Service, Education & Progress
What is FBLA?
Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda is a nonprofit 501
(c)(3) education association of students preparing for careers in business and
business-related fields. The Association has four divisions:
FBLA for high school
students
FBLA Middle Level for junior high, middle and intermediate school
students
PBL (Phi Beta Lambda) for postsecondary students
And the Professional Alumni Division for business people, educators
and parents, who support the goals of the Association.
The FBLA-PBL Mission is to bring business and education together in a positive
working relationship through innovative leadership and career development
programs.
FBLA-PBL is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, and organized on local, state and
national levels. Business teachers/advisers and advisory councils (including
school officials, business people and community representatives) guide local
chapters. State advisers and committee members coordinate chapter activities for
the national organization.
More About FBLA
Dr. Hamden L. Forkner, head of the Commercial Education Department of the
Teachers College of Columbia University developed the FBLA concept in 1937. In
the fall of 1940, the National Council for Business Education accepted official
sponsorship of FBLA; on February 3, 1942, the first high school chapter was
chartered in Johnson City, Tennessee. In 1958, the first Phi Beta Lambda chapter
was chartered in Iowa. The Professional Division (originally the Alumni
Division) began in 1979; the latest group to join FBLA (in 1994) was the FBLA
Middle Level, for students in grades 5-9.
The Board of Directors is comprised of local and state educators, business
leaders, and the membership division presidents. The Board sets policy and
employs a President/CEO, who directs a national staff and Association programs.
The Association's National Center is an 11,600 square foot building, which was
completed in 1991. The 1.6-acre site it occupies was purchased through a grant
from the Conrad Hilton Foundation.
The FBLA Structure
Membership in FBLA is unified
on the local, state, and national levels. Local chapters operate with the
guidance of a chapter adviser. FBLA-PBL has over 250,000 active members in more
than 13,000 chartered chapters throughout the United States, its territories,
the Pacific, Asia and Europe.
Membership Information
For the past few years, FBLA-PBL has enjoyed an annual increase in membership.
The high school level has more than 215,000 members, while Phi Beta Lambda
(postsecondary level) reaches over 10,000 college students. The newest group,
FBLA Middle Level (grades 5-9) is showing remarkable growth with 8,000 student
members and is developing member interest for the high school level.
The FBLA Pledge
I solemnly promise to uphold the aims
and responsibilities of Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda and,
as an active member, I shall strive to develop the qualities necessary in
becoming a responsible business leader.
FBLA Code of Ethics
The code of Ethics is a standard of
conduct that should be ascribed to by all FBLA members and advisers. Candidates
and State Officers must conduct themselves according to the Code of Ethics.
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I will be honest and sincere. |
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I will approach each task with confidence in my
ability to perform my work at a high standard. |
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I will willingly accept responsibility and
duties. |
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I will seek to profit by my mistakes, and take
suggestions and criticism directed toward the improvement of myself and my
work. |
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I will abide by the rules and regulation of my
school. |
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I will exercise initiative, and responsibility
and will cooperate with my employer and fellow workers. |
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I will dress and act in a manner that will
bring respect to me and my school. |
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I will seek to improve my community by
contributing my efforts and my resources to worthwhile projects. |
FBLA Dress Code
Attendees to FBLA conferences are
required to adhere to the Dress Code. As a candidate or a State Officer,
upholding the dress code is essential. State Officers are expected to go beyond
mere adherence to the dress code and to be models of business professionals. The
FBLA Dress Code is as follows:
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Appropriate business attire for women includes:
Suit, pantsuit, dress or skirt with blouse/sweater/blazer, and appropriate
shoes required. Casual or recreational foot wear is not permitted. |
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In appropriate attire includes, for example,
denim, tank top, T-shirt, miniskirt, spandex, leggings, or athletic wear.
Appropriate casual attire or theme attire is acceptable for dances. Shoes and
shirts are required. Inappropriate casual attire for dances includes, for
example, crop tops and bathing suits. |
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Appropriate casual attire is acceptable for
other social functions except when otherwise indicates in the conference
guide. Remember that all FBLA conference attendees have a professional image
to uphold. |
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Appropriate business attire is required for all
general sessions, competitive events, and workshops for all conference
attendees. |
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Appropriate business attire for men includes:
suit or sport coat worn with slacks, dress shirt and tie preferred. Slacks,
dress shirt and tie required. Appropriate shoes required. Casual or
recreational footwear is not permitted. |
The FBLA Creed
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We believe education is the right
of every individual. |
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We believe the future depends upon
mutual understanding and cooperation among business, industry, labor,
religious, and educational institutions, as well as people around the world. I
agree to do my utmost to bring about better understanding and cooperation
among all these groups. |
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We believe every person should
prepare for a useful occupation and carry on that occupation in a manner that
brings the greatest good to the greatest number. |
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We believe every person has the
right to earn a living at a useful occupation and that this right should not
be denied because of race, color, creed, sex, or handicap. |
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We believe every person should take
responsibility for carrying out assigned tasks in a manner that will bring
credit to self, associates, school and community. We believe I have the
responsibility to work efficiently and to think clearly. I promise to use my
abilities to make the world a better place for everyone. |
The Goals of FBLA
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To learn how to become an effective
business leader |
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To learn more about the American
free enterprise system |
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To build self-confidence |
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To encourage money management |
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To encourage scholarship and
promote school loyalty |
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To learn more about the business
community |
The National Goals for FBLA
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Develop competent,
aggressive business leadership. |
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Strengthen the confidence of
students in themselves and their world. |
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Create more interest in and
understanding of the American business enterprise. |
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Encourage members in the
development of individual projects that contribute to the improvement of home,
business, and community. |
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Develop character,
prepare for useful citizenship, and foster patriotism. |
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Encourage and practice
efficient money management. |
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Encourage scholarship and
promote school loyalty. |
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Assist students in the
establishment of occupational goals. |
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Facilitate the transition
from school to work. |