Hey FBLA! As a passionate advocate for confidence and leadership, I want to share
some invaluable insights on how to unleash your inner confidence.
1. Embrace Your Uniqueness: Recognize that you are one-of-a-kind, with a set of
skills, experiences, and talents that nobody else possesses. Celebrate your
individuality and let it shine through in everything you do.
2. Set Clear Goals: Define your objectives and aspirations clearly. Whether it's
acing a presentation, winning a competition, or landing your dream internship,
having concrete goals gives you direction and purpose.
3. Cultivate Self-Awareness: Take time to understand your strengths and
weaknesses. Self-awareness is the cornerstone of confidence, as it allows you to
leverage your strengths and work on areas that need improvement.
4. Practice Positive Self-Talk: Banish self-doubt by replacing negative thoughts
with empowering affirmations. Remind yourself of your past achievements and
envision success in every endeavor you undertake.
5. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone: Growth occurs outside of your comfort zone.
Don't be afraid to take risks, try new things, and push your boundaries. Each
challenge you conquer will boost your confidence and resilience.
6. Seek Feedback and Learn from Failure: Embrace feedback as a tool for
growth, and don't let setbacks deter you. View failure as a stepping stone to
success, extracting valuable lessons from every experience.
7. Dress for Success: Your appearance can significantly impact your confidence
levels. Dress in attire that makes you feel empowered and reflects your personal
style. When you look your best, you'll feel unstoppable.
8. Practice Power Poses: Adopting confident body language can instantly boost
your self-assurance. Stand tall, maintain eye contact, and exude positive energy in your
posture and gestures.
9. Surround Yourself with Supportive Individuals: Surround yourself with people
who uplift and inspire you. Seek out mentors, friends, and colleagues who believe
in your potential and encourage your growth.
10. Take Action: Confidence is built through action. Don't wait for the perfect
moment—seize opportunities, take initiative, and pursue your goals with
unwavering determination.
Remember, confidence is not a destination but a journey—a journey of self-discovery,
growth, and empowerment. Embrace each step of the process and watch as your
confidence soars to new heights. Together, let's unleash the fearless leader within and
make a lasting impact on the world. You've got this!

Did you qualify for the State Leadership Conference or the National Leadership Conference? Are you applying for college? Do you want to attend an academic event that you do not have the funds for? Scholarships can be a game-changer, and it’s not hard to ask businesses or other institutions to help fund your academic goals. Large and small businesses often offer scholarships to support students like you. Here are a few ways to ask businesses for scholarships.

Identify Potential Businesses:
Start by researching local businesses or those in your field of interest. Some large corporations have special funds allocated to donating to students, while others are looking for opportunities to donate to local causes. Look for companies with a history of community involvement or corporate social responsibility programs. Research small and large companies to see your options, and gather a list of 5-10 to reach out to. 

Craft a Compelling Pitch:
Create an email template that introduces who you are: your achievements, goals, and why you deserve their support. Explain how their scholarship will make a meaningful impact on your education and future career. When drafting this template, make it customization to each business. Address them by name and hand-pick a few specific qualities about each company that show your interest in that specific company. For example, explain how their values align with your aspirations or their community involvement aligns with your future career path or interests. 

Highlight Mutual Benefits:
In your email template, emphasize how their scholarship can benefit the business. Depending on the type of scholarship, some companies can get a tax exemption for their involvement. Research different volunteering clauses- and if your scholarship meets the requirements- gather the relevant information on your FBLA chapter (or whatever cause you’re gathering the money for) for tax exemptions. Ensure that you get an adult to review your research and tax information (it would also be a good idea to have them CC’d on the emails going forward). Similarly, mention how your success can reflect positively on the business’ brand, potentially through media coverage or community recognition of some sort. Throughout your emails, make sure you maintain professionalism in your communication. Write a well-structured email or letter, proofread it carefully, and use proper etiquette.

Follow Up:
If you don't receive a response within a reasonable timeframe, follow up politely. Persistence can show your dedication and commitment. However, finding more businesses to contact would be a good idea if two or more weeks pass. 

Express Gratitude:
Always thank businesses for considering your request, whether they provide the scholarship or not. A courteous attitude can leave a lasting impression.

