Nadine Goldberg, 2012 FBLA National Parliamentarian

You may only know them as the shortest members at our conferences, but with over 20,000 members, the Middle Level is FBLA’s fastest growing division, and a force to be reckoned with.

I interviewed Steven Tessler, Florida-FBLA Region 5 Vice President from Olympic Heights Community High School, about the many benefits that his local chapter reaps from a partnership with their local Middle Level chapter.

Steven Tessler at the Florida State Capitol

Why did your FBLA chapter decide to get involved with your local ML chapter?

“My chapter decided to help charter/get involved with our local ML chapter because, when I looked back, I realized that I could have been so much more active in FBLA at an earlier age if I had the opportunity to join FBLA at the Middle Level. Therefore, I decided to talk to my chapter about helping our local feeder school to start a ML chapter and offer some of their kids the opportunity I didn’t have in middle school.”

What kinds of things do your chapters do together?

“Our chapters do a few things together. In the beginning, we would head over to their school after our school let out and help them conduct their first few meetings and interview for officer positions. After that, we would visit them to discuss registering for competitive events and how to prepare for district and state competition. We even had a little holiday party together before we let out for Winter Break. At the State Leadership Conference, we will be helping their attendees get acclimated to the SLC environment and show them what it’s like to attend the best leadership conference in the state! In the future, we hope to be able to increase their membership and involvement to rival some of the powerhouse ML chapters of District XX in FLorida FBLA-PBL.”

How has the partnership benefited your chapter? How do you think it might affect your membership in the future?

“I think our partnership with our local ML chapter has benefited our chapter in numerous ways. For starters, it gave some of our officers a real life situation to practice their leadership skills when talking to these middle school students about the numerous benefits FBLA offers to them. Additionally, it provided us with the rewarding feeling that accompanies giving back to where we came from, and providing others with opportunities that you weren’t able to have at that age. Lastly, I think it will have a positive effect on our future membership, as many students from that middle school go on to attend our high school, where they will be more likely to join FBLA and make impacting contributions to our chapter in the future.”

If your chapter has ever teamed up with your local ML chapter, I’d love to hear about it! Send your stories and pictures to FBLAparl@FBLA.org, and you may just be featured in a future blog post! 

Filed under: FBLA, FBLA National Parliamentarian, Nadine Goldberg, FBLA-Middle Level, Uncategorized  | | No Comments »

There is no doubt in my mind that when we come together, with each of our individual strengths, that our collective impact is stronger and there is nothing FBLA-PBL cannot accomplish! Just as each individual puzzle piece creates the finished product, each of our members has the power to impact our larger picture. We now more than ever need to come together to impact the larger conversation about education and the important role of CTE and how Career Technical Student Organizations like FBLA positively change lives.

After recently attending the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) National Policy Seminar in Washington D.C., it is clearer than ever that CTE is education that works for America.  CTE benefits millions of students like you and me each year and is the way that we’re able to access awesome opportunities like FBLA.

After hearing from speakers like Undersecretary of Education Martha Kanter, I was reminded of the impact of Career and Technical Education and how my CTSO experience in FBLA has changed my life. And, I realized that this opportunity would not been available had previous generations of students and leaders not advocated for this important federal and state funding. It is now our turn to do the same for future generations of students and teachers.

CTE has ultimately changed my life, given me the skills I need to be successful in college and my future career, and it gave me access to FBLA, which has provided the opportunity to practice education and grow my leadership skills.  These are skills that every student in America needs and that the competitive global economy will demand from the nations who want to be leaders.

While I know the impact CTE has had on my life, I know my story is not different from the countless other students who’s lives have been forever impacted by CTE. While I may have spent March 5-7 advocating for CTE on Capitol Hill, each of you can get mobilized and make an even more important impact in your own hometowns and states. With an ongoing national conversation on CTE, now is an important time for our voices to be collectively heard and to, truly, make a difference.

