table of contents
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Introduction to Government Affairs
Levels of Government Organizing an “Action Day”
Getting Involved
Introduction to Government Affairs IMPACT One of the core elements to FBLA’s sustained success is our continued relationship with government —at the local, state and federal level. All elected officials can serve as invaluable resources for your local and state chapter. At the core of government affairs is the relationships developed with a variety of officials. These relationships, which aren’t built overnight, are essential to FBLA’s funding, reach and resources. By each local and state chapter engaging in advocacy and government affairs, elected officials will become more cognizant of the vast benefits of supporting FBLA and other Career and Technical Organizations (CTSO).
HOW IT WORKS
FBLA FUNDING Currently, the main source of funding for FBLA and its state chapters is from the The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act (the Perkins Act). The Perkins Act is a federal piece of legislation which distributes funding, by a preset formula, between individual state’s and the federal government for the use of funding Vocational and Technical Education organizations. So, your state’s Department of Education likely uses some of their Perkins Act funding to fund your state FBLA chapter. And, the Federal Department of Education uses some of their Perkins Act disbursement to help fund FBLA and other CTSO organizations across the country. Every few years, the Perkins Act must be reauthorized depending on the time frame set by the previous reauthorization. The best resource for current news on the Perkins Act and other legislation affecting CTE organizations is to subscribe to the “CTE Policy Watch” blog at “acteonline.org.”
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Without advocates advocating for the organizations they represent, elected officials wouldn’t have the time or resources to deeply dive into every political issue. So, FBLA needs to advocate for FBLA and CTSO expansion with the elected officials who represent every single one of our members -- from our Secretary of Education to your local mayor. If we as an organization meet with all of our elected officials, they will become more aware of FBLA and the kinds of resources we provide for students to become our future business leaders. The first step in advocacy is to find an “ask.” It could be attending your SLC, supporting a budget amendment, coming to speak to your local chapter, or supporting a piece of pending legislation which positively affects CTSO organizations. But, your “ask” will be the main thing you speak to the official regarding.
levels of government
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT Mayor or Town Administrator: Your local mayor of town administrator serves as a powerful voice in your local community. Their commitment to FBLA and CTE organizations within your local area will drastically increase your local membership. They are experts of the neighborhoods within your area, and they can play a big role in advocating for FBLA with state officials for more funding for state FBLA chapters. Local Elected Official: A local elected official may be a town councilor or selectman in your local area. They are skilled in passing local measures which will affect everyone in your local area. They also have many great connections with individuals in State Government. They can serve as supporters of state legislative measures which will improve CTE funding.
STATE GOVERNMENT Governor: Your Governor plays a huge role in FBLA’s reach within your state. As the head of the executive branch, they oversee the operations of the Department of Education, while playing an essential negotiation role in your state legislature. Your Governor can play a huge role in appropriating their state’s Perkins Act funding to FBLA each year, and additionally, they can recognize you through a proclamation for your tremendous work within FBLA. Department of Education: Your State Department of Education and the Administrator play a significant role in the distribution of funding towards your state FBLA chapter. The Administrator, oftentimes referred to as a Secretary, is usually appointed by the Governor. The Department of Education is the chief advisor to the Governor on all education related bills, budgets, executive orders, or proclamations. State Legislature: The State Legislature plays a large role in developing education policy. They introduce bills which create guidelines for the Department of Education to follow. Also, members of the state legislature have tremendous sway within a state, especially if they hold a leadership office. A State Legislature is a great platform to organize support for local or state FBLA initiatives. Also, State Officials would love to attend an SLC, if it falls near their district, and this will show your state’s commitment to working with the government to improve CTE education access and funding.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT White House: While the White House may seem far extended from everyday life, hundreds of policy experts work in the West Wing. They craft the President’s agenda on Career and Technical Education. They decide which bills he signs into law, and which he vetoes. The President’s Legislative Affairs team is highly influential, in determining the direction of our country with regards to Education. Department of Education: The Secretary of the Department of Education is the President’s chief advisor on any matter related to Education, including Career and Technical Education. Also, the Secretary administers how the Federal Government distributes Perkins Act Funding to both states and national CTE organizations. The Department is highly influential, and in their capacity, the Secretary controls the public policy direction of Congress and the White House.
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Congress: The United States Congress plays an integral role in shaping Career and Technical Education across the country. Congress is the body which yields the most budgetary power, and within the budget, a specific section exists solely for Perkins Act Funding. Thus, Congress controls how much both the national FBLA chapter and each state FBLA chapter receives via the federal government. Also, Congress also votes on key legislation which expands access to Career and Technical Education. Senators and Members of Congress are tremendously influential when it comes to FBLA and all other CTE organizations.
Organizing an “Action Day” what is an “action day”?
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An “Action Day” is an organized day or a few days where you represent FBLA by meeting with a multitude of either local, state or federal officials to discuss FBLA and advocate for the advancement of our missions. Before scheduling meetings on your action day, make sure you have a clear and compelling “ask” of the official. After you have one, begin to develop a “one pager” which is a double sided information sheet which clearly explains FBLA and why you are there to speak with the official (see an example in Resources). You should expect to leave a few one pagers with each office you meet with. Also, try to drop off your one pager in every office you don’t get the chance to meet with.