Remember, approaching businesses for scholarships requires confidence, persistence, and professionalism. With dedication and the right approach, you may find valuable financial support to help you achieve your educational dreams. Good luck!

​When Ms. Wendy Mills joined PBL at Southern Utah University to fulfill a class requirement, she never knew the journey that she would be embarking on. 

Now, 24 years later, adviser at 2 different schools, she has climbed her way up the ranks of FBLA.

Mrs. Mills is a familiar sight at FBLA conferences throughout the year as Secretary for the Illinois Board of Advisers as well as Wauconda High School’s adviser. She has taken to heart what it means to be an adviser, serving her students in whatever capacity she can. That started as an officer herself at her PBL chapter, to adviser, and is what led her to apply to be a National board member. 

“ I was really passionate about FBLA and wanted to be part of it on a higher level,” Mrs. Mills stated, citing her love for FBLA as the reason for her continuous involvement. 

When she found out that she was the unanimous pick of the board out of a couple hundred applicants, she was over the moon.

“I’m sure I sounded like a little kid,” she said, describing her excitement after receiving a phone call from the National office. 

That news was received in 2021. Voted for 3 year cycles, Mrs. Mills’ term ends in 2024 after the National Leadership Conference. Her work on the board, though, has been invaluable, having been selected as the Secretary and for the Executive Committee––a committee that meets more often than the Board of Directors itself.

That hard work has been recognized on multiple occasions as well. Mrs. Mills was recognized as the Illinois FBLA Mary E. Webb Award Winner in 2013, only a couple of years after she became the adviser at Wauconda.

At the National Leadership Conference in 2022 held in Chicago, Illinois, Mrs. Mills was added to the FBLA Adviser Wall of Fame, her efforts being recognized from afar.

Those efforts are also what make FBLA such an integral part of the community at the town of Wauconda, with both of Mrs. Mills’ 2023 National Champions getting street signs at the town’s entryway. The town’s marquises make it a point every year to wish the National qualifiers good luck at their conference, once again highlighting the town’s involvement in the chapter. 

That recognition soon earned Mrs. Mills the Shining Star from the Chamber of Commerce in 2016 as well as a Community Service Award from the mayor in 2017.

A journey that began in college will soon be coming to an end, however when Mrs. Mills retires this year, she hopes to continue to be involved in FBLA in various ways––just behind the scenes.

This includes the potential to be a contact person for new advisers across the nation. “I think I could really help some of them get on their feet,” Mrs. Mills said, “because it can be overwhelming your first year.”

Whatever she chooses to do, though, FBLA has been really lucky to have such an invaluable person. She draws inspiration from the fact that she is able to “help kids help themselves”, and that’s what makes her amazing.

​

​Stepping outside of your comfort zone is a crucial skill for personal growth, as you can unlock numerous benefits and develop essential life skills. Throughout high school, I've come to realize that the key to success is overcoming your fear of venturing out. This doesn't always have to be bizarre actions—it can be as simple as reaching out to someone else in your room to have a small conversation! 

In FBLA, there are many opportunities for you to step out of our comfort zone. Below are just to name a few:
 Fall Leadership Conference and State Leadership Conference: in these two conferences, you will get the opportunity to meet your fellow FBLA members from across the state. Take advantage of those networks!
Competitive Events: FBLA offers a wide range of competitive events, from Game Design to Sales Presentation. Choose an event that aligns with your interests but challenges your current skills.
Officer Positions: Run for a leadership position in your chapter, area, or even the state! It's an excellent opportunity to showcase your skills or take on a role where you have to take on responsibilities that you've never handled before. 
Throughout the process, never be afraid to reach out for any assistance. You'd be surprised by how many resources you have just in front of you! Also, understand that stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to failures, but this is an integral part of growth. Embrace these setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement. 

Participating in competitive events is an exhilarating and rewarding experience for members across the country. Among these competitions, the FBLA case study events are highly competitive and intellectually stimulating, with their mix of impromptu presentations and objective test taking. As my team secured 3rd place in the International Business case study at NLC 2023, I have had the privilege of gaining valuable insights into what it takes to succeed in these challenging competitions. In this article, I will share four strategies and tips that my team used to excel in FBLA case study competitive events.