I am asking you to share your personal story, about how CTE has changed your life, with policy makers, educators, and CTE advocates. I even encourage you to send your stories about FBLA and CTE directly to ACTE to help them spread the message about the importance of CTE in student’s lives. For more information on the riveting work that ACTE is doing for us, visit www.acteonline.org.

If we all come together and share our own stories, there will be no disputing that CTE works for the students of today and the students of tomorrow. Just by being a member of FBLA, you have your own story—one that is worth telling. Members and advisers I ask you to join us in the national effort to promote CTE year round. Share your story with others, consider joining ACTE, and continue to be successful in your CTE courses. Together, we will continue to show that CTE Works!

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Want to join an elite group of guerilla marketers at the FBLA-PBL National Leadership Conference?

The all-new NLC Buzz Squad is a team of highly visible FBLA and PBL volunteers who will spearhead all social media, crowd sourcing, and marketing functions at the NLC.

Interested applicants must be available to attend the San Antonio NLC during the following dates:

PBL: June 24-27, 2012

FBLA: June 29-July 2, 2012

Watch the video below for more details. Scroll down for the application, or click here to apply. A resume and letter of recommendation are required.

Deadline is April 23, 2012.

This is an unpaid volunteer opportunity with lots of perks and opportunity for learning.

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Join marketing and business classes from around the country and hang out with Daymond John, one of the sharks from the hit ABC show Shark Tank. Daymond will share his thoughts on entrepreneurship and maybe even a few behind the scenes insights on Shark Tank.

Daymond will appear in your classroom via a Google+ Hang Out. These events are typically limited to nine participating schools. Fortunately, Google has stepped up and supported the event and is lifting all restrictions on the number of participants.
What a great way to bring current content and technology into your classroom—with virtually no additional work on your end!

Date: March 29, 2012
Time: 11:15 a.m. EST
Place: On your computer
Cost: FREE

Click here to get your invite and directions!

More on Daymond John
A young entrepreneur, an industry pioneer, a highly regarded marketing expert, and a man who has surpassed new heights of commercial and financial success are just a few ways people have described Daymond John. Over the last 20 years, Daymond has evolved from one of the most successful fashion icons of his generation to one of the most sought after branding experts, business, and motivational speakers in the country.

Daymond’s creative vision and strong knowledge of the marketplace helped him create one of the most iconic fashion brands in recent years. FUBU, standing for “For Us By Us”, represented a lifestyle that was neglected by other clothing companies. Realizing this need in the marketplace, Daymond created the untapped urban apparel space and laid the groundwork for other companies to compete in this newly established market.

In 2009, John joined the cast of the ABC entrepreneurial business show, Shark Tank, produced by acclaimed TV producer Mark Burnett. As one of the “Sharks”, Daymond and four other prominent executives listen to business pitches from everyday people hoping to launch their company or product to new heights. Investing his own money in every project, Daymond becomes partners with the entrepreneurs helping turn their dreams into a reality. Millions of viewers tune into the show as Daymond demonstrates his marketing prowess and entrepreneurial insights.

Filed under: FBLA, PBL, Promotions  | | No Comments »

Without bridges, the best built roads lead nowhere, the most important visions remain invisible, and the best-laid plans fail.

In life, in school, and in  FBLA-PBL, connection is everything. Active members can build the bridges and make the connection to ensure that underclassmen who may not be members not only want to join, but want to become even more active earlier next year. Continuing to recruit and retain good members is as critical to your chapter’s long-term success and health.

Because FBLA-PBL members who are committed to and involved in your chapter are more likely to maintain their membership, involving prospective members and all current members in activities is a successful recruitment and retention tool. A successful recruitment and retention plan can be summed up in three words: Motivate, Educate, and Involve.

