from the President - FBLA-PBL

FBLA-PBL Week 2015
FBLA-PBL Pride Day
Each One Reach One Day
Community Service Day
Adviser Appreciation Day
Choosing a Competitive Event
Running for National Office
National Staff
National Board of Directors
Ted L. Harshbarger, Chair
Chris Pendleton
Karen Heslep, Chair-elect
Lisa Weeks
Nebraska PBL State Adviser
Peru State College
tharshbarger@peru.edu
Mountain Plains Region
PBL Adviser
Arkansas State University Mountain Home
kheslep@asumh.edu
Southern Region
Zulema Garcia
KPMG LLP
zgarcia@kpmg.com
Business/Industry Representative
Lisa Hofstetter
FBLA Adviser
Linn County Area Career and Technical Center
lhofstetter@brookfield.k12.mo.us
North Central Region
Lee C. Marcoux
FBLA Adviser
Hidden Valley High School
chris.pendleton@threerivers.k12.or.us
Western Region
FBLA-PBL State Adviser
Alabama State Department of Education
lweeks@alsde.edu
Southern Region
Kelly Wilkerson
FBLA Adviser
Warren Township High School
kwilkerson@wths.net
North Central Region
FBLA-PBL Division Presidents
Sam Kessler
FBLA National President
fblapres@fbla.org
Pennsylvania
FBLA State Director
Connecticut State Department of Education
lee.marcoux@ct.gov
Eastern Region
Beau Cobb
Shea Padilla
David Jones
FBLA-PBL State Chair
Arizona Department of Education
shea.padilla@azed.gov
Western Region
Deb Parman
PBL Adviser
Colorado Mesa University
dparman@coloradomesa.edu
Mountain Plains Region
PBL National President
pblpres@fbla.org
Rhode Island
Professional Division National President
pdpres@fbla.org
Maryland
ADMINISTRATION
Jean M. Buckley
President and CEO ceo@fbla.org
Elena R. Daly
Executive Assistant
eassistant@fbla.org
Becky Grant, CMP
Programs Coordinator
programscoordinator@fbla.org
Mary Ait
Staff Accountant
finance@fbla.org
Colin Murphy
Customer Service/Reception Associate
general@fbla.org
Jim Spence
Customer Service/Mail Associate
custsvc@fbla.org
MEMBERSHIP
Troy D. White
Director, Marketing & Membership
marketing@fbla.org
Lisa Smothers
Membership Director
membershipdir@fbla.org
Ex-Officio Members
Tom Payne, CPA
Director, PBL College/University Relations
phibetalambda@fbla.org
Georgia FBLA Executive Director
monty@georgiafbla.org
Southern Region
Ashley Witherspoon
Customer Service/Database Associate
custserv@fbla.org
Jean M. Buckley
CONFERENCE
Richard Bowen
Conference Director
conferencedir@fbla.org
Monty C. Rhodes, Past Chair
FBLA-PBL, Inc.
President and CEO
ceo@fbla.org
2014–15 FBLA National Officer Team
Robert Smothers
Conference Manager
conferencemgr@fbla.org
Sam Kessler
Sarah Niederee
Annika Mulaney
Nick Crawford
FBLA Southern Region Vice President
Ringgold High School, Georgia
fblasrvp@fbla.org
Stephen Lock
Education Associate
education2@fbla.org
Ruben Torres
Ian Mullane
COMMUNICATIONS
Laura Morgan
Communications Manager
communications@fbla.org
FBLA National President
Wissahickon High School, Pennsylvania
fblapres@fbla.org
FBLA National Secretary
Bartow High School, Florida
fblasec@fbla.org
FBLA National Treasurer
Warren Township High School, Illinois
fblatres@fbla.org
Hiral Patel
FBLA National Parliamentarian
Castle Rock High School, Washington
fblaparl@fbla.org
Sabrena Sabet
FBLA Mountain Plains Region Vice President
Great Bend High School, Kansas
fblampvp@fbla.org
FBLA Western Region Vice President
Centennial High School, Arizona
fblawrvp@fbla.org
EDUCATION
Carla Boulton
Education Director
education@fbla.org
FBLA-PBL, INC.
1912 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1591
P 703.860.3334
F 866.500.5610
www.fbla-pbl.org
FBLA Eastern Region Vice President
Lakeland High School, New York
fblaervp@fbla.org
Tomorrow’s Business Leader Winter 2015 Volume 45, Issue 3 (ISSN 0279-9685). Published quarterly (summer, fall, winter, and spring) by Future Business Leaders of
America-Phi Beta Lambda. Periodicals postage paid at Herndon, VA and at additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTION: $1.25 of the national dues pays for a one-year
subscription. Editorial and advertising sales offices at FBLA-PBL, Inc., 1912 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1591 703.860.3334. POSTMASTER: Send address
changes to: Tomorrow’s Business Leader, 1912 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1591. Materials may be reprinted with prior permission of the editor. Editorial
submissions are encouraged and should be addressed to the editor. All FBLA-PBL, Inc. publications use the Chicago Manual of Style. Publisher: Jean M. Buckley.