1. Thoroughly Understand the Format

The first step to success in FBLA case study events is to understand what you are asked to do. Typically, these competitions involve analyzing a real-world business problem and presenting a comprehensive solution within a limited timeframe. Familiarize yourself with the guidelines, time constraints, and evaluation criteria to know exactly what the judges are looking for. Using the rubrics found on the national website, you can see exactly how important each aspect of your case study is towards your overall score

1. Strong Research and Analysis

Case study events require a deep understanding of the subject matter and the ability to analyze complex business scenarios. Start by conducting thorough research on the topic at hand, gathering relevant data, and identifying key issues. Develop a structured framework to systematically analyze the case, focusing on both strengths and weaknesses. My team found a lot of success by treating our case study first as an objective test and gaining a full score of knowledge regarding our topic prior to even starting to practice case studies. This allowed us to incorporate vocabulary and business concepts into our solutions, creating more engaging presentations for the judges.

1. Confidence and Poise

How you say something is just as important as what you say. Confidence and poise during your presentation can make a significant difference. Practice speaking in front of small groups to build confidence and project as clearly as possible. Remember that judges appreciate well-spoken and composed presenters. One speaking exercise my team found helpful was picking a random object and speaking about it with no prior preparation. This gets those creative speech juices flowing and helps you turn a simple stimulus into complex ideas on the spot.

1. Learn from Every Experience

Whether you win or not, every FBLA case study competition is a learning experience. Take the time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. Use this feedback to continuously grow and refine your skills for future competitions. After every conference, my team and I met just to look over the feedback from judges and brainstorm ways to improve. We didn’t start off too strong, scoring around a 60 on our case study at Area. However, we used that initial feedback to propel ourselves to score above a 95 on our SLC presentation, securing our 1st place finish.
Succeeding in case study competitive events requires a combination of preparation, collaboration, and effective communication. By thoroughly understanding the general format, your event’s unique scope and relevant information, presenting with confidence and reflecting meaningfully, you can increase your chances of leaving your next conference with a medal (or maybe even a plaque!). Remember that the journey itself is valuable, and each competition is an opportunity to learn and grow as a business leader. So, embrace the challenge, put in the hard work, and strive for excellence in every FBLA competition you participate in.


​

We all know meetings can turn chaotic in a matter of minutes. Everyone has their own input that they want to be heard immediately, and voices begin to rise over each other. After a certain amount of time, we realize that the discussion has gone in circles, with limited progress having been made.  So that leaves the question: How can we structure our meetings to be efficient while having everyone’s voice be heard? 

This is where parliamentary procedure shines, and it’s easy to implement into your meetings! There are many simple parli rules your chapter can incorporate while still keeping meetings informal. For example, instead of talking over other members to make yourself heard, you can obtain the floor, which is the parli way of saying being called on by the president or adviser (also known as the chair). Once recognized by the chair, the member begins with “I move to…” followed by the suggestion they are bringing to the meeting. Having the “I move” statement helps the ensuing debate stay streamlined without losing focus of the original point. Once a majority has agreed on the suggestion, another member can obtain the floor and make a new motion. 

If you are interested in learning more rules to incorporate into your meetings, you can refer to Roberts Rules of Order in Brief, a quick and easy guide, as well as the National Parliamentarian Council’s Instagram (@fblaparli).