North Salem High School, Nebraska

Motivate

Prospective members who see that your chapter has plenty of activities for members to participate in are much more likely to join, and current members who are motivated are much more productive.  Prepare posters or sponsor a Meet and Greet March Madness Recruitment Booth.  Find a place on campus that has a great amount of foot traffic and set up an FBLA-PBL recruitment booth.  This is an opportunity for you to meet and greet potential members—focus on those underclassmen to begin building a strong membership base for years to come.  When preparing your booth, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Being organized determines whether or not your booth will be successful.  It is important to prepare sign up sheets so that you can contact and follow-up on all of your visitors.  Also, have applications and a receipt book available for people who want to become members and pay their dues.  Finally, make a schedule, making officers and members responsible for being present at the booth and to greet with a smile!
• As potential members walk by your booth, make sure you have the “arrows” pointing in your direction.  You can attract them with giveaways such as candy, food, and/or a raffle ticket for signing up (be sure to check with your schools guidelines regarding the distributions of these items).
• Also, make your booth attractive by having a BIG sign, bright T-shirts, and themed decorations. Don’t forget to have brochures or informational sheets available so that they can “fill up” their minds with FBLA-PBL information.  Show them the sights and sounds of FBLA-PBL by incorprating conference videos, chapter scrapbooks, awards, and plaques.
• Be a step ahead.  After making a stop at your booth, where is their next destination?  Use this booth as an opportunity to promote an upcoming event where they can experience the benefits of FBLA-PBL such as an upcoming chapter meeting or event.
• Don’t forget about your current members.  Members who are motivated are much more productive. Promote the March Madness campaign by sharing the March Madness PSA.
• Many chapters sponsor an end-of-the-year banquet, install the new local officers, and present each active member with an FBLA lapel pin. Induct the most outstanding members from each grade into the local FBLA Chapter Wall of Fame. Each nominee could provide a resume and photo that could be laminated onto poster board to be displayed every year. Award each new recipient with a trophy. Make sure to invite school administrators, faculty, parents, and the local newspaper.
• As an extra motivator, offer half price dues to all current members who sign up for the next membership year before this year ends.

Educate

• Some members don’t rejoin FBLA because they feel uninformed or uninvolved. It’s important communicate frequently with your members. Many reporters produce a newsletter for all members either monthly or quarterly. Even better (and easier), create a Facebook page for your chapter and connect to a Twitter account!
• Bring in exciting guest speakers from area businesses to meetings so that your members can see the connection between FBLA and the business world. Now is the perfect time to have members approach local businesses about the possibility of providing discounts to your members for the next school year. This is an excellent project for members, looks great on a resume, and discounts at popular businesses are good membership benefits.
• Get your members involved in March for Babies and the FBLA Eco Chapter Project.

Icebreakers are a great way for members to interact and feel like they belong.

Involve

Involve all of your chapter members in committees, fund-raisers, and social activities. It is unfortunate to hear from former members that they didn’t join the chapter again because they didn’t feel a “part” of the group. Assign experienced members to mentor prospective members and introduce them to the many opportunities that FBLA provides. Some chapters have created a “commencement” program, where FBLA members who join in the same year work together on a project or meet for a special occasion. Work on leadership skills by sponsoring icebreakers at meeting where members can interact with one another.  Click here for sample icebreakers.

Start planning now to retain your members for the next school year so your members see the connection that FBLA-PBL provides to the future.

Filed under: FBLA, FBLA-Middle Level, PBL  | | No Comments »

So, you’ve created your FBLA team for this year’s March for Babies at marchforbabies.org. You’ve invited all your team members, and your advisers, to join. You’ve planned and maybe even already hosted a fun fund-raiser at your school. What’s next to help you reach your fund-raising goal for healthy babies?

Dade Christian School raised over $2500 for the March of Dimes in 2011. Not bad for a school of only 800 students!

Check out these cool March for Babies online, social media, and smartphone tools—all kinds of digital greatness to help you spread awareness about the mission of the March of Dimes and recruit others to support you by joining your team or donating to the cause!

• Facebook: “Like” the March of Dimes on Facebook and get involved in the community.
• Badges: Use our customized online signature tool as an e-mail signature.
• Animated E-card: E-mail supporters a personalized animated electronic card.
• Mobile app: Manage your campaign from your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
• Twitter: Tweet about or follow us @marchforbabies.
• LinkedIn: Share your support of March for Babies with your network.

