Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) inspires and prepares students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.
Mission Statement
FBLA-PBL inspires and prepares students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.
FBLA-PBL’s programs focus on:
FBLA-PBL’s programs focus on:
- Leadership Development—members develop essential soft skills by holding chapter officer positions at the local, state, and national levels; by networking with accomplished business professionals; and by participating in business-focused workshops, seminars, and academic competitions.
- Academic Competitions—members demonstrate their business expertise at high-profile regional, state, and national competitive events. The top students are recognized with trophies and cash awards. Learn more about FBLA, PBL, and FBLA-Middle Level competitive events.
- Educational Programs—members create career portfolios, enhance their knowledge with world-recognized skills certifications, and have access to select college scholarships. Learn more about educational programs for FBLA, PBL, and FBLA-Middle Level.
- Membership Benefits—members receive exclusive discounts and enhanced benefits for travel, education, and more. Learn about the benefits available to FBLA, PBL, and FBLA-Middle Level members.
- Community Service—members work with the March of Dimes to help end premature births by participating in awareness campaigns and the March for Babies fundraiser. Discover how FBLA, PBL, and FBLA-Middle Level members support the March of Dimes.
- Awards & Recognition—members build a portfolio of accomplishments with a wide range of awards programs. Learn more about FBLA, PBL, and FBLA-Middle Level awards programs.
- Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) for high school students, with over 196,950 members and more than 5,200 chapters.
- FBLA-Middle Level (FBLA-ML) for junior high and middle school students, with over 21,900 members and more than 750 chapters.
- Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) for college students, with over 8,000 members and more than 350 chapters.
- Professional Division (PD) for FBLA-PBL alumni, business professionals, educators, and parents who support the goals of the association, with over 3,900 members.
FBLA-PBL Bylaws
FBLA-PBL is governed by a set of Bylaws, defined and interpreted by the FBLA-PBL Board of Directors. Each state chapter and local chapter also operates under a set of bylaws.
Academic Competitions
FBLA-PBL’s National Awards Program, commonly called competitive events, recognizes and rewards excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas. Through state-based competition at the spring State Leadership Conferences, members compete in events that test their business knowledge and skills. Top winners in each state are eligible to compete for honors at the National Leadership Conference each summer.
Publications
Advisers and members have access to publications that prepare students for careers in business, help advisers manage their chapters, and much more. Published four times a year, Tomorrow’s Business Leader is the flagship publication for FBLA and FBLA-Middle Level students and advisers. Advisers receive the Advisers’ Hotline, which is filled with tips and techniques for running an effective FBLA, PBL, or FBLA-Middle Level chapter. Advisers use the FBLA, PBL, and FBLA-Middle Level Chapter Management Handbook (CMH) to manage their chapter operations. The PBL Business Leader is the exclusive publication for PBL members who are about to launch their careers in business. The Professional Division membership receives The Professional Edge publication.
FBLA-PBL Structure
FBLA-PBL is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, and organized on local, state, and national levels, with five (5) Regions at the national level.
Business teachers, advisers, and advisory councils (including school officials, businesspeople, and community representatives) guide local chapters. State advisers and committee members coordinate chapter activities for the national organization.
The FBLA concept was developed in 1937 by Dr. Hamden L. Forkner of Columbia University. The first high school chapter was chartered in Johnson City, Tennessee on February 3, 1942. In 1958, the first PBL collegiate chapter was chartered in Iowa. The Professional Division, originally the Alumni Division, began in 1979. Joining FBLA-PBL in 1994 was the FBLA-Middle Level for students in grades 5-9. View the entire History of FBLA-PBL.
The national board of directors is comprised of local teachers, state educators, business leaders, and the division presidents.
Business teachers, advisers, and advisory councils (including school officials, businesspeople, and community representatives) guide local chapters. State advisers and committee members coordinate chapter activities for the national organization.
The FBLA concept was developed in 1937 by Dr. Hamden L. Forkner of Columbia University. The first high school chapter was chartered in Johnson City, Tennessee on February 3, 1942. In 1958, the first PBL collegiate chapter was chartered in Iowa. The Professional Division, originally the Alumni Division, began in 1979. Joining FBLA-PBL in 1994 was the FBLA-Middle Level for students in grades 5-9. View the entire History of FBLA-PBL.
The national board of directors is comprised of local teachers, state educators, business leaders, and the division presidents.
Funding & Endorsements
FBLA-PBL is funded by membership dues, conference fees, corporate contributions, and grants. FBLA-PBL is recognized by the Association for Career and Technical Education, International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, National Association of Parliamentarians, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Business Education Association, and the U.S. Department of Education.
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 in the development of individual projects that contribute to the improvement of 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-PBL 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-PBL 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.
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.
How to Submit a Proposal to Amend Tennessee FBLA Bylaws
ARTICLE X Amendment of Bylaws
The Tennessee FBLA Bylaws shall be made available to the membership 60 days prior to the State Leadership Conference. Proposed amendments should be submitted in writing to the State Chair no later than 90 days prior to the Annual Meeting of the State Leadership Conference. Voting on adoption of proposed amendments to the State Bylaws shall be at the Annual Meeting held at the State Leadership Conference provided they are not in conflict with the National FBLA Bylaws. Amendments may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the voting delegates at the Annual Meeting of the State Leadership Conference.
Step 1: Ensure the proposed amendment does not conflict with the National FBLA-PBL Bylaws.
Step 2: Complete the Tennessee FBLA Bylaws Amendment Proposal Form (above). Be sure to proofread the amendment.
Step 3: Submit the Tennessee FBLA Bylaws Amendment Proposal Form (above) to Zach.Buchanan@tn.gov by 90 days prior to the annual State Leadership Conference.
Step 4: Present your proposal to the voting delegates during the first voting delegate session at the annual state leadership conference as 'new business'.
The Tennessee FBLA Bylaws shall be made available to the membership 60 days prior to the State Leadership Conference. Proposed amendments should be submitted in writing to the State Chair no later than 90 days prior to the Annual Meeting of the State Leadership Conference. Voting on adoption of proposed amendments to the State Bylaws shall be at the Annual Meeting held at the State Leadership Conference provided they are not in conflict with the National FBLA Bylaws. Amendments may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the voting delegates at the Annual Meeting of the State Leadership Conference.
Step 1: Ensure the proposed amendment does not conflict with the National FBLA-PBL Bylaws.
Step 2: Complete the Tennessee FBLA Bylaws Amendment Proposal Form (above). Be sure to proofread the amendment.
Step 3: Submit the Tennessee FBLA Bylaws Amendment Proposal Form (above) to Zach.Buchanan@tn.gov by 90 days prior to the annual State Leadership Conference.
Step 4: Present your proposal to the voting delegates during the first voting delegate session at the annual state leadership conference as 'new business'.