Monthly Archives: August 2011

From Chapter Member to National Officer-The Journey That Any Member Can Take!

Posted on by • Posted in FBLA Western Region Vice President, Aaron Wodka, National Officers • 1 Comment

Aaron Wodka, FBLA Western Region Vice President

Looking back four years ago and picturing my little freshman self sitting at my first FBLA meeting, I never thought I would one day be on the FBLA-PBL National Officer team. In all honesty, the concept has not truly sunk in yet. Though the reality of the situation is that I am extremely fortunate to be here and serve my fellow members!

 

The journey I took from my freshman year was one full of cherished memories and character-shaping moments. Running and getting elected to Arizona state office myfreshman year was an awesome and rewarding experience. It was in this year that I picked up some of the greatest professional lessons of my life. Learning the value of true work ethic and seeing goals put into action made a huge impression on me. It’s not to say that I didn’t have my stressful and frustrating moments. Overall though I feel that it was my biggest tool in practicing my leadership skills to run for re-election.

 

My first NLC and just completed State Officer Training. The journey begins!

The following spring at the state conference, I ran my re-election campaign and once again successfully won a position on the state officer team. My goal, this time around, was to become the state president and refine my leadership skills so that I could be part of the driving force for FBLA Arizona. The year that followed was full of history making achievements for my state and (to this day) one of the most challenging positions of my professional career. As the year closed I took a moment to reflect on the person I was just three years ago and compare it to the person I was at that point. Those that know me best still say to this day that the comparison will show two completely different people.

 

With this comparison in mind and the opportunity of another year in FBLA, I knew that I had a choice to make. Was I going to retire my leadership service for FBLA or was I going to make the attempt to take it to the next level and serve a larger audience of my FBLA peers. I’ll be honest with you. There was no clear-cut decision. Though I remembered one of the greatest lessons I picked up in FBLA—that everyone is a leader. All that matters is how and when you chose to practice and refine the skills you have as a leader. I realized at that point that I wanted to use everything I learned and all the experiences I gained and project them onto a national arena so that all FBLA members could have the same growth and memorable, inspirational experience I had. My mind was made up and I had decided to run for national office.

 

Now, in retrospect, to a kid who just three years ago was a small freshman and doubted the opportunities that were made available to him because of where he came from, this idea was daunting. To follow, the entire campaign process and nationals process was also daunting to me. But the passion that resonated inside of me was so strong that it overcame any doubt I had and ultimately got me through the experience. There reached a point about five minutes before they announced the election results of the national campaign, that I literally had a moment of disbelief! Was I really sitting here waiting to possibly here my name? Yet again at that moment my little freshman self image came to mind. I had a flashback of the last three years and sat there astonished at the fact of where I started and where I was now. I had seriously disconnected from the world, but what broke my concentration was the announcer calling my name as the winner!

 

Taking the stage as a national officer in Orlando!

You know those moments in life where your body goes numb and you think to yourself “did that just happen?” Well, let me tell you, I definitely experienced one of those moments and the next thing I knew my state was on their feet cheering and my campaign manager pulling me off my seat to get me on stage. The events that followed after were humbling as I took my oath of office on stage. There are no words that can express how grateful I am to my region and for the opportunity they gave me.

 

The moral of the story is that it doesn’t matter where you come from, who you are, or how different you may be at the beginning of the journey. If you want to reach your goals you have the capacity to do so. The only question you need to ask yourself is this, “Am I ready to let the journey change and shape me?” If so, then you have already taken the first step. What follows after is entirely up to you, but never forget that with whatever might happen, your goal is always waiting for you. Go out there and catch it!

