Studying, Writing, Practicing... SLC is near!

There is no denying it. The State Leadership Conference is quickly approaching! Have you already started writing reports? Or have you yet to take a peek at any practice tests? Either way, it is necessary to allot time to prepare for the quickly approaching conference: April 4-6 is closer than it may seem. 

Talk to your adviser about ways you can study and practice for any written tests. A textbook will be your friend in this situation; however, you may also find online quiz sites and practice tests helpful as well.

In addition, chapter reports and competitive events such as Business Financial Plan, Business Plan, and Business Presentation all have deadlines prior to SLC, so be aware and plan ahead. I encourage you to start as early as possible in order to create the best entry.

In addition, this serves as a final reminder for any member looking to submit an All-State Quality Member application - they are to be postmarked by February 19. This is an excellent opportunity to be recognized for all of your hard work and dedication to your local chapter throughout the year.

Good luck as busy times approach!

--Sally

Individual Award Opportunities

Is it just me, or is the year already flying by?  We only have about two months until the State Leadership Conference, and now is the time to prepare for some of the upcoming award deadlines.  While I am sure you are busy with numerous chapter projects, there are also a few individual awards that you can apply for. 

The All-State Quality Member Award recognizes highly active FBLA members who have served on all levels of FBLA’s program of work. This award is open to all FBLA members and is recognized at the State Leadership Conference.  All applications must be postmarked by February 19.  The form can be found here:  http://nebraskafbla.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/award-allstatequalitymember.pdf

The Who’s Who Award honors a member of Nebraska FBLA based on involvement and dedication to FBLA.  The application includes a one-page resume and members must also complete the Future level of the Business Achievement Awards if they would like to be considered for national recognition.  The submission deadline is February 19.

The Business Achievement Awards are a four-tiered program designed to expand member involvement in FBLA.  The first three levels, Future, Business, and Leader, must be completed by March 1. The final level, America, has a deadline of April 25.  Members who complete the Future and Business levels will receive pins, members who complete the Leader level will be recognized at the State Leadership Conference, and members who complete the America level will be recognized at the National Leadership Conference.

For more information on the awards, check out the new resource guide:  http://nebraskafbla.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/resource-guide.pdf

If you are looking for a way to show your leadership skills and to be recognized at the State Leadership Conference, consider completing these awards.

-Jake

Social Media

One of our goals this year is to increase our social media presence. Social media allows everyone—no matter their location—to connect with others who share common interests. With members in every corner of Nebraska, social media is increasingly important to Nebraska FBLA to relay important information about competitive events, state goals, and chapter projects.

If you are on either Facebook or Twitter, you can join Nebraska FBLA online. By following our official Twitter page and liking our official Facebook page, you can connect with the largest student business organization in Nebraska.

The state officer team hopes to use social media as a tool so everyone can learn what is going on in our organization, and benefit from its projects, conferences, and events. Make sure to tell other members of Nebraska FBLA’s online presence. Thank you for your help!

Trevor

Making it Count

Hello Nebraska FBLA!

I think I mention on every blog post how fast our year is going by, and here I am again, thinking the same thing!  Whether or not you're excited that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel for the school year or you're sad the year is already half over, our FBLA year is only starting to get more exciting.  Especially, with one of the most awaited times of the year coming up—State Leadership Conference. 

Anyway, the point is our year is winding down.  What better way to go out with a bang than to set a few goals for ourselves as members.  Yes, I realize that it is no longer January 1st or that the whole idea of goal-making can get kind of old.   But goals are a great thing.  They help us focus and better ourselves!

The question you may be asking now is, “Where do I even start?”  Seniors, I know that many of us moved onto thinking about college a long time ago, but what can you do to make a difference before you leave? Underclassmen, you still have plenty of time left! The goals don't have to be anything fancy.  They can be small, or maybe some of you have some really big plans. Go for it!  You can recruit another member, finish a Business Achievement Award, start a new project at your school, run for a local/state office, or do the best job possible to prepare yourself for a competitive event or test at the state conference. 

