FBLA attend national conference

Local members of the Future Business Leaders of America recently returned from the 2011 National Leadership Conference Breaking Barriers in Orlando, Fla.

More than 8,000 attended the FBLA National Conference, making it the largest to date. Attendees represented 57 states and foreign locations. Forty-one corporate sponsors awarded more than $240,000 in scholarships.

Members attending ranked in their state level competitions held in Coralville in March, earning them the right to compete at nationals. Local members attending with their contests were Mitch Goudy ? EBusiness; Coren Hucke ? Intro to Business Communications; Hanna Kerr ? Intro to Business; Avi Marks ? Personal Finance; Jenna Nelson ? FBLA Principles and Procedures; and Joy Oliver ? Help Desk. Three other students were eligible, but due to conflicts could not attend. The 2010-2011 school year had the most eligible national competitors in Fairfield?s FBLA history.

This was the second national conference for Goudy, Kerr, Marks and Nelson who attended in Nashville, Tenn., last year.

Besides competition, students heard guest speakers, were part of the national officer campaign process and could visit the Marketplace, including post-secondary options, fund-raising vendors, professional associations and publishing companies. Workshops for students and advisers included Ethical Leadership, Everything you wanted to know about Accounting, A Sweet Opportunity to Learn and EARN, Launching an Online Company with Wiggio.com.

Advisor Diane Goudy also attended several workshops, including ABC?s of Creating Dynamic EPortfolios, which she hopes to adapt to Fairfield FBLA students.

Fairfield FBLA students and three other schools did a service project with the Boys and Girls Club of Orlando, Fla. Iowa students were involved with this cultural exchange.

Students also got to enjoy some of Orlando?s famous tourist sites.

Fundraisers were held to help students earn money for part of their expenses, including selling vinyl decals promoting Fairfield Trojan Pride. Vinyls will continue to be sold this next school year. Frequently, FBLA worked FHS concessions.

Fairfield FBLA also helps recycle printer cartridges. Businesses/organizations donate used laser and inkjet printer cartridges which are sent to various vendors for points/cash. Anyone interested in donating cartridges may contact Goudy at diane.goudy@fairfieldsfuture.org or call the FHS office at 472-2059.

Locally, FBLA is a student organization at FHS open to students who want to improve their leadership and business skills. Student recruitment will be held next fall. A parent-student orientation night will be held, officers elected and a plan of activities will be conducted throughout the year, including state competition in Coralville in March/April. For information, contact any FBLA member or advisers Brad Repp and Goudy.

In 2013, ?Gateway to Greatness? National Leadership Conference will be in San Antonio, Texas. In 2014, it will be in Anaheim, Calif.