Membership Options

Montana FCCLA supports membership options for students enrolled in or having completed a Family and Consumer Sciences course in a traditional school setting, as well as options for students having completed eligibility requirements in a school without an FCCLA chapter, virtual membership and home school membership.

For Chapters Within a School Setting

For chapters found in a traditional school setting who have established affiliation prior, simply visit the FCCLA webpage, choose “login” and access the chapter membership portal with the established login credentials. Chapters must affiliate annually, with payment of state and national dues, as well as an annual state chapter fee, using the National FCCLA membership system. Advisers will want to review the membership package options prior to beginning the affiliation process. Any questions about Montana FCCLA membership packages can be directed to [email protected]

Membership for Eligible Students Without a Chapter at Their School

Montana FCCLA strives to provide membership to all students eligible for membership within the state. In some situations, a student has completed the requirement of completing a course in Family and Consumer Sciences but the school in which the student is currently enrolled does not offer a Family and Consumer Sciences program OR an FCCLA chapter. 

In such a situation, the eligible student will be permitted to affiliate as a member with another Montana FCCLA chapter in good standing.This policy also applies to students who have completed course requirements virtually and/or home school students who have completed a Family and Consumer Sciences course. 

The student seeking membership and his/her family, in cooperation with the district in which the student is enrolled and the district agreeing to host the student as an FCCLA member will determine the terms and conditions of their agreement, while complying with all applicable Montana FCCLA policies and procedures. 

All required parties will complete the Eligible Students Without A Chapter Signature Sheet and send to the State Director prior to affiliation of the student without a chapter in his/her school.

Virtual/Online and Home School Membership Options

One requirement for membership in FCCLA is for the student to be currently enrolled in or have completed a secondary-level family and consumer sciences course. For potential members lacking this requirement, options include:

1. In schools with an approved FCS  program, students enrolled in said school can take online/virtual FCS  courses that are transcripted and approved by their school.  
2. Online/virtual FCS courses are considered valid for terms of enrollment in FCCLA when the online/virtual course is not otherwise offered at the local school.  

Membership for Home School Students

Montana schools welcome homeschool students in compliance with  MCA §20-5-112.  This includes enrolling students in FCCLA that desire membership.  Homeschool students are required to meet the same standards for enrollment that public school students meet including completion of at least one transcripted term of an FCS course. Online/virtual FCS courses are accepted in lieu of an in-person course per Montana FCCLA Membership Policy.

Home school students meeting the curriculum requirement for membership may choose to participate in an existing nearby FCCLA chapter, provided a host school is agreeable to the arrangement. See Membership for Eligible Students Without a Chapter at Their School above for steps in establishing this type of membership.

Membership for Virtual/Online Chapters

A virtual/online school can charter their own FCCLA chapter provided the following conditions are met:

1. The online/virtual school is in good standing and in compliance with the Office of Public Instruction.
2. The online/virtual school offers a program of study in an FCS pathway as approved by the CTE division at the OPI.
3. The online/virtual school has a physical location for the purpose of operating the school within the borders of the state of Montana.
4. The online/virtual school employs a state-certified FCS teacher who possesses a valid Montana teaching license and these person(s) are the teachers of the online FCS courses.
5. Only a state-licensed FCS teacher, employed by the online/virtual school can serve as the chapter FCCLA advisor.
6. The online/virtual chapter advisor files for a chapter charter with the State FCCLA Director using the Virtual/Online Chapter Charter form and the State Director designates an FCCLA district of residence for the chapter. 

Upon successfully chartering a virtual/online chapter, the following policies must be followed for FCCLA members in the chapter:

1. The virtual/online chapter is responsible for payment of the the same expenses as traditionally affiliated chapters including:
   1. Montana FCCLA chapter fee
   2. Affiliation expenses for all chapter members and advisers
   3. Registration and attendance fees for all district, state, and national level meetings
2. Members can participate in District Officer elections in the district in which the online/virtual school designates as their permanent physical location.
3. The chapter advisor is responsible for registering students in all FCCLA district, state, and national level events and competitions.
   1. No FCCLA member can register themselves or coordinate their own participation in a district or state FCCLA event.
4. The chapter advisor, or an adult named by the chapter advisor, must transport and supervise the FCCLA members from any online/virtual chapter at any FCCLA event above the local level.
5. Members of virtual/online chapters will be responsible for all travel and participation expenses for district/state/national meetings and events, including registration, travel expenses, and insurance.  
6. All membership years begin July 1 and end June 30. 
7. Information about affiliation processes and participation opportunities for virtual/online chapters will be made available via the Montana FCCLA website and updated annually, or as more information and resources become available.