Similar student organizations have already gone international (I.e. DECA). If FBLA is the largest student organization in the world without being international imagine the possabilities by expanding to other countries.
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Idea#27
Similar student organizations have already gone international (I.e. DECA). If FBLA is the largest student organization in the world without being international imagine the possabilities by expanding to other countries.
Comments (13)
This sounds like a great idea, however, remember what the last letter in FBLA stands for - America. I have a feeling members and advisers wouldn't accept what is supposed to be an American organization expanding overseas.
Then again, we've already expanded into European US Military schools via the DoDDSS Europe chapter. However, these schools and their chapters are only for American children living on military installations.
Also, this would be a tremendous operation to perform. The organization would need more staff, more sponsors, bigger conference venues, and a whole lot more. We would have to take into account our budget and if we could afford to expand into other countries.
There are many factors that need to be taken into account here, all of which should be evaluated before considering a large move like this.
I love the idea, but as the poster above me said, A does mean America.
FBLA has its advantage over Deca because its competitions parallel the high school curriculum well for business students. Deca has competitons like Hotel and Lodging Management. Who at the high school level gets training in that???
But where DECA has its advantage is because of its international scope. FBLA should be competitive and perhaps become the Future Business Leaders. With the global economy, we need to have more global appeal, or we will lose our distinction as the largest student business organization.
Cybis does a great job at creating videos that promote our organization and make it look young, cool, and professional; they could help promote the change.
If you need more staff at the national office, the increase in membership should help pay for it. FBLA needs to be competive. There are many other CTSO's out there that have an appeal--BPA, DECA, SkillsUSA, etc.
FBLA is a great organization . . .let's keep it number one!
Plus if FBLA were to need assistance for this operation I'm positive that many of our members wouldn't mind helping out. Have the state and and state-regional (not the Southern Region type the state type. Between State and District) officers help out. Make it a national project, we have schools in my area who pretty much live for FBLA with over 200 students.
If FBLA does decide to globalize itself you can count on me and my chapter on whatever you may need!
I just want to throw out there, that DECA=Distributive Education Clubs of America.
Exactly so why can't Future Business Leaders of America also go international? Plus DECA does have 200,000 members so if we don't get on the ball and globalize FBLA DECA will surpass us in membership!
Excellent point Brooke!!!
just so you know DECA stands for Distributive Education Clubs of America. so they also have America in their name.
One thing to think about is how this will change the organization. By going global we would have to look at what countries would be added. Eventually if many countries join and become strong in FBLA will each country have a National Conference and then the winners their go onto International or would all of the members from other countries be expected to come to America for the National Conference.
This is exactly what I was saying. Does it sound like a great idea? Yes! Does it sound cool? Of course! But we have to be realistic when looking at this. Are we really ready to go international? Do we have the resources required for such a huge transformation? Is the Board of Directors prepared to make the massive changes for such a move? If this idea does go through, it will take many years of hard work. Expanding internationally, just like any business, is a huge move which requires lots of research and preparation.
It is totally within reach. But it will be a slow process to work up to it. IF DECA can do it, so could FBLA. We should start now.
Of course it will take lots of planning to implement this idea, but that's not the question here; the question is: should FBLA go international? The answer is an obvious yes. Increasing business knowledge globally would, I believe, give way to knowledgeable individuals and a more stable global economy down the line.
I can assure you that the Miami Lakes Educational Center chapter is all for this and would help in whatever FBLA-PBL may need.