NLC Fees Early Bird Regular On-site On or before May 22 May 23–June 12 June 13–on-site

FBLA $105 $115 $125Guest $45 $55 $65 IFL Fees Early Bird Regular On-site On or before May 22 May 23–June 12 June 13–on-site

Student $115 $125 $135Adviser $50 $60 $70Candidates $90 $100 $110

Register and find more information at fbla-pbl.org/2015NLC

JUDGES NEEDED FOR #NLC2015 IN CHICAGO

Attention FBLA-PBL advisers, the FBLA-PBL National Center needs your help!

We need 800 business and technology professionals to serve as judges at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on June 25, 26, 30, and July 1 from 7:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. or 12:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m., each day.

Consider recruiting administrators, school board members, business leaders in your community, parents, and nonbusiness teachers to judge at this year’s event.

Note: FBLA-PBL advisers are not eligible to serve as judges.

Presentation events include business and financial plans, interviews, management, programming, and technology. Lunch and parking will be provided for all judges.

Sign up online or call 800.325.2946 x129 for more information.

Regional Campaign Rally and Recognition Session NEW

This will be the only scheduled regional business meeting. Each of the five regions will meet on Day 2 (June 30) of the NLC. This meeting will include state success stories by state presidents, regional vice president candidate speeches, candidate Q & A, and all award recognition.

Launchpad by FBLA is a day-long “entrepreneurship accelerator,” providing FBLA members with real businesses/business ideas the opportunity to create a business plan, deliver a pitch, and learn from successful entrepreneurs. FBLA members can apply for Launchpad, to be piloted July 1 at the NLC.

Learn more at LaunchpadFBLA.org. Applications are due April 16.

this issue:# N LC 2 0 1 5 1 & 3

Fu n d ra i s e r s 4Co m p e t i t i ve Eve nt s 5

M e m b e r B e n e f i t s 5Co n fe re n ce Pre p a rat i o n 6

S p o n s o r s & Pa r t n e r s 7B o a rd M e e t i n g Sy n o p s i s 9

Vol. 41 No. 3 Spring 2015

2 | FBLA Advisers’ Hotline2 | FBLA Advisers’ Hotline

NATIONAL FBLA-PBL DATES & DEADLINESBOARD OF DIRECTORSTed L. Harshbarger, ChairNebraska PBL State AdviserPeru State Collegetharshbarger@peru.eduMountain Plains Region

Karen Heslep, Chair-electPBL AdviserArkansas State University Mountain Homekheslep@asumh.eduSouthern Region

Zulema GarciaKPMG LLPzgarcia@kpmg.com Business/Industry Representative

Lisa HofstetterFBLA AdviserLinn County Area Career and Technical Centerlhofstetter@brookfield.k12.mo.usNorth Central Region

Lee C. Marcoux FBLA State DirectorConnecticut State Department of Educationlee.marcoux@ct.govEastern Region

Shea PadillaFBLA-PBL State ChairArizona Department of Educationshea.padilla@azed.govWestern Region

Deb ParmanPBL AdviserColorado Mesa Universitydparman@coloradomesa.eduMountain Plains Region

NATIONAL STAFF

ADMINISTRATIONJean M. BuckleyPresident and CEO ceo@fbla.org

Elena R. Daly Executive Assistanteassistant@fbla.org

Becky Grant, CMPPrograms Coordinator programscoordinator@fbla.org

Mary AitStaff Accountantfinance@fbla.org

Colin MurphyCustomer Service/Reception Associategeneral@fbla.org

CONFERENCE Richard BowenConference Directorconferencedir@fbla.org

Robert SmothersConference Managerconferencemgr@fbla.org

MEMBERSHIPTroy D. WhiteDirector, Marketing & Membershipmarketing@fbla.org

Lisa SmothersMembership Directormembershipdir@fbla.org

Tom Payne, CPADirector, PBL College/University Relationsphibetalambda@fbla.org

Ashley WitherspoonCustomer Service/Database Associatecustserv@fbla.org

EDUCATIONCarla BoultonEducation Directoreducation@fbla.org

Stephen LockEducation Associateeducation2@fbla.org

COMMUNICATIONSLaura MorganCommunications Managercommunications@fbla.org

FBLA Advisers’ Hotline is published three times a year in the fall, winter, and spring by Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda. Editorial and advertising sales offices at:FBLA-PBL, Inc. • 1912 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1591 Phone: 703.860.3334 Materials may be reprinted with prior permission of the editor. Editorial submissions are encouraged and should be addressed to the editor. All FBLA-PBL, Inc. publications use the Chicago Manual of Style. Publisher: Jean M. Buckley Editor: Laura Morgan