​

 In high school, it’s the only thing anyone ever seems to talk or care about. Where do you want to go to college? What do you want to do when you grow up? What do you want to do with your life? It can all seem so overwhelming, but with just a few steps, the stress of thinking about and planning for the future will turn into inspiration.
1.) Write a Bullet-Point list: One thing that has always helped me to stay organized is creating bullet-pointed lists. It allows me to take all of the ideas that are jumbled up in my head and arrange them into a system that I can make sense of. By writing all your goals, dreams, desires, and wishes all out on paper, you’ll be able to start noticing patterns and similarities between them. This list will be able to function as your ground-zero or foundation for when you need a reminder of what you hope to accomplish in your life.
2.) Use SMART Goals: The next important step for planning for the future is making sure that the goals you have just outlined for yourself are SMART. S(pecific) M(easurable) A(ttainable) R(elevant) T(ime-based) By making sure your goals fit the requirements of this acronym, you will be well on your way to achieving all that you put your mind to.
​3.) Create a Vision Board: There are multiple learning styles that exist in the world, and sometimes
seeing it in words is just not enough. By making a vision board, you are creating an immersive
experience that allows you to be able to envision the very goals you’ve set in the past two steps. By
seeing the images displayed in real time, it makes it easier to become inspired to continue persevering
to complete your goals for the future.
5.) Evaluate and Revise Your Plan: One of the most important steps in planning for the future is taking a
step back and allowing yourself to evaluate the work that you’ve put in. Over time, our goals can
change--just as we can change as people. If you become hyper-fixated on accomplishing these goals that
you may have outgrown, all your hard work may go to waste. After you’ve assessed your goals, you may
need to revise them. If that is the case, just start back from square one and create a bullet-pointed list.

I hope that these steps help you to realize your ideas for the future and teach you how to organize,
implement, and learn from them. Best of luck to your future aspirations!

Sincerely,
Danae Tyus

In FBLA, there are seemingly endless competitive events that you can participate in. Many people enjoy competing in events that involve presentations and being judged by a panel, but those events are not for everyone. If events involving speaking and presenting in front of people don’t sound like a good fit for you, maybe you’ll like objective tests better. Objective tests involve taking a timed, multiple choice test on one of the many subjects, both in and out of the business world, that FBLA provides. If these tests sound more appealing to you, then you are probably wondering how you should prepare for them. 
The first and probably most important step in competing in objective tests is picking the right topic. There are many topics to choose from and it can definitely feel overwhelming picking one. It is important that you pick a topic that intrigues you and you find interesting. If you don’t find your topic at least somewhat interesting, you are not going to enjoy studying for it. If you are in, or have taken a class on or related to the subject, even better. That way you have a good start to knowing whether or not you will enjoy the subject, and whether or not you think you will find success. 
After you have picked whatever subject is right for you, it is time to start studying. The best way to approach FBLA objective tests is as if they were standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT. I’m sure you’re sick of hearing that these tests are marathons and not sprints, but that holds true in objective testing. Study a little bit at a time weeks and even months before your testing date. If you try and study lots just the night before the test, you will rarely find success. There are countless materials available for you to study as long as you know where to find them. There is information on FBLA’s website that gives you an idea of what topics to expect and what to study for on each objective test. With a simple Google search you can also find endless material on these subjects, including vocab and FBLA specific practice tests. Just remember, don’t be overwhelmed by the material. Take it a little bit at a time and absorb as much of the information as possible. 
If you pick your topic and study hard, the test should be the easy part. You have done the hardest part by putting in the hours of study. Be mindful of the clock, but don’t let it get to you. As long as you stay calm. you will recall the information that you have learned, and you will do great! Objective tests can definitely be overwhelming, but if you take it one step at a time it really is simple. Pick a subject that interests you, take your time studying diligently, and when it is time for the test, it’ll be a breeze.

​

by Ellie Kim, secretary. ​

In middle and high school, many of us are trying to find what we are passionate about and how we can build relationships with the people around us. These wants are precisely why FBLA is the perfect organization for many students around the nation. FBLA provides so many opportunities for its members to explore themselves and grow into future business leaders, but it may be difficult to know where to start from competitive events to leadership positions to champion chapters. Whether you are a new member or a veteran member, this article will teach you 5 ways you can grab hold of these opportunities and maximize your time in FBLA. 


1. Competing in Competitive Events
Competitive events are a way for students to put their practical knowledge into practice and receive recognition while traveling the nation. With over 70 different events and topics ranging from broadcast journalism to business law to healthcare administration, there is so much space for members to explore what they are interested in. The different types of events are objective tests, production tests, presentation events, and case study events. You can compete as an individual, team, or chapter. 

List of Events: https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/ 


2. Running for Office
FBLA elevates its students and pushes them to not only grow in the organization but also be a platform that elevates other members. There are multiple levels of leadership: local, area, state, and nationals. Each level has a different way of electing its leaders from applications to speeches to campaign booths. If you are someone who is interested in serving and using your FBLA knowledge to build up the members, start by looking into the requirements for campaigning in the level for which you are applying. There are many different positions that one can run for depending on the level they are applying for. Not only do these positions teach you how to become a stronger leader, but they also allow you to network with many others who are passionate about FBLA. 


