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Frequently Asked Questions
(As presented by the National FBLA-PBL web site)
What is FBLA-PBL?
Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) is a nonprofit educational association of students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields. The association has four divisions: FBLA for high school students FBLA-Middle Level for junior high and intermediate students PBL for postsecondary students Professional Division for businesspeople, educators, parents, and anyone who supports the goals of the association. The FBLA concept was developed in 1937 by Dr. Hamden L. Forkner of Columbia University. In the fall of 1940, official sponsorship of FBLA was accepted by the National Council for Business Education; on February 3, 1942, the first high school chapter was chartered in Johnson City, Tennessee. In 1958, the first Phi Beta Lambda chapter was chartered in Iowa. More than 250,000 active members participate in more than 13,000 chartered chapters in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, U.S. Territories, and Department of Defense Dependent Schools worldwide. FBLA-PBL is financed primarily through membership dues. Corporate and foundation grants also play an important role in the association's financial base. FBLA-PBL is endorsed by A Presidential Classroom for Young Americans; American Management Association; American Vocational Association; Career College Association; Johnson and Wales University; March of Dimes; National Association of Parliamentarians; National Association of Secondary School Principals; National Business Education Association; National Management Association; and the U.S. Department of Education.
What does FBLA-PBL do?
FBLA-PBL's goals are to: Promote competent, aggressive business leadership. Understand American business enterprise. Establish career goals. Encourage scholarship. Promote sound financial management. Develop character and self-confidence. Facilitate transition from school to work. To accomplish these goals, FBLA-PBL holds conferences and seminars; sponsors a competitive awards program; produces national publications; and provides scholarships, programs, and other services for its members. Conferences and Seminars: FBLA-PBL sponsors conferences and seminars for members and advisers including the National Leadership Conference, five National Fall Leadership Conferences, and a training program for state and local officers and their advisers. Awards: FBLA-PBL's National Awards Program recognizes and rewards excellence in business- and career-related skills. By participating in the competitive events at the state and national levels, students gain practical experience in goal setting, planning, and plan implementation. Publications: FBLA-PBL produces several practical and informative publications for its membership, including Tomorrow's Business Leader, PBL Business Leader, FBLA Advisers' Hotline, The Professional Edge, and The Middle Connection. Scholarships and Programs: Members can gain recognition, experience, and cash awards by participating in a variety of partnership programs including fundraisers, educational programs, and scholarships. Opportunities include Operation Enterprise's leadership and career skills seminars, Otis Spunkmeyer's business operation program, and Johnson & Wales University's full and partial scholarships for business degrees in hospitality. Membership Services: The National Center provides chapter management, promotional, and educational materials for advisers and members. Chapters receive the FBLA-PBL Handbook, the National Awards Program Guide, Conference Guides, Chapter Management Handbook, and many more helpful publications.
How does FBLA-PBL benefit students?
With 55 years of experience in encouraging students in the school-to-career transition, FBLA-PBL can help students: Learn more about business careers. Establish occupational goals. Get firsthand experience with business people. Practice effective money management. Learn the value of community responsibility. Get on-the-job training in a wide range of business activities, including planning, fundraising, conducting meetings, and managing finances, time, and resources.
How does FBLA-PBL benefit teachers?
Teachers who serve as chapter advisers receive materials on student activities, workshops, and competitions that encourage interest, develop business skills, and increase knowledge of the business world. These materials can be integrated into the classroom curriculum to enrich teaching methods. FBLA-PBL also provides teachers with opportunities for: Professional development through meetings with fellow educators, conference workshops, and seminars. Networking and interaction with the local business community. Visibility and recognition through chapter participation in school and community activities. Enhancement of the quality of education for your students.
How does FBLA-PBL benefit schools?
An FBLA-PBL chapter gives your school a real-world tie to business. The business curriculum-and the school as a whole-can be enriched by this co-curricular activity. A chapter that is involved in the local civic and business activities of your community ensures that your school is at the forefront of current events. Being involved in newsworthy events creates positive publicity for your school in the local media, increased enrollments in business programs, and opportunities for partnering with local businesses.
How is FBLA-PBL organized?
The national headquarters of FBLA-PBL is in Reston, Virginia, and members belong to local, state, and national chapters (membership is not available separately). At the local level, chapters operate under charters granted by the national organization. Each chapter has its own constitution and adopts projects and programs within the general framework of the national organization. Membership dues for all three levels are collected at the local level. Local chapters are led by student officers; their activities are guided by a business faculty member who serves as the chapter adviser. A state chapter comprises all local chapters within a state. Like local chapters, state chapters operate under charters granted by the national organization. They also have their own constitutions, projects, and programs, and set their own dues amounts. State chapters are led and guided by a state committee and student officers. Each active state chapter holds annual statewide competitions in the spring to qualify entrants for the national competition. State chapters are organized in FBLA-PBL's five regions (Eastern, Southern, North Central, Mountain Plains, and Western). Each region hosts an annual Fall Leadership Conference to update members on national programs. The national organization is governed by a board of directors comprising professional educators, local and state advisers, state and local supervisors, business and industry representatives, and the presidents of FBLA, PBL, and the Professional Division. The national dues amount is set by the board and approved by a vote of the membership at a National Leadership Conference. The board appoints a president/chief executive officer who directs the National Center staff in Reston, Virginia.