Chris PendletonFBLA AdviserHidden Valley High School chris.pendleton@threerivers.k12.or.usWestern Region

Lisa Weeks FBLA-PBL State AdviserAlabama State Department of Educationlweeks@alsde.eduSouthern Region

Kelly WilkersonFBLA AdviserWarren Township High Schoolkwilkerson@wths.netNorth Central Region

FBLA-PBL Division PresidentsSam KesslerFBLA National Presidentfblapres@fbla.orgPennsylvania

Beau CobbPBL National Presidentpblpres@fbla.orgRhode Island

David JonesProfessional Division National Presidentpdpres@fbla.orgMaryland

Ex-Officio MembersMonty C. Rhodes, Past ChairGeorgia FBLA Executive Directormonty@georgiafbla.orgSouthern Region

Jean M. BuckleyFBLA-PBL, Inc. President and CEOceo@fbla.org

APRIL15 Professional Membership Recognition

Awards: Receipt deadline

22 Webinar: Step Up to #NLC2015 in Chicago

25 BAA America awards and CSA Achievement awards: Deadline

25 BAA Fight to the Finish deadline

April/May March of Dimes March for Babies: Check with your local March of Dimes

Office for specific dates

MAY1 FBLA Adviser Wall of Fame: Application

postmark deadline

8 National Leadership Conference: Intern application receipt deadline

All prejudged materials must be received at the national center

Businessperson of the Year: Nomination: Receipt deadline

15 March of Dimes Fundraising Report: Receipt deadline

FBLA “Eco Chapter” Go Green Project: Receipt deadline

National officer candidate application: Receipt deadline

22 FBLA NLC and IFL: Early bird registration deadline

JUNE5 Last day to make competitive events

changes

9 FBLA Local Voting Delegates: Registration deadline

11 National Presidents’ Address to the Nation

28–29 FBLA Institute for Leaders—Chicago, IL

29–July 2 FBLA NLC—Chicago, IL

SPRING 2015 | 3

Register and find more information at fbla-pbl.org/2015NLC

#NLC2015

CertificationsAdobe Certified Associate$50 per exam ($65 after June 12)

• Adobe Flash CC• Adobe Dreamweaver CC• Adobe Photoshop CC

CompTIA Strata$35 per exam ($50 after June 12)

QuickBooks Certified User (QBCU) $50 ($65 after June 12)

CertiportFREE (up to two exams)

• Microsoft Office 2013• MTA exams• IC3

Space is limited, so sign up today at fbla‑pbl.org/2015NLC.

State Leadership Conferences are over and your members are ready to Step Up to the Challenge at the 2015 National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Chicago, June 29–July 2! Review this information to ensure

your students are competition ready.

Open EventsAll students attending the NLC may take one of the following open events on July 1:

• Advertising• Computer Operating Systems• HTML/CSS• Leadership• Nonprofit Management• Social Media

Production TestsReceipt Deadline, Friday, May 15

If your student is eligible to advance in Accounting II, Computer Applications, Database Design & Applications, Spreadsheet Applications, and Word Processing, they must take the national production test prior to the NLC. The Desktop Publishing project is also submitted at this time. The state adviser is responsible for sending tests to students advancing to the national competition. The students competing will also take an on-site objective test to be eligible to place.

Prejudged EventsReceipt Deadline, Friday, May 8

All materials for prejudged events must be received by the national center by May 8. This includes all reports, programming, web, and interview event materials. In most cases, the state adviser sends these materials to the FBLA-PBL National Center. Review event guidelines carefully to make sure you submit the correct number of copies.

• Upload Statement of Assurance forms by May 8.• Submit reports as a PDF.• Submit Digital Video Production as a URL.

Monday EventsThe following objective tests are given prior to the opening session on Monday, June 29:

• Accounting II• Banking & Financial Systems*• Computer Applications*• Database Design & Applications• Desktop Publishing• Entrepreneurship*• Future Business Leader*• Global Business*• Help Desk*• Hospitality Management*• Management Decision Making*• Management Information Systems*• Marketing*• MOS Word• Network Design*• Parliamentary Procedure*• Sports & Entertainment

Management*• Spreadsheet Applications• Word Processing

* two-part competitive event

Refer to NLC Guide for specific event times.

