All About Awards

By Kavin Ramasamy, Illinois FBLA State Secretary

As FBLA members, we put many hours into leading, networking, and serving our communities. At times, doing these activities may be challenging, as we don’t have an immediate reward or recognition we can get from it. But what if I told you that there are awards that recognize member effort? What if I told you that you didn’t have to be a competitive event finalist at the State or National Level to be acknowledged for your commitment to FBLA? Enter FBLA Awards, a unique offering from FBLA that allows members, advisers, and chapters to be recognized for their contributions to the organization. 


Middle-Level Division:
LEAD Award:
The LEAD Award is an individual achievement program open to all active, paid FBLA Middle School members. Participating students can enhance their leadership skills, expand their business knowledge, contribute to their local communities, and earn recognition by immersing themselves in their schools and communities.
Young Leader Award:
The Young Leader Award recognizes members with extraordinary leadership and community service commitment. Members must have achieved at least the LEAD Explore Award to be eligible for this award. 


More information regarding FBLA Middle-Level Awards can be found at these links: 
https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla-middle-level/education-programs/
https://www.fbla.org/mlawards-recognition/




High School Divison:
Who’s Who: 
This award honors exemplary FBLA members who have made outstanding contributions to FBLA. This award recognizes the members with the most years of participation in FBLA activities, extensive involvement in state and area conferences, and contributions to local, state, and national projects.




Business Achievement Awards: 
Participating students have the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills, expand their business knowledge, contribute to their local communities, and earn recognition by immersing themselves in their schools and communities. There are currently 4 levels of BAAs members can be awarded:
Contributor Award (Level One) 
Leader Award (Level Two) 
Advocate Award (Level Three) 
Capstone Award (Level Four)




More information regarding FBLA High School Awards can be found at these links:
https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-awards-recognition/#tab-2c77d3846b4cf2860b7 
https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-education/








Adviser Awards: 
Mary E. Webb Award 
The Mary E. Webb Award is given each year to an outstanding Illinois FBLA adviser. To be eligible, an adviser must have served as a local adviser for five or more years; must have had an area, state, regional, or national officer; and must have attended one or more area, state, regional, and/or national conferences. To nominate an adviser, complete the application form on the state registration website and prepare a one-page resume for the adviser being nominated, be sure to include FBLA participation at the local, area, state, regional, and national levels. An adviser awarded the Webb Award will be nominated by the State to be recognized at the National Leadership Conference for the Outstanding Adviser Award.




Chapter Awards 
Gold Seal Chapter Award
Illinois Gold Seal Chapter of Merit
Chapters Completing 10/12 of the following tasks are eligible to become a Gold Seal Chapter of merit. The first task is required for all chapters. 
● Submitted ISBE form by December 1st
● Paid and National Dues by October 20th ( 10 students)
● Participated in State Alzheimer's Association Program
● Participated in Business Achievement Awards Program ( 5 students
- Min. complete level 1)
● Invited businesses or other professionals to become involved in
chapter activities explain/evidence (Picture and Paragraph)
● Conducted a community service project (Involve non-profit
organization evidence/explain (Picture and Paragraph)
● Participated in FBLA week. Evidence of participation (Picture and
Paragraph)
● Planned and conducted at least one visit to business and industry
evidence of participation (Picture and Paragraph)
● Recruited 10% more members than previous year
● Earned a minimum of 2000 points in the Champion Chapter
program
● Recruited judges for state conference (3-5)
● Participated in American Enterprise Day Evidence of participation
Outstanding Chapter Award:
Robert T. Stickler Award 
The Robert T. Stickler Award recognizes chapters that demonstrate the most commitment through participation in conferences, the State Leadership Conference and the National Leadership Conference, involvement in Officer positions at the Area, State, and National levels, and participation in competitive events. The State will choose a chapter that has received the award to represent Illinois for the Outstanding Chapter Award. 








You can find more information about Adviser and Chapter Awards at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-awards-recognition/. 




To conclude, FBLA offers various awards and recognition to members, advisers, and chapters that go above and beyond in their commitment to FBLA! Reach out to your chapter adviser or one of us to learn more about awards and how to apply!