Editor: Laura Morgan
A2
TOMORROW’S
Business Leader
Table of
CONTENTS
President’s Message ........................................................ 2
Step Up to the Challenge with FBLA President Sam Kessler
March of Dimes ................................................................ 3
Raising Money, Saving Babies
Calendar of Events
Poster Design Contest ..................................................... 3
Submit your entry for the 2015–16 membership poster
FEBRUARY
1–28
Personal Development .................................................... 4
#StopSettingGoals, #StartAchievingThem
2
Member Recognition ....................................................... 6
Step Up with FBLA Programs
FBLA-PBL Week ................................................................ 7
Get ideas for your chapter’s celebration
Competitive Events .......................................................... 8
Choosing the right FBLA competitive event for YOU!
National Officers ............................................................ 10
Step Up to the Leadership Challenge
Fundraising .................................................................... 11
Check out the latest FBLA fundraisers
PBL Perspective .............................................................. 12
Social Media Do’s and Don’ts
Competition Corner ....................................................... 13
Dress to Win
8–14
9
10
11
12
13
14
20
MARCH
1
Chapter Highlights ........................................................ 14
See projects and activities from chapters across the country
Sponsors & Partners ...................................................... 16
Discover FBLA sponsors & partners
4
31–April 4
National Career and Technical
Education Month
LifeSmarts Spring Competition
Virtual Business Finance Spring
Challenge
Virtual Business Management Spring
Challenge
FBLA-PBL Week
National Presidents’ Forum & Fight to
the Finish
Each One Reach One Day
Adviser Appreciation Day
Professional Dress Day
Career Awareness Day
FBLA-PBL Pride Day
Community Service Day
Tomorrow’s Business Leader—spring
issue copy deadline
National dues deadline eligibility
date for FBLA voting delegates, and
competitive events
National dues deadline to receive
spring publications
National Awards Program Committee:
Application receipt deadline
FBLA Business Achievement Awards:
Receipt deadline (Future, Business, and
Leader Awards)
Receipt Deadline: FBLA CSA Awards
(Community and Service Awards)
Webinar: Who Wants to Be An Officer?
NBEA Convention—Chicago, IL
Membership Benefits .................................................... 17
FBLA member discounts & coupons
Follow FBLA-PBL
@FBLA_National
FutureBusinessLeaders
pinterest.com/fblapblinc
youtube.com/fblapblinc
Welcome from the President
by FBLA National President Sam Kessler
Greetings FBLA members and advisers!
The first half of this year has been one of the most successful in FBLA history! We saw an impressive
number of attendees at the National Fall Leadership Conferences in D.C., Minneapolis, and New Orleans,
where members gained leadership skills, networked with members across the country, and even met
with senators! You have raised thousands of dollars for the March of Dimes, and your recruitment efforts
have sent membership numbers soaring in comparison to past years. In the second half of this school
year, there will be even more opportunities for you to Step Up to the Challenge, and make the most of
your FBLA experience!
As we enter the new year, it is important to reflect on how we have taken advantage of our FBLA
membership this school year. Check out www.fbla-pbl.org for information on national programs like
the Business Achievements Awards (BAAs) and the Community Service Awards (CSAs). These and
other national programs will reward you with valuable leadership, business, and community service
experience, and will leave you with a portfolio that will look great to colleges and future employers.
The new year is the perfect time for chapter officers to evaluate member engagement within your
local chapter. Remember, February is Career Technical Education (CTE) Month! Throughout CTE Month,
make a point to recruit new members, and engage your local membership through activities, speakers,
and community service events. Make sure to check the national website for daily event ideas during
FBLA‑PBL Week, which takes place during the second week of February.
Local chapters are the core of our organization. Dedication and creativity continue to make FBLA
membership a life-changing experience for countless students around the world.
State Leadership Conferences (SLC), the National Leadership Conference (NLC) and Institute for Leaders
(IFL) are fast approaching. This year’s IFL/NLC is in Chicago from June 28–July 2. This once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity gives you the chance to come together with over 12,000 FBLA members from around the
world. In addition to competing, networking, and exploring one of the world’s largest cities, you are
guaranteed to come away from this conference more prepared for the business world.
To secure your spot at this year’s SLC and NLC, make sure to participate in a competitive event. Don’t be
afraid to try an event that is unfamiliar to you; you may surprise yourself and find a new interest!
Congratulations on your success with FBLA so far this year! The time ahead holds even more exciting
opportunities for you and your chapter. I am excited to watch our membership flourish as we continue to
Step Up to the Challenge.
Follow Sam
2
Tomorrow’s Business Leader
@FBLAPresident
FBLANatPres
March of DIMES
Raising Money, Saving Babies
by FBLA National Parliamentarian Hiral Patel
An estimated 15 million babies are born too early every year—that’s one in 10. More than
one million of these babies don’t survive and many of those who do survive face serious
health complications throughout their lives. By raising awareness, educating society,
equipping clinics, and funding research we can help stop babies from being born too
soon. This year, your FBLA national officer team set a goal for FBLA-PBL to raise $500,000
for the March of Dimes. You can help us reach this goal by organizing and participating in
various fundraising activities.
Coin War: Hold a coin war between different classes in your school to see which class can raise the most
money for the March of Dimes. Be sure to publicize this event in announcements, on bulletins, and other
means of promotion for maximized involvement.
Sell Something: Hold a bake, candy, or card sale at your school or in your community. Work with a reputable
business in your community that will provide merchandise for the fundraiser. This is a great way to build
partnerships with businesses in your community and support a great cause.
