| Middle School Coordinator Mrs. Michele Sites 234 Village Drive Canonsburg, PA 15317 412.417.3543 cell/texts msites@pafbla.us email |
Please direct all questions regarding the formation of a middle school chapter to Michele Sites.
When ready, request the state office to create a middle school chapter record and an adviser username/password. |
Follow these steps to charter or reactivate an FBLA middle school chapter:
Step #1: Make sure you have received all necessary approvals to start an FBLA chapter.
1. Speak to staff members who might be willing to serve as a chapter adviser.
2. Schedule to meet with the school principal about your desire to start an FBLA chapter.
3. Be ready to meet with the school superintendent and possibly the School Board.
4. Use the documentation found below to create a packet of materials for your principal, superintendent, school board.
Step #2: Complete the following online form:
(under revision)
Step #3: Enter members in the National FBLA membership system (FBLA Connect):
1. New advisers will receive a link from National FBLA to create their online profile and enter members into the system.
Step #4: Complete the sample chapter bylaws found below:
Sample Local Chapter Bylaws in PDF Format.
Sample Local Chapter Bylaws in Word Format.
Step #5: Process one check or pay by credit card or upload a purchase order for membership dues:
————->Make the check payable to: FBLA, Inc.
————->Dues are $13 per student ($3 state dues and $10 national dues) for students in Grades 5-8.
————->Dues are unified. A member must pay both state and national dues.
————->Dues are not refundable once they are processed.
To process additional memberships after you submit your initial application forms:
————-> Using the adviser login credential for FBLA Connect, add any new members.
————->Generate an invoice.
————->Pay dues by one of the options listed above.
————->Mail to the National FBLA office.
State Office Mailing Address:
National Membership Dues
Payable to: FBLA-PBL
PO Box 79063
Baltimore, MD 21279
In order to start a chapter, the chapter must have an adviser and a minimum three members. It is not necessary to have chapter officers elected at the time the application submitted. Additional members may be submitted at any time during the year.
Recruitment Resources
01. PA FBLA Middle School Fact Sheet
02 National FBLA Middle School Fact Sheet
03. National FBLA Middle School Adviser Welcome Guide
Topics include: (1) adviser duties and resources, (2) fundraising, (3) service programs, (4) leadership programs/other programming
04. National Membership Recruitment Poster
05. National FBLA Middle-level Recruitment Video
06. PA FBLA Middle School Competitive Events Flyer
07. Middle School Chapter Building Basics
08. Logos and Imagery (FBLA Branding Guidelines)
09. Five Steps to Recruitment Success
10. Ten Recruitment Ideas for Middle School Chapters
11. More Recruitment Ideas
12. Sample Member Recruitment Letter
A business educator is preferred to serve as a chapter adviser, but a school administration approved faculty adviser from another discipline/administration area may serve as a chapter adviser. Currently, FBLA advisers include business educators, math educators, English educators, science educators, counselors, and principals/assistant principals, among others. PA FBLA will provide training for new advisers.
Critical to the chapter’s success will be an adviser who believes in: the goals of FBLA; career development and leadership development opportunities as tools for future student success; community service to build school pride and community connections; competitive events as a vehicle to demonstrate student academic achievement; among others.
Chapter Management Resources
01. Chapter Management 101
02. Five Easy Steps to Chapter Management
03. Adviser Role and Responsibilities
04. Electing Officers and Their Duties
05. Managing Your Meetings
——->Sample Meeting Agenda
——->Sample Meeting Minutes
——->Sample Treasurer’s Report
06. Chapter Program of Work
07. Meeting Icebreakers
08. Chapter Activity Ideas
09. Suggested Chapter Committees
Why should my school form a middle school chapter?
State and national recognition for local members and chapters with an exciting new program called the Middle School LEAD program written exclusively for the middle school division. This program focuses on:
• Competitive Recognition – events offered in business skill areas such as spreadsheets, computer slide show presentation, keyboarding, proofreading/editing, desktop publishing, etc.
• Individual Recognition – members can compete for three individual recognition levels designed to reward members who excel in their FBLA participation. This program is designed with integrated classroom activities and focuses on community/school service, education, leadership, and career exploration.
• Chapter Recognition – chapters can compete for the “Excellence Award” which encourages projects and activities in the areas of school/community service, education, and leadership.
• Membership Recognition – awarded to chapters who focus on building and maintaining membership.
• Leadership development and achievement through projects, activities, and programs.
• Community service experience with organizations such as the March of Dimes, the Red Cross, the American Heart Association, etc.
• Friendship and fun through local, state, and national activities.
• Career exploration opportunities through local chapter projects such as business guest speakers, business tours, and job-shadowing activities.
• A magazine, published four times a year.
• A membership card.
• An online Web site with message boards, interactive business games, business publications, and a homework help section.
Who is eligible for Pennsylvania FBLA middle school membership?
Anyone who wants to learn more about leadership, teamwork, and business, is in grades 5-8, and is in a business or a business-related class.
What are the state and national dues?
Pennsylvania state middle-level dues are $3; national dues are $10.