Organizing a Local Action Day
Organizing a State Action Day
Topics: > Promoting local membership Growth Speaking to your FBLA Chapter > Press release during FBLA-PBL Week > Joining you for a day at the State House to discuss Perkins Funding
Topics: > Speaking with the head of the State Department of Education regarding FBLA’s State Perkins Funding > Scheduling a meeting with the Governor to discuss FBLA’s State Perkins Funding > Press release during FBLA-PBL Week > Attending and speaking at your SLC
Contacting and Scheduling: Municipalities maintain websites to help inform their citizens of things going on within the community. Usually, this website will list the contact information for officials within your local community, but this isn’t always the case. If you can’t find the contact information on the municipality website, then, you can call the main municipality line and ask for the individual who handles the scheduling for the specific official.
Contacting and Scheduling: States also maintain website to serve as a source of information for residents of the states. Most states have websites for each member of the state legislature, but the best way to reach out to a state official is to call the main switchboard of the state and ask for the office of the official. After getting to their office, ask for the person who handles their scheduling.
Organizing a Federal Action Day Topics: > Promoting Local FBLA Awareness > Press release during FBLA-PBL Week > Attending and speaking at your SLC or the NLC > Coming to your local chapter > Testifying to the House and Senate Appropriations Committee for Increased CTE Funding Contacting and Scheduling: All federal official maintain a public website to better communicate with their constituents. If you aren’t traveling to Washington, DC, you can still meet with your federal elected officials at the offices they maintain within their district. When on the website, there will be a phone number on for each of their offices. To schedule a meeting with the official, call the Washington office and ask to speak with the official’s scheduler.
After your “Action Day” Debrief on the Meeting > Speak with other attendees and write down the aspects which you would change for next time. Write a Thank You Email > Send it to your Point of Contact at the office and ask for them to pass it along to the official. Notify your State Chapter > Reach out to the State Officer Team and your State Advisor to share with them who you’ve met. Notify the National Chapter > Email fblapres@fbla.org to share with the FBLA National President your thoughts on the meetings and what you discussed at them. Post Pictures on Social Media > Share with other members, friends and family about your experience. Also, be sure to use FBLA hashtags!
resources Good Morning Mark,
I’m the current Newton South High School (MA) Future Business Leaders of America’s (FBLA) Chapter President. FBLA is the largest international high school Career & Technical Student Organization (CTSO) reaching millions every year. I will be in Washington on December 10th to meet with my Congressman and Senators to discuss Career and Technical Education (CTE), funding initiatives on the federal level (including increased funding for the Perkins Act among other DoE programs), as well as ways in which we can increase FBLA membership throughout Massachusetts. We appreciate your time, the Senator Warren’s time, and we kindly ask that a meeting be set up. Best, Javid
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sample scheduling email
proclamation request sample [Date] Honorable [Name], [Official Title] [Mailing Address] Dear [Name]: With more than 230,000 members from 47 states and more than 10 countries, Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. (FBLA-PBL) is the oldest and largest career student business organization in the world. Each year, FBLA-PBL helps hundreds of thousands prepare for careers in business throughout the world. FBLA-PBL inspires and prepares students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences. The Second Week of February is National FBLA-PBL Week. This week provides an excellent opportunity for our [City/County/State/School] to demonstrate its support for youth business education and career and technical education. Moreover, it’s a wonderful opportunity to educate the public on FBLA which prepares students for the business world via programs focused on leadership development, educational programs, and community service.
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Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. would be honored if you would sponsor an official proclamation to recognize the second week of February as [City/County/State/School] National FBLA-PBL Week. If you, or your staff, have any questions concerning the request, or FBLA-PBL Week, please call me at [telephone number]. I will follow-up with your office on this request in the next few days. As always, we appreciate your support of FBLA-PBL Week. Thank you for consideration on this special request. Sincerely, [Name] [Title]
elevator speech With more than 230,000 members from 47 states and more than 10 countries, Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. (FBLA-PBL) is the oldest and largest career student business organization in the world. Each year, FBLA-PBL helps hundreds of thousands prepare for careers in business throughout the world. FBLA-PBL inspires and prepares students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation, leadership experiences and community service engagement.
getting involved
Please feel free to reach out to the FBLA FBLA National National President President, with any questions, comments or concerns at fblapres@fbla.org fblapres@fbla.org
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Whether by organizing a meeting with your local school principal or your United States Senator, every meeting is essential to improve FBLA awareness among government officials. To start, you should speak with your local chapter advisors, some chapter members, your state officer team and others. Then, find a common date in which you can meet with your government representatives, and start to reach out to them. Remember that when you meet with anyone to discuss FBLA, you are a representative of yourself, your school and FBLA, so you must conduct yourself with professionalism, at all times. Good luck in connecting with all of your officials, in order to spread the passion you have for FBLA to everyone of your government representatives.