March for Babies: A great way to support the March of Dimes is by signing up for a March for Babies walk
near you. Here are the four steps to a successful March for Babies:
1. Organize: Set up a team page at marchforbabies.org, find a walk near you, and assemble a core team
consisting of friends, family, etc.
2. Recruit: Reach out to other organizations, your school district, and anyone else you know to grow your
team.
3. Fundraise: Work with your team to create fundraising goals. Utilize social
Include the FBLA
media, online fundraising tools, and reach out to businesses to help reach
fundraising form when
your fundraising goals.
sending donations to your
state March of Dimes office.
4. Walk: Bring your enthusiasm and energy on walk day to raise awareness for
bit.ly/MOD_fundraising
the March of Dimes. Be sure to thank everyone who helped make your team
and fundraising a success.
However your chapter chooses to raise money, you will be helping save the lives of babies!
Download the 2015–16 theme logo and the official FBLA-PBL logo (see submission
form for download link).
. SU
2015–16
IGN
DES
HOW TO ENTER
BM
POSTER
DESIGN
CONTEST
Design a poster incorporating 2015–16 theme and capturing the conference
and membership experience. Include official logos and social media links.
IT. W
Submit designs online by March 1. Visit bit.ly/2015-16poster for the
submission form, complete submission guidelines, and contest rules*.
IN !
Win recognition at the National Leadership Conference and have your
poster seen by thousands of members across the nation!
* All entries must follow the rules to be considered.
Winter 2015
3
#StopSettingGoals #StartAchievingThem!
by Hoan Do
Setting a goal is easy; accomplishing it is difficult. As you work toward achieving your goals for 2015,
below is a simple, yet practical, three-step process that will help you to stack the odds in your favor to
achieve your most important aspirations this year.
Get Yourself a G.P.S.
1. Have Specific Goals
Imagine we are going to hang out at Starbucks. Rather than telling you which one to meet at, I say
“Just put Starbucks, Los Angeles, California, into your G.P.S. and I’ll meet you there.” How many
Starbucks locations will pop up on your G.P.S.—a little or a lot? A lot! Why? The search was too vague.
Unfortunately, that’s the same mistake that a lot of people make when setting goals.
If you aspire to place in your competitive event at
the NLC, is your goal to make top 10 or to win 1st
place? Does getting into a good college mean that it
provides a lot of scholarships and financial aid, or that
it offers a specific major or program? Setting specific
goals is the equivalent of me providing you with a
specific street address for the Starbucks.
When you have clear and measurable goals, your
brain, a.k.a. your G.P.S., understands the exact
destination where you want to go; therefore it can
find a route to help you arrive at your destination.
2. Know Your Purpose or
Why Your Goal is Important
When setting goals, people often don’t understand why they really want it or their purpose in achieving
it. Knowing why you want something keeps you motivated when the going gets tough.
While preparing to compete on NBC’s show American Ninja Warrior, I was on the road speaking and there
were many times I didn’t feel like waking up early or staying up late to train because I was tired from
traveling. In those moments, I had to remind myself why pursuing this goal was important to me, why
this temporary discomfort would be worth it in the end, and what it would feel like if I didn’t do my best
when on the show due to a lack of preparation.
4
Tomorrow’s Business Leader
After establishing your specific goals, take a moment and ask yourself these questions for each goal:
How would I feel if I accomplished this goal?
What would it mean to me to achieve this?
What would I be saying to myself if I didn’t do my best or gave up?
By answering these questions, you’ll discover additional motivation to help you during challenging
times.
3. Have Multiple Strategies
Imagine that you are driving to school and you notice a car accident in front of you. You need to go
straight but can’t so you take a right turn. If you are using a G.P.S., what will it do when you make take the
right turn? It will reroute. Let’s say that after you took the right turn you need to take the next left at the
light, but there is construction on the road. You can’t take a left, so you continue to go straight through
the light. What will your G.P.S. do? Right! Reroute. This is the same approach that you need to
have when pursuing your goals because as you’ve probably experienced, everything in life
doesn’t go according to plan so the key is to be flexible.
After you determine the specific goals that you want to pursue and your reasons for wanting to
achieve them, take a minute and brainstorm everything you could possibly do to support you
in attaining them.
Let’s pretend that you are struggling with a challenging class at school and your specific goal is
to earn an A in that class. Some ideas or strategies that you could try are: Get a tutor, ask your
teacher for additional help after school, create a study group with students in your class that are
doing well, and invest an extra hour each week in studying.
After trying one idea from your list, if that doesn’t work, try something else. If that doesn’t work,
you try something else. If you haven’t achieved your specific goal yet, keep rerouting until you
reach your end destination.
As you think about what you want to accomplish in this new year, ask yourself “Are my Goals specific?
What is my Purpose in attaining these goals? And, do I have multiple Strategies to achieve these goals?”
By having a G.P.S. you’ll stack the odds in your favor to achieve your aspirations in 2015.
Hoan Do is a student success coach, acclaimed author, 2014 NFLC closing keynote
speaker, and competitor in NBC’s hit show American Ninja Warrior. Recognized as the
best youth mentor by the International Examiner, Hoan travels across North America
speaking at colleges, high schools, middle schools, and student leadership
conferences where he shares practical advice that helps students to succeed in and
out of school. Get more tips and connect with him at HoanDo.com.
