Vol. 41 No. 3 Spring 2015
this issue: #NLC2015 Sponsors & Par tners Conference Preparation Fundraisers Board Meeting Synopsis Member Benefits
S
tate Leadership Conferences are over and your members are prepared to Step Up to the Challenge at the 2015 National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Chicago, June 29–July 2! Review this information to ensure your students are ready.
#NL
Regional Campaign Rally and Recognition Session NEW
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This will be the only scheduled regional business meeting. Each of the five regions will meet on Day 2 (June 30) of the NLC. This meeting will include state success stories by state presidents, regional vice president candidate speeches, candidate Q & A, and all award recognition.
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FBLA-Middle Level Academy The League of Extraordinary Leaders
JUDGES NEEDED FOR #NLC2015 IN CHICAGO
Tuesday, June 30
Attention FBLA-PBL advisers, the FBLA-PBL National Center needs your help!
8:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m. 11:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m.–3:15 p.m.
We need 800 business and technology professionals to serve as judges at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on June 25, 26, 30, and July 1 from 7:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. or 12:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m., each day.
Wednesday, July 1 8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
FBLA-Middle Level Open Events • Computer Concepts • FBLA-Middle Level Facts • Financial Literacy • Social Media 9:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Super Sessions 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m. Lunch 1:30 p.m.–3:15 p.m. Closing Session & Academy Graduation
Consider recruiting administrators, school board members, business leaders in your community, parents, and nonbusiness teachers to judge at this year’s event. Note: FBLA-PBL advisers are not eligible to serve as judges. Presentation events include business and financial plans, interviews, management, programming, and technology. Lunch and parking will be provided for all judges. Sign up online or call 800.325.2946 x129 for more information.
Opening Session Super Sessions Lunch Super Sessions Continue
NLC Fees
Early Bird
On or before May 22
Regular
May 23–June 12
FBLA-ML $105 Guest $45
On-site
June 13–on-site
$115 $125 $55 $65
Register and find more information at fbla-pbl.org/2015NLC
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NATIONAL FBLA-PBL
DATES & DEADLINES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ted L. Harshbarger, Chair
Chris Pendleton
Nebraska PBL State Adviser Peru State College tharshbarger@peru.edu Mountain Plains Region
FBLA Adviser Hidden Valley High School chris.pendleton@threerivers.k12.or.us Western Region
Karen Heslep, Chair-elect
Lisa Weeks
PBL Adviser Arkansas State University Mountain Home kheslep@asumh.edu Southern Region
FBLA-PBL State Adviser Alabama State Department of Education lweeks@alsde.edu Southern Region
Zulema Garcia
Kelly Wilkerson
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 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 Ex-Officio Members
Monty C. Rhodes, Past Chair
APRIL 22
Webinar: Step Up to #NLC2015 in Chicago
April/May
March of Dimes March for Babies: Check with your local March of Dimes Office for specific dates
MAY 1
Adviser Wall of Fame: Application postmark deadline
15
March of Dimes Fundraising Report: Receipt deadline
FBLA-ML Go Green: Receipt deadline
22
NLC: Early bird registration deadline
JUNE 11
National Presidents’ Address to the Nation
29–July 2
FBLA NLC—Chicago, IL
Georgia FBLA Executive Director monty@georgiafbla.org Southern Region
Jean M. Buckley
FBLA-PBL, Inc. President and CEO ceo@fbla.org
NATIONAL STAFF ADMINISTRATION Jean M. Buckley President and CEO ceo@fbla.org
MEMBERSHIP Troy D. White Director, Marketing & Membership marketing@fbla.org
Elena R. Daly Executive Assistant eassistant@fbla.org
Lisa Smothers Membership Director membershipdir@fbla.org
Becky Grant, CMP Programs Coordinator programscoordinator@fbla.org
Tom Payne, CPA Director, PBL College/University Relations phibetalambda@fbla.org
Mary Ait Staff Accountant finance@fbla.org
Ashley Witherspoon Customer Service/Database Associate custserv@fbla.org
Colin Murphy Customer Service/Reception Associate general@fbla.org
EDUCATION Carla Boulton Education Director education@fbla.org
CONFERENCE Richard Bowen Conference Director conferencedir@fbla.org Robert Smothers Conference Manager conferencemgr@fbla.org
2 | FBLA-Middle Level Advisers’ Hotline
Stephen Lock Education Associate education2@fbla.org COMMUNICATIONS Laura Morgan Communications Manager communications@fbla.org
FBLA-ML Advisers’ Hotline is published three times a year in the fall, winter, and spring by Future Business Leaders of AmericaPhi Beta Lambda. Editorial and advertising sales offices at: FBLA-PBL, Inc. • 1912 Association Drive, Reston, VA 201911591 Phone: 703.860.3334 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
SPONSORS & PARTNERS Designed in part by former FBLA National President Joe Riley, Better World Collective has created a brand new and easy-to-use online auction platform for FBLA, called Auction360. We helped student organizations, like FBLA, double or even triple their fundraising by enabling chapters to increase their donor base and helping supporters think creatively about noncash ways of contributing. Our advanced technology removes 90% of the work that is traditionally associated with this type of fundraiser—making it now incredibly easy to run a successful and engaging online auction. Because of our history with FBLA, we’re offering local chapters our best deals ever, including no upfront cost and personal, seven-days-a-week support.