I encourage all of you to give this goal-making process a shot, and don't forget to make each and every day count! The state officer team is looking forward to seeing all of you at the 2012-2013 State Leadership Conference!

I'm off! I'm going! I'm...

Allyson

February Frenzy

   
                With the holidays now over, it is definitely time to start thinking about projects that to be completed before the spring. A new project being introduced by the national center this year is February Frenzy, a recruiting program very similar to September Sweeps in 2012.

            This project entails recruiting five new freshman members not already on your membership lists, committing to sending at least one member to the NLC, creating a membership retention plan, and implementing a community service project. Along with these required activities, your chapter will also complete six other activities from a list of ten, which can be found at:http://www.fbla-pbl.org/frenzy/default.asp?p=preview. Chapters who achieve February Frenzy will be recognized with a ribbon at NLC.

            Of course, there is a bit of competition with this program. States who have the most chapters achieve February Frenzy (weighted based on number of chapters) will receive a pin at the National Leadership Conference and be recognized during the opening ceremony. Let’s work to be #1 in chapter participation!

            As always, if you have any questions about the project, please feel free to contact me at: treasurer@nebraskafbla.org.

May the odds be ever in your favor,

Julie

Promoting National Programs: Middle Level Award, Social Media Success Program, and the National President Address to the Nation!

2013 is only a few days away! It is hard to believe that it has already been three months since the Nebraska Fall Leadership Conferences! With three months to go, the state officer team is working diligently to make the State Leadership Conference a huge success! On the national level, the Mountain Plains Regional Executive Board has two exciting new programs that are excellent ways to increase membership and earn recognition!

Magnificent Middle Level Award. The FBLA Magnificent Middle Level Award’s main purpose revolves around encouraging young leaders to find their voice within our national association. Each month the Mountain Plains Regional Executive Board will recognize one Middle Level chapter in the region for outstanding service, education, and progress within our national association.

All Mountain Plains Region Middle Level chapters are encouraged to apply online at fblampvp.fbla.org (no 'www'). The award is on a rolling basis and each chapter only needs to apply once to be considered for each month. The monthly Middle Level chapter will be recognized for their efforts on the FBLA National Facebook page and the Mountain Plains Twitter feed, Facebook page, and website. The top three Middle Level chapters in the Mountain Plains Region will be recognized at the Regional Awards Program at the National Leadership Conference.
Sign-up today: fblampvp.fbla.org (no 'www')

Social Media Success Program. The program is designed for local chapters to boost their social media presence. Similar to the setup of the February Frenzy, there are required and optional activities (but much less detailed than February Frenzy). I encourage you to participate in the social media promotion program that benefits the local chapter, state chapter, and the national association! The program will be opened until January 31, 2013! Ignite your social media presence today by clicking here.

Finally, start your new year with Nikitas Kannellakopoulos as he shares recruitment tips, National Officer Team updates, and more during the National President Address to the Nation Live via Google Hangouts on Air! RSVP by clicking here.


Happy New Year ~ Brent

Holiday of Giving

The holiday season is fully upon us, and many of you are busy with final projects, presentations, and tests. It might be easy to focus your thoughts on the future of sleeping in until noon every day of break; however, I invite you to shift your focus to helping others and giving back.

There are many opportunities in each community to volunteer and assist with local programs. Consider volunteering at a local soup kitchen or food pantry - this can also help your local chapter be recognized for the Feed Nebraska program.

Or you can work towards raising funds and assisting the community that was affected in the Sandy Hook shooting. Visit http://www.ctpta.org/About-CT-PTA/SANDY-HOOK-FUND.html to find ideas for raising money as well as a project called Snowflakes for Sandy Hook.

This holiday break can definitely provide you with some much needed rest, but I also encourage you to find a way to give back to others. The possibilities are limitless in each local community; it just takes your initiative!


Have a great holiday!

--Sally