Winter 2015
5
FBLA Member RECOGNITION
Step Up with FBLA Programs
by FBLA Mountain Plains Region Vice President Sarah Niederee
With so many national recruitment and retention
programs, it can be easy for members and advisers
to be overwhelmed. When used correctly, national
programs can be the key to a chapter’s success.
Chapter officers can assist your adviser and local
members by setting them up to succeed with
the numerous national programs available to
members.
Each day of the week can be set aside to
accomplish a different activity. Host a career
day, community service day, professional attire
day, March of Dimes Day, FBLA pride day, or
recruitment day. Great advertising can get
nonmembers excited about joining FBLA before
competition season or even for next year. Check
fbla-pbl.org for more ideas.
Membership Madness and Membership Mania
are two of the easiest programs to achieve.
To attain Membership Madness, a member
simply recruits five new chapter members and
Membership Mania requires recruiting 10 new
members. Chapter advisers must submit the online
award forms for each of these. The submission
deadline is April 1, 2015.
It’s not too late to recruit members this year, and it
is never too early to start for next year. Make sure
all of your members are active by participating
in programs such as the Business Achievement
Awards and Community Service Awards. A great
local chapter must have great leaders. Participate
in one or more, and tell your national officers how
you are participating.
Seven Up recognizes FBLA chapters that increase
membership by seven members over last year’s
total. Chapters completing Seven Up will receive
ribbons at National Leadership Conference (NLC).
The top seven states with the largest membership
percentage increase will be recognized at the NLC.
Questions? Contact Mountain Plains Vice President
Sarah Niederee at fblampvp@fbla.org.
Chapter Challenge encompasses three programs.
Super Sweeps focuses on recruitment and
retention from August to October. Non-Stop
November focuses on membership involvement
during November. Action Awareness highlights
FBLA awareness. All three programs require
chapters to complete specific tasks and submit
them online. Sign up your chapter to complete
Action Awareness from January 15–March 1.
All members of chapters completing all three of
the Chapter Challenge components attending
the NLC will receive pins. Chapters will receive a
certificate of recognition at the
National Leadership Conference.
FBLA-PBL Week
(February 8–14, 2015) is a great
time to get members excited
about FBLA.
6
Tomorrow’s Business Leader
FBLA-PBL Week
February 8–14, 2015
The second week of February is FBLA-PBL Week. Chapters are encouraged to publicize their
activities, boost their membership, and gear up for spring events. FBLA-PBL Week also coincides
with National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. This is an excellent opportunity to
inform the public about the purpose of school-to-work activities and programs.
Monday
February 9
National Presidents’ Forum & Fight to the Finish
All three division national presidents (FBLA, PBL, and Professional Division)
host a live Internet broadcast to kick off FBLA-PBL Week. The Fight to
the Finish contest recognizes the top 10 states with the most completed
Business Achievement Awards.
Each One Reach One Day
Talk to peers and community members about your FBLA-PBL
experiences. And, of course, ask them to join!
Wednesday
February 11
Adviser Appreciation Day/Professional Attire Day
Dress for success and share your appreciation for those that teach, lead, and
mentor your chapter.
Career Awareness Day
Get involved with your Professional Division and connect with
community leaders.
Friday
February 13
Tuesday
February 10
Thursday
February 12
FBLA-PBL Pride Day
Show your FBLA-PBL pride by posting a group photo to
Facebook.com/FutureBusinessLeaders.
Community Service Day
Choose a community service project to support. Suggested activities
include working with the March of Dimes, volunteering at a homeless
shelter, or conducting a blood drive.
Saturday
February 14
Tell us how your chapter celebrated at bit.ly/fbla-pbl_news
Winter 2015
7
Competitive EVENTS
Choosing the right FBLA co
START
Would
you like to work
on a project or report
that showcases your
business or technical
knowledge?
Do you feel comfor
front of a sma
YES
NO
Would
you like to
work as part of
a team?
Individual Speaki
Impromptu Spea
Public Speaking I (9
Public Speakin
YES
Interview Ev
YES
NO
Events that require a project
or report developed on a
given topic or competencies.
Chapter Event
Local Chapter Annual Business Report
Individual Events
Desktop Application Programming
Electronic Career Portfolio
Individual or Team Events
3D Animation
American Enterprise Project
Business Financial Plan
Business Plan
Business Presentation
Community Service Project
Computer Game & Simulation Programming
Digital Design & Promotion
Digital Video Production
E-business
Mobile App Development
Partnership with Business Project
Public Service Announcement
Sales Presentation
Social Media Campaign
Website Design
8
Tomorrow’s Business Leader
Future Business Leade
Job Interview
Interactive Role P
Team events requiring
a role play type
performance covering a
variety of topics.
Business Ethics
Emerging Business Issues
Also require a written test
Banking & Financial Systems
Entrepreneurship
Global Business
Hospitality Management
Management Decision Making
Management Information Systems
Marketing
Network Design
Parliamentary Procedure
Sports & Entertainment Management
Client Servic
Help Desk (test
Written events open to any
grade level covering a variety of
topics.
Accounting I
Agribusiness
Business Calculations
Business Communication
Business Law
Business Procedures
Computer Problem Solving
Cyber Security
Economics
Health Care Admininistration
Insurance & Risk Management
Networking Concepts
Personal Finance
Securities and Investments
ompetitive event for YOU!
T HERE
LifeSmarts (2 member team)
Virtual Business Management Challenge
rtable speaking in
all audience?
