FLORIDA FBLA-PBL
STATE ADVISER UPDATE
November 24, 2009
Fall Conference. I am thrilled to report that this year’s Fall Conference was a huge success. Members and advisers arrived in Orlando last Thursday afternoon and hit the ground running. Toody Byrd was our opening session keynote speaker. Then members joined together for a walk benefitting the Children’s Miracle Network. The night ended with the annual Foundation Volleyball Game. Congratulations to Palm Beach Central High School for winning the game! This was our largest game ever—with 20 teams participating.
We closed the Florida portion with keynote speaker Carl Creasman and then went right to work as the host state for the National Fall Conference which began Friday at 1 p.m. Thank you to all advisers, district directors, board members, and students who worked so hard to ensure the success of the conference. I am so proud to be the FBLA-PBL state adviser for the best state in the nation!
Don’t forget that those who complete the online conference evaluation will have a chance to win a free registration for one adviser and one member for the 2010 National Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Go to www.fbla-pbl.org or click on the following link: http://www.fbla-pbl.org/conferences/NFLC2009/evaluation/NFLC2009Evaluation.asp
Mauricio Escobar, National President. Many of you have asked about our very own Mauricio and how he is doing since he was elected national president. I can assure you he is doing very well and is traveling across the country representing FBLA (and Florida in particular) to the very best of his ability. Although we were disappointed that he was not able to attend our Fall Conference, we understood that it was imperative for him to attend the American Career and Technical Education Conference held at the same time in Nashville. He did an outstanding job representing FBLA at this conference and met Stedman Graham and Paula Deen while he was there.
FBLA-PBL Professional Division. As advisers are you ever looking for someone to assist you with all the many things you are trying to accomplish with your chapter. Why not consider the FBLA-PBL Professional Division? The Professional Division supports and promotes FBLA-PBL and its goals. Members:
• Support FBLA-PBL programs and serve as liaisons between the workplace and the classroom.
• Mentor FBLA-PBL members to strengthen leadership and provide career counseling.
• Keep members informed on current business trends.
Anyone who has an interest in FBLA-PBL can become a Professional member—former members, employers, educators, FBLA-PBL advisers, parents, business people, and community supporters. If you have any questions about the Florida FBLA-PBL Professional Division, please contact their president, Stephanie Pierce, Stephanie.pierce@sdhc.k12.fl.us.
Florida Business Technology Education Association. As a business educator, we strongly encourage you to join the Florida Business Technology Education Association. Their annual conference was held last month. If you are not already a member, go to their web site www.fbtea.org and join today. It is well worth the dues.
Florida FBLA-PBL Foundation Chapter Membership. The purpose of the Florida FBLA-PBL Foundation is to raise funds for Florida FBLA-PBL. These funds are to be used to benefit members of our organization. Since its inception the Foundation has given thousands of dollars back to local chapters and individual members. Any chapter wishing to make a donation to the Foundation is encouraged to do so. Here is how your chapter can benefit when donating to the Foundation:
Gold Membership--$500 donation and above
• Priority seating at all general sessions for state fall conference and state leadership conference
• Chapter will be invited to meet and greet with state leadership conference keynote speaker
• Members will receive an exclusive gold membership ribbon at state leadership conference
• Chapter recognition in state leadership conference program and on website
• Chapter will be recognized at the state leadership conference
Silver Membership--$250 donation
• Reserved seating at all general sessions for state leadership conference
• Chapter recognition in state leadership conference program and on website
• Chapter will be recognized at the state leadership conference
Bronze Membership--$100 donation
• Chapter recognition in state leadership conference program and on website
Checks should be made payable to Florida FBLA-PBL Foundation. Payment and chapter information must be postmarked by February 15 to Florida FBLA-PBL Foundation, P. O. Box 1106, Zephyrhills, FL 33539-1106. Please go to our web site (www.floridafbla-pbl.com) and click on Foundation to get the application form.
Membership. There are just 3 weeks left until December 15—the deadline for postmarking dues for Florida FBLA members in order for them to compete at District. Please do one last push for FBLA membership. Be sure that we offer our benefits to as many students as possible!
PBL membership must be postmarked by February 15. Although that is still a few months away, I strongly encourage all PBL advisers to enter and pay for all members that you currently have.
BAA, CMAP, and MAP. Each year we talk about these important programs. They include activities (many of them that integrate FBLA-PBL into your curriculum) that most of your members are already doing. Why not allow them to be recognized for their efforts? Please take a look at these programs today.
FBLA advisers please go to: http://www.fbla-pbl.org/web/page/662/sectionid/587/pagelevel/2/fbla.asp
FBLA ML advisers please go to: http://www.fbla-pbl.org/web/page/601/sectionid/586/pagelevel/2/fbla_middlelevel.asp
PBL advisers please go to: http://www.fbla-pbl.org/web/page/661/sectionid/585/pagelevel/2/pbl.asp
Shop Amazon.com and Support FBLA-PBL. As you’re doing your holiday shopping, please remember to go to our Web site under Membership Benefits/Discounts and Added Benefits to access Amazon.com. When shopping through our portal a donation will be given to FBLA-PBL for each purchase you make.
AICPA Gives FBLA Students an Opportunity to Win an iPod touch. AICPA wants to thank FBLA advisers for opening students’ eyes to the world of business and the possibilities available through accounting and the CPA credential. If you haven’t seen their new redesigned Web site, www.StartHereGoPlaces.com, it’s definitely worth viewing. The new site makes it easier than ever for students to explore potential careers, hear from real-life CPAs, and get tips on entering the profession. Encourage your students to visit the site, create and save their FutureMe™ and by doing so, make themselves eligible to win one of ten (10) iPod touches being given away each week through December 18th. Just for educators like you, there is a “For Teachers” section with classroom curricula and fun tools to keep your students engaged. Just click the link below to visit the site and see what’s new!
www.StartHereGoPlaces.com
Chapters in the News. Has your chapter been in the news? If so send us an email link to the article (jjones@floridafbla-pbl.com). We would love to feature you!
Important dates.
November 30 Receipt deadline for articles for the winter issue of Florida Communicator
December 15 FBLA State Dues Deadline for Competing
December 15 FBLA District Test Orders due to State Office
January 1 Receipt deadline for FBLA-PBL National Officer Applications