From Ohio FBLA State President Kimaya Mundhe
From holding our Local Chapter Officer Training and Networking Night to helping host the National Fall Leadership Conference (NFLC) in Columbus, your state officer team has been hard at work this fall!
It was great to see over 90 Ohio FBLA members attend NFLC, where they engaged in skill labs, participated in business workshops, competed in objective test events, and heard an inspiring keynote from Ohio native Alex Sheen, founder of the social movement because I said I would.
Reconnecting with friends from across the country at NFLC reminded me of what makes this organization so special: our members are some of the most passionate and committed people I’ve met. Whether exchanging ideas during the state president roundtable or speaking in front of 1,200 attendees, I’m grateful for the opportunities FBLA has created for me. With each new experience, my definition of what makes effective leadership continues to evolve, and I’m lucky to have the chance to keep striving toward it alongside this supportive community.
As we dive into the busy months ahead, I encourage you to take the next step in your leadership journey—whether that’s completing a level of the Business Achievement Awards or taking on a more active role in your local chapter.
Don’t forget to check out resources from the National Center and the updated Ohio Competitive Event Guide as you prepare for your competitive events. I’d specifically like to highlight to Adviser of the Year Award, which we haven’t had any nominations for in the last couple of years. Show your appreciation for everything your adviser does to support your chapter by nominating them for this award! The Competitive Event Guide also includes opportunities for state-specific individual scholarships and awards.
Earlier this month we announced a big update: this year ’ s State Leadership Conference (SLC) will take place at the Cherry Valley Hotel and Convention Center! Save the dates—February 27-28—and get ready for registration, which opens on December 2nd. We can’t wait to see your chapter at SLC.
If you ever have questions or need support, please reach out on Instagram at @kimayafbla, email president@ohiofbla.org or call/text 513-238-8104.
LocalChapterOfficerTraining &NetworkingNight
10/23
In October, Ohio FBLA state officers held a live Local Chapter Officer Training and Networking Night. We were glad to see 30 student leaders take this opportunity to learn about Champion Chapter, the Business Achievement Awards, FBLA partner programs, membership recruitment strategies, and fundraising. At the end of the night, attendees interacted with officers from different chapters in breakout rooms, where they worked together to plan a chapter event.
CHAPTER VISIT
Rishi 1st congratulations Forthefirsttimethisyear,six competitiveeventswereofferedto NFLCattendees.RishiPampati,a sophomorefromWalnutHillsHigh School,placedfirstinBusiness Basics,anobjectivetestfor9thand 10thgrademembers.
SLC LOCATION
Cherry Valley Hotel & Ohio Conference Center
We have a new State Leadership Conference location! While the Crowne Plaza Hotel has served us well over the past few years, Ohio FBLA continues to grow and we have simply run out of space. We appreciate everything the CP team has done to support us to date and would like to share that The Cherry Valley Hotel & Ohio Conference Center will be the new home for Ohio FBLA’s SLC! Check out the conference guide here and get ready because registration opens on December 2nd. We can’t wait to welcome you there in February!
OHIOTECHDAY
StateOfficersdiscussintersections betweenbusinessandtechnology
Ohiomembersselectedtoserveon FBLANationalCouncils
The FBLA High School National Officer Team is supported through student leadership of National Councils. Each officer has a National Council focused on supporting their role within FBLA. As a National Council member, students have the opportunity to serve members throughout the entire organization and make an impact on their membership experience
Ridam Shah, Resources Director National Presidents Executive Council
Arshya Maricar, Resources Director North Central Region Council
Join Ohio FBLA State leaders, as they lead a discussion on the intersection of business and technology for #OhioTechDay In this insightful conversation, students highlight how FBLA is preparing students to excel in tech-driven business careers. This video aims to inspire students to explore how tech and business skills can shape their future and create new opportunities in Ohio's growing tech landscape Check out the full discussion here!
LEVELUP yourchaptermeetings
TipsfromMasonFBLA’splaybook
Hi! My name is Amogh Navada, and I am the President of the Mason chapter. Here are some of the ways we make our meetings engaging:
Icebreakers: There are so many icebreakers out there. In our meetings, we incorporate a business spin on them.
Speed Networking: Set a 2-minute timer and have members talk!