NO
ing Events
Do you use one or more
pieces of office application software
well (Microsoft Office—Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
Access, etc.—Open Office—Writer, Calc,
Impress)?
aking
9th/10th)
ng II
vents
er (test also)
w
NO
YES
Play Events
ce
also)
Are you
in 9th or 10th
grade?
NO
Do you like to work
as part of a team?
YES
9th & 10th Grade Written Events
Business Math
FBLA Principles & Procedures
Introduction to Business
Introduction to Business Communication
Introduction to Information Technology
Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure
Desktop Publishing
(individual or
2 member team)
YES
NO
Try
Accounting II
Computer Applications
Database Design & Applications
Spreadsheet Applications
Word Processing
For more information, visit bit.ly/FBLA_CEreference
Winter 2015
9
National OFFICERS
Stepping Up to the Leadership Challenge
by FBLA National Secretary Annika Mulaney
Members serving in leadership positions are an
integral part of FBLA-PBL. These students carry
out goals to improve our organization. Holding an
office comes with many responsibilities: attending
all officer meetings, contributing ideas to the team,
devoting many hours to FBLA-PBL each week, and
representing the organization in a positive manner.
Are you interested in running for national office?
It is helpful to serve in a leadership position at the
local and state levels before seeking a national
office. Interested 9th, 10th, and 11th graders need
to complete an application that includes basic
information, reasons for running, goals for the year,
and a résumé. Depending on your state bylaws,
you may be interviewed by your state board
and may either be selected or elected to run for
national office.
You need the support of your local and state
chapters, school administration, and family.
Network with members who have run national
campaigns—it will help you learn about the
various officer positions and what is expected.
Choose a position that aligns well with your
qualifications and goals.
Once you choose an office, prepare the strongest
campaign you can. Develop a theme for your
campaign and connect your speech to the theme,
without being too cliché. Memorize your speech so
you can focus on the audience during its delivery.
Candidates for president, secretary, and treasurer
will deliver their speeches at the opening session.
Candidates for regional vice president positions
will present at the regional campaign rallies.
The speech is a crucial time when you have the
attention of all members at the same time.
You will be assigned a campaign booth in the
exhibit hall. Planning for the booth can begin
as soon as you are confirmed as your state’s
candidate. Follow the guidelines set in the national
candidate guide. Set a budget and keep receipts
of all purchases; these must be approved at the
conference. To help with expenses, you can ask
local businesses for monetary or in‑kind donations.
10
Tomorrow’s Business Leader
Candidates use visual displays with their
qualifications and goals and many hand out small
giveaway items. Remember that all
giveaway items must be
labeled with your name.
The campaign booth
is the only area where
campaign materials may
be distributed or displayed.
Because you will not be
able to talk to multiple students who come up to
you at the same time, ask your chapter and state
members to help you at the campaign booth. They
can help share your goals/qualifications and hand
out giveaways.
There is a 15-minute Q & A session with the voting
delegates. For president, secretary, and treasurer
candidates, the Q & A session will occur on the
morning of the third day of the NLC. For regional
vice president candidates, the session will be
conducted immediately following the campaign
speeches during the Regional Campaign Rally. This
session will test your ability to think and answer
questions on the spot. To practice, ask your local
chapter members to come up with mock questions
about your goals and qualifications. During the
session, try to stay calm and confident at all times.
Remember to get plenty of sleep each night of
the conference so you can campaign with a fresh
brain. Be prepared to talk to voters, members, and
advisers about your platform and goals and answer
any questions they may have. The experience of
running for office is exciting but challenging. Keep
in mind that not every qualified candidate will win.
Though losing can be very disappointing, you most
certainly do not have to be a national officer to
be an impactful FBLA member. Regardless of the
outcome, the experience you take away is priceless.
Best of luck wherever your journey takes you!
For more information, check out the
FBLA candidate guide: bit.ly/2015-16_
FBLAcandidateguide
National FUNDRAISERS
Association Motor Club Marketing (AMCM)
AMCM offers a roadside assistance program that earns profit now and on renewals. Email fbla@amcmonline.com, call 605.254.8876, or visit amcmfbla.com.
Country Meats
Country Meats features fresh, smoked snack sticks that everyone loves! Sell for $1 and receive 45% profit!
For FREE SAMPLES call 800.277.8989 or visit countrymeats.com/samplepack.
Crazy About Cookies
Crazy About Cookies provides FBLA-themed tubs of cookie dough in six top-selling flavors.
Visit pinevalleyfoods.com/site/FBLA-fundraising/.
DormCo.com
Provides FREE $5 DormCo.com gift cards to give to each senior in your high school with your chapter
earning 15% of all sales. Call Jeff at 888.925.2899, email FBLA@DormCo.com, or visit DormCo.com/FBLA.
Krispy Kreme Fundraising
Krispy Kreme Fundraising offers doughnuts, BOGO cards, certificates, and coffee to help your chapter raise
some dough! Visit krispykreme.com/fundraising, email fundraising@krispykreme.com, or call 800.4KRISPY.
Ozark Delight
Ozark Delight Lollipops are only available for fundraising. They do not sell to stores or other retail markets.
Call 800.334.8991 or visit ozarkdelight.com.
Popcorn Palace
Offers premium popcorn in lots of flavors guaranteed to be fresh and delectable. Keep 50% profit upfront. To
get your free information kit, call 800.873.2686 or visit popcornpalace.com/Home/Fundraising.
