êHistory of FBLA

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) is a nonprofit educational association of students preparing for careers in the business and business-related fields. The association has four divisions:

êProfessional Division for businesspeople, educators, parents, and anyone who supports the goals of the association

The FBLA concept was developed in 1937 by Dr. Hamden L. Forkner of Columbia University. In the fall of 1940, official sponsorship of FBLA was accepted by the National Council for Business Education; on February 3, 1942, the first high school chapter was chartered in Johnson City, Tennessee. In 1958, the first Phi Beta Lambda chapter was chartered in Iowa.

More than 250,000 active members participate in more than 13,000 chartered chapters in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, U.S. Territories, and Department of Defense Dependent Schools worldwide.

FBLA-PBL is financed primarily through membership dues. Corporate and foundation grants also play an important role in the association's financial base.

The national organization is governed by a board of directors comprising professional educators, local and state advisers, state and local supervisors, business and industry representatives, and the presidents of FBLA, PBL, and the Professional Division. The board appoints a president/chief executive officer.

FBLA-PBL Goals

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is for high school students interested in a business or business-related career. Find out if your school has a chapter by asking your school administrator or a business teacher. If your school has an FBLA chapter, all you have to do is pay your $6 annual national membership dues (and state & local dues where applicable).

Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) is for college or post-secondary students pursuing a business or business-related career. Find out if your school has a chapter by asking your school administrator or other business educator. All you have to do is pay your $10 annual national membership dues (and state & local dues where applicable) to enjoy all that PBL has to offer.

FBLA-PBL Professional Division is for anyone who has an interest in and supports the goals of FBLA-PBL--former FBLA -PBL members, employers, educators, parents, school administrators, business people, community supporters, and many others. Professional members can help FBLA-PBL members make the school-to-career transition by serving as mentors, providing internships or job shadowing opportunities, arranging tours of local businesses, networking with media contacts, fundraising, and much more.

These publications bring fresh ideas, new directions and network-building news to our members. They are published three times (except Tomorrow's Business Leader which is four times) each year:

Tomorrow's Business Leader goes to FBLA & FBLA Middle Level students; Adviser Hotline to high school teachers; Middle Level Advisers' Hotline to Middle Level teachers; and PBL Business Leader to PBL members and advisers. The Professional Division receives The Professional Edge.

I solemnly promise to uphold the aims and responsibilities of Future Business Leaders of America - Phi Beta Lambda, and as an active member, I shall strive to develop the qualities necessary in becoming a responsible business

I believe	education is the right of every person.
I believe	the future depends on mutual understanding and cooperation among business, industry, labor, religious, family, and educational institutions, as well as people around the world. I agree to do my utmost to bring about understanding and cooperation among these groups.
I believe	every person should prepare for a useful occupation and carry on that occupation in a manner that brings the greatest good to the greatest number.
I believe	every person should actively work toward improving social, political, community, and family life.
I believe	every person has the right to earn a living at a useful occupation and that this right should not be denied because of race, color, creed, sex, or handicap.
I believe	every person should take responsibility for carrying out assigned tasks in a manner that brings credit to self, associates, school, and community.
I believe	I have the responsibility to work efficiently and to think clearly. I promise to use my abilities to make the world a better place for everyone.