FBLA starts with “L”eadership

1. FBLA starts with “L”eadership Lynn Coffey, Kickapoo High School Chris Fenske, Cassville High School Summer ACTE Conference July 23, 2008

2. Why does FBLA matter? • Gives students an avenue to succeed. • Gives students an opportunity to get involved. • Gives advisers opportunities to connect with students. • Gives your program an opportunity to gain stature and importance in your school.

3. Where to start? • Have a plan for the entire year. • Start now. • Read guidelines, websites, etc. • Ask questions. • Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do it all.

4. Officers-Application process • Remember— your sanity is at stake! • Officers need to find it important and be willing to work…. It shouldn’t be a popularity contest. • Use an application process. • Make it a professional experience. • Get your outgoing officers involved.

5. Officer Training and Responsibilities • Selection should be done in the spring. • Training can take place in summer. • Summer Executive Conference in Columbia. • Program of Work during the summer. • Officer handbooks/responsibilities.

6. Recruitment of Members • Start with freshman orientation. • Officers attend • Brochures • Use your classroom (Encourage joining). • Have a game plan why FBLA benefits the student. • Application Process. • Application • Contract • Dues. • $6.00 National, $2.00 State, Local???

7. Community Service • State Projects. • In Praise of Age, Camp Quality, Environmental Awareness, Reach Out and Care, Joanne Newcomer Scholarship, etc. • Local Projects – Use as recruitment tool, or to meet requirement for state reports. • Service Learning – A great way to involve your non-competitors. • Service learning credit • Hours for NHS • Hours for A+

8. Fundraising • Most school districts consider FBLA self sustaining. • Funds needed for transportation, contests, lodging, supplies. • Ex. State cost is around $100/student, National cost is around $600/student • Consider National Travel Fund. • Consider local sponsors. • Be sure to check health regulations of school district.

9. Fundraising Ideas • Doesn’t matter what you sell, be organized. • Make fundraising a requirement for membership. • Have incentives for selling the most. • Use discussion listserv and ask others for fundraising ideas.

10. Public Relations • Announcements • Newspaper • Newsletters • Radio/TV • Professional Membership

11. Contests • Preparation – start early. • Informing the students. • Guidelines/Rules – Read them. • Practice Tests/Folders. • Entering students into competitive events. • Schedules with dates and times. • Other business competitions.

12. Scholarships • www.fbla-pbl.org • http://dese.mo.gov/divcareered/fbla.htm • Local scholarships – create your own. • Stay informed through counselors and through your own research. • Each can be recruiting tools.

13. Workshops • Summer Executive is good for officers • National Fall Leadership Conference • Minneapolis is North Central’s this year • District Leadership Conference • State Leadership Conference • You can bring up to six non-competitors • National Leadership Conference • Institute for Leaders

14. Local Workshops • Chamber of Commerce • Ethics Workshop • Entrepreneurship Workshop • Personal Finance Workshop • Others • Leadership and Character Building Workshop • Missouri Business Week

15. FUN! FUN! FUN! • FBLA “Fun”tastic Days • Worlds of Fun, Six Flags, Silver Dollar City • Field Trips • Competitions • Community Service • Travel • Parties and Social Events

16. Many Thanks! Lynn Coffey lcoffey@spsmail.org Chris Fenske cfenske@cassville.k12.mo.us