Pride Distributors
Pride Distributors specializes in producing “Your Town”-Opoly, a custom board game. Call Pride Distributors
at 800.451.5442 or visit Townopoly.net.
Schermer Pecans
Offers a delicious and healthy fundraising product. Call 800.841.3403, email schermerpecans@yahoo.com,
or visit pecantreats.com.
School Spirit Coffee
School Spirit Coffee provides personalized packaging for their coffee fundraiser. Call 800.570.1443, email
Debbie@schoolspiritcoffee.com, or visit schoolspiritcoffee.com.
Tom-Wat Fundraising
Tom-Wat Fundraising features multiple fundraisers from catalog sales to cookie dough and much more. Call
800.243.9250, email sales@tomwat.com, or visit tomwat.com.
Zencaus
Zencaus offers FBLA gift cards that can be redeemed for a wide selection of products. Call 888.960.6148,
email customerservice@zencaus.com, or visit fblagiftcards.com.
PROMOTE
YOUR
FUNDRAISER
TRACK
HOLD
PARTICIPANTS
FUNDRAISER
TURN
TIE UP
EVALUATE
IN
LOOSE
THE
FUNDS
ENDS
EVENT
Winter 2015
11
PBL Perspective
Social Media Do’s and Don’ts
by PBL Western Region Vice President Ashley Amundsen
F
acebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, LinkedIn, the list could go on and on. With so many sites that allow
us to socialize and post updates about ourselves, it’s not a surprise that social networking has become
a significant part of our everyday lives. It can be accessed from virtually anywhere in the world; on
smartphones, tablets, and laptops. It can be used to connect with family and friends, to post photos of travels
and pets, and to share whatever else pleases one’s desire. With social networking rapidly becoming the norm for
millions of people, it is important to note the top ten do’s and don’ts of social media use. After all, not only do your
friends view everything you post, your potential employers could too.
The Do's:
The Don’ts:
Do be selective: You don’t have to accept every friend
request you receive, especially if you are not familiar
with the person. It’s ok to only be friends with the
people who you actually know.
Don’t be fake: It can be so easy to hide your true self
behind social media, but it can be hard to keep up fake
appearances. Be yourself. Remember, your friends send
you friend requests based on the real YOU, so be that
person online.
Do model good behavior: Think about what you post
before you post it. Post things that will help your online
image and presence, not harm it.
Do promote your work: Did you just create a new
business? Don’t be afraid to share it with your friends
on your social media accounts! Even consider creating
a new page or account to share your portfolio and
promote your business.
Do practice positivity: Don’t be that friend who is
always posting negative statuses. Share something
good that happened to you today! If you like an
encouraging post or a funny video, don’t be afraid to
share that too! Your friends will thank you!
Do move toward face-to-face interaction: It can be so
easy to get wrapped up with our social media lives, that
we forget what really matters: talking face-to-face. Use
social networking to schedule meetings or events, but
if you sincerely want to talk to a friend, face-to-face is
always best.
Don’t share sadness: It can be so easy to share
everything depressing that happens in your life with
the social media world. Don’t. Keep the gloomy posts
to a minimum, you don’t want social media to become
your dumping ground.
Don’t believe everything you read: Not everything
you read on Facebook is the truth.
Explore the source, the author, and the information in
the post or article. If it looks suspect, it probably is.
Don’t avoid other tasks: You find yourself on
Instagram, and before you know it an hour has passed.
You’ve got a pile of homework to finish and dinner with
a friend. While social networking is great if used at the
right time, it’s important to not let it take over your life.
Don’t be a know-it-all: Sitting behind a computer
screen may give you a higher level of confidence, but
resist the urge to be a know-it-all in your posts and
comments.
Social networking is a great way to communicate with friends and update others with statuses, photos, and
videos. It is a major part of everyday life.
While spending time using social media, remember these ten do’s and don’ts. You will be able to improve your
online presence, and it may prove to be valuable when looking for a career.
Follow FBLA-PBL
@FBLA_National
12
Tomorrow’s Business Leader
FutureBusinessLeaders
pinterest.com/fblapblinc
youtube.com/fblapblinc
Competition CORNER
Dress to Win!
You have been studying and working on chapter projects all year, now it’s time for competition. Your
speech is polished, your PowerPoint presentation is ready, and you have been practicing until you know
you are ready to perform. But there is one more important element as you compete. What are you going
to wear?
With today’s varied business environment, professional attire has different meanings to each company
and organization. Luckily for FBLA members, the FBLA-PBL national dress code clearly outlines what is
acceptable attire at FBLA-PBL conferences and for competition. To get the most from your conference
experience, follow the dress code.
TIPS
Dress traditional, not trendy. Competition is not the
place to make a fashion statement. Judges are often
conservative, so keep that in mind when choosing your
outfit.
Not sure if your outfit meets the dress code? Ask your
adviser. Rule of thumb: If you have to ask if your outfit is
okay, chances are you should change clothes.
Make sure your clothes are ironed or at least not
wrinkled. You can have the best suit in the world, but lots
of wrinkles make it look sloppy.
Ladies: avoid super high heels, bright makeup, and
flashy/noisy jewelry. You want the judges to hear what
you are saying, not be distracted.
Gentlemen: avoid ties with busy or distracting
patterns. You want the judges focused on your
presentation, not your clothes.