4 | FBLA Advisers’ Hotline

2014–15 FUNDRAISERS

PROMOTE

YOUR

FUNDRAISER

TRACK

PARTICIPANTS

HOLD

FUNDRAISER

TURN

IN

FUNDS

TIE UP

LOOSE

ENDS

EVALUATE

THE

EVENT

AMCM offers a roadside assistance program that earns profit now and on renewals.Email fbla@amcm-online.com, call 605-254-8876, or visit amcmfbla.com.

NEW—Better World Collective provides a brand new and easy-to-use online auction platform called Auction360. Visit betterworldcollective.com/fbla for more information.

Country Meats features fresh smoked snack sticks that everyone loves! Sell for $1.00 and receive 45% profit! For FREE SAMPLES call 800.277.8989 or visit countrymeats.com/samplepack.

Crazy about Cookies provides FBLA-themed tubs of cookie dough in six top-selling flavors. Visit fblagiftcards.com/site/.

DormCo.com provides FREE $5.00 DormCo.com gift cards to give to each senior in your high school with your chapter earning 15% of all sales. Call Jeff at 888.925.2899,email FBLA@DormCo.com, or visit DormCo.com/FBLA.

Krispy Kreme Fundraising offers doughnuts, BOGO cards, certifications, and coffee to help your chapter raise some dough! Visit krispykreme.com/fundraising,email fundraising@krispykreme.com, or call 800.4KRISPY.

Ozark Delight Lollipops are only available for fundraising. They do not sell to stores or other retail markets. Call 800.334.8991 or visit ozarkdelight.com.

Popcorn Palace offers premium popcorn in lots of flavors guaranteed to be fresh and delectable. Keep 50% profit upfront. To get your free information kit, call 800.873.2686 or visit popcornpalace.com/Home/Fundraising.

Pride Distributors specializes in producing “Your Town”—Opoly, a custom board game.Call Pride Distributors at 800.451.5442 or visit Townopoly.net.

Schermer Pecans offers a delicious and healthy fundraising product. Call 800.841.3403, email schermerpecans@yahoo.com or visit pecantreats.com.

School Spirit Coffee provides personalized packaging for their coffee fundraiser. Call 800.570.1443, email Debbie@schoolspiritcoffee.com, or visit schoolspiritcoffee.com.

Tom-Wat Fundraising features multiple fundraisers from catalog sales to cookie dough and much more. Call 800.243.9250, email sales@tomwat.com, or visit tomwat.com.

FBLA-PBL partners with a number of national sponsors to provide fun and hassle-free fundraising options. Choose from one of the following, then visit go.fbla.org/FBLAfundraising.

SPRING 2015 | 5

COMPETITIVE EVENTSVirtual Business ManageMent Challenge

Congratulations to these Management Challenge Round 2 qualifiers who are eligible to compete at the NLC.AZ—Metro Tech HSChristian Barrera, Jesus Lozano, & Daisy GarayCA—Gabrielino HSNguyen Nguyen, Jason Chen, & Julie ChangFL—Lakewood Senior HSVikash Singh & Tyler SankelKY—duPont Manual HSYidi Huang, Rishi Jonnala, & Ankit PatelND—Divide County HSJoran Oien, Troy Knudson, & Tyler DeeringNV—West Wendover HSKahles Wells, Rigoberto Carrillo, & Charitee PhillipsPA—Dublin Senior HSKyle Lee, Dennis Li, & Dustin ZhangWV—John Marshall HSJulie Francis & Amanda West

Virtual Business FinanCe Challenge

Congratulations to the top winner of the Spring Virtual BusinessFinance Challenge, Daegan Wilcox from West Wendover HS (Nevada) who will receive a $500 cash prize.

