The Association
Future Business Leaders of America is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational association of student members preparing for careers in business or who are just simply interested in learning more about the free enterprise system. FBLA helps students develop leadership abilities, and prepare for entry into, and advancement within, a business or business-related occupation. Members learn how to engage in business enterprise, how to direct the affairs of a group, and how to compete honorably in competitive events. These activities help prepare students to be better employees and better citizens.
The national office address is: FBLA, Inc., 12100 Sunset Hills Drive, Suite 200, Reston, VA 22091; the phone number is 800.325.2946. The President and CEO is Mr. Alexander Graham.
The state office address is: Pennsylvania FBLA, P.O. Box 5085, Jersey Shore, PA 17740; the phone number is 570.279.6998. The PA FBLA Executive Director is Mr. Bruce E. Boncal. The organization’s e-mail address is: bboncal@pafbla.us.
Purpose
FBLA provides innovative leadership development programs to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship. Participation in FBL can have a direct impact on the direction and success of a young person’s career. Millions of students have learned through active membership in FBLA about the world of business and what is expected of them in the workplace.
Membership
There are nearly 190,000 active members in over 12,000 chartered chapters in 50 states, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, U.S. Territories, and foreign chapters worldwide. In Pennsylvania (pre-pandemic), there were 295 active chapters organized into 29 different regions. There were 12,723 members during the 2019-2020 school year. Membership is open to students in Grades 9-12, and middle-level membership is open to students in Grades 5-8.
Publications
Pennsylvania FBLA Penn Pal: a bi-monthly publication featuring activities of PA FBLA chapters and feature articles created/written by the PA FBLA state officer team
Tomorrow’s Business Leader: high school student member magazine published four times a year, featuring timely articles on leadership, business, professional topics, and current association news
Conferences/Seminars
State Leadership Workshop: a statewide leadership development workshop for local members and advisers that helps prepare them for a successful FBLA year; held in early November.
Region Leadership Workshop: a local leadership development workshop sponsored by the local chapters in each of Pennsylvania’s 29 regions; usually held in a local high school during October or November
National Fall Leadership Conference: held annually in five geographic regions to provide student members and advisers opportunities to share ideas, reaffirm common goals, and participate in leadership development seminars; held on a Friday and Saturday in November
Region Leadership Conference: a local activity in which members participate in competitive events to qualify for the State Leadership Conference and to elect region officers for the following school year; held at a local high school or on a participating college/community college/business school campus; usually held in December or January
State Leadership Conference: the major event in the PA FBLA year in which qualifying members participate in numerous competitive events, attend leadership development seminars, and campaign for state office; advisers administer the competitive events and participate in professional development sessions; usually held in early to mid April and attended by 5,500 student members and advisers
National Leadership Conference: held annually in a major American city in late June or early July at the conclusion of the year’s activities to set the stage for the next school year; qualifying members engage in the competitive events program, participate in leadership development workshops, meet corporate executives, and elect national student officers
Structure
FBLA is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, and is organized on the local, state, and national levels. Local chapters operate with the guidance of educators as advisers. State chapters are guided by executive directors, state advisers, and Department of Education staff members who report to the national organization. In Pennsylvania, the executive director’s office is located in Jersey Shore (Lycoming County); the conference coordinator in Belle Vernon (Fayette County); the state adviser in Myerstown (Lebanon County); and the competitive events coordinator in Towanda (Bradford County).
A national Board of Directors, composed of professional educators, business leaders, and division presidents, sets policy and appoints a President/CEO who employs a national staff and directs association programs. Pennsylvania is governed by its own state Board of Directors that sets policy and appoints an executive director, a conference coordinator, a state adviser, and competitive events coordinator to conduct the state chapter’s activities.
PA FBLA members elect nine students state officers annually at the state conference. In addition, PA FBLA is organized into 29 different regions, and each is guided by a region adviser elected from among the advisers in that particular region.
Endorsements
FBLA is endorsed by the American Management Association, the American Vocational Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Business Education Association, the National Management Association, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Education.
FBLA Goals
- develop competent, aggressive business leadership
- strengthen the confidence of students in themselves and their work
- create more interest in and understanding of American business enterprise
- encourage members to develop individual projects that contribute to the home, business, and community
- develop character, prepare for useful citizenship, and foster patriotism
- encourage and practice efficient money management
- encourage scholarship and promote school loyalty
- assist students in the establishment of occupational goals
- facilitate the transition from school to work
FBLA Creed
I believe:
- education is the right of every person.
- the future depends on mutual understanding and cooperation among business, industry, labor, religious, family, and educational institutions, as well as people around the world. I agree to do my utmost to bring about understanding and cooperation among all of these groups.
- 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.
- every person should actively work toward improving social, political, community, and family life.
- every person has the right to earn a living at a useful occupation.
- every person should take responsibility for carrying out assigned tasks in a manner that brings credit to self, associates, school, and community.
- 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.
FBLA Code of Ethics
I will:
- be honest and sincere.
- approach each task with confidence in my ability to perform my work at a high standard.
- willingly accept responsibilities and duties.
- seek to profit from my mistakes and take suggestions and criticisms directed toward the improvement of myself and my work.
- abide by the rules and regulations of my school.
- exercise initiative and responsibility and will cooperate with my employer and fellow workers.
- dress and act in a manner that will bring respect to me and to my school.
- seek to improve my community by contributing my efforts and my resources to worthwhile projects.
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.
