F u t u r e Business L ead ers o f A m er ic a
Western Region Vice President’s Corner
Vice President Corner
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Executive Board
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Chapter Spotlight
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State Updates
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FBLA Programs
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Fundraising
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Regional Awards
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Western Region FBLA, welcome to the 20092010 school year, which also brings another exciting and engaging year in Future Business Leaders of America! Congratulations to all those who represented Western Region at the National Leadership Conference this past June. This year, the national officers are innovating and taking FBLA to the next level by strengthening communication and developing valuable member resources. Check out the region website (http:// regions.fbla-pbl.org/default.asp?region=fbwr ) that will be updated regularly with updates from the different states, information from the National Officer Team,
Western Region Executive Board Secretary: Angela Gu Webmaster: Eric Lu Communications Director: David Mao VP Assistant: Casey Penk VP Assistant: Eric Wong VP Assistant: Emily Tian
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and ways for your chapter to get involved! Also, be looking out for an updated FBLAction Packet that will include ideas from chapters throughout the state in areas such as fundraisers, socials, and membership recruitment. And finally, read more about the fantastic new Go Green and Government Awareness Projects we have in store for you.
Treasurer (Ex-Officio): Vinay Mavram Treasurer (Ex-Officio): Taylor Sarman National President’s Assistant (Ex-Officio): Linxi Wu National President’s Assistant (Ex-Officio): Aaron
With exciting new programs, this year I challenge you to participate. Your experience in this organization is self-determined, as what you put into it is what you get out. Make the commitment to make a difference in your local chapter, at the state level, and at the national level so that we can make this FBLA year Simply the Best! Kavya Shankar
Chapter Spotlight Sireena Sy, Rancho Cucamonga High School FBLA Public Relations Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Students from the Rancho Cucamonga High School FBLA chapter raised $818.10 to benefit the March of Dimes foundation. Coin boxes were placed in all second period classrooms across campus, and this school-wide fundraiser was held for two weeks. The group held a coin drive to raise funds as well as create community awareness of the needs of March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. RCHS’s FBLA president, Christina Huang, said, “I am really proud of RCHS’s effort in aiding such an important cause. I am very glad that we were able to raise so much for our first time at fundraising and I am glad that FBLA is partners with such a great organization as March of Dimes.”
State Presidents’ Updates CALIFORNIA
OREGON
UTAH
State President, Kavya Shankar
State President, Mallory Bailey
State President, Colton Gardner
This year, the state officers’ innovation is improving California FBLA by taking on a more active leadership role. We have created a California FBLA Forum where (http://cafbla.prophpbb.com/) members can share ideas, resources, and memories! Also, we’re working on compiling a Best Practices Resource Guide mirrored after the FBLAction packet to give activity ideas to local chapters. We’ve started California FBLA’s first-ever committee with the new California FBLA State Council (CSC). Finally, we’re working hard on increasing community and governmental awareness of FBLA by speaking with elected officials and community leaders about the impacts of FBLA.
Oregon FBLA is very excited to start off its 60th year serving business education students in Oregon! In true Oregon FBLA fashion, we will be celebrating all year long! The state officer team has much planned, and has recently implemented a new project called the Government Promotions Project, which was created by a member. Oregon FBLA is also continuing the Presidents Council, which will serve as a vital tool in our success this year. We're looking forward to a year that is Simply the Best!
Utah FBLA has three major focuses this year: membership, involvement, and communication. We have set a goal to increase state-wide membership by reactivating inactive chapters as well as making sure every high school in our state has a FBLA chapter. We have put together membership drives as well as an involvement drive to encourage every member to get active and involved. Lastly, we are improving state-wide communication to the local level by beginning monthly emails to advisers, creating of a new Utah FBLA Facebook page, and starting a President's Council with all the chapter presidents.
NEVADA
ARIZONA
WASHINGTON
State President, Carmen Puentes
State President, Devon Roemer
State President, Ulyber Mangune
Nevada FBLA is preparing for a very exciting year! The state officers are pleased to announce some innovative practices aimed towards increasing membership as well as communication between all three regions. Along with launching a promotional video for the state chapter, Nevada FBLA is planning on conquering the virtual world with an FBLATalk series on YouTube. This series will include interviews from state officers and members who are truly motivated and exemplary leaders. Also, our Vice President of Service has developed a “Service in Synch” project for the state, which guarantees regional involvement and local chapter involvement with community service.
This year Arizona FBLA is reaching the peak of leadership experience in every way, whether it be state officers visiting classrooms and schools, or local members pushing their chapter to an FBLA year of excellence. We recently held our newly revised Officer Leadership Camp at Camp Shadow Pines in Heber Arizona where over 300 officers prepared to take the next step in their leadership careers. All of Arizona FBLA is ready to announce to the nation that OUR TIME IS NOW!
This year Washington FBLA’s state officer team is switching things up by focusing on ways to provide more opportunities for our members to help with statewide community service and membership recruitment. We have also set goals to improve communication and build more corporate sponsorships. Currently, we are building a partnership with the American Lung Association as well as developing our own version of Oregon FBLA’s Presidents Council idea. As the year starts, our excitement only builds in preparation for the best FBLA year Washington State has ever seen.
2009‐2010 FBLA Programs Facebook Group: This year, the National Officer Team plans to utilize Socisl networking in order to reach out to more members. Be sure to join the following groups: National FBLA: http:// www.facebook.com/group.php? gid=3359802948&ref=ts
Western Region FBLA: http:// www.facebook.com/group.php? gid=2242640727&ref=ts By joining a Facebook Group, you will be able to receive important blast messages about new programs, projects, ideas, and updates from your National Officer Team!
