Adviser Update--August 2011

 

Welcome back!!!  Another summer is gone and our advisers and members are heading back to class.  We hope you are facing the new academic year with excitement and energy!  If you know of anyone who is a new adviser and needs to be added to our Adviser Update mail list, please send me a note.

 

National Leadership Conferences.  Both the FBLA and PBL National Conferences were quite successful—thanks to all the members and advisers for making it so!  I was extremely proud of the wonderful job Florida did hosting the conference. For those who had students compete at the National Conferences, you should have received the scores and will be getting rating sheets very soon.

 

Fall Activity Day.  Are you looking for a wonderful way to kick off the year and get new members quickly?  Why not tie a membership recruitment activity in with our Fall Activity Day?  On October 29 members and advisers from across the state have an opportunity to spend the day at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure in Orlando.  Normal admission to the park is $85.00.  However, you can join us for the low cost of only $50.  What’s more, for every ticket purchased, the Florida FBLA-PBL Foundation will receive $1.  This can go toward recognition at the State Conference for your chapter.  Don’t delay though….I must receive your order and payment by October 4.  An order form is attached.  Remember, also for every 10 tickets you purchase, you get one complimentary ticket. 

 

State Theme and Project for 2011-12.  The Florida FBLA-PBL state officers have decided on the state theme and state project for the year.  This year’s state theme is:  Florida FBLA-PBL—Ignite the Light.  This year’s state project is the St. Jude’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).  The March of Dimes is our national project. (http://www.marchofdimes.com/).  

 

Web site updates.  We are in the process of updating the Florida FBLA-PBL website.  Many things have already been updated for the new year; however, the latest competitive event guidelines will not be current until September 10.

 

Competitive Events.  Don’t forget as your students are preparing for district and state competitions, they need to be sure that they are using the most up-to-date state guidelines.  Remember, that these guidelines will be emailed to you next week in our 2011-2012 Handbook and available on our web site (www.floridafbla-pbl.com) by September 10.

 
 

Florida FBLA-PBL Fall Conference.  We are so excited to tell you that the Florida FBLA-PBL Fall Conference will be held in Clearwater Beach.  Mark your calendars for November 4-6.  The conference registration packet is attached to this update.

 

Membership.  Membership registration is now open!  New membership recruitment resources have been added to the home page of the national Web site (www.fbla-pbl.org). Please register and pay membership dues by October 20 to ensure that your members receive all their benefits.  Here are a few reminders:

  • To enroll a returning member for the current membership year, look for the member name from the list and select the student year from the drop down menu before you check the box to enroll. Then move your mouse to check the box next to the student name.
  • When enrolling new student members, make sure the first name is in the “First Name” field and the last name is in the “Last Name” field. Use uppercase and lowercase letters.
  • Try to include as many students as possible on one invoice.
  • Send a copy of the invoice with payment.
  • If a correction needs to be made to the spelling of a student name, e-mail to membership@fbla.org.

 

Click the link below to review the online membership instructions and state dues reporting procedures.

http://fbla-pbl.org/web/page/557/sectionid/557/pagelevel/1/main_interior.asp

 

National Fall Conference.  The 2012 NFLC closest to Florida will be held November 18-19 in Little Rock, Arkansas. To register, go to www.fbla-pbl.org then to Registration/Information.  Also on this page you will find the NFLC Guide, workshop presenter forms, hotel information, exhibitor prospectus, and  conference promotional video. The early bird registration rate is $60 through October 22. The regular rate is $70, and the on-site rate is $80. Hotel and conference payments may not be combined.

 

Please let Mrs. Jones know if your school will be attending one of the National Fall Conferences and tell her how many will be attending.

 

BAA.  The revised BAA program emphasizes social media, virtual reality, and technology. In addition, it is tied to the NBEA standards, Career Clusters, FBLA-PBL national programs, competitive events, the Chapter Management Handbook.
 
 

A teacher's account allows advisers to log in as a student so that each level can be demonstrated, and advisers can print off certificates for students who complete levels from an interactive template once the entry is submitted.
 
 

Keep an eye out for these important submission deadlines:
• March 1 -- Future, Business, and Leader
• April 25 -- America

 

Parent Letter.  As you are recruiting members, you may wish to personalize the attached letter and give it to the parents of your students.

 

FBTEA.  Advisers, are you a member of the Florida Business Technology Education Association?  If not, I strongly encourage you to join.  It is a wonderful professional organization.  Also, this year, their conference is joint with the Southern Business Education Association.  Go to http://fbtea.org/ for more information.