Kentucky FBLA kicked off our week in Elizabethtown with our New Adviser Workshop where we hosted over twenty advisers from across the state. Attendees were able to learn about FBLA Connect, growing your membership, opportunities for awards and recognition in Kentucky, national programs, competitive events, and Blue Panda.
We would like to give a special thanks to Greg Spears for helping to secure our meeting space and to our presenters Matt Crickmer, Abbi Lillard, JR Thompson and Connie Witt, feedback has been fabulous, and I know the event would not have been possible without your help.
In the realm of national programs, for our high school chapters, our Summer Starter deadline is fast approaching. Five Kentucky schools have already submitted: Caldwell County HS, Hart County HS, Lee County ATC, Apollo HS, and Ballard Memorial HS, way to go!
The deadline for this activity is September 25, when all documentation should be submitted through FBLA Connect. Summer Starter offers chapters the potential to earn 1,700 points toward their Champion Chapter total.
Chapters may participate in as few as one or as many as all five sections. All eligible Champion Chapters will earn a banner for the adviser’s classroom/meeting space or a school award case. Chapters need a minimum of 600 points in each section, in addition to the necessary total points, for challenge recognition. Champion Chapters are recognized with a classroom banner at the following levels:
BRONZE: 2,000 – 2,999 Points
SILVER: 3,000 – 5,999 Points
GOLD: 6,000 – 8,500 Points
My encouragement to each of you at this point would be to aim for as many points as you can secure, this lightens your load later in the year. However, if you’re just getting started or find yourself overwhelmed, we're here to help! You can hit the 600-point mark by turning in a program of work and a list of five potential sponsors or a chapter shirt design (or any combination of activities). If you can secure 1,000 of the available 1,700 points, you can also earn recognition through Kentucky’s Local Leadership Challenge.
For our middle school chapters, Champion Chapter looks a little different. Rather than seasons your activities are separated by month, however most activities can be completed at any time before the June 1 deadline. The national office is looking for a total of 2,000 points for recognition. Points can be earned for activities like creating a flyer to promote FBLA and sending invitations to your students to join.
When submitting forms for the national office you will often be asked for a chapter number. This can be found in connect and will be labeled as your chapter ID.
In other news, our national office has updated the FBLA pledge. If you recite this at meetings, encourage memorization or print this anywhere please make sure to use our updated version.
“I solemnly promise to support the mission of Future Business Leaders of America, abide by its Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct, and develop the qualities necessary to become a community-minded business leader.”
I hope each of you are having a great week! Please reach out if you have any questions or if I can help you or your chapter in any way.
Sheena Searcy, NBCT
Education Program Consultant/FBLA State Adviser