Encouraging Students to Consider a Career in Insurance As an adviser, you have the unique opportunity to help students decide what’s next after high school. FBLA-PBL members could receive a special discount on GEICO auto insurance. Visit geico.com/fbla-pbl or call GEICO at 1.800.368.2734 for a free quote today. By identifying yourself as an FBLA‑PBL member you will also help support your association. Be sure to have your current coverage information available in order to secure a comparable quote.
Visit betterworldcollective.com/fbla for more information and priority access.
BALL STATE+ONLINE An online master’s degree for business and marketing educators. In a class by itself. One of few such programs in the nation, Ball State University’s online master’s degree for business and marketing teachers is in an exclusive class. COATS: DEGREE IS A WIN-WIN Adam Coats is a serious educator. He teaches to create, in his words, “a wellrounded society.” The South Carolina technology teacher pursued Ball State’s online master’s degree in business and marketing because it offered a customized track with lots of electives. Coats says his graduate degree keeps him current: “I can share and practice these new ideas in my classroom, which is a win-win for both me and my students.”
With this degree, you can follow any of nine different tracks into the field.
The Griffith Insurance Education Foundation, an affiliate of The Institutes, has a similar mission, encouraging students to consider a career in risk management and insurance by offering: • Scholarships for college students • Grants for academic institutions • Educational program support The Griffith Foundation also encourages high school and middle level students to use the career resources available through the collaborative, industrywide initiative, MyPath, powered by The Institutes. MyPath provides hands-on resources to students considering risk management and insurance careers, including: • Information on the industry, career options, and collegiate studies • Internship opportunities • Career videos and assessments • Financial assistance and scholarships for college students • Interactive career experiences coming soon To learn more, visit The Griffith Foundation or MyPath websites.
What’s more, the program is fully online and competitively priced—and will give you an advanced credential that can translate to a higher salary. bsu.edu/online/businesseducation
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CONFERENCE PREPARATION Is your chapter ready to Step Up to the Challenge at #NLC2015 in Chicago? Here are some tips to help you prepare for the conference: • Make sure your chapter has paid state and national dues for all members. • Check with your state adviser to determine if any travel arrangements are made by your state, and if so, what is included. If not, you must make arrangements for transportation, accommodations, and conference registration. Schedule a meeting with all conference attendees: • Discuss expenses and help students determine how much spending money they will need for food, entertainment, and souvenirs. Meals are not included in the conference registration fee. • Discuss appropriate clothing to pack. • Remind students to keep careful track of their badges, because there is a $5 fee per replacement badge. • Discuss appropriate behavior. Conference delegates represent the national organization, as well as their school and state. FBLA delegates must read and sign the Code of Conduct, which their adviser should bring to the conference in case any infractions occur. • Be sure all forms are signed. • Discuss the various sightseeing options. • Review all travel plans with attendees; where appropriate, provide parents and guardians with an itinerary and important telephone numbers.