National Government Awareness Project (GAP): With the current economic recession, it is more important than ever that government officials are aware of the positive impact of Future Business Leaders of America to ensure continued support and funding. That’s why the National Officers have
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2009‐2010 FBLA Programs (continued from page 2) brought you the Government Awareness Project! To participate in the project, chapters must write 5 letters to elected officials as well as either meet with a representative to talk about FBLA or obtain a proclamation from the mayor for FBLA-PBL Week. Chapters will receive recognition at the National Leadership Conference, and they will also be raising government awareness of FBLA! National Go Green Project: As future business leaders, it is our responsibility to be environmentally conscious. Diversity in plants and animals radically affects our
world. It is thanks to them that we have oxygen to breath, food to eat, energy for electricity, and cures for our ailments. The loss of even one species can affect others and create catastrophic problems for us. Global warming is just one of the problems facing the leaders of our world today. How can we, the future leaders of the world, help with a problem we will be facing our entire lives? It’s simple. By uniting FBLA for this cause, we can dramatically decrease our carbon footprint on our world. This chapter project includes two components: nine activities relating to service, project, and
education as well as a five-page report on a project of the chapter’s choice. The National Team is currently tapping into energy companies for a possible stipend and an individual go green program with three different levels that will be awarded pins. FBLAction Packet: The National Officers are working on updating FBLAction, National FBLA’s activity packet. This packet will include ideas for membership recruitment, workshops, business development, community service, fundraisers, and socials. Got a good idea that other FBLA chapters should know about? Submit your ideas here: http:// spreadsheets.google.com/viewform? hl=en&formkey=dG42R3QtZjVXV3F4QW dZOWNoMzhuX1E6MA
Fundraising By Linxi Wu, California FBLA Vice President representing the Inland Section Almost every FBLA chapter has tried to fundraise by selling food before. Gummy bears, chocolate bars, even beef jerky, you have sold them all. However, as Future Business Leaders of America, your chapter can and should go beyond the basics of fundraising. Below is a list of 5 tips that will help you improve fundraising at your school. Since schools and communities all have unique rules, preferences, and circumstances that dictate what works best for your chapter, these will be general guidelines. Be flexible and adapt them to your chapter’s needs. Tip #1 - Change your execution Boosting fundraising in your chapter does not necessarily mean that you have to come up with new ideas. Rather, it can be more effective to change the way you execute your fundraisers. For example, you can increase your profit from restaurant nights by expanding your targets. Don’t forget to reach out to parents. Students only spend about $3-$10 on dinner, whereas parents can spend up to $30. Enlist the parents’ help in publicizing your fundraisers. Ask them to send out an e-mail blast within their companies and give them flyers to hand out to their colleagues. You will see a difference.
Tip #2 - Be mindful of returns Sometimes, fundraisers with low costs can yield more money for you chapter even though they might not appear to be as successful. While you may be able to sell 200 bags of candy, each bag will only yield around $0.50 profit. If you decide to sell $25 entertainment books (books of coupons), even if you only sell 4, you will be able to make just as much money. Keep clear records of your fundraisers to compare. Tip #3 - Create a fundraising committee Successful fundraisers require an extensive amount of planning and hard work. You need people to design the flyers, hand out the flyers, plan the event, etc. If your chapter officers have already taken on a great deal of responsibilities, it is recommended that you create a committee of 3-5 people solely dedicated to fundraising. With committees, more members can get involved, and you can expect better quality fundraisers. Just be sure to choose members who are not averse to taking risks. Fundraising can be quite a daunting task, and you want to recruit people who will not be afraid to do more than the usual.
Tip #4 - Advertise, advertise, advertise! Make advertising a priority in your planning. Officers often become so busy with planning the fundraiser itself that they leave advertising last. However, advertising should be half of the planning itself. Make sure to leave enough time to publicize your fundraisers. Success often depends on the number of attendees or customers. Do not hesitate to use every medium possible, from flyers to Facebook. You will regret it if a well-planned fundraiser goes to waste due to a lack of attendance.
“You will regret it if a well-planned fundraiser goes to waste due to a lack of attendance.”
Tip #5 - Be brave! It can be intimidating to try out a new idea, but the rewards are worth the risk. The process often seems more difficult than it really is because you have not had previous experience. You are reading this article because you want to improve fundraising in your chapter, but if you do not act upon what you have read, nothing will change. Aim to leave your mark and create a new tradition for your chapter. Never hesitate to ask your adviser or your state officers for advice.
Regional Awards Professional 2009 Membership Event Awards Winners
2009 FBLA Membership Event Awards Winners
(Based on Paid Professional Members as of April 15) LARGEST STATE CHAPTER – FBLA AFFILIATION
(Based on Paid FBLA Members as of March 1) LARGEST LOCAL CHAPTER
1. California, 342
1. Trevor Browne High School in Arizona, 507
LARGEST LOCAL CHAPTER‐FBLA AFFILIATION
2. 2. Highline High School in Washington, 361
1. Live Oak High School in California, 48
2. Colusa High School in California, 42
MARKETSHARE AWARD
1. Wilson Creek High School in Washington, 80% 2. Piute High School in Utah, 55% LARGEST STATE CHAPTER 1. California, 5,695 2. 2. Arizona, 4,516 LARGEST INCREASE IN STATE CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP 1. Arizona, 2622
Kavya Shankar FBLA Western Region Vice President fblawrvp@fbla.org
2. California, 260 LARGEST PERCENTAGE OF INCREASE IN STATE CHAP‐ TER MEMBERSHIP 1. Arizona, 138.44% 2. California, 17.78% STATE RECRUITMENT OF CHAPTERS 1. California, 37
Future Business Leaders of America
Simply the Best http://fbla‐ pbl.org/
Compiled by: David Mao FBLA Western Region Communications Director Page 4
2. Arizona, 20