3. Participating in National Programs
FBLA has a multitude of National Programs such as its partner programs, BAAs, Champion Chapters, and FBLA Week. Because there are so many national programs, below is a list of them along with links with more information about that program. 

Partner Programs: FBLA has partnered with organizations like Equedi, Intuit, Lead4Change, LifeSmarts, The Stock Market Game, and Knowledge Matters to give students the opportunity to use their knowledge to invest in stocks, build online profiles, design solutions to real world problems, and more! For more specifics on each organization and their program, click on this link: https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-education/.

Business Achievement Awards (BAAs): There are four levels of the BAAs: Contributor, Leader, Advocate, and Capstone. These levels go in steps, starting from learning more about FBLA and leadership, then developing business skills, and finally designing a project to address a real-world problem. To complete the BAAs, go to your account on FBLA Connect. 

Champion Chapter: Champion Chapter consists of 5 seasons: Summer Starter, Shaping Success, Service Season, CTE Celebration, and Champion Plus. Each of these consist of membership engagement activities to grow your chapter. As you complete each activity, you gain points to be able to complete seasons, gain recognition, and receive items from ribbons, banners, publications, and plaques. For more information on Champion Chapter, click on this link: https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-membership/. 

FBLA Week: Think of FBLA Week like your school’s spirit week but so much bigger. Each year, the National Board sets themes for each day of the week to encourage you to promote FBLA in your chapter, school, and so much more. Each day has specific activities along with the Goosechase challenge before and during FBLA week for your chapter to participate in. 

4. Engaging in Conferences
Each FBLA Conference has so much to offer its members from energetic guest speakers (like our favorite Patty Hendrickson) to college exhibit booths to networking opportunities with members around the world. At this upcoming National Leadership Conference, members have the opportunity to trade pins, travel throughout Orlando, and visit booths of nonprofits, businesses, and colleges. Wherever you are and whatever FBLA conference you are attending, I encourage you to try as many things offered as you can to truly engage in the conference. 


5. Building Relationships Around the World
FBLA is a family, and this is only possible if you get to know the people in it. Start with your chapter. Do your best to attend the social events and connect with people you don’t know. At conferences, try reaching out to people attending the same workshop as you or sitting behind you at the general session. Connect with people on Instagram! You will be sure to find many people with FBLA specific accounts! Because of the great magnitude of people in FBLA, you are sure to find people who have similar interests and passions as you do. You will also be inspired by people who have very different passions to you, and that is the beauty of this organization! 


There is so much more that FBLA has to offer that cannot be summed up into one article. Looking at competitive events, leadership positions, national programs, conferences, and networking, you are just hitting the surface. I hope that this is a reminder to you how amazing this organization is and inspires you to go out and take hold of these opportunities!

For more information on everything FBLA, visit the FBLA High School 101 Toolkit: https://www.fbla.org/media/2023/05/FBLA-High-School-101-Toolkit.pdf. 

For more information on how to grow your chapter, visit the Chapter Success Starters toolkits: https://www.fbla.org/media/2023/08/Success-Starters-Guides.pdf. 

​

By Katie Bach, Illinois FBLA State Vice President, Southern Area
​
“The comfort zone is a behavioral state within which a person operates in an anxiety-neutral condition, using a limited set of behaviors to deliver a steady level of performance, usually without a sense of risk.”

When leaving the comfort zone, fear doesn’t always equate to being in the panic zone. Fear can be a necessary step en route to the learning and growth zones. It takes courage to step from the comfort zone into the fear zone. Without a clear roadmap, there’s no way to build on previous experiences. This can be anxiety provoking. Yet persevere long enough, and you enter the learning zone, where you gain new skills and deal with challenges resourcefully. While occupying the comfort zone, it’s tempting to feel safe, in control, and that the environment is on an even keel. It’s smooth sailing.

