As senior class president at Provo High School, Christopher Lindsay speaks frequently to large groups of students - displaying poise and confidence.
Lindsay says he's learned and honed his speaking and leadership skills in Future Homemakers of America, an organization once dedicated to training young women to be good housewives. He joined the organization three years ago."I don't cook, and I don't sew. I joined for other reasons," Lindsay said.
Even though the organization was once dominated by women, now about one in five FHA members are male. Lindsay still might be considered part of FHA's minority, but he is no ordinary member. Last year he served as the organization's state president. In July at the national FHA convention in San Diego he was elected president of a national membership of more than 250,000.
Some might be surprised to see a man at the helm of an organization founded more than 50 years ago by women, but Lindsay is just keeping a new tradition alive. Five of the last six national FHA presidents have been men. This year's Provo High School FHA president is another male, Jeff Gamette.
Most people who are surprised by FHA's new male leadership trend are not aware of the new direction taken by the organization the past decade. Started as a vocational organization for women, FHA is now mainly focused on leadership. The organization's own literature touts it as a group that builds strong leaders in family, community and careers. Members learn skills needed to balance work and family.
"I'm proud when I see young men recognize how important family is to them," said Diane Cluff, Provo High School FHA faculty ad-viser.
Nothing is mentioned in the organization's literature about sewing or cooking, once FHA's focal points. In fact, none of FHA's national competitions involve cooking. However, some local chapters still have their own soup contest.
The organization's change came mainly because of the gradual change in family makeup. There are more one-parent and two-income families, creating the need for both men and women to learn the same household, personal and career skills.
"Everyone is a homemaker, and they need to understand that," Cluff said.
Included in the skills stressed by FHA are public speaking, job interviewing, initiative, interpersonal relationships, decision mak-ing, vocational preparation, character development, entrepreneurial leadership and critical think-ing. The organization teaches the skills through conferences, competitions and community service projects.
"We learn skills to help us work with other people," Lindsay said.
Members of FHA from across the country spend six weeks each year in Japan as part of a cultural exchange program. About a dozen students from Provo High School participated in the program last year.
With the change in focus, FHA members are currently debating whether the word "homemakers" in the organization's title is fitting. A recent membership vote was split on the issue, with a few more votes coming in against a name change. Those in favor of keeping the name say it's better to explain the organization's new direction than lose 52 years of name recognition.
Some say the male leadership trend has helped the organization with its new direction. Men have brought new ambition and initiative to the organization.
"Males are learning what advantages this organization has for them so they come out really strong and active," Lindsay said.
As national president, Lindsay will attend several conferences, meet new friends and be the organization's lobbyist to congressional leaders. He hopes the experiences will open up doors to opportunity. He plans to someday be a pediatrician.
"It's going to provide a huge step for me into the work force," he said.
His national position also should benefit the FHA program at Provo High School. Career Connections is a new program being introduced by FHA, and it will be piloted this year at Provo High School. With 275 members, the school has the second largest FHA chapter in the nation.