Kick off FBLA-PBL Week with the National President’s Forum! All three division national presidents (FBLA PBL, and Professional Division) will host a live Google Hangout on Monday, February 11, 8:00 pm EST.
Another great way to start the week is with Business Achievement Awards (BAA). BAA is an aggressive, self-directed, results-based business and leadership program designed to compliment academics, while accelerating a student’s leadership skills. Promoting and participating in the Business Achievement Awards is an excellent way to begin FBLA-PBL Week and begin your Fight to the Finish.
The BAA is a great way for you to:
hone your business and leadership skills, from basic (Future level) to expert (America level)
showcase your talents and skills through integrated academic work and project-based activities
receive recognition at the local, state and national level
You can also compete in the ”Fight to the Finish” contest recognizes the top 10 states with the most Business Achievement Awards completed. Using a weighted scale of awards completed (1 for Future and 4 for America level), the top 10 states will receive recognition at the National Leadership Conference Regional meetings. Points are based on state-level membership, so every state earns points based on awards completed, regardless of state membership size.
Do you have questions about the Business Achievement Awards? Speak to your adviser and start earning points for your state today, and don’t forget check out this BAA Tutorial.
There is a membership frenzy building across over 5,600 FBLA chapters… a February Frenzy, that is. This NEW national program, sponsored by your FBLA National Officer team, is designed to help chapters recruit new members and engage existing members in new and creative ways.
What Do I Need to Do?
Ask your adviser to sign up your chapter today so that you can ignite chapter membership numbers with activities that include:
having members create displays and posters promoting FBLA
recruiting five NEW freshman
celebrating FBLA-PBL Week
sponsoring a fun social event for paid chapter members
setting up a meet-and-greet recruitment booth in a high traffic area
watching the second semester recruitment webinar and adapting one of the ideas for your local chapter
planning and sponsoring a chapter community service project
and many more activities
How Will February Frenzy Help My Chapter Recruit More Members?
February Frenzy will help you focus your chapter members – and your entire state – on recruitment by teaching your members how to market FBLA using the tools provided by the National Center as well as their own creativity. You’ll see an influx of new members, and your existing members will be more engaged.
What Recognition Will My Chapter Receive?
When your chapter successfully completes the February Frenzy program and has members attend the 2013 National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California, all conference delegates will receive special ribbons that designate their chapter as a February Frenzy award recipient. Plus, your chapter’s designated chapter project manager will receive a special recruitment pin.
Your chapter can also help your state earn national honors by finishing in the top 10 on the February Frenzy Leaderboard. The Leaderboard will be promoted on the National Web site and will highlight the top 10 February Frenzy chapters. As an added state incentive, the top 10 states creating and implementing a state marketing plan that encourage chapters to participate in this program will receive recognition at the National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California.
How Do I Get Started?
It’s easy, just visit our Web site and sign up today.
Remember, as you use February Frenzy to ignite your recruitment for 2012-2013, remind prospective members of the countless opportunities FBLA-PBL has to offer:
challenging competitive events
scholarships, awards and other recognition opportunities
exciting conferences at destinations all over the country
and networking opportunities with 250,000 other young leaders
Plus, FBLA-PBL members participate in community service, fundraising, social events, and other career-boosting leadership activities.
Many years ago, FBLA-PBL’s founder, Dr. Hamden L. Forkner said, “Leadership is not the ability to lead others. Leadership is the ability to get others to lead themselves.”
Texas FBLA members display their pride at the National Leadership Conference
Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda is rich in tradition: from our blue and gold official colors, to our navy blue blazers, to our spirit always on display at FBLA-PBL National Leadership Conferences.
The crest, which includes the words Service, Education, and Progress, emphasizes the values that are the cornerstone of FBLA-PBL’s to mission to prepare members to make a difference in their careers, their communities, and the world.