How can I start an FBLA-PBL chapter at my school?
Here are the steps that students and educators can take to start an FBLA-PBL chapter at their schools. 1.Contact the National Center to receive a Chapter Organization Packet, which contains everything you need to apply for a charter. 2.A chapter adviser from the business department must be identified. 3.If necessary, submit a proposal to your school administrator for establishing an FBLA or PBL chapter. 4.Recruit potential chapter members from students in business or business-related classes. 5.Hold an orientation meeting. 6.Elect officers. 7.Vote on chapter bylaws. 8.Collect dues. 9.Submit a completed charter application to the chair of your state chapter. 10.Develop a program of work outlining proposed chapter activities for the year. 11.Conduct a new officer installation ceremony upon receipt of your charter.
What do FBLA-PBL chapters do?
Chapters prepare programs of work tailored to best meet the needs of their memberships, schools, and communities. The Chapter Management Handbook mailed at the beginning of the school year provides information on current programs, special activities, and deadlines to help chapters develop their programs of work, which can include: Professional activities that increase student skills or knowledge of the business world. Project examples include inviting local business people as guest speakers, visits to local businesses, and preparation for competitive events. Service activities that help people in need. In addition to national partnerships with the March of Dimes and the Tourette's Syndrome Association, chapters can get involved in local community works and projects. Civic activities that promote civic pride and good citizenship. Chapters work with local chambers of commerce, business people, and business organizations. Fundraising activities that finance chapter projects and conference trips. Chapters can participate in national fundraising programs or develop local fundraisers of their own.
Who can be a member of FBLA-PBL?
FBLA members are students in business or business-related classes at the secondary school level (almost any subject can be considered business related). PBL members are students enrolled in business or business-related classes at the postsecondary school level. FBLA-Middle Level members can be any middle school student. Professional members are business people, educators, school administrators, former FBLA-PBL members, parents, or anyone else in your school or community who support the goals and activities of FBLA-PBL.
How can I join FBLA-PBL?
If you're a middle level, high school, or college student, you can become a member of FBLA, PBL, or FBLA-Middle Level by joining an officially chartered chapter at your school. If you're a businessperson, educator, school administrator, former FBLA-PBL member, or parent who supports the goals of FBLA-PBL, you can become a member of the FBLA-PBL Professional Division simply by calling (800) FBLA-WIN.
Chopticon FBLA Info
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The Chopticon Career and Technology Department has always had a reputation for producing well qualified students that are capable of becoming productive members of our society. Contributing to the success of the Career & Technology Department is our local chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America.
Chopticon High School opened its doors in September 1965. Students from three different high schools came together to begin to build a school that would become, as Dr. Julius A. Revay, first principal of Chopticon, stated, "Second to none." The Chopticon FBLA chapter received its charter in 1966 under the advisorship of Mr. Benny Swim and Mr. Joseph Guffey. The next year, Miss Mary Frank Bales assumed the leadership of FBLA. Mrs. Margaret Armentrout became our advisor the following year. Mrs. Armentrout remained FBLA's chief advisor for the next 25 years. Mr. Ray Guy, a former Chopticon FBLA member, assisted Mrs. Armentrout for 17 years and remains an advisor today. Mrs. Beverly Heater was also an advisor from 1972-1982. Mrs. Gail Hogue became FBLA advisor upon Mrs. Armentrout's retirement. In the years that followed Mrs. Peggy Brown and Miss Michelle Fisher also assisted FBLA. In the fall of 1997 Mr. Dale Farrell, a former FBLA member at Leonardtown High School, became Chopticon FBLA advisor. Today FBLA is advised by four Career & Technology Educators: Mrs. Gail Hogue, Mrs. Joan Titus, Mr. Dale Farrell, and Mr. Ray Guy.
Since the very beginning, Chopticon FBLA has been known for its services, achievements, and awards. Members have received awards at the regional, state, and national levels. Over the years we have continually been a Gold Seal Chapter. We have received Chapter of the Year awards at the state level numerous times. Chopticon members, with their dedication and enthusiasm, will continue to carry on our rich heritage.
FBLA Creed
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I believe free education is the right of every person.
I believe the future depends on mutual understanding and cooperation among business, industry, labor, religious, family, and educational institutions, as well as people around the world. I agree to do my utmost to bring about understanding and cooperation among all these groups.
I believe every person should prepare for a useful occupation and carry on that occupation in a manner that brings the greatest good to the greatest number.
I believe every person should actively work toward improving social, political, community, and family life.
I believe every person has the right to earn a living at a useful occupation and that this right should not be denied because of race, color, creed, sex, or handicap.
I believe every person should take responsibility for carrying out assigned tasks in a manner that brings credit to self, associates, school, and community.
I believe I have the responsibility to work efficiently and to think clearly. I promise to use my abilities to make the world a better place for everyone.
FBLA Goals
Jump to: Frequently Asked Questions Chopticon FBLA Info FBLA Creed
Develop competent, aggressive business leadership
Strengthen the confidence of students in themselves and their world. Create more interest in and understanding of the American business enterprise. Encourage members in the development of individual projects that contribute to the improvement of home, business, and community. Develop character, prepare for useful citizenship, and foster patriotism. Encourage and practice efficient money management. Encourage scholarship and promote school loyalty. Assist students in the establishment of occupational goals. Facilitate the transition from school to work.