If you are competing in a team event, why not
coordinate your clothes? You don’t have to wear the exact
same thing, but wear complimentary colors. Ladies can
wear matching blouses under their suits and gentlemen can
wear ties that match. Sometimes that little touch can set
you apart from the competition and show the judges that
you really put a lot of extra thought into your presentation.
Members competing in written-only events will be screened for dress code at event check-in. If you
don’t meet the dress code, you may be allowed to change clothes, but will receive no additional time to
complete your event if you return later than the testing start time.
Competitors not following the dress code can lose points in performance events. Each judge can deduct
five points for a competitor who violates the dress code. Five points may not seem like much, but in a
close competition, it might be the difference between you earning a spot to compete at the National
Leadership Conference in Chicago and staying home!
Winter 2015
13
Chapter HIGHLIGHTS
CALIFORNIA
KANSAS
ls on
Following their fina
Oak High
December 18, Live
rs visited
School FBLA membe
mes
four convalescent ho
Hillview,
(Pacific Hill Manor,
Serena).
Vila Monte, and Villa
d his elves,
Dressed as Santa an
liday cheer with
members spread ho
songs and gifts.
Nickerson High School FBLA members
hosted a Red Cross Blood Drive in the
old gymnasium on December 16 (the
drive scheduled for November 10
ended prematurely due to Internet
difficulties). The Bloodmobile collected
33 units of lifesaving blood. FBLA
members set up the Bloodmobile,
registered donors, and escorted blood
donors. The chapter appreciates all the
first-time donors and repeat donors
that helped save the lives of others
with their generous donation. FBLA
adviser Mrs. Kroeker said, “We really
appreciate everyone who donated
blood and hope to see them again at
our March 5 blood drive.”
GEORGIA
Newton High School FBLA voluntee
red
for Rivers Alive, Georgia’s annual vol
unteer
waterway cleanup event that targe
ts all
waterways in the state including str
eams,
rivers, lakes, beaches, and wetland
s. The mission of Rivers Alive
is to create awareness of and involv
ement in the preservation of
Georgia’s water resources. Chapter
members, with many other
clubs and organizations from the com
munity, collected trash
along local riverbanks and roads.
“It was very much out of my comfor
t zone to pick up any type of
trash, but it was a great experience
and lots of fun!” said chapter
reporter Jameriah Clark.
PENNSYLVA
NIA
The Stroudsb
urg High Sch
ool FBLA cha
chapter mem
pter h
bers voluntee
red as bell rin eld a charity event in coord
gers for the S
ination with
Members sto
alvation Arm
od outside of
y in front of h the Salvation Army. In De
locations inclu
caroling and
ce
igh-traffic are
ding Walmart
ringing their
as around tow mber,
for an hour co
bells. Membe
experience fo
n
.
llecting dona
rs rais
r all members
tions. Volunte
that participa ed over $1,000 for the Sa
ers att
lv
ted, and Stro
udsburg FBLA ation Army. This was a wo racted donors by
nderfully fulfi
plans to work
lling
with the Salv
ation Army a
gain.
14
Tomorrow’s Business Leader
Chapter HIGHLIGHTS
PENNSYLVA
NIA
Jersey Shore
FBLA is partic
ipating in the
The chaper is
FBLA Go Gree
working with
n Project.
the school’s C
Improvemen
ontinuous En
t (CEI) initiati
ergy
ve to
consumption
and take step reduce school-wide energ
s toward mak
y
environmenta
ing the schoo
lly-conscious
l a more
place.
Their biggest
project thus fa
r is planting fl
Members pla
ower bulbs.
nted 350 daff
odil and tulip
of our school,
bulbs at the fr
near its entra
ont
nce sign, and
courtyard. Th
in the school
ey can’t wait
to see the flo
spring!
wers bloom in
Submit your
chapter news at
bit.ly/fbla-pbl_news
MISSOURI
Members of Jackson High School FBLA met
at Jackson Junior High to wrap presents
for the chapter’s annual Operation
Christmas Child event.
Members wrapped 30 boxes to
send overseas to children who
would otherwise not get presents.
Twenty‑six members participated in
this event, and it was a huge success.
Tips for submitting
chapter news:
write in the third person
(avoid using I, we, our, etc.)
include photos
(especially action shots)
photos from a camera, not a phone,
are best for publication
answer the 5 Ws
(Who, What, When, Where, & Why)
share the results
(money raised, people reached, etc.)
tell what makes the
program/event unique
VIRGINIA
George Wythe High School FBLA identified the Hull Street Festival as an
opportunity for community service with the Hull Street Merchants Association.
The festival included kids’ activities, live music, racing and walking around to
meet new people. Members helped with festival outreach and assisted food and
merchandise vendors. They also conducted a festival questionnaire.
Chapter members met people from the stores around the area. Members
did many things for the attendees and visited the newly‑renovated library.
George Wythe FBLA was pleased to Step Up to the Challenge!
Winter 2015
15
Sponsors & PARTNERS
Are you looking for a fun, easy and absolutely delicious way to raise supplemental income for your organization?
Pine Valley Foods proudly announces FBLA-themed tubs of Crazy About Cookies dough. This is no ordinary
cookie dough fundraiser; successful fundraising is all about innovative quality products and services. With 16 years
of experience, rest assured we’ve got your back. We’re passionate about facing each day as an opportunity—of
can-do’s, decisive moments, and being aware that sometimes it’s the little things that matter most. Let us help you
maximize your fundraising efforts with 6 top-selling flavors of decadent cookie dough, in an exclusive 2.5 lb FBLA
tub! Our dough is certified Kosher, with zero trans fat and no preservatives. Visit us online at pinevalleyfoods.com/
site/FBLA-fundraising.
