Know Your Tools - Chapter Resources | Nebraska Phi Beta Lambda

As a new year in Nebraska PBL commences, your State Officer team wants to make sure you have all the necessary tools to make this coming year the best it can be for your chapter. With new improvements, goals, and initiatives, your State Officers are excited to help you in any way possible. Below you will find some important resources for your chapter to consult throughout the year.

Chapter Management Handbook
The Chapter Management Handbook (CMH) lists ways for chapters to become involved on the local, state, and national levels. On the local level, the handbook includes information about local chapter organization, recruitment, fundraising, and press releases. On the state and national levels, it provides information about donation and sponsorship letters, national goals, conferences and competitive events, individual and chapter recognition awards, and scholarships. There are many sample documents for you to modify to make specific for your chapter. This comprehensive handbook is one of the largest and best resources for your chapter to reference throughout the year. As the CMH has not been available to members in the past, this year holds promising changes. There is a proposition pending that will possibly allow local chapter presidents to access the CMH. Therefore, it is important to keep local officer information current. Check the Nebraska PBL State Web Site for the latest updates about this proposition. Contact your current local chapter adviser to gain access to the CMH.

Nebraska PBL Guidebook
The Nebraska PBL Guidebook was created as a reference for chapter fundraisers, press releases, recruitment ideas, local activities and partnerships, and awards. It is an excellent supplement to the Chapter Management Handbook in that it provides many samples of documents your chapters use every year. It also provides examples for Professional Division recruitment, business partnerships, and community service ideas to get your members involved.

Nebraska PBL State Web Site
The new and improved Nebraska State Web site (www.ne-pbl.org) is revolutionary in its implementation of resources and member involvement. With individualized member accounts, members can directly interact with others from chapters across the state, as well as with State Officers. The Web site lists current articles and news from State Officers and local chapters. It is a great resource to see what other chapters are up to and to share ideas through forums. The interactive setup is ideal for efficient communication. Make sure to encourage your local members to sign up for an account and voice their opinions on how to better Nebraska PBL.

National Website
The national FBLA-PBL Web site (www.fbla-pbl.org) provides information about membership, national conferences, publications, important dates, and much more. This can be useful for your members to research information about NLC, CMAP, and chapter award forms. In addition, the site lists membership benefits available to paid PBL members and a job bank to assist members in the transition from school to work, which is one of the national goals. Local officers will especially find the national Web site (and NE PBL state Web site) useful for locating chapter award forms.

As your local chapters plan activities and goals for this year, be sure to keep these resources in mind. With these tools and your local involvement, I am positive you will all be Breaking Barriers and Building Futures!

Diva Wilson
Nebraska PBL Assistant VP of Communications

About the Author

Diva Wilson

Hello everyone!  Welcome to another great year in Nebraska PBL.  My name is Diva Wilson, your 2010-2011 State Assistant Vice President of Communications.  I am currently a senior at Creighton University, double majoring in French and Biology.  Upon graduation, I plan on attending medical school.  My future goals include becoming a family practice doctor or pediatrician.

My FBLA-PBL career began in 2003 at Papillion-La Vista High School.  Since then, I have been involved in many local activities that have taught me so much about networking and leadership.  I hope to bring a fresh new look to the Review while emphasizing its importance as a communication tool.  I will also encourage more Tally It Up participation by letting chapters know of how they can become involved in community service in their local areas.

Aside from PBL, I am also serving my fourth year as the Creighton Arts and Sciences Student Senate Blood Drive Coordinator.  My hobbies include going to concerts, discovering new bands, and traveling.  I am honored to serve as a State Officer this year and I look forward to an exciting and productive year in Nebraska PBL.