The official newsletter of Western Region FBLA Volume 1, Issue 2 • Winter 2010
Inside this issue: Sustaining Success Online Marketing Government Awareness And More!
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THE WESTERN REPORT Winter 2009
Western Region Vice President’s Corner
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i Western Region FBLA! With second semester just starting, your Western Region Executive Board and National Officer Team have been hard at work in order to ensure that your year is Simply the Best. To make sure that you get the most out of your FBLA experience, we have developed a philosophy that keeps all of our projects member-focused.
“New Chapter Packet” to provide a comprehensive, yet direct and concise set of tools and documents. This packet is available on the Western Region website (wrfbla.org) and will also be sent out to all of the chapters through e-mail. We have also been working on revamping the FBLAction Packet, Go Green Project; furthermore, we have created a brand new Government Awareness Program. With the start of second semester, I challenge each and every one of you to really work to push membership. We are working on increasing the quality of your FBLA experience, but we need you to reach out to other people to help engage them in the experience that will define their high school careers. Stay active, stay motivated, and stay excited! I can’t wait to see you all at this year’s National Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee!
In leadership, To assist newer chapters, the Western Kavya Shankar Region Executive Board has created a
Your 2009-10 Officer Team Vice President Kavya Shankar
Secretary Angela Gu
Webmaster Eric Lu
Communications Director David Mao
VP Assistant Casey Penk
VP Assistant Eric Wong
VP Assistant Emily Tian
Treasurer (Ex-Officio) Vinay Mavram
Treasurer (Ex-Officio) Taylor Sarman
National President’s Assistant (Ex-Officio) Linxi Wu
National President’s Assistant (Ex-Officio)
Table of Contents
Aaron Wodka
Sustaining Success...................................................................................3 Going Green.............................................................................................. 4 March of Dimes Helps Haiti................................................................ 4 Business Achievement Awards.............................................................5 Launching the New Chapter Packet...................................................5 State News........................................................................... ..................... 6 3 Ways Online Marketing Can Help...................................................7 Government Awareness Project................................... ......................7 Chapter Headlines.................................................................................. 8
Winter 2010
Questions or comments about this publication? David Mao
Communications Director Western Region FBLA Los Osos High School dmao.fbla@gmail.com
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Sustaining Success
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Linxi Wu
ome April or May this year, your chapter will elect a new officer team to lead the chapter in the coming year. Take a moment to imagine your chapter next year. Do you see a thriving, active chapter, that will build on the successes of this year? Or do you see a future less certain, as FBLA veterans graduate, taking their experience with them? If you are less than 100% confident in your chapter’s new officer team, make sure to pay attention to the following tips. Officers are at the heart of every chapter, and it is imperative that each chapter officer team maintains a certain degree of quality, making every year of your FBLA chapter as good as the last.
Tip #1 - Watch the demographics of your chapter The grade level of your members matters. Is your chapter mostly experienced seniors that will graduate? If so, make sure to pair them up with underclassmen so that the seniors can pass down what they know. Also, if your chapter lacks freshmen, your goal should be to recruit more inorder to acquire a group of people that will stay with your chapter through all four years of their high school career. Analyze your membership and plan ahead to keep your chapter active for the coming school year.
Tip #2 - Consider new procedures for electing your officers Many chapters simply hold popular elections to choose their teams. However, this is not the only way to elect
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officers. One alternative way to elect officers is through interviews. Have candidates submit an application with a few questions and a resume. Then, schedule an interview time with your advisers and a few members of your staff. Make sure to review their applications ahead of time, and prepare questions relevant to each candidate. This will help your chapter mroe effectively find the “cream of the crop.” Another way is to elect half of the officers by popular vote and appoint the other half. You may consider allowing those who were not elected for office by the popular vote to submit an application for appointed offices.
Tip #3 - Encourage star members to run for office
Tip #5 - Train incoming officers thoroughly This might require your chapter to hold elections earlier than usual, but leaving time to train incoming officers is very important. Many times, the first few months of the year is spent getting used to each officer position. However, potential candidates can learn about their position beforehand by requiring candidates to sit in on officer meetings this year. Plan an event to pass down what the outgoing staff has learned about each officer position. You can even ask the old staff to record their contributions to major events during the year and write a general job description specific to your chapter.
“A few words from you can make all the difference.”