Aside from pushing yourself and personal growth, there are benefits to leaving the comfort zone:

• Self Actualization
• Development of a Growth Mindset
• Resilience
• Antifragility
• Greater self-efficacy

These benefit your personal growth, mindset, and social development. By pushing yourself to be uncomfortable in your surroundings you push yourself to the beginning of a new experience of growth.

​

By Advait Rajmane, Illinois FBLA State Reporter

Networking is a crucial skill in today's business world. By definition, it involves building relationships with people who can help you achieve your professional goals. Whether those be to find new job opportunities, learn about industry trends, or to simply establish valuable connections. However, networking is not solely about collecting business cards or growing your LinkedIn connections, it should be approached strategically and with genuine interest in building relationships. Below are a few simple steps so that you can begin your networking journey!

1.    Know Your Goals

Before you start networking, it's important to know what you want to achieve. Do you want to expand your professional circle? Find a mentor? Land a new job? Once you have identified your goals, you can focus your networking efforts on meeting the right people and building relationships that will help you achieve those goals.

2.    Attend Networking Events

Networking events are a great way to meet new people in your industry. For example, there are many FBLA conferences throughout the year (SLW, NFLC, Area, SLC, NLC). Utilize these opportunities to garner new interests while exploring current ones. It is also a good idea to research the speakers, attendees, and/or sponsors to identify potential contacts beforehand.

3.    Connect on Social Media

Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram can help you connect with professionals in your field from anywhere. Join industry groups, follow leaders, and engage with their posts. It is important that you demonstrate interest by sharing your own insights and content to showcase your knowledge and expertise. Do make sure to be mindful of your online presence and ensure that your profile and posts align with your professional goals.

4.    Focus on Building Relationships

Be in the mindset of forming relationships with people. What is vital is that you are in a position to reach out to these people in the future in order to achieve your goals. Also take an interest in the other person's professional goals and seek ways to help them succeed. Focus on developing meaningful connections by being genuine, respectful, and supportive. When you approach networking with a mindset of building relationships, you will find it easier to establish connections that are valuable and long-lasting.

5.    Follow Up

After meeting someone, follow up to thank them for their time and express your interest in staying in touch. There is no benefit if you do not connect with them later. Send a personalized message or email to remind them of your conversation and offer to connect on LinkedIn. Remember to keep the conversation going and find ways to add value to the relationship.

I hope these steps helped you outline your networking approach. Although these steps are more generic, FBLA has all of these resources already in place! I am confident that you are now able to employ these tools to their fullest. :)

​

By Yash Sharma, Illinois FBLA President

Hello Illinois FBLA! Today I will be walking you through some of the overlooked steps of how to preside like a pro! This bootcamp will be a summation of the process of how to become a president with a leadership style that reflects your values.

1. Deciding to run
Your decision to run should be based on one primary question: am I running for the right reasons? Running to serve the members is a priority and should be acknowledged as the primary objective of each officer.

2. Set your platform
Make sure that your platform and goals are a reflection of yourself! Your campaign promises should be presented so they are achievable and characteristic of the changes you want the make! There is no singular best practice or improvement.

3. Conference Day
Do not only interact with voting delegates! Spread your efforts to as many members, advisers, and guests as possible. In the long run, your impact will be monumentally more effective if you consider the needs of a more diverse population

4. First Steps
Immediately connect with your membership once elected! Build comfortable spaces in which members can suggest improvements and provide feedback so you are able to continuously learn from as many members as possible

5. Program of Work
Continue to refer back to your program of work as a basis for improvement and goal setting. These objectives that were set on your program of work reflect your promises to your membership and will build a great reputation for your team’s contributions

6. Transition
​Start your transition early! Even though the next president may not take office for months after their elections, start to acclimate them to the practices for a president. This will ensure your legacy and efforts continue past your term.


Feel free to reach out to me ([email protected]) with any questions! More information is also available on the National President’s Executive Council Instagram (@fblapres)

In 2022, the Future Business Leaders of America chapter at O’Fallon Township High School sent 35 competitors to the State Leadership Conference in Springfield, Illinois. Several students placed at SLC, and 15 of these students continued on to compete in Chicago, Illinois for the National Leadership Conference. After having our local chapter president elected into the Illinois FBLA state board, we had our local board reelected with a mix of underclassmen ranging from Freshman-Juniors. 