Congratulations to the LifeSmarts Spring Challenge winners who are eligible to compete at the NLC.AL—Brookwood HS ................................ Scott Trull & Ian Mckee

CA—Los Osos HS ............ Jason Tedjakusnadi & Stephen Pham

CO—Ellicott HS ......................... Micah Pacot & Graydon Brewer

CT—Simsbury HS ........................ Joshua Hollis & Eric Lepowsky

IL—O’Fallon Township HS ...... Anthony Lambert & Shree Patel

IA—Alburnett HS .............. Ethan Sperfslage & Grant Neighbor

MD—Century HS .................. Matthew Saxton & Noah Eckman

MO—Ft. Zumwalt South HS ............ Ryan Smith & Alex Bojdak

NE—Arlington HS ........................... Trevor Koger & Blake Bracht

ND—Divide County HS ........... Travis Binde & Jarret Obenchain

PA—Fox Chapel Area HS ....... Jacob Kronman & Ben Kronman

TX—Seven Lakes HS ............. Pawan Rai & Vinuthna Garidipuri

6 | FBLA Advisers’ Hotline6 | FBLA Advisers’ Hotline

Is your chapter ready to Step Up to the Challenge at #NLC2015 in Chicago?

Here are some tips to help you prepare for the conference:• Make sure your chapter has paid state and national dues for all members.• Check with your state adviser to determine if any travel arrangements are made by your state, and if

so, what is included. If not, you must make arrangements for transportation, accommodations, and conference registration.

If you have a student who is competing:• Carefully read the 2014–15 Competitive Events Program guidelines, which are in your Chapter

Management Handbook. • Check with your state adviser or competitive events coordinator for special deadlines for report or

résumé submissions. State advisers also will receive any competitive event updates.• Conference registration must be paid in order to compete.

Schedule a meeting with all conference attendees:• Discuss expenses and help students determine how much spending money they will need for food,

entertainment, and souvenirs. Meals are not included in the conference registration fee.• Discuss appropriate clothing to pack.• Remind students to keep careful track of their badges, because there is a $5 fee per replacement

badge.• Discuss appropriate behavior. Conference delegates represent the national organization, as well as

their school and state. FBLA delegates must read and sign the Code of Conduct, which their adviser should bring to the conference in case any infractions occur.

• Be sure all forms are signed.• Discuss the various sightseeing options.• Review all travel plans with attendees; where appropriate, provide parents and guardians with an

itinerary and important telephone numbers.• Attend an Adviser Orientation scheduled the first two days of the conference and receive your adviser

gift.• Emphasize the importance of participating in conference activities (e.g. workshops, exhibits, etc.) to

the fullest extent.

Before you depart for the conference:• Determine any allergies, physical disabilities, or limitations that your students may have. Notify the

national center staff of any disabilities that may require special services using the Special Needs form located at fbla-pbl.org/2015NLC.

• Check with your school’s accounting department to ensure all checks have been mailed for conference registration and hotel reservations.

• If you did not receive a hotel confirmation, call the hotel to confirm your reservation was received. Document the name of the hotel representative and the date and time of your conversation.

• Bring to the conference copies of your original hotel reservation and conference registration forms, as well as your confirmation for each person.

At the conference: • Schedule a meeting with attendees after you’ve arrived at the conference and picked up your

registration packet.• Review the conference program in detail.

CONFERENCE PREPARATION

SPRING 2015 | 7

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Adam Coats is a serious educator. He teaches to create, in his words, “a well-rounded society.” The South Carolina technology teacher pursued Ball State’s online master’s degree in business and marketing because it offered a customized track with lots of electives. Coats says his graduate degree keeps him current: “I can share and practice these new ideas in my classroom, which is a win-win for both me and my students.”

COATS: DEGREE IS A WIN-WIN

An online master’s degree for business and marketing educators. In a class by itself.One of few such programs in the nation, Ball State University’s online master’s degree for business and marketing teachers is in an exclusive class.

With this degree, you can follow any of nine different tracks into the field.

What’s more, the program is fully online and competitively priced—and will give you an advanced credential that can translate to a higher salary.

bsu.edu/online/businesseducation

BALL STATE+ONLINE

The Teen Safe Driving Summit is a national summit hosted by NOYS each year in Washington, D.C. During the Summit, teams of two youth leaders and their advisers from across the country come together to learn about data, discuss trends, and receive the tools and training needed to host similar educational summits in their communities. The 2015 national summit will be held on October 19. Youth teams can learn more and apply to participate at NOYS.org.

Career opportunities in the creative industries are out there, and we provide the guidance, instruction, and technological know-how students need to prepare for them. The Art Institutes is a system of more than 50 schools throughout North America that prepares students for hands-on careers in Design, Media Arts, Fashion, and Culinary fields. Here, students can explore their creativity while learning the business side of the creative industries. Depending on field of study, they might explore anything from communication skills and entrepreneurship to strategic planning and management techniques. They’re guided and mentored by dedicated faculty, many of whom work in the fields they teach, and they get experience with the same tools and technologies today’s creative professionals use. Find out more at Ai Advantage.