Why is FBLA-PBL so popular? It’s simple. We have developed a unique value program that motivates students, faculty and administrators, and business professionals to make an impact in the world of business.
Don’t be afraid to call upon your state and national officers for help, to ask questions, or just to talk. These members are here to help you and your chapter Ignite Innovation!
Miami Sunset Senior High School FBLA synchronize their pride with matching sweatshirts
Need some ideas to celebrate FBLA-PBL Pride?
1. Show Your True Colors. If your members are wearing FBLA-PBL colors, blue and gold, put their names in a drawing for a prize to reward them for showing their FBLA-PBL spirit.
3. Celebrate with Food. Have a special FBLA-PBL meeting with food to end the school week. Your officers could present the FBLA-PBL emblem ceremony or pass out the materials and have them review it. They could either present it at a future meeting or video tape it to use for special occasions.
Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda is one of the few associations that can truly call itself a lifetime association. You can join FBLA-PBL in middle school and continue your involvement throughout your professional career.
By now, most of you are familiar with our three student divisions: FBLA-Middle Level for junior high/middle school students, FBLA for high school students, and PBL for postsecondary students. Our fourth division is the FBLA-PBL Professional Division, designed for working professionals.
The Professional Division offers established business people the opportunity to teach and mentor the next generation of business leaders. Professional Division members include alumni, educators, administrators, counselors, business professionals, parents, and government officials. These people are ready and willing to work with you and your members at the local level.
Many Professional Division members mentor FBLA-PBL members through career counseling, job shadowing opportunities, workshops presentations and speeches on current business trends such as business ethics, how to obtain summer internships, and how to dress and prepare for job interviews.
Here are some tips on how you can get involved with your Professional Division and begin working with your professional members and community leaders – which is the purpose of Career Awareness Day.
1. Reach out to local businesses. Contact your local professional members to arrange business tours or ask them for suggestions on businesses to visit. Don’t forget to publicize your visit by posing for a photo, preparing a news release, and posting it to your social networks.
Seminole State College PBL Chapter members visiting a local fire station to present a donation.
2. Recruit speakers and workshop presenters. Whether it’s your state conference or a regular chapter meeting, make sure you invite professional members and other business and community leaders to speak at a local chapter meeting about hot-button business topics.
3. Get career coaching. Have your members work on resumes and ask your professional members or business leaders to critique them. Take it a step further by arranging mock interview sessions between FBLA-PBL members and professional members. Another career-boosting activity is to arrange a job shadow day. These could even turn into summer internships or part-time jobs — you never know!
Sutter Union High School FBLA Chatper — Job Shadow
4. Prepare for Competitive Events. Ask business leaders and professional members to mentor members as they prepare for competitive events. Whether it is a speaking event, an interview event, a written event, or a chapter project/report event, professional division members have “been there, done that.”
Bonus idea: Western Wayne High School in Pennsylvania came up with a unique project: They researched Fortune 500 companies, made paper t-shirts with company logos and hung them in the classroom on a mock clothesline. A great project to learn about leading businesses!
Wayne High School FBLA Chapter with a business clothesline
Your involvement in FBLA-PBL’s educational programs, social and networking events, and conferences, gives you a taste of what the business world has to offer.
Professionalism is an essential skill that will have a major impact on your success in business, whether you are continuing your education or moving to the work world. Professional interactions and interpersonal relationships are vitally important in business settings.
At the National Leadership Conference, all members follow the FBLA-PBL Dress Code, which is designed to help members look like the business leaders they aspire to become. The dress code is in place during all conference functions, such as Opening Session, workshops, competitive events, and the Awards of Excellence Ceremony.
Today is Professional Attire Day, where FBLA-PBL members are encouraged to dress in their best business attire and show off their professionalism. From impressive knots to polished shoes, you know how to look great! Throughout the day, post your sharp-dressed photos on Twitter (with the hashtag #FBLA-PBLWeek) and on the FBLA-PBL National Center Facebook page. At the end of the day, get your chapter together for a group photo to show off your chapter spirit!