Don’t forget to send your March for Babies stories and photos to teamyouth@marchofdimes.com!

Filed under: March of Dimes  | | No Comments »

Filed under: Contests, FBLA, FBLA-Middle Level, PBL  | | No Comments »

Welcome to March Madness, a NEW initiative that is sponsored by your FBLA National Officer Team. This project focuses on chapter recruitment and retention by encouraging local chapters to focus on getting involved with national programs and planning local projects that will keep members motivated and excited. Throughout this month of March, we encourage local chapters to recruit new members through Membership Madness and Mania.

Not only can members earn a certificate of recognition for recruiting five new members and/or ten new members, but they can help their state top the NEW March Madness Leader board.  Each Membership Madness will give your state five points and each Membership Mania will give your state ten points.  Everything will be weighted back against the total membership.  All membership madness and mania awards beginning from August through the end of the month will count towards March Madness.  The top ten states will receive national recognition! 

Get your members excited about this project by showing the March Madness video prepared by National President Taylor Sarman and FBLA National Secretary McKenna Murray.

Remember, it is NEVER too late to recruit new members. You can use a variety of methods such as posters, bulletin boards, social media, and word of mouth.

The deadline for state and chapter membership recognition awards has been changed to April 1 so keep spreading the FBLA word!

Poster created through BAA Program by Helena Lagos from Legacy High School in Nevada.

Let your prospective members know that by joining FBLA they can:

• Travel the Country. FBLA members have the opportunity to travel at the local, state, and national levels.  With more than a quarter of a million members in FBLA-PBL, we have a vast network at our fingertips.  Meeting members at conferences is a great way to get your name out there and potentially find a job. The 2012 National Leadership Conference which will be held in San Antonio, Texas on June 29-July 2 is just around the corner.  This conference will feature motivational sessions on a variety of topics and offer such attractions as the Alamo, SeaWorld, and Six Flags.
• Get the Competitive Edge. Today’s business and academic environments require not just keeping up, but staying ahead of the competition.  Students have the opportunity to choose from over 40 competitive and skills events from the areas of technology, public speaking, business, and finance, and management.  The top state winners advance on to the national level to compete for trophies and cash prizes.  Each year FBLA also offers members attending the NLC the opportunity to take certification tests from leading companies so they can earn industry recognized certifications.
• Gain Community Service Experience.  Whether it is a local charity, a state community service project, or national programs such as the FBLA Go Green “Eco-Chapter project” where members plan projects to promote or help raise environmental awareness, our members learn about the importance of helping others.  FBLA is the largest youth volunteer force for the March of Dimes.  During our partnership, our chapters have raised more than $13 million dollars for the March of Dimes.  Not only do our members make difference, but they gain valuable leadership skills by participating in service projects for their school and their community.

Questions? Contact FBLA National President Taylor Sarman (fblapres@fbla.org).

Happy recruiting and we hope to see your state on the top of the Leader Board!

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As a service to FBLA, Men’s Wearhouse is happy to make a local representative available to speak to your class about the importance of making a positive first impression.  Focusing on interviews, the conversation covers topics such as proper preparation and how to avoid common interview mistakes, along with style advice for both men and women.

To arrange for a complimentary Dress for Interview seminar, call 1-866-247-4697 or email FBLA@tmw.com.

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Hasher Nisar's winning campaign for ERVP

Thinking of running for local, district, state, or national office? Join FBLA-PBL Membership Director Lisa Smothers, FBLA National President Taylor Sarman, and PBL National President Jake Barreau on Wednesday, March 14th as they offer students and their advisers tips and tricks to make candidates stand out from the crowd as they prepare to campaign to win!

Register Now

A Q&A session will follow. Suitable for advisers and students.

When: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM EDT

Filed under: Webinars  | | 1 Comment »