• Attend an Adviser Orientation scheduled the first two days of the conference and receive your adviser gift. • Emphasize the importance of participating in conference activities (e.g. workshops, exhibits, etc.) to the fullest extent. Before you depart for the conference: • Determine any allergies, physical disabilities, or limitations that your students may have. Notify the national FBLA-PBL staff of any disabilities that may require special services using the Special Needs form located at fbla‑pbl.org/2015NLC. • Check with your school’s accounting department to ensure all checks have been mailed for conference registration and hotel reservations. • If you did not receive a hotel confirmation, call the hotel to confirm your reservation was received. Document the name of the hotel representative and the date and time of your conversation. • Bring to the conference copies of your original hotel reservation and conference registration forms. At the conference: • Schedule a meeting with attendees after you’ve arrived at the conference and picked up your registration packet. • Review the conference program in detail.
Tips for a Smoother Hotel Check-in • Fax or mail changes to your assigned hotel. Do not wait until check-in to change reservations. If you must make a change in
• • • •
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your reservation, call the hotel directly; document the name of the person with whom you spoke and the date and time of the conversation. Bring copies of your original reservation or reservation acknowledgement with any changes that were called or faxed to your assigned hotel. Be sure your school’s accounting department sends separate checks for hotel reservations and conference registration to the appropriate address for each. The payments must not be combined in one check. Although you only need to send a deposit, paying the full amount in advance will expedite your check-in time. If you are mailing your balance due, make sure the check clearly indicates to which school/reservation the amount should be applied. To be absolutely clear, send another copy of your reservation form or reservation acknowledgement indicating it is a duplicate with the balance payment. Be as accurate as possible when completing the line on the hotel reservation that asks your delegation’s arrival and departure time. The hotel uses this information to staff the front desk with enough agents at heaviest arrival times. If you have not received a hotel acknowledgement prior to leaving for the conference, call the hotel and verify your reservation. Document your conversation.
4 | FBLA-Middle Level Advisers’ Hotline
2014–15 FUNDRAISERS FBLA-PBL partners with a number of national sponsors to provide fun and hassle-free fundraising options. Choose from one or more of the following, then visit go.fbla.org/FBLAfundraising. AMCM offers a roadside assistance program that earns profit now and on renewals. Email fbla@amcm-online.com, call 605-254-8876, or visit amcmfbla.com. NEW—Better World Collective provides a brand new and easy-to-use online auction platform—Auction360. Visit betterworldcollective.com/fbla for more information. Country Meats features fresh smoked snack sticks that everyone loves! Sell for $1.00 and receive 45% profit! For FREE SAMPLES call 800.277.8989 or visit countrymeats.com/ samplepack. 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 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 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 provides personalized packaging for their coffee fundraiser. Call 800.570.1443, email Debbie@schoolspiritcoffee.com, or visit schoolspiritcoffee.com. 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.
PROMOTE YOUR FUNDRAISER
TRACK
HOLD
PARTICIPANTS
FUNDRAISER
TURN
TIE UP
EVALUATE
IN
LOOSE
THE
FUNDS
ENDS
EVENT
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BOARD MEETING SYNOPSIS—January 9, 2015 The Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. (FBLA‑PBL) National Board of Directors met on January 9, 2015. Attending were Ted L. Harshbarger, Chair—Mountain Plains Region, Karen Heslep, Chair-elect—Southern Region, Zulema Garcia—Business & Industry, Lisa Hofstetter—North Central Region, Lee C. Marcoux—Eastern Region, Shea Padilla— Western Region, Deborah Parman—Mountain Plains Region, Chris Pendleton—Western Region, Lisa Weeks—Southern Region, Kelly Wilkerson—North Central Region, Sam Kessler— FBLA National President, Beau Cobb—PBL National President, David E. Jones—PD National President, Monty C. Rhodes, Past Chair—Southern Region, Jean M. Buckley—President and CEO. Future Business Leaders of America National President Sam Kessler reported on the officer team’s activities relating to our four organizational goals. Customer Service—Membership is down 0.43% and numbers fluctuate this time of year. Sam distributed coupons for Men’s Wearhouse and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts that were in Tomorrow’s Business Leader. For the Chapter Challenge submissions—Super Sweeps, 121 submissions, 17% increase; Non-Stop November, 84 submissions, 25% increase; and Action Awareness started on January 1.