Adviser Appreciation Day
Today is also Adviser Appreciation Day. We salute all of our local chapter advisers who make success a reality for FBLA, FBLA-ML, and PBL members. Our advisers
Florida International University PBL Chapter members thank adviser Yanyn San Luis for her hard work throughout the year
teach, lead, and, more than any other profession, mentor our members to become successful future business leaders. Thank you advisers!
Here are some tips for today’s activities:
1. Prepare elevator speeches. Since your officers are already in professional attire, have them record a brief introduction to FBLA-PBL. Post it on your social media accounts and include it with e-mails as you seek local sponsorships.
2. Write a news release about FBLA-PBL Week. Your release will get more attention if you include a picture, so pose for a chapter photo and include it with your release. And don’t forget: upload it to the FBLA-PBL National Center Facebook page.
3. Get Up to (Dress) Code. Encourage your local chapter officers to dress up for local chapter meetings or plan a future meeting that meets the dress code.
5. Say “Thank You.” FBLA-PBL members, don’t forget to thank your local chapter adviser today. Why not send them an e-mail about how much you appreciate them, make a card, or update your status with a big “thanks.” You could even say “thank you” in person.
FBLA members and advisers, welcome to FBLA-PBL Week. The most important resource that any chapter has is its membership. The more enthusiastic your members are, the more that you can accomplish. Here are five quick ideas that you can use to get your members pumped up for FBLA-PBL Week.
1. Show – and Share – the FBLA-PBL Week Welcome Videos from National FBLA President Taylor Sarman and National PBL President Jake Barreau
2. Take Advantage of Free Advertising – Courtesy of Your Members. Unleash the creativity of your members and have them create posters, images, blogs and Facebook posts that publicize FBLA-PBL week and your local chapter activities. And make sure you post them on the FBLA-PBL National Center Facebook page.
3. Design a Chapter T-shirt. Sponsor a T-shirt contest and give your members until Friday to create a design. Choose the best design as the official T-shirt for your chapter members. You can order affordable custom T-shirts through the FBLA MarketPlace.
5. Don’t Forget to Recruit. Show members and prospects the official FBLA-PBL membership videos. Remind your members: It’s never too late to recruit!
Need more ideas? Here are example activities for each level; make sure you share your tips and ideas in the comments below.
FBLA
Master the Business Achievement Awards
Are you getting the most out of the Business Achievement Awards (BAA)? Here are a few more ways to use the BAA to get the recognition you deserve… as a chapter and as an individual.
Advisers and Local Officers, make sure you check out the Business Achievement Awards Preview Activities. During this session, you can register students for the first level of the BAA, if you have not done so already. Then your students are ready to begin working on the BAA.
TIP:Get involved with the NEW FBLA-PBL Week Trivia Contest. Each day look for a new PSA recording that you can play prior to the day’s activities. At the end of the week, FBLA members can complete a crossword puzzle. Add some excitement and make it a competition for members and award a prize or incentive to the winners in your chapter.
FBLA-Middle Level
Night/Day of the Body Snatcher. Award a prize to the member that brings in the most prospects (“snatches bodies”) to a particular meeting. Announce this contest today and schedule a special meeting for Friday, where you Award prizes or certificates of recognition to the winners.
Locker Signs. Place FBLA-ML signs (you could use the FBLA-PBL crest) on the lockers of members with candy on them. Use a catchy phrase such as “You STAR in FBLA-ML” and give away starburst candies.
PBL
Use this presentation to familiarize yourself with the CMAP, and share it with your members and on your social networks. It explains the different levels and activities.
Advisers and Local Officers, make sure you check out the Business Achievement Awards Preview Activities. During this session, you can register students for the first level of the BAA, if you have not done so already. Then your students are ready to begin working on the BAA.