To elect qualified officers, it is important that you have a pool of capable candidates to choose from. Running for office can be intimidating, so simply encourage active, responsible members to run. A few words from you can make all the difference.
Tip #4 - Recruit a new adviser Your chapter probably has a great adviser. He or she knows how to register members for competitive events and when the membership fee deadlines are. Think for a second what your chapter would be like if your adviser resigned. Will your chapter be prepared to take on the responsibilities with a teacher new to FBLA? Will you be able to recruit a new adviser in a few months? If not, then consider recruiting a second adviser. First, this will reduce the work of both advisers. Second, the second adviser can learn the workings of FBLA. If your adviser suddenly needs to leave
THE WESTERN REPORT Winter 2009
your chapter, you will still have someone to rely on.
Tip #6 - Tell the next team to tell the next team! If you follow some of the advice above, you will see the caliber of your chapter’s leadership improve. However, make sure these tips are pieces of knowledge that your chapter keeps alive year after year. If not, your chapter will only benefit from them once. Tell them what you have done to improve the quality of the officer team, or simply show your successors this article. Then, ask that they do the same thing for the staff the year after. If you do this, you might just be able to visit your chapter in ten years and see that it is more successful than ever.
Going Green by Eric Wong
When the FBLA national team looked west towards California, they found FBLA members from the golden state cleaning their communities, conserving energy at home, and teaching the community on how to become more environmentally conscious. After the national FBLA officer team took notice of this “CAFBLA Goes Green!” project, the “FBLA Goes Green!” project was introduced; this is currently the second year that the “FBLA Goes Green!” project has been sponsored.
up, planting trees and flowers, teaching facts about air pollution to elementary school children, and celebrating Earth Day. The complete list can be found at http://www.fbla-pbl. org/gogreen/login.asp, under “Preview of Project Activities”. Each activity enhances awareness of the importance of taking care of the world in every FBLA member, and provides unique perspectives on methods to achieve their go-green goals. In the second part of the project, your chapter creates its own “Go Green project” to capture the essence of the “Go Green” movement. This is a great chance to take initiative and develop something that can be specific to your local community. Furthermore, members will definitely gain valuable experience in public relations when they design flyers and brochures to promote awareness of the chapter project.
For those interested in joining the global movement to become more eco-friendly, the “FBLA Goes Green!” project is a great way to begin. With a variety of activities to choose from in each category (service, progress, and education) and a unique opportunity to create a Go-Green project specifically for your local chapter, members have the tools to take advantage of this project, help improve lives, and increase With “FBLA Goes Green!”, your chapter will be part of sociFBLA’s involvement with the community. ety’s push towards educating humanity regarding the importance of sustainable living practices, thus preserving the Earth Some of the potential activities that members can choose for future generations. Good luck going green! from include organizing a school or community litter pick-
March of Dimes Helps Haiti by Aaron Wodka
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he March of Dimes has made a grant to UNICEF to help thousands of pregnant women, mothers, and babies in Haiti who are imperiled by the devastating earthquake and its aftermath. “The March of Dimes is deeply concerned about the thousands of pregnant women and moms caring for infants in Haiti, especially extremely fragile premature babies” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “Many babies and young children have been separated from their families, others are feared orphaned.” The March of Dimes’ special gift of
$100,000 will help Haitian women who are pregnant or breast feeding and babies who are in dire need of proper nutrition, safe water, and secure ways to prepare infant formula. The money will also go towards supplies such as diapers and clothing.
- immunization and other measures to prevent infectious disease in mothers and babies
The March of Dimes says that mothers and babies in affected areas in Haiti have long-term needs that must be addressed over the coming months.
The March of Dimes is always working to help mothers and babies. If you want to donate immediately, text the word BABY to 20222, and you will donate $5.00 to the March of Dimes (the cost will be added to your phone bill).
These include: - prenatal and newborn care for pregnant women and babies - specialized care and equipment for an expected rise in the number of babies born prematurely - multivitamins with folic acid for women of childbearing age and pregnant women to reduce the risk of neural tube birth defects
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- updated information for pregnant women and families on available services as the situation in Haiti changes.
