Daily Archives: June 19, 2012

Making your FBLA Involvement Shine in Applications

Posted on by • Posted in FBLA National Parliamentarian, Nadine Goldberg, Uncategorized • Leave a comment

Nadine Goldberg, 2012 FBLA National Parliamentarian

Summertime usually means lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun, and eagerly counting the days to the NLC. But for all of you rising seniors, it also means that it’s time to start thinking about college and scholarship applications. Here are some tips I’ve learned for making your involvement in FBLA shine on college and scholarship applications:

1. Keep good records. This goes for you too, underclassmen! Start a binder and collect records from all of your FBLA events, conferences, and meetings. Save flyers, photos, agendas, press releases, newspaper articles, awards, meeting minutes – you name it! When senior year rolls around, you can refer back to your binder as you search for inspiration for your essays, construct your resume, and log community service hours.

2. F-B-L-What? Hard as it is to believe, not everyone is an FBLA encyclopedia. As you’re filling out applications, assume that you’re writing for a reader who has never heard of our organization. Spell out acronyms like SLC and NLC and clearly explain what your leadership positions and projects entail. Before you submit anything, ask a friend or family member unfamiliar with FBLA to read over your work and check for clarity.

3. Be active! At every college information session I’ve attended, the admissions officers stress that they value active participation in a few organizations over membership in many. So get involved! Join committees, lead projects, and even take on the responsibility of an officer position. It may just make the difference for your application, and more importantly, it will allow you to make the most out of your FBLA experience!

4. Numbers count. Numbers can help you emphasize your impact on an application, so keep track! How many members did you lead? By what percentage did your chapter grow? How much money did you raise for the March of Dimes? How many students did you read to during Service in Sync? How many visits did your Web site for the Web Site Design competition receive?

Rooting for Joplin: Rebuilding One Tree at a Time

Posted on by • Posted in FBLA North Central Region Vice President, Alex Blodgett, Uncategorized • Leave a comment

Alex Blodgett, 2011-2012 North Central Region Vice President

For those of you who aren’t aware, on May 22, 2011 an EF-5 tornado devastated the city of Joplin, MO. Roughly 25% percent of Joplin was damaged when the tornado struck, and over 160 people lost their lives that day. Joplin High School was among the 2,000 buildings that were destroyed—a school that was home to a thriving FBLA chapter.

The tornado left the city of Joplin reeling, as well as the rest of the world. People all over were left wondering what they could do to help, and Missouri FBLA was no different. Members across the state were ready and willing to help out, so when we were approached about a “feet on the ground” effort to replenish Joplin trees, there was no question about it—MO FBLA was ready to get down and dirty.

Schuyler FBLA members planting a tree!

On May 5, 2012, over 800 FBLA members from across the state of Missouri assembled in Joplin to take part in what would be one of Missouri FBLA’s largest community service projects to date. After almost a year of hard work on this project, FBLA members from 150 chapters were able to raise nearly $25,000 to aid in the replanting of trees that had been lost in the storm. Residents of the city were able to visit www.rootingforjoplin.org  and request trees to be planted at their homes. As an organization, we had over 60 chapters send volunteers to help with the planting efforts—some who had to travel distances of six hours or more. By the end of day, Missouri FBLA had replenished 1,200 trees—almost 10% of those lost in the storm. In addition, $5,000 was donated to Joplin High School to aid in the landscaping of their new high school.

At the end of the day, everyone involved in the effort was exhausted, but proud. Those members had made a difference in the lives of others, and showed the rest of the world what FBLA members are really made of!

 

Rooting for Joplin News Report