FBLA-PBL Week is February 5-11, 2012. What is your chapter doing to celebrate? Here are some simple and engaging ideas to bring the full spirit of FBLA-PBL to your chapter.
1. Download the Resources Packet
Click here to download the FBLA-PBL Week Packet. It’s filled with tips, ideas, and templates that will make your week successful.
Share this video from National FBLA President Taylor Sarman, and download the PSA announcement.
Santa Fe Trail High School during an FBLA-PBL Week proclamation signing
2. Issue a Proclamation
Your local elected officials are always interested in proclaiming an important event in their community… and it makes a great photo opportunity for both of you.
Download the Sample FBLA-PBL Week Proclamation, and send it to your local officials (typically your mayor). If you’re fortunate enough to have an in-person signing, don’t forget to bring your camera, and post the news to all of your social media accounts.
3. Plan Daily Activities
Monday – Make an announcement in your classes about FBLA-PBL Week and the importance of joining student organizations. Start the week off right by downloading the FBLA-PBL Week PSA audio file to share on your social media accounts and over the school loudspeaker.
FBLA – Now is the time to join the “Fight to the Finish,” a new competition where your state can earn points and NLC recognition by completing the Business Achievement Awards. Check out the score board to see where your state stands.
Middle Level – Focus on raising awareness in FBLA-ML by creating posters about the benefits of joining and distributing them around your school.
Florida International University PBL Members "huddle" together to Plan a Recruitment Event
Tuesday – Recruit, Recruit, Recruit! It’s not too late to recruit new members, so challenge each and every member to recruit one new member. You can even create a contest and recognize the top recruiters in your chapter.
Wednesday – Recognize your advisers, teachers, professors, and administrators for the contributions they make to FBLA-PBL.
Thursday – Connect with local business leaders on “Professional Engagement Day.” Professional Division members are ready to work with your chapters as guest speakers, mentors, judges, and more.
Friday – Social isn’t only for networks. Plan to get face-to-face with your chapter members and recruitment prospects at a social gathering.
Saturday – Make your community a better place by completing a chapter service project, or partner with a local volunteer organization to work with those in need.
Have you completed the four levels of the Business Achievement Awards (BAA)? The BAA is a great way for you to:
hone your business and leadership skills, from basic (Future level) to expert (America level)
showcase your talents and skills through integrated academic work and project-based activities
receive recognition at the local, state and national level
How does your state rank? Complete the Business Achievement Awards to earn points
Now there is one more reason to complete the Business Achievement Awards. The new “Fight to the Finish” contest recognizes the top 10 states with the most Business Achievement Awards completed. Using a weighted scale of awards completed (1 for Future and 4 for America level), the top 10 states will receive recognition at the National Leadership Conference Regional meetings. Points are based on state-level membership, so every state earns points based on awards completed, regardless of state membership size.
Do you have questions about the Business Achievement Awards? Speak to your adviser and start earning points for your state today, and don’t forget check out this BAA Tutorial.
NYSE Euronext and the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy are offering professional development programs designed to help educators teach students about the financial marketplace and its importance in their lives and the global economy. The training sessions will feature lecture-discussion sessions, hands-on activities, and field trips. Educators will leave with an understanding of the capital-raising process and the NYSE trading platforms, and learn how to better include the financial markets across curriculum disciplines. For the first time, NYSE Euronext is offering a limited number of scholarships to help deserving teachers from under-resourced schools. The scholarships will cover expenses for eligible teachers to participate in the week-long, professional development programs. Application deadline for the Scholarship Program is May 13, 2011.
Teachers’ Workshops will be held in New York City:
June 27 – July 1
July 11 – 15
July 18 – 22 The SEC Graduate Program will be held in Washington, DC:
July 26 – 29 The NYSE Euronext Graduate Program will be held in New York City:
August 3 – 5
Registration is on a first-come first-served basis. Class size is limited to 40 participants. Review the links below for more information:
