Winter 2015
NEWS & UPDATES Welcome, 2015 Professional Division (PD) members! The PD officers are excited to continue working on enhanced experiences for you. PROFESSIONAL DIVISION COMPETITIVE EVENT SPONSORSHIP $5,000 CHALLENGE As our national organization continues to work toward having every competitive event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC) sponsored, the PD has set a goal to raise $5,000 to sponsor one event at the FBLA and PBL NLCs with 100% of the sponsorship going to the members in the event we sponsor. We plan to sponsor one of the new events: 3D Animation, Sales Presentation, or Social Media Campaign. This is the first time the PD has challenged its members to sponsor a competitive event for FBLA and PBL, so we really need your support to be successful. No donation amount is too large or too small. Can you donate $100? If not, can you donate $50, or $25, or $10? Every bit helps us reach $5,000. We also encourage you to check with your employer to see if your company will match your donation. All donations by PD members will be recognized on our website and in The Professional Edge. To make a donation, please go to fbla-pbl.org/web/module/pdgiving/page_interior.asp.
MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT It’s not too late to recruit new PD members for this year! Do you have family members, friends, or colleagues that would be interested in becoming a PD member and helping our organization? If so, then we urge you to talk to them about joining. You can find information about the PD division and recruitment tools on our website at fbla-pbl.org. Click on the Professional Division tab at the top of the page. As an officer team, we are always open to suggestions and ideas. We hope to make the PD a beneficial organization for all of our members. Have suggestions or ideas? Contact an officer.
@ProfessionalDiv
ProfessionalDivision
FBLA-PBL National Professional Division
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT MELISSA SLATAPER Melissa Slataper experienced firsthand the impact FBLA-PBL has on its members. She started as a PBL member and joined the Professional Division in Texas two years ago. For the past year and a half, she has worked as a personal assistant and office manager at Bellaire Square LLC. Prior to her current position, Melissa worked at NASA Johnson Space Center in the Procurement, Central Budget, and Student Intern program offices and was awarded “Intern of the Year” two years in a row. Looking back on her decision to join PBL, Melissa says, “I was looking for a way to get involved on campus at school and PBL seemed like a natural fit.” Seeing the impact PBL had on her and her fellow members, Melissa was eager to join the PD and give back to the association. As a PD member, Melissa works with local chapters by assisting with meetings and helping during conference prep time. “I assist the Texas state chapter by overseeing and administering their Facebook page and by assisting throughout the year on projects as needed,” says Melissa. Melissa chairs the national PD Membership and Alumni Resources Committee. Leading this committee is important work that Melissa was excited to undertake. Some projects Melissa and the committee are working on include a Hall of Fame recognition program for PD members, reviewing PD branding, and preparing competitive event tests for the PD open events at the NLC. When asked what she views as one of the biggest benefits of being a PD member, Melissa says “expanding your network so drastically in practically an instant.” Melissa enjoys connecting with people from all over the country who are in different professions that come together to be a part of our great organization. Ultimately Melissa says her favorite part about being a PD member “is being able to return the favor. I was blessed with great mentors in my PBL chapter and I thoroughly enjoy being able to share my skills and knowledge with others through this division.” She encourages other PD members who want to give back to reach out to a local chapter in their community and sponsor one of their chapter’s meetings or conduct a workshop for local members.
Share Your Success! Start a new job or get promoted? Get married or have a child? Finish graduate school? Win an award?
SUBMIT YOUR SUCCESS STORY! We want to highlight your achievements. Because success is better shared!
The Professional Edge • Winter 2015
CONFERENCES NATIONAL CONFERENCES The Professional Division was represented at each of the National Fall Leadership Conferences (NFLCs) held in November. PD Vice President Blake Reynolds attended Washington, D.C.; PD Secretary/Treasurer Kelly Scholl attended Minneapolis, MN; and PD President David Jones was in New Orleans, LA. The officers presented workshops on connecting today’s professionals with tomorrow’s leaders, and they Fall solicited ideas from attendees on how local chapters are utilizing their professional members. The 2014 PD exhibited at each NFLC and shared with attendees the benefits to be gained from membership in the PD and by involving PD members in chapter activities. Many thanks to the PD members who staffed the exhibit booth at the conferences! The National Leadership Conferences (NLCs) will be held this summer in Chicago, and all PD members are encouraged to attend. The PBL NLC is June 24–27 and FBLA is June 29–July 2. There are a number of activities for PD members including competitive events. We urge anyone attending the NLC to serve as an event judge.
STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES Each PD member is encouraged to become involved in the FBLA and PBL State Leadership Conferences taking place soon. Those planning the state conferences are looking for judges and workshop presenters, and your assistance would be deeply appreciated.
The Professional Edge • Winter 2015
HOT TOPICS NATIONAL OFFICER CANDIDATES Applications for Professional Division national office are now being accepted. Applications are due February 15. Open positions are president, vice president, and secretary/treasurer. Apply today at bit.ly/PD_app2015. Renew Your Membership TODAY! Have you renewed your membership for 2014–15? Renew online today to receive your Professional Division benefits! Your $25 dues ($30 in CA) help us plan activities exclusively for Professional Division members, as well as give back to FBLA-PBL members through scholarships, mentoring, networking activities, and more. RENEW TODAY!
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2014–15 NATIONAL OFFICERS President David Jones pdpres@fbla.org Vice President Blake Reynolds pdvp@fbla.org
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. © 2014 GEICO
Secretary/Treasurer Kelly Scholl pdst@fbla.org
The Professional Edge • Winter 2015