The March of Dimes is the leading organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier March for Babies event, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
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Business Achievement Awards
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by Casey Penk
o you want to show your readiness for a career in business? Do you want to test the abilities and knowledge you have gained through your experience in Future Business Leaders of America? Then get started with the Business Achievement Awards! This prestigious program recognizes individuals who have taken the initiative to achieve and fulfill certain requirements. There are four levels to the Business Achievement Awards, and they are named after the name of our organization, FBLA. The initial level, called Future, is designed for introductory involvement on the chapter level. Involvement grows and expectations increase with each level. Eventually, in the America level, you will be expected to work with projects and initiatives that affect dozens or hundreds of people, or even more.
Each Business Achievement Awards level is divided into the three values represented on the FBLA Crest: Service, Education, and Progress. For every level, you will be expected to fulfill certain requirements from each section. If you are a math type, that means that you will need to fulfill requirements from twelve sections to receive all four levels.
that allow you to choose your event. The variety of unique experiences will teach you about yourself and will keep you involved in the program.
The BAA Website
If you think the Business Achievement Awards are right for you, get started right now! There is no cost, so all you have to do to participate is pay your dues. The deadline for entry is March 1, and you can begin as soon as your adviser registers an account for you. If you do not finish this year, you can continue next year (as long as you do not graduate.) Go ahead! There are so many reasons to participate in this program, so just go for it!
Just a few of the requirements from different levels include recruitment of new FBLA or Professional Division members, creation of a promotional display for your chapter, and assistance on a campaign for FBLA office. The entry guidelines include a diverse array of events. While some events are required at each level, there are also flexible slots
There are plenty of reasons to participate in this program. You will gain confidence, and make an impact in your community. Members from around the Western Region will see what you have done when you accept your award at the National Leadership Conference. You will also empower others to achieve when they see the initiative you have taken. In addition to all of that, you will have another great entry on your applications for colleges!
Launching the New Chapter Packet by Angela Gu
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s your newly established chapter having trouble with membership recruitment? Finding an adviser? Coming up with creative chapter activities for your members? Overwhelmed with the steps necessary to establish a new chapter?
Lucky for you, the Western Executive Board has compiled various resources into the New Chapter Packet to help all chapters advance to the next level of membership, competitions, and overall chapter success! The packet will guide your newly established chapter through membership recruitment, registration, member activities, deadlines, and much more. The packet also contains information on the vast variety of programs that FBLA offers as well as an example PowerPoint presentation for FBLA. By launching this new packet, we hope to make the process of chartering and establishing a local chapter as simple as possible, and encourage an increase in overall chapter growth. The packets will be distributed in the upcoming month through your state presidents. Also, if you know of any nearby schools who are thinking of starting a chapter, please refer them to this packet. Let’s utilize all our resources and improve our chapters to make Western Region the strongest FBLA region in the nation!
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THE WESTERN REPORT Winter 2009
California
Nevada
Kavya Shankar
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he California State Officer Team has been working hard to ensure that local chapters have the tools to succeed and that the state chapter receives the funding and public relations it needs to be recognized as the premiere student business organization in the state. Besides winning “Largest Increase in FBLA State Chapter Membership” at the National Leadership Conference, the state team has put together how-to guides to help chapters market FBLA and secure an adviser, and even acquire sponsorship for chapters interested in exploring new options to secure funding. Further, the team has created its first California FBLA Best Practices Resource Guide that includes ideas collected throughout the state for membership recruitment, fundraising, community service, business development, and socials. Finally, we have been meeting with businesses and government officials regarding FBLA and FBLA sponsorship so that FBLA is well-known in the community!
Arizona
Devon Roemer
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t’s time for all FBLA members to realize when our time is, In Arizona we have found the answer to that question. Our Time is NOW. From our upcoming regional conferences to raising tons of money to March of Dimes, Arizona FBLA knows what time it is. Now that we have started our competitive event season, students are working diligently and studying harder than ever before to get the opportunity to go to Nashville, Tennessee, for the 2010 NLC. This year Arizona wants the whole FBLA world to know that OUR TIME IS NOW!!!!!
Oregon
Carmen Puentes
Mallory Bailey
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evada FBLA is working hard to increase membership this year! Our state officers have been conducting chapter visits and participating in President Council conference calls to keep in touch with local chapter officers. For FBLA Week, Nevada FBLA has successfully planned a “Miracle Minute” for the March of Dimes. During the “minute,” schools across the state will raise money for our national partner. The state officers just had their Winter Summit, where they planned and rehearsed the upcoming state conference. Nevada officers are also excited to say that they will be receiving college credit for their successful and very productive year as the Nevada FBLA officer team!