National fundraiser DormCo.com offers a simple and high-reward fundraising opportunity. There is no direct
selling required. Simply distribute FREE $5.00 DormCo.com gift cards to all seniors in your school and earn 15% of
all purchases. You distribute the gift card, students buy the college stuff they need, and your FBLA chapter earns
cash. It’s that easy! To learn more and sign up, visit DormCo.com/FBLA.
Economics for Leaders (EFL) is a selective
summer program held on college
campuses across the country. The
weeklong residential program is open
to high school students and teaches
young leaders how to (1) develop the
leadership skills necessary to succeed
in business, (2) be conversant with the
economic concepts shaping the global
economy, (3) foster a commitment to
continued learning about economics
and leadership, and (4) become a more
effective leader. EFL is a program of the
Foundation for Teaching Economics,
whose mission is to introduce young
individuals, selected for their leadership
potential, to an economic way of
thinking about national and international
issues. College credit is available.
Visit fte.org to learn more.
How about a degree that prepares
students for success in the business
world and beyond? Northwood
University embraces both the dreamers
and the doers. Northwood University
also believes in doing things the right
way, which is why business ethics is
an essential part of the curriculum.
Northwood University students not
only face real challenges, they also
have an opportunity to collaborate
with others to find the best solution.
Northwood University professors bring
more than business principles into the
classroom—as entrepreneurs, they
also bring a wealth of perspective. If
you are a student who is ready to make
a difference in the world of business,
Northwood is ready to get you started
the moment you step on campus. Visit
Northwood.edu to Own Your Future.
Immerse into college life with
WorldStrides Summer Start-Up at
UCLA. Explore strategies for becoming
a young entrepreneur and create a
fully executable business plan. Earn
college credit that will impact your life
and enable future career exploration.
Explore the surrounding areas and
reside on campus in this keystone
program. Additionally, WorldStrides
offers a diverse array of travel programs
to extraordinary destinations focusing
on global connections, language
immersion, and service learning.
WorldStrides challenges you to gain
new perspectives and expand your
knowledge by joining us for inquiry and
adventure on our memorable programs.
Visit worldstridessummer.com or call
855.812.8219 for information regarding
any of the WorldStrides Summer
program opportunities.
What can a career in insurance offer me?
Deciding what’s next after high school can be difficult, but majoring in
risk management or insurance may be the right path for you! Insurance
industry careers offer:
• A vast range of job opportunities
• Career stability and growth
• Work/life balance
• The ability to make a difference
If you are considering studying risk management or insurance,
The Griffith Insurance Education Foundation, an affiliate of The
Institutes, can provide you with information and financial resources for
your college studies. Find out more by visiting GriffithFoundation.org.
“MyPath: Insurance. It’s Limitless.” also powered by The Institutes, is a
web platform that provides:
• Additional information on risk management and insurance
• Career videos
• Career assessments and information
• Internship financial assistance and more!
Visit InsureMyPath.org
16
Tomorrow’s Business Leader
The Howe School at Stevens Institute of Technology
When you reach for a snack during your next late-night
study session, you might be sampling the work of a pair
of student entrepreneurs from Stevens, a technologyfocused university overlooking Manhattan on the
banks of the Hudson River. Seniors Jasmine Mina and
Nayad Manukian are importing and marketing puff
corn, a popular Egyptian snack, as part of a class project
they hope to launch as a business upon graduation.
They say Stevens’ innovative business program and
close ties to real-world professionals taught them the
skills needed to launch a company. Stevens “gave us
a path on what we should do if we want our business
to succeed,” Mina said. Professors are working with the
students to prepare them for the challenges they’re
facing as entrepreneurs. Visit Stevens.edu/Howe to
learn more.
Member BENEFITS & COUPONS
ID
*General restrictions applicable to all offers: subject to availability. Selection varies by store. Coupon is
not redeemable at Men’s Wearhouse Outlet stores. You must present this coupon at a Men’s Wearhouse
store to receive 40% off the regular price of retail items. Coupon may be used only once and must be
surrendered at time of purchase. Valid for new purchases only. Discount may not be applied to online
purchases or to Exceptional Value or custom items, shoes, clearance, layaway or gift center purchases,
special orders, Career Apparel, undergarments, alterations, tuxedo rentals or the fees and taxes
associated thereto, or toward the purchase of gift cards or Twin Hill catalog merchandise. Discount is
not combinable with other promotional offers. Coupon is not redeemable for cash or credit and may not
be applied toward payment of Perfect Fit® credit card account balances. Customers returning items
purchased with this coupon will forfeit the portion of the discount used for those items; the Men’s
Wearhouse return policy will apply to the remainder of the purchase. Perfect Fit® points are earned
only on amounts expended by you in connection with the purchase and are deducted for any returns.
Discount valid 1.18.2015 through 4.30.2015.
1413600MW
coupons valid in print edition only
ID
VO
the regular price of retail items
(excluding shoes, clearance, MW Outlet, Exceptional Value and custom items.)*
VO
Get 40% OFF
Winter 2015
17
Fall 2014