Members must try to branch out to people they don’t know. Try making pieces of paper that contain a number. Make sure the numbers are repeated only once. Members must find the person with their number and chat with them.
Product Pitch: Split members into groups. Find things in the room and give an object to a group. After 5-10 minutes the groups present the target audience they want to pitch it to, the business plan, and the marketing plan.
Meeting slides: Make engaging meeting slides by using templates like https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/fbla-pres/57519682. If you want to be more creative, use templates from Canva to style your slides.
Speaking: The best meetings involve speakers who know what they’re talking about. The meeting shouldn’t be the first time that you see the slides! Understand the material and prepare your speech before the meeting. Rotate speaking points with all the chapter leaders.
Google Forms: Google Forms is a great to to gauge interest. If you have a new initiative you're pushing out, or need people to sign up for volunteering, Google Forms can help you gain the responses you need. You can also create exit forms to keep attendance or provide a more private way to ask questions!
The FBLA High School Membership Prospectus is out now! This brandnew resource will help explain FBLA to potential members, parents, administrators, and partners.
Looking for competitive event advice? Learn from the best of the best in our new series: Champion's Corner! You can watch the first episode TODAY on the FBLA National YouTube channel.
LINKING
LEADERS
Linking Leaders is an engaging initiative brought to you by the NCRC designed to connect FBLA members from across the nation. There are two sub-programs: Presidential Partners and Linking Leaders. President Partners fosters collaboration among local, regional, and state officers, while Linking Leaders focuses on normal FBLA members. Participants can work with their pairs to complete challenges where they share ideas and engage in deep conversations to learn new perspectives. This program has 2 terms, allowing members to be reshuffled. Linking Leaders aims to unite members, offering opportunities to broaden horizons and grow as leaders.
The deadline to register for the first cycle is December 20th.
The program will begin on December 22nd and end on January 26th.
Register today using the link in @fbla national bio!
PARTNERPROGRAMS
BusinessU
This program offers a wide range of different business courses spanning from marketing, accounting, and personal finance to business law and principles of entrepreneurship. BusinessU allows students to get a better understanding of the business field, exposing them to these various facets of business. This year, FBLA and BusinessU launched a new series: “FBLA at the Bell”, designed to initiate classroom conversations with fun and educational business insights, news, and case studies. Click here to learn more.
Lead4Change
This program is a free leadership program for students in grades 6 - 12 that teaches students proven leadership skills and creates real change in your school and community. Lead4Change cultivates a mindset of servant leadership to its students through its simple lesson plan, yet robust curriculum Students, in teams of three, complete a service project that could earn up to $10,000 for their school Click here to learn more.
LifeSmarts
This program is a national educational competition focused on personal finance and consumer topics technology, and more. Open to students in grades 6-12, LifeSmarts offers several competitions for FBLA members, including the FBLA LifeSmarts Challenge (with Fall and Spring events), State and National Championships, and monthly TeamSmarts quizzes with cash prizes. Top teams have the chance to compete at the FBLA National Leadership Conference and the National LifeSmarts Championship, where they can win scholarships, gift cards, and other prizes Click here to learn more
PARTNERPROGRAMS
Alzheimer’s Associatio
This program invites FBLA chapters across the country to participate by forming teams, fundraising, and completing various activities throughout the school year. Chapters that reach specific fundraising milestones and finish the game board are recognized with rewards such as official Walk to End Alzheimer’s T-shirts, ribbons, plaques, and bonus points toward the FBLA Champion Chapter competition. The initiative not only supports Alzheimer’s research and caregiver resources but also engages students in meaningful service and leadership development. Click here to learn more.
The Stock Market Game
This program allows students to work either individually or in teams ranging from 2 - 5 members, where students will work to build a successful investment portfolio of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, using a hypothetical $100,000. Competitors track their investments over the course of 10 weeks, receiving valuable opportunities to practice math, critical thinking, problem solving, and research skills as well as essential real life money skills. Click here to learn more.
Virtual
Business Challenge
This program gives FBLA members the opportunity to participate individually or in teams up to three There are two rounds for each track of the event. Both tracks will utilize limited function online competition versions of simulations for the first and second rounds. Students who are currently using, or who have previously used one of VBC’s online simulations (Accounting, Hotel, Restaurant, Personal Finance, Retailing, Management or Sports and Entertainment) may use their existing accounts to participate. Click here to learn more