State News Washington
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regon FBLA has had a very productive year and we are excited for all that is to come! We hosted the Oregon Leadership Institute that featured a “March of Dimes Service Academy” thanks to the Mission LIFT grant we received at NLC 2009. For the second year in a row, it was a joint conference with Oregon DECA. We are thrilled to be hosting Regional Skills Conferences to help members prepare for state competition; also, the Mt. Hood and Northwest Territory Regions are combining for their first RSC in years! Of course, who can forget the State Business Leadership Conference? This year, Oregon FBLA’s 60th anniversary, we are planning a celebration with our members at the conference! We are so excited for the achievements of the year thus far, and we are honored to be able to celebrate all of the successes to come with our fantastic membership! Oregon FBLA is “Simply the Best for 60 Years!”
Ulyber Mangune
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Utah
s Washington State FBLA enters the new year of 2010, its continuous growth towards achieving its goals have not slowed; instead, our goals have grown ten-fold. Since the beginning of the year in September, we have incorporated the use of social-networking sites, Presidents’ Council meetings, dancing, and YouTube, along with an increase of state officer visits to local chapters. We have also increased our activity with the American Lung Association and are currently planning a mini-walk at our State Business Leadership Conference. Regardless of the nation’s current problems, Washington State FBLA is proving strong and will only get stronger to end this successful 2009-2010 year.
Winter 2010
Colton Gardner
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iving back to the community is an important aspect in FBLA, and this is why this year, the state of Utah is emphasizing this goal. Along with a state-wide service project, each chapter is logging their service hours and will be recognized at our State Leadership Conference in April. We are also working with the Governor’s office to give publicity to our organization throughout the state. From our personal contact with each local chapter, Utah Future Business Leaders of America is hoping to have an increase in membership this year and make it Simply the Best!
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3 Ways Online Marketing Can Help by Eric Lu
Statistics put online web users as a quarter of the Earth’s population meaning one out of every four people use the Internet. In today’s society, the fastest, most effective, and easiest way to promote a product or service, such as FBLA, is through targeted online marketing. Using the internet to your advantage gives you a target audience, sometimes known as a niche market. For example, attracting potential FBLA members with an online website will likely target tech-savvy individuals or students who recognize benefits of a website. Depending on the nature of the website, you may even be able to
attract members who share very similar interests. Thus, targeted marketing with the internet can be a very powerful tool for today’s marketing person. With the presence of search and targeted marketing, you will see your product sales increase dramatically with online services. The second main advantage on online marketing is the availability of information. The 21st century customer is informed, not ignorant, and seeks to learn the pros and cons of a product while considering price. With a website, the information is readily available to your target audience. An informed customer is a satisfied customer, and a satisfied customer always leads to greater business. A website is a great way to provide information about your services or product. The third way online marketing can boost sales, participation, or even mo-
Government Awareness Project
As FBLA continues to receive a portion of the 1.3 billion dollars allotted to Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), it is important, to increase awareness of FBLA to elected Taylor Sarman and community leaders across the nation. Without these key funds approThe optimistic Lao Tsu once said that, priated from the 2006 Carl D. Perkins “Even a journey of a thousand miles be- Act, members could expect to see price gins with a single step.” Whether you increases for conference fees, memberare a state or local chapter, today is your ship dues, and even at the Marketplace. day to take your first step in promot- To ensure continued support from our ing FBLA to elected leaders across the elected leaders, we must continue to nation. Today is the day that you will show them the lasting impact that FBLA make an impact on our organization. has on students and local communities Today, Western Region Future Business throughout the country. Leaders of America, I challenge you to promote FBLA to not only elected offi- The opportunities to promote FBLA are cials, but students in your school, and endless, but there are some methods throughout your local community; after that prove to be most effective. Be sure all, this is the work that will catch the to use the methods below during Naeyes of our elected leaders. tional CTSO month or FBLA-PBL week!
rale is through awareness. Potential customers are attracted to the site, and they are informed by the contents of the site. However, the true result is that your product or service becomes well-known. Awareness is an important part of any product or service, because most sales come through word-of-mouth marketing and the “join the crowd” factor. A website is an imperative tool to help your product or service become known. In summary, a website can function in three steps: attract a target audience, inform them of the product, and ultimately increase awareness of what your company or organization can offer. I personally incorporate these elements in the Western Region website as well. To promote FBLA, your product, or anything in today’s world, online marketing is truly a simple, effective solution.
