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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 240,000 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,
Canada 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.
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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, three 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 Level Advisers' Hotline.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
- Contact the National Center to receive a Chapter Organization Packet, which contains
everything you need to apply for a charter.
- A chapter adviser from the business department must be identified.
- If necessary, submit a proposal to your school administrator for establishing an FBLA or
PBL chapter.
- Recruit potential chapter members from students in business or business-related classes.
- Hold an orientation meeting.
- Elect officers.
- Vote on chapter bylaws.
- Collect dues.
- Submit a completed charter application to the chair of your state chapter.
- Develop a program of work outlining proposed chapter activities for the year.
- Conduct a new officer installation ceremony upon receipt of your charter.
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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.
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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.
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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. Go to Membership
to find out about membership dues, how to start a chapter, and much more.
Want to start a new
chapter or know someone who does? Download the Chapter Organization
Packet form and send it in. You'll receive a package of information that can get you
started.
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