9.03 Installation of Chapters Ceremony

PARTICIPANTS:

INSTALLING OFFICIAL: (standing) The Future Business Leaders of America is a national organization for business students who are preparing for careers in business or business education. I have been authorized by the national association to conduct the installation of _______________________High School into the national organization of FBLA.

Since the letters, FBLA, are used to designate the organization, its units and members, it is fitting that we consider what these letters and the words they represent mean to our organization.

FUTURE: Our daily educational experiences and our involvement in leadership activities prepare us for the future–a time to accept challenges. In FBLA, we have found the tools to prepare for the future. We profit from the experiences of others, those who have preceded us as well as our teachers and others with whom we associate. Our studies and activities help us meet changing conditions and further our understanding of the world’s varied economic systems.

BUSINESS: We realize the importance of education and training in business methods and procedures. We appreciate the roles of business and education in our daily lives.

LEADERS: The future of our country depends on the quality of leadership. Leadership implies honor, foresight, tact, competence, dependability, discretion, and integrity. A leader must listen, withstand criticism and be flexible. A leader accepts failure in stride but is willing to profit from it. As members of FBLA, it is our duty to prepare for the enormous responsibility of business leadership in the years ahead.

AMERICA: If America is to remain a world leader, intelligent young men and women are needed to guide our country. As members of FBLA, we prepare ourselves for this responsibility by studying America’s past and analyzing her present. The initiative and success of leaders in business help shape the future of America. FBLA is our opportunity to strive for leadership in the field of business, thereby helping to strengthen America.

INSTALLING OFFICER: (standing) As a representative of your school, please stand, come forward, and receive the spirit of chapter membership by lighting your candle from the candle held by the president of the Pennsylvania chapter. (Alternating left and right from the outside toward the center, the representatives light their candles and return to their chairs.)

Will the representatives raise their right hands and accept the following charge:

Speaking on behalf of the members of your chapters, do you solemnly promise to uphold the aims and responsibilities of the Future Business Leaders of America as printed in the state constitution and do you promise to promote the growth and activity of your chapter. If so, answer “I do.”
(Representatives answer)

Will the representatives please face the assembly.

I declare that your schools have been duly installed as chapters of the Pennsylvania Future Business Leaders of America.

The responsibility of making these chapters a success rests on all of the members of the Pennsylvania chapter. Will all of you please rise and affirm your support to these new chapters by reciting in unison the FBLA pledge.

(Installing official leads the following pledge.)

I solemnly promise to uphold the aims and responsibilities of Future Business Leaders of America and, as an active member, I shall strive to develop the qualities necessary in becoming a responsible business leader.

(At the conclusion of the pledge, the installing official asks the members to welcome new chapters with applause.)