WHAT IS PROJECT ASK? ................ 1 Issue 2 Volume 1 2009 Virginia PBL FEATURE ARTICLE “FROM YOUR NATIONAL OFFICER TEAM” ............................. 2 News Now THE FBLA-PBL FOUNDATION AND YOU ...... 3 What is Project ASK? Virginia FBLA‐PBL’s State Service Project is Project ASK, the Association for the Support of Children of Cancer. Over the years, VA FBLA‐PBL has donated more than $1,000,000 to the organization and last year contributed $35,231.01. This year we hope to exceed this number and it can only be done with your help! Project ASK began in 1975 when a group of parents came together to help their children battle cancer. From the start, the mission of Project ASK has been “making life better for children with cancer.” Project ASK provides support for children with cancer and their families by providing social, emotional, spiritual, and financial support. ASK also supports clinical and laboratory research at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) at Virginia Commonwealth University to aid in finding causes and cures of childhood cancer. Project ASK is an all‐volunteer organization where volunteers offer more than just financial support. Many things can be done to help these children and their families. This month’s newsletter highlights the many different ways that your chapter can contribute to the cause and help make the lives of these children better. For more information, please feel free to e‐mail any of the state officers or visit the Virginia FBLA‐PBL webpage. You can also visit the Project ASK website at http://www.askweb.org/. Virginia State Leadership Conference The State Leadership Conference (SLC) on April 4, 2009 in Richmond! Do the following to prepare: 1) Be sure to research and study for designated competitions early. 2) Work with other members of your chapter to get a better understanding of different concepts. 3) Be sure to take advantage of all scholarships offered and be sure to participate in the Most Outstanding Chapter event! 4) Get the most from your SLC by interacting with students from other chapters. From Your National Officer Team… Welcome to 2009 – another great year for Phi Beta Lambda! WAYS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR PROJECT ASK More Leadership Membership and Awards 14,000 – our national membership goal – is the magical number we have been pushing since Day 1. You can make a difference by recruiting more members to your local chapter. When you have done so, be sure to file for membership awards such as membership madness/mania. Also remember to complete the Career and Membership Achievement Program (CMAP). Start your CMAP process today and get the recognition you deserve! A great way to truly “Get the Edge” is running for state or national officer. We challenge each of you to become accomplished leader and work toward greater achievements. Chat with your state officers and find out ways to secure an officer position in your state. National officer application is already available on the national website <www.fbla‐ pbl.org>. We look forward to talking about our experiences with you and seeing your applications! Preview of the National Leadership Conference The national officer team is working to ensure that the Anaheim NLC is going to another rewarding experience for you. Remember that the state(s) with largest percentage increase in membership will receive preferred seating for opening or closing session as reward. Also gear up for the exciting workshops, keynote speakers, competitive events, and the beautiful sunshine of the state of California. Best of luck to all of you in 2009! We really can’t wait to see you in Anaheim! Fundraisers: • Raffles • Penny Wars • ASK breakfast • Flag‐football tournament • Bingo • Bake sales • Car washes • Project ASK wristbands Drives: • Clothing Gloria Lau PBL National Secretary • Toys • Books • Games Advertise: Interested in becoming a state officer? • A‐Frame boards around If you are interested in running for a position as a Virginia State officer, you can fill out an application at http://www.vafbla‐pbl.org/PBLForms.html. If you have any questions, feel free to contact any of the state officers at any time! • Make an announcement campus before class • Create a Facebook group, event or message to ask for support • Have members who are involved in other organizations to advertise and adopt Project ASK as a community service project Get In Touch with the State Officer Team Joshua Cline: jdcline@bluefield.edu (276) 970‐5946 Fawn Price: fprice@vt.edu (276) 202‐2172 Stephen Lock: locksj@jmu.edu (540) 409‐6332 • Set up information/donation booths around campus • School newspaper ad NOTE: If you are interested in selling Project ASK wristbands, please contact Fawn Price for more information! The Virginia FBLA-PBL Foundation and You… From the State Officer Team: Many of you may or may not know about a great resource in FBLA‐PBL. The Foundation is a non‐profit organization that helps support chapter members succeed in the business environment and helps promote the FBLA‐PBL goals. The State officers are encouraging every chapter to help support The Foundation. The more chapters that give to the Foundation, the more the Foundation can do for students. This year the State Officer Team has set a goal that chapter giving to the Foundation rises by $500 from last year. We want to see the Virginia FBLA‐PBL and its members to continue to grow and to prosper. With the help of the Foundation we can achieve that goal! The State Officer team strongly advises each chapter to utilize this resource. Make you donations to the chapter even if they seem small. Every little bit makes a difference for you and your chapter. If every chapter can raise their giving to the Foundation, we can make the 2008‐2009 year one of the most prosperous years in Virginia and we will surely GET THE EDGE! For more information about the Virginia FBLA‐PBL Foundation please visit the website: www.vafblapblfoundation.org Mr. Michael D. Mills currently is the President and serves Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Virginia FBLA‐PBL Foundation. With the increased hardship in trying to raise money for chapters, the Virginia FBLA‐PBL Foundation wants to help. The Foundation is a major contributor to FBLA‐PBL chapters all over Virginia. They help fund money for chapter to compete at the National level. The main goals the Foundation has for FBLA‐PBL members are: State event winners to participate in national competition Scholarships Leadership development activities “Raising money is hard but always well worth it.” You can use the Project Ask fundraiser ideas to raise money for your chapter’s donation to the Foundation! Important Dates Calendar March 1 Dues to participate at SLC are due Foundation Contributions due March 11‐25 Online Testing Dates April 4 PBL State Leadership Conference May 6 NLC submissions due June 20‐23 NLC in Anaheim, CA The Leadership Development Institute This year at the Spring Leadership Conference the State Officer Team will be conducting a Leadership Development Institute in a different format. During this session we will be hosting many professionals from various business fields. Please utilize this great opportunity to network and ask questions of these individuals. We ask that you come with questions and open minds for these professionals that are willing to share their knowledge and spend their time with us!