Have each member in your chapter write a letter to a local, state, or national elected official. Be sure to include events that your local or state chapter is working on, strides your chapter has made, and any other information to give elected officials an insight to your local chapter.
Obtain an FBLA proclamation from a local governing body. This is great to do during FBLA week! Visit www.fbla-pbl.org to view a sample proclamation included in the new Government Awareness Program (GAP).
Create an “E-Chapter Newsletter” to send out to elected officials. (continued on next page)
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(continued from previous page)
tool to invite or inform leaders to a local chapter event or ask for key information about legislation that might be effecting FBLA or education.
With a world so connected to technology, this is sometimes the most effective way to come in contact with elected officials. Why stop with just elected of- Make a visit to your state capitol ficials? You could send the E-Newsletter or local government building. out to members of your chapter and even members of your community! This idea allows elected leaders to put a face with FBLA and see personally the Make a personal call to an elect- professionalism of FBLA. This is also a ed official’s office. great idea for a chapter field trip. Be sure to call ahead though, and dress in Chances are very high that you will be business attire. speaking with a legislative aid, but this is still a great way to come in contact These are only a few of the many effecwith elected leaders! This is an effective tive ways to promote FBLA to elected
Los Osos High School and Rancho Cucamonga High School – Rancho Cucamonga, California
bio-sensor company that specializes in mind technology. Their recent product, Mindset, allows users to read and analyze brainwaves. NeuroSky has trained FBLA participants in this program in essential public speaking techniques. These students will be able to practice and test their skills in the real world at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco where they will assist NeuroSky in presenting their product to the conference attendees.
Canby High School – Canby, Oregon
Monta Vista High School – Cupertino, California
Homestead High School – Cupertino, California
Homestead High School has partnered with NeuroSky Incorporated, a leading
As our organization continues to embark on the journey to promote FBLA to elected leaders, we will need your help! Every step that our local and state chapters take will, most certainly, make an impact on our national organization. Be sure to use these and many more of the promotion methods to take your step in creating an FBLA with a more affluent future.
Chapter Headlines
Members of these two chapters exercised and practiced their communication skills while doing community service at the Founder’s Day Parade in Rancho Cucamonga. Volunteers at this event were given the task of carrying huge 2-story balloons during the parade. Participants of this activity had a great time at the parade while learning and practicing essential skills such as teamwork and communication.
FBLAers from Canby High School have taken Oregon’s the Government Promotion Project, and they have gone above and beyond in their community. Their efforts have brought FBLA to the attention of many local and state government officials. The city of Canby has proclaimed December 16th as FBLA day. Members of the chapter are hoping to create a statewide FBLA day.
leaders! If your local chapter has something different that you do to promote FBLA to elected leaders please be sure to let the WREB know by sending your ideas to wrvp@fbla.org!
This FBLA chapter co-hosted a Venture Capitalist workshop for all local Bay Section FBLA chapters. The program included two startup companies (one offered video editing tools and one offered clean energy optimization) presenting, and a series of workshops on business plan writing held by seasoned venture capitalists.
Lynbrook High School – San Jose, California
Lynbrook FBLA’s American Enterprise Committee created a 7-week program called ThinkBusiness to give students
Winter 2010
a jump start in entrepreneurship. The program is dedicated to educating students by providing hands-on experience and interactions with prominent business professionals. Students worked in teams of four throughout the entrepreneurship process: from coming up with an idea to attracting venture capital. Four CEOs, a college professor, and experienced entrepreneurs worked with the students each week to refine their business ideas. At the end of the program, each team delivered a formal 15minute business presentation to a panel of venture capitalists.
Granger High School – West Valley, Utah
This chapter has been working extra hard to prepare for their regional and state conferences. They have taken particulat attention this year to ensure that each meeting has been designed to attract new members and keep existing members engaged and involved. The chapter strives to make sure they are more organized. This chapter also had a great presence in the community during the winter holidays.
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