Adventure in Washington, DC

Posted on by • Posted in FBLA Eastern Region VP, Hasher Nisar, National Officers • 1 Comment

Hasher Nisar, FBLA Eastern Region Vice President

It was July 21st. The temperature was 110 degrees outside. It was 2:15 PM. I’m running down Independence Avenue looking for Cannon Building. Cannon Building is where I had to meet with Congressman Murphy and his aide at 2:30 PM. I was supposed to take the underground shuttle but the security guard, from whom I was getting directions, said I could not take the shuttle as I was not a member of the staff. Wonderful. He told me that I had to exit the building, go straight down Constitution Avenue, take the first left, then take a right on Independence Avenue, and I would see Cannon Building. Well, I was on Independence Avenue and I didn’t see Cannon Building. I wish he had told me whether it was on my right or left. I sat down on a bench to catch my breath. It was hot.  I look up right across the street and I saw a sign. In small letters it said, “Cannon Building.” Yes! I found it. I crossed the street and entered the building. After going through security, I asked the lady how I would get to Room 412. She told me to take the elevator to the fourth floor. I was amazed by how nice the elevator was, but then I saw a sign, “MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ONLY.” I pretended as I had seen no sign.

Once I found Congressman Murphy’s office, I asked for Linda Forman. They told me to take a seat and she would be right with me. I was exhausted, but happy that I was in an air-conditioned room. Ms. Forman approached me after five minutes and told me that in order for me to meet Congressman Murphy, we would have to go to the House Chamber because he was voting. Once again, I was taking elevators, going through security, and all along I was telling Ms. Forman about FBLA. We were in the outside hall when she told me, “This is something people don’t get to see in person. Right now, no one except Congressmen and their aides, if needed, can be here.” I said, “Wow.” And just as I said that Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi walked right by me. My jaw dropped open. I asked Ms. Forman, “Did I…did I just…just see Congresswoman Pelosi?” Ms. Forman replied, “Yes, you did.”

Hasher Nisar with Congressman Chris Murphy (5th District-CT)

I was surrounded by Congressmen and Congresswomen. Some were entering the chamber while others were talking in the hall. Ms. Forman and I sat down in the Rayburn Room waiting for Congressman Murphy to finish voting. After he was done, he came and sat down with us. I had met Congressman Murphy on several other occasions and he remembered me as I had also volunteered for his campaign. He said, “I want to take you with me to a Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing. I have to introduce an amendment. Do you have time?” I said, “Yes, I do.” As we were walking to the hearing, we talked about Perkins Funding. I told him about FBLA, why it was important to me, and why Perkins Funding was important to FBLA. He completely understood where I was coming from and he also doesn’t want to see Perkins Funding get cut, but he said that these times were difficult and some difficult decisions would have to be made. He said, “We are literally fighting for our lives right now.”

I sat in on the Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing for about 30 minutes. I had to leave because the National Officer Team was scheduled to go to the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. I thanked Ms. Forman for giving me the opportunity to meet with Congressman Murphy and I gave her a folder with FBLA literature, if Congressman Murphy wanted to look over it.

As I left, I realized something. As an FBLA National Officer, I want to see Congressman Murphy show full support for Perkins Funding. There might be someone else who wants to see him show support for another legislative bill. He has to listen to all the people in his district because that is his job. He has to listen to the issues people are facing in his district because they elected him. He has to take their voice to Congress and lead them. He has to make them believe and hope in a brighter future for the United States. I thought about it for a moment. That is why I was elected. 39,693 members of the Eastern Region believed in me. They entrusted in me their support. They believed that I could lead the Eastern Region. I have left National Officer Training with a renewed sense of leadership. I hope that I live up to the expectations of the Eastern Region members.

Shop for Back to School and Help the March of Dimes

Posted on by • Posted in March of Dimes • Leave a comment

Just in time for back to school! One day only – on August 27th – shop, save, and give back to the March of Dimes!  Buy a savings pass for $5 and save 25% off most regular, sale and clearance purchases at all Macy’s stores or online. As part of their Shop for a Cause program, Macy’s will donate 100% of the $5 cost of the savings pass to the March of Dimes to help give more babies a healthy start in life.

Don’t wait! Buy your $5 savings pass now at marchofdimes.com/shopforacause and save at any store or online on Saturday, August 27th only.

Thanks for supporting our partner and healthy babies!