Encouraging Students to Consider a Career in Insurance As an adviser, you have the unique opportunity to help students decide what’s next after high school.

The Griffith Insurance Education Foundation, an affiliate of The Institutes, has a similar mission, encouraging students to consider a career in risk management and insurance by offering:

• Scholarships for college students• Grants for academic institutions • Educational program support

The Griffith Foundation also encourages high school and middle level students to use the career resources available through the collaborative, industry-wide initiative, MyPath, powered by The Institutes. MyPath provides hands-on resources to students considering risk management and insurance careers, including:

• Information on the industry, career options, and collegiate studies • Internship opportunities• Career videos and assessments • Financial assistance and scholarships for college students• Interactive career experiences coming soon

To learn more, visit The Griffith Foundation or MyPath websites.

8 | FBLA Advisers’ Hotline

geico.com/fbla-pbl | 1-800-368-2734

As a member of FBLA-PBL you could save even more on your car insurance with a special discount. Join your

fellow members who are already saving with GEICO.

Birds of a feather save together.

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Discount amount varies in some states. Discount is not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. One group discount applicable per policy. Coverage is individual. In New York a premium reduction may be available. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company,

Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2014 GEICO

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Designed in part by former FBLA National President Joe Riley, Better World Collective has created a brand new and easy-to-use online auction platform for FBLA, called Auction360. We helped student organizations, like FBLA, double or even triple their fundraising by enabling chapters to increase their donor base and helping supporters think creatively about non-cash ways of contributing. Our advanced technology removes 90% of the work that is traditionally associated with this type of fundraiser—making it now incredibly easy to run a successful and engaging online auction. And, because of our history with FBLA, we’re offering local chapters our best deals ever, including no upfront cost and personal, seven-days-a-week support.

Visit betterworldcollective.com/fbla for more information and priority access.

One of the nation’s largest comprehensive private universities, Long Island

Mercy College School of Business

FBLA students are invited to apply to our Summer Leadership Academy. Last year we reviewed over 1,500 applications from over 20 states—150 were selected. Visit us at mercy.edu/business/leadership/academy to learn more.

There is no charge for tuition and students stay in the dorm for free. Students simply need to provide their own transportation to and from campus, as well as a check in the amount of $190 for food.

During the weeklong Business Leadership Academy, students learn leadership lessons from faculty and leaders from top companies, while participating in active learning and team-building opportunities and visiting Fortune 500 companies.

Current juniors with GPAs above 90 (3.5) and demonstrated leadership and public speaking skills are welcome to apply at jotform.us/asic22/2015MercyLeadership.

University (LIU) offers more than 500 undergraduate degree programs taught by more than 500 full-time professors. A leader in academic innovation, LIU is notable for its experiential learning programs, its high-tech startup incubator, student-run businesses, and the LIU Promise student-mentoring program. In addition to the main New York campuses in Brookville and Brooklyn, LIU also offers a distinct bachelor of arts program in global studies—the only accredited four-year bachelor’s education in the world that immerses students in over eight countries for a one-of-a-kind education. Upon graduation, LIU students are welcomed into a community of nearly 200,000 alumni and become global leaders in fields that include the arts, health sciences, media, education, pharmacy, business, technology, and public service.Learn more at liu.edu.

BOARD MEETING SYNOPSIS—January 9, 2015

SPRING 2015 | 9

The Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. (FBLA-PBL) National Board of Directors met on January 9, 2015. Attending were Ted L. Harshbarger, Chair—Mountain Plains Region, Karen Heslep, Chair-elect—Southern Region, Zulema Garcia—Business & Industry, Lisa Hofstetter—North Central Region, Lee C. Marcoux—Eastern Region, Shea Padilla—Western Region, Deborah Parman—Mountain Plains Region, Chris Pendleton—Western Region, Lisa Weeks—Southern Region, Kelly Wilkerson—North Central Region, Sam Kessler—FBLA National President, Beau Cobb—PBL National President, David E. Jones—PD National President, Monty C. Rhodes, PastChair—Southern Region, Jean M. Buckley—President and CEO.

Future Business Leaders of America National President Sam Kessler reported on the officer team’s activities relating to our four organizational goals.

