Running for State Office

Author

Nikitha Philip, Illinois FBLA State President

Do you love speaking to big crowds? Do you enjoy collaborating with like-minded individuals from all around the state? Are you passionate about leadership and want to pursue your journey through FBLA? Then state office is the perfect next step for you.
Taking on this huge responsibility seems like a lot, but I’m here to assure you that you can do it. Let’s break down the process into three main ideas: creating campaigns, writing speeches, and campaigning at SLC.
First, creating your authentic campaign. When running for state office, it is especially important that your campaign is as authentic as possible so you can stand out among other candidates. Whether that’s sharing a unique message with members, having a catchy slogan, or letting your passion show as a candidate. The first step is to decide your campaign theme. Picking a theme can be difficult, but you must ensure you choose something that speaks to you as a leader. For me, it was a stage because music was what helped me discover my voice and be iconic. Choose a theme that represents who you are. After identifying your theme, the best way to stay memorable with delegates is by creating a catchy slogan. Throughout my time in FBLA, I have campaigned with two main slogans, “Be slick, pick Nik” and “Be IcoNik.” Both of these slogans helped me stand out to voting delegates and helped me win the positions I ran for. Having a slogan will always give members a way to remember you. When creating your poster, use colors that relate to your slogan and campaign theme. You want to create a cohesive look when members come over to your booth. Make sure to include all essential information on your poster, including your name, slogan, goals, etc. Anything you want members to know about you should be on your campaign poster. Many members will stop to talk to you, but others will only read your poster and leave. Make sure you leave a good impression. Finally, when creating your state campaign, be sure to have an activity or freebie to give away to members. Keepsakes are always beneficial because people will have something physical to remember you by. Anything from personalized pins, stickers, candy, pamphlets, etc. Something for members to take with them to help them remember your campaign even after they leave your booth. As for activities, you could include a quick game or create a Polaroid photo board. The options truly are endless.
Next, writing your campaign speech. At the Opening Ceremony at the State Leadership Conference, each candidate will give a two-minute speech in front of all the Illinois FBLA members. When writing this speech, you must keep in mind ways to keep your audience engaged. Two minutes isn’t a lot of time, but you must still find ways to keep the audience on their feet. Include essential information, but also find a unique way to present your goals and visions for FBLA as a state officer. After a long day of competing, it’s easy for members to lose interest or be disengaged. Find ways to help your speech stand out. Include shoutouts to the audience, include your catchy slogan, and use acronyms to present your goals. It’s all about getting your point across effectively and efficiently.
Finally, actually campaigning at the State Leadership Conference. When campaigning, you must always keep in mind your target audience. You will be campaigning almost all day, so be sure to get lots of sleep the night before, prepare your campaign pitch, eat a good breakfast, and be confident. When voting delegates are voting, they will take into account how you made them feel at your booth. Be welcoming and comforting while also getting your point across. With this comes choosing your campaign team. There will be times you will need to step away from your booth, whether that’s for competitive events or to take breaks. Choose a team of two or three individuals who can stand with you at your booth to hand out keepsakes, pitch your campaign, and help hype you up while campaigning. Choose one campaign manager to stand with you and welcome members to your booth and help talk about you to members. Choose your campaign team wisely and ensure they are well-briefed on what they need to say to accurately represent you. Be sure to keep in mind that you don’t have to talk to every single individual who comes to your booth. Take breaks and spend some time away from your booth to take a breather. Campaign day is a lot, so be sure to always prioritize your health on that day. Always make sure, though, that you have someone representing you at your booth. Never leave your booth empty. After campaigning for five hours, you will give your speech, and a question-and-answer round will take place. During these, you must be confident, especially during Q&A. When a question is posed, don’t be afraid to take your time in answering. Be short and sweet with your answers. You will be given one minute to answer each question, but don’t feel as though you need to use the whole time. In fact, you will be more memorable if you answer your questions effectively in a short amount of time. When delivering your speech and participating in Q&A, keep in mind it’s okay to stutter. We are all human and can’t always be perfect. Take a breath, move on, and always have a positive mindset.
Taking the initiative to run for state office is a huge step in the right direction, and no matter the outcome, you should be proud of yourself. Running for state office is no easy task, and remember to always do your own personal best. I wish you all the best of luck this campaign season and can’t wait to see you all take the stage this March!