and family development and career development. In the 1980’s the State Association began omitting reference to the full name in selected documents. Thus, in many communications, the association was listed as California Association FHA-HERO. This was done at the request of state officer teams in order to decrease the emphasis upon the word "homemaker" and increase the emphasis on leadership and career development.
How do we respond to the comment, "I heard that FHA changed its name?"
A possible response follows: Yes. At the national level the name has changed to FCCLA. The California Association is using the acronym, FHA-HERO instead of the full name. The reason for this is that members and advisors want to retain its established identity and expanded focus on careers, personal and family development, community service, member recognition and leadership.
National, on the other hand, is choosing to focus on emerging societal issues rather than career and leadership development as an integral part of Home Economics Careers and Technology Education.
What is the focus of the California Association FHA-HERO?
The California Association FHA-HERO has a strong focus on developing career and leadership skills for members to be successful in personal and family life and careers. This is accomplished through activities which are integral to Home Economics Careers and Technology education, both Consumer and Family Studies and Home Economics Related Occupations courses and programs. FHA-HERO leadership and career development activities assist students in developing and refining skills to prepare for their roles as family members, workers, and citizens.
The California Association FHA-HERO is the pre-professional organization for secondary students enrolled in Home Economics Careers and Technology programs in grades 6-12. As FHA-HERO members, students are able to sharpen their personal leadership and career skills by participating as members and officers in competitive recognition events and through community service.
In what ways is the California Association FHA-HERO different from the other vocational student organizations? (FFA, DECA, FBLA, HOSA, AND VICA)
All of the vocational student organizations provide a strong focus on career and leadership development, as well as citizenship and service in the community. However, the Home Economics Careers and Technology curricula and FHA-HERO uniquely focus on preparing for living as well as earning a living and has broad appeal for students.
What is the advantage of using the tag line?
Using the acronym FHA-HERO with the tag-line Building Strong Leaders for Families, Careers, and Communities gives members a great new opportunity to reinforce that our powerful student organization has been helping young people become leaders for more than 50 years! Tell everyone you know about FHA-HERO and the way we have changed with the times to a broader focus on career and leadership development, community involvement, and member recognition, as well as family concerns and managing work and family life.
Our name FHA-HERO, has an important meaning to our former members, parents, business, industry, community leaders, school officials, and legislators.
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