FBLA-PBL

FBLA-PBL

File:FBLA PBL Logo.png Logo for FBLA-PBL, Inc.
Formation	1940
Type	Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)
Purpose	To bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs.
Headquarters	FBLA-PBL National Center 1912 Association Drive Reston, Virginia, U.S. 20191-1591
Membership	253,365 (2008)
Official language	English
National Division Officers	FBLA (high school) - Taylor Sarman of Oregon PBL (collegiate) - Jake Barreau of Wisconsin FBLA-PBL Professional Division - Brad Howard of Arkansas
Website	http://www.fbla-pbl.org/

FBLA redirects here. For other uses, see FBLA (disambiguation)

The Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, or FBLA-PBL, is an American career and technical student organization that has its headquarters in Reston, Virginia. FBLA-PBL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of high school ("FBLA"), middle school ("Middle Level"), and college ("PBL") students, as well as professional members ("Professional Division"), who primarily help students transition to the business world. FBLA-PBL is the largest student-run organization in the United States of America, with 253,365 members, and one of the largest business-related organizations in the world. Local FBLA-PBL chapters are often connected to their school's business education department, and most advisers are business education teachers. It is one of the top 10 organizations listed by the U.S. Department of Education. Famous members include Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple inc.; First Lady Nancy Reagan, former FBLA Adviser; and many more.

The FBLA concept was developed in 1937 by Dr. Hamden L. Forkner of Columbia University. The first high school chapter was chartered in Johnson City, Tennessee on February 3, 1942. In 1958, the first PBL collegiate chapter was chartered in Iowa. The Professional Division, originally the Alumni Division, began in 1979. Joining FBLA-PBL in 1994 was the FBLA-Middle Level for students in grades 5-9.

The national board of directors is comprised of local teachers, state educators, business leaders, and the division presidents.

Membership FBLA-PBL is the largest business career student organization in the world. The high school division has 215,000 members, while the postsecondary division reaches over 11,000 college students. The newest group, FBLA-Middle Level, is showing remarkable growth with over 20,000 student members. Finally, the Professional Division has reached over 3,000 members. Over 11,000 advisers round out the group. Exclusive membership and career recognition programs are designed for each division to provide additional personal and chapter development opportunities.

Funding & Endorsements FBLA-PBL, Inc. is funded by membership dues, conference fees, corporate contributions, and grants. FBLA-PBL is recognized by the Association for Career and Technical Education, International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, National Association of Parliamentarians, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Business Education Association, and the U.S. Department of Education.

Competitive Events Program FBLA-PBL's National Awards Program recognizes and rewards excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas. Through state-based competition at the spring State Leadership Conferences, students compete in events testing their business knowledge and skills. Top state winners then are eligible to compete for honors at the National Leadership Conference each summer.

Publications These publications bring fresh ideas, new direction, and network-building news to FBLA-PBL members and advisers. Published four times a year, Tomorrow's Business Leader is the exclusive publication for FBLA and FBLA-Middle Level students and advisers. Distributed three times a year are the FBLA Advisers' Hotline for high school teachers, FBLA-Middle Level Advisers' Hotline for middle school teachers, and PBL Advisers' Hotline for college advisers, and PBL Business Leader for PBL members. The Professional Division receives the The Professional Edge.

Conferences & Seminars FBLA-PBL sponsors conferences and seminars for members and advisers. These programs are designed to foster the development of business leadership skills.

National Leadership Conference FBLA-PBL members have the competitive edge, as the best and brightest of FBLA and PBL convene to compete in leadership events, share their successes, and learn new ideas about shaping their career future through workshops and exhibits. This four-day conference is considered the pinnacle of the FBLA-PBL experience, especially for those running for national office. FBLA-PBL has forged partnerships with industry leaders to underwrite competitive events and scholarships for students achieving national ranking.

Institute for Leaders Held in conjunction with the National Leadership Conference, this high-energy, intensive, two-day seminar is a focused-leadership experience for state and local chapter officers, as well as members and advisers.

National Fall Leadership Conference Each fall, new leaders and advisers from chapters across the nation gather for one of four conferences designed to guide and motivate their success for the year. This includes workshops, seminars, exhibits, and general sessions, as well as the benefit of networking among their peers from other cities and states.

References

"About FBLA-PBL": http://fbla-pbl.org/web/page/614/sectionid/614/pagelevel/1/main_interior.asp