Relationships—At the NFLCs, officers hosted a PD workshop, share tables, and a PD booth. An NFLC Experience Information sheet was created, and a “lifetime association” ad was placed in FBLA‑PBL publications. At least five open competitive events are being planned for PD members at the FBLA and PBL NLCs. Resources—A link for discounts and benefits is on the PD section of the website. National officers are working to secure new benefit partners and corporate sponsors. The team is organizing sponsorship of a competitive event at NLC through annual giving donations. Image & Awareness—The Professional Division—Get Involved video was shown at each NFLC opening session, and the link was sent to all advisers in an Adviser eBlast. The team conducted an Involving the Pros webinar. Membership, Marketing, and Public Relations Committee Chair Zulema Garcia reported that all State Leadership Summit (SLS) suggestions from the June meeting were implemented and detailed examples of the new format and content. PBL Branding Study—MDG, a Reston, Virginia firm, will begin work in January.
The officers have reached half of their goal in the Home State Advantage Program, and a new Student Pitch opportunity will pilot at the National Leadership Conference (NLC).
PD Membership Year—Anniversary renewal, accounting and award dates, and grace and billing periods were discussed. Plans will move forward to test it in two states in 2015–16.
Relationships—The National Fall Leadership Conference (NFLC) March of Dimes Blue Jeans for Babies fundraisers collected $6,135, a 35% increase over last year. The State Officer Track had approximately 250 officers attending, and nearly 75 members visited Capitol Hill.
PBL Officer Team Structure—PBL National President Beau Cobb presented rationale, and the committee discussed, alternative structure and position titles for the PBL national officer team. This will require a PBL bylaw amendment. Beau will draft a working paper for additional review by staff and states.
Resources—The sponsorship prospect list has been updated with student-recognizable names. All officers have been assigned one to three businesses to contact by January 15. Image & Awareness—There is optimized social media use with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Quarterly regional Google+ Hangouts are being held, and there have been two Presidents’ Address to the Nation. Phi Beta Lambda National President Beau Cobb reported on his team’s efforts. Customer Service—Membership is at 5,822 and 323 chapters, which is a 2.28% increase to date. The team launched the inaugural PBL Pathways Program at the NFLC in New Orleans.
Programs and Services Committee Chair Lisa Hofstetter reported that the committee discussed the National Awards Program (NAP) recommendations for 2015–16 new and modified events. FBLA proposals received 34 state responses and PBL proposals received 22 state responses, both increases over previous years. The board committee discussed each proposal and had several items they recommended sending back to FBLA‑PBL NAP for additional review. Additionally, we will host a committee conference call to review the plans for developing adviser lessons plans, and Richard Bowen will share the 2015 NLC information during the SLS.
Relationships—The officers set a March of Dimes team personal fundraising goal of $10,000. Visits were made to Congress, Department of Education, and Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education.
In Other Business, the board reviewed and approved the new state chairs that had been placed in nomination by the states— Diana Hegmann, Maryland; Lori Niekamp, Missouri; Myrna Garcia, Puerto Rico; and Lindsay Andreotti, Washington.
Resources—Over 60 companies have been identified for potential sponsorships.
Jean provided an update and a brief history of the Reston (Dulles) Rail project for the new board members regarding the arrival of the Reston/Wiehle Metro and the impact on the 27.4 acres owned by the Center for Educational Associations (CEA).
Image & Awareness—All social media venues have increased: Facebook PBL officer pages, 176% “Like”; PBL officer Twitter accounts, 210%; and LinkedIn, 110%. Professional Division National President David Jones shared his team report. Customer Service—PD membership goal is 3,600 members. The team is working to get two state chapters to establish officer teams for their PD members, and working with the national center to gather information from the states for the implementation of the PD membership anniversary year with plans to test in two states in 2015–16. PD recruiting materials are updated on the national website. 6 | FBLA-Middle Level Advisers’ Hotline
The board also reviewed the SLS, kicking off that evening through Sunday.
MEMBER BENEFITS
Birds of a feather save together. As a member of FBLA-PBL you could save even more on your car insurance with a special discount. Join your fellow members who are already saving with GEICO.
geico.com/fbla-pbl | 1-800-368-2734
Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Discount amount varies in some states. Discount is not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. One group discount applicable per policy. Coverage is individual. In New York a premium reduction may be available. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. Š 2014 GEICO
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