Customer Service—Membership is down 0.43% and numbers fluctuate this time of year. Sam distributed coupons for Men’s Wearhouse and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts that were in Tomorrow’s Business Leader. For the Chapter Challenge submissions—Super Sweeps, 121 submissions, 17% increase; Non-Stop November, 84 submissions, 25% increase; and Action Awareness started on January 1.

The officers have reached half of their goal in the Home State Advantage Program, and a new Student Pitch opportunity will pilot at the National Leadership Conference (NLC).

Relationships—The National Fall Leadership Conference (NFLC) March of Dimes Blue Jeans for Babies fundraisers collected $6,135, a 35% increase over last year. The State Officer Track had approximately 250 officers attending, and nearly 75 members visited Capitol Hill.

Resources—The sponsorship prospect list has been updated with student-recognizable names. All officers have been assigned one to three businesses to contact by January 15.

Image & Awareness—There is optimized social media use with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Quarterly regional Google+ Hangouts are being held, and there have been two Presidents’ Address to the Nation.

Phi Beta Lambda National President Beau Cobb reported on his team’s efforts.

Customer Service—Membership is at 5,822 and 323 chapters, which is a 2.28% increase to date. The team launched the inaugural PBL Pathways Program at the NFLC in New Orleans.

Relationships—The officers set a March of Dimes team personal fundraising goal of $10,000. Visits were made to Congress, Department of Education, and Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education.

Resources—Over 60 companies have been identified for potential sponsorships.

Image & Awareness—All social media venues have increased: Facebook PBL officer pages, 176% “Like”; PBL Officer Twitter accounts, 210%; and LinkedIn, 110%.

Professional Division National President David Jones shared his team report.

Customer Service—PD membership goal is 3,600 members. The team is working to get two state chapters to establish officer teams for their PD members, and working with the national center to gather information from the states for the implementation of the PD membership anniversary year with plans to test in two states in 2015–16. PD recruiting materials are updated on the national website.

Relationships—At the NFLCs, officers hosted a PD workshop, share tables, and a PD booth. An NFLC Experience Information sheet was created, and a “lifetime association” ad was placed in FBLA-PBL publications. At least five open competitive events are being planned for PD members at the FBLA and PBL NLCs.

Resources—A link for discounts and benefits is on the PD section of the website. National officers are working to secure new benefit partners and corporate sponsors. The team is organizing sponsorship of a competitive event at NLC through annual giving donations.

Image & Awareness—The Professional Division—Get Involved video was shown at each NFLC opening session, and the link was sent to all advisers in an Adviser eBlast. The team conducted an Involving the Pros webinar.

Membership, Marketing, and Public Relations Committee Chair Zulema Garcia reported that all State Leadership Summit (SLS) suggestions from the June meeting were implemented and detailed examples of the new format and content.

PBL Branding Study—MDG, a Reston, Virginia firm, will begin work in January.

PD Membership Year—Anniversary renewal, accounting and award dates, and grace and billing periods were discussed. Plans will move forward to test it in two states in 2015–16.

PBL Officer Team Structure—PBL National President Beau Cobb presented rationale, and the committee discussed, alternative structure and position titles for the PBL national officer team. This will require a PBL bylaw amendment. Beau will draft a working paper for additional review by staff and states.

Programs and Services Committee Chair Lisa Hofstetter reported that the committee discussed the National Awards Program (NAP) recommendations for 2015–16 new and modified events. FBLA proposals received 34 state responses and PBL proposals received 22 state responses, both increases over previous years. The board committee discussed each proposal and had several items they recommended sending back to FBLA-PBL NAP for additional review.

Additionally, we will host a committee conference call to review the plans for developing adviser lessons plans, and Richard Bowen will share the 2015 NLC information during the SLS.

In Other Business, the board reviewed and approved the new state chairs that had been placed in nomination by the states—Diana Hegmann, Maryland; Lori Niekamp, Missouri; Myrna Garcia, Puerto Rico; and Lindsay Andreotti, Washington.

Jean provided an update and a brief history of the Reston (Dulles) Rail project for the new board members regarding the arrival of the Reston/Wiehle Metro and the impact on the 27.4 acres owned by the Center for Educational Associations (CEA).

The board also reviewed the SLS, kicking off that evening through Sunday.

BOARD MEETING SYNOPSIS—January 9, 2015