Preparing for the 2023 school year, our main focus was member retention, so we created an Instagram account, had a booth at the Fall Fair and advertised more at the Freshman campus. Overall, in 2023, OTHS FBLA hosted the Southwestern Area Conference, and ⅘ of the Southwestern Area Board are members from our chapter. 

Outside of competing, OTHS FBLA hosts several collaborative and intellectual meetings, featuring speakers ranging from small business owners to larger corporations like the St. Louis Blues and Disney. This competition season, OTHS FBLA sent a record-breaking 62 members to the Southwestern Area Conference - hosted by our local chapter president and advisers - with 50 members advancing to the State Leadership Conference this April. We’re hopeful that we can send about 25-30 members to the National Leadership Conference hosted in Atlanta, Georgia. 

We’re beyond thankful for our advisers Mrs. Haislar and Ms. Clark for giving us these amazing opportunities, such as guest speakers, fundraisers, and trips like NLC. We hope to break the records we’ve already broken and will continue to work our best not only regionally, but state-wide and nation-wide.

​

By Avani Rai, Illionis FBLA State Vice President, Central Area

Among the vast offerings that involvement with FBLA provides, Conferences often stand out as the highlight of many students' experiences. The opportunity to travel, make new friends, and learn about everything business and beyond is always something to look forward to. While most FBLA students are familiar with competitive conferences (Area, State, and Nationals,) FBLA typically hosts a few additional Conferences throughout the year as well—one of which is the National Fall Leadership Conference (NFLC). However, this year FBLA's NFLCs were farther away than in previous years, and many schools would be unable to take their students to attend. Thus, Illinois FBLA decided to host its own Illinois Fall Retreat!

In early November, 312 Illinois FBLA-ers and advisers from 16 chapters across the state united for a weekend of professional development, networking, and fun at the first-ever Illinois Fall Retreat hosted in Normal, Illinois. Attendees learned from phenomenal speakers, FBLA alum, and Illinois FBLA State Officers to develop a stronger understanding of the business world and get the "Conference experience." Don't let that fool you though—from a private Children's Discovery Museum experience to a late-night trip to Insomnia Cookies, the conference was filled with tons of activities with the purpose of pure fun as well!

So, what if you didn't have the opportunity to attend? Well, I've got some good news: moving forward IFR will become a staple of the Illinois FBLA experience, allowing more Illinois FBLA'ers than ever before to experience Conferences. Plans are to host the Conference around the same time period but shift the location between northern, central, and southern Illinois to ensure every student has an equal opportunity to attend and give our attendees a varied experience each year. Until then, stay involved with FBLA through your upcoming Area Conference so that you have the chance to qualify for the State and National Conferences this year. Also, be on the lookout for the annual Summer Leadership Workshop in late July. Every chapter has the opportunity to send a delegation of students to attend and take part in this great Conference as well!

By Sonika Tamilarasan, Illinois FBLA State Treasuer

Need more money for chapter social events or for travel expenses? Fundraising can help you out! However, when it comes to fundraising, it is vital to choose the right one, or it can end up eating the funds you already have. This article will cover a few tips and tricks when it comes to choosing the perfect fundraiser for your chapter.

Tip #1: Find a fundraiser that will suit you. 
The first step in conducting any fundraiser is choosing the right one. If you are a larger chapter, you can fundraise with your members themselves, but if you are a smaller chapter, consider expanding to your school or even to outside businesses. Here are a few ideas that can potentially help you out: 

• A selling fundraiser 
  
• Movies night 
  
• Community Yard Sale
  
• Car Wash
  
• Sports tournament 
  

Tip #2: Choose the right fundraiser company!
When deciding to do a selling fundraiser, don’t partner with businesses that require you to buy your fundraising items beforehand. This could potentially result in a loss. Additionally, ensure there are no additional costs for brochures and other advertising materials. 

Tip #3: Choose the right items. 
You don’t want to do a fundraiser for an item that won’t be popular. This could waste not only your money but also your time. Look at the list below for popular fundraiser items! 

• Coffee
  
  
• Cookie dough 
  
• Gift wrap (this one is especially popular during the holidays!) 
  
• Gift cards with upfront values 
  
• Candy 
  
• Household items that people use daily