4.07 Program of Activities/Work
A program of activities should be developed through sound thinking and careful planning. One of the most successful and effective methods of program development is in approaching the challenge realistically, viewing the entire proposed program initially, and presenting the program to everyone concerned.
Ideally, the chapter’s program of activities for the school year should be planned by the Executive Committee or program committee prior to the opening of school. If this is not possible, planning should take place soon after school begins. The program could be presented to the members for discussion and approval at the first chapter meeting.
Possibilities for a diversified program for an FBLA chapter are practically endless. Chapters should include service activities, such as sending a flyer to the parents/guardians of students describing the goals and activities of FBLA and speaking to service organizations about FBLA’s efforts. If a chapter wants to provide service within the school, one idea is to establish a word processing center or data processing center to perform work for teachers during a specified period of time. When planning fundraising activities, be sure to consider those companies that exhibit at the SLC.
Service organizations, governmental agencies, and businesses are willing to help young people to plan activities, such as tours. Chapters are encouraged to incorporate parents and interested citizens into the chapter’s activities through groups, such as FBLA Parents or FBLA Alumni.
As local chapter advisers and members plan the year’s program, they should refer to the National Chapter Management Handbook. Also, the schedule of regional, state, and national meetings and activities should be considered. Finally, the William Selden Outstanding Chapter Criteria posted on the PA FBLA web site and the State Officer Goals and Plan of Work posted on the PA FBLA web site should be used in planning the annual program.
The following is an effective method of program planning:
- Meet with the entire Executive Committee and other interested members for a brainstorming session. Form small groups to generate more ideas. Group size should be limited to ten members. Use the brainstorming sheet available here.
- Each group should select a recorder to list the ideas. Ideas should be listed until the group has exhausted all possibilities.
- Using all the ideas and the program activities calendar available here, develop a workable program.
The planned activities can provide the stimulus needed for the self-motivation that will give students the means to achieve success in school and fulfillment in life. Thus, FBLA activities provide learning situations which increase knowledge, develop additional skills, and improve attitudes that will enhance the chances of each member to have a successful business career.
Integral Part of Curriculum
FBLA activities, for the most part, relate to the present and future needs of the members and are related directly to the subject matter of the business, computer, and information technology program. If an FBLA chapter is to be an integral part of the business, computer, and information technology program, the meetings at which the activities are carried out should be scheduled during school time. When the various activities are incorporated into the business, computer, and information technology program, FBLA will better meet student needs. Some schools have experimented with this concept and offered a course involving FBLA activities for one period per day. The course was elective, and students received grades and were granted credit. Other schools offer courses that are scheduled for one period a week. If an FBLA chapter is organized and operated on either basis, a possible course title is “Development of Business Leadership.” If the school schedules at least one activity period per week for the entire student body, that period might be used to conduct the meetings of an FBLA chapter. Students can elect to join the FBLA chapter which might meet each week, every other week, or at a specified time, such as the first and third Wednesday of each month. Assuming a chapter meets once a month, all meetings could be held on a Friday. In September, meetings could be held the first Friday during the first period; in October, meetings could be held the first Friday during the second period, etc. FBLA members would be excused to attend meetings in a large facility, such as the high school auditorium.