Rachel’s RundownFBLA Members and Advisers,

Thank you for reading the National Secretary’s Council newsletter! The NSC is super excited for all we are working on this year. Be prepared to see updated packets, more social media, and greater interaction with membership from the national level. If you have any questions concerning these goals, feel free to e-mail me at fblasec@fbla.org.

This year, our newsletter will have many special issues coming out. Have you ever wanted an inside view on the March of Dimes from their volunteers, or the Professional Division from some of their members? Through our newsletters, you will have these opportunities and many more.

If you have any innovative ideas for this newsletter or the NSC, please contact one of the council members or myself. We always want to hear what you have to say, and look forward to “Igniting Innovation” this year!

Rachel Ford

FBLA National Secretary

What’s Inside

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An Official Publication Of TheNational Secretary’s Council

Fall 2012

Rachel’s Rundown. . . . . . . . . . .1

Marten’s Manners. . . . . . . . . . . 2

Clever Communication . . . . . . .2

The NSA’s Notables . . . . . . . . . 5

NFLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

What’s To Come

Watch for our Special Edition Newsletter about the March of Dimes! It will be coming out in October. Also look for our Winter newsletter to be published in December to keep up that all that is going on with the National Secretary’s Council! Have any ideas or suggestions for the newsletter? Email fbla.nsc@gmail.com!

The Communication Connection

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Fall 2012

Marten’s MannersLearn about the charitable

company Cell Phones For Soldiers!

This col-umn’s focus for the year will be etiquette, but this issue, we are going to talk about a charit-able business c a l l e d C e l l P h o n e s F o r Soldiers. Their we b s i t e s ay s, “Cell Phones for Soldiers Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing cost-free communication services to active duty military members and veterans.” It was started by two kids when they were eight and nine, who saw a story on the news one morning before heading off to school. A soldier had just returned from Iraq and had accumulated a $8000 phone bill from keeping contact with his loved ones back home, but had no way to cover the bill. Robbie and Brittany Bergquist, the founders, then began to hold fundraisers to make as much money as they can for this soldier. This evolved into the national company that we know today. Their primary way of raising money for this cause is by collecting and recycling old cellular phones. The money from this is then used to purchase prepaid calling cards for active soldiers who are stationed overseas. These cards are simply (continued on page 4)

Clever Communication

Taylor Marten, Executive Secretary

Using Social Networks For FBLA! In this new wave of communication, an opportunity arises for FBLA chapters. Now, we have the ability to communicate with our members using websites such as Facebook and Twitter. These sites allow us to keep our members informed about all that our chapter is doing and has plans. No matter how big our small you chapter is, social networks should be used. Almost all teenagers have a Facebook account. Facebook allow students with an account to "like" a page that is controlled by your chapter. You can post updates, photos, important information, and much more. It is a great tool to use to get the world out about your chapter. Hundreds of chapters have already been successful at using Facebook. Twitter is rising quickly across the Nation. Twitter is very similar to Facebook but has some differences. Chapters can post updates that appear in their followers feed. Members can see what is happening instantaneously. This allows for live updates from events to be posted so those not in attendance and event those in attendance can see what's going on. Twitter also allows for your chapter to keep track of what occurred throughout the year. Twitter is a great tool that all chapter could benefit from. Good communication is necessary for a chapter to be successful. Social Networks present a great opportunity to all FBLA chapters. Facebook and Twitter present the chance to reach a majority of your membership on a daily basis. Many state chapters and the FBLA-PBL National Center have already been successful at using social networks. Using Twitter and Facebook is defiantly clever communication!

Hunter Harley, Communication Director

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Fall 2012The Communication Connection

Where are they now?Evan Murphy

Jason: When did you first

develop an interest in FBLA, and what attracted you to the organization?

Evan: My older brother was in FBLA so I knew of the organization through him. When I began high school and became a member, I almost immediately was interested in becoming really involved. I guess what attracted me to the organization was the seemingly endless opportunities I saw that it could provide. Obviously becoming really involved was a great decision, because FBLA ended up changing me forever.

Jason: That is awesome! What were your greatest

experiences with FBLA and how have they played a part in who you are today?

Evan: I had so many amazing experiences in FBLA - it would be hard to call one "the greatest." I think that, as cliché as it may be, one of my best experiences in FBLA came from my two years of leadership as a state officer in New Jersey. I was able to not only learn a lot about myself, but I was also taught business and communication skills that I will remember forever. Most importantly, however, I was able to give back to the organization.

Jason: Cool! How have these experiences and

skills benefitted you in college?

Evan: I've only been in college for a month so far, but the skills I learned in FBLA have already provided me with invaluable benefits. For one,

the confidence I gained through the association has now led to my election as the president of my residence hall's government. Due to this, I am the only first-year student who will represent Rutgers University's College Avenue Campus at the Residence Hall Association's general assembly. Beyond things like that, however, I have been able to stay organized and keep my time efficiently managed because of skills I learned in FBLA. I see so many kids who are already struggling to keep up with their coursework because they lack these abilities, and I always think to myself about how I wish someone would have introduced them to FBLA when they were in high school!

Jason: Congratulations on your election! Alright one last question, if you could tell current FBLA members one thing what would it be?

Evan: I would tell current FBLA members to make sure they take advantage of all of the opportunities the organization has to provide - from competition to community service and everything in between. FBLA is an amazing thing, and it provides the perfect setting to step out of one's comfort zone. Even if you attempt something and don't succeed, keep trying. It took me four years of competing on the national level before I finally took home an award, and when I did, it ended up being the top award in the organization. I'm still humbled by this today.

Evan Murphy served as the 2010-2011 New Jersey State Parliamentarian and the 2011-2012 NJ Community Service Vice President. Here, Jean Buckley – chairman and CEO of FBLA – congratulates Evan for being named the 2012 Future Business Leader at the national conference – the highest honor bestowed on a member.

!Evan%Murphy%served%as%the%201032011%NJ%State%Parliamentarian%and%the%201132012%NJ%Community%Service%Vice%President.%Here,%Jean%Buckley%–%chairman%and%CEO%of%FBLA%–%congratulates%Evan%for%being%named%the%2012%Future!Business!Leader!at!the!national!conference!–!the!highest!honor!bestowed!on!a!member.!

!Jason Mahr,

Communication Director

Fall 2012

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The Communication Connection

Cell Phones For Soldiers!(continued from page 1) used to defray the cost of calling back home. Since 2004, Cell Phones For Soldiers:

• Raised more than $7 million and provided more than 150 million minutes of free talk time

• Mails approximately 12,000 calling cards each week

• Recycled more than 10 million cell phones, reducing the impact on landfills

• Launched Helping Heroes Home July 2012, to provide emergency funds for returning veterans to alleviate communication challenges as well as physical, emotional and assimilation hardships.

Here’s why it’s important to you. If the FBLA National Office approves the proposed idea, the National Secretary’s Council will be spearheading a national cell phone collection campaign to raise money and promote awareness. Also, following approval by the National Office, I will construct a proposal to make Cell Phones for Soldiers a FBLA National Program. If this happens, it will be a project that is supported by chapters each year. Just think of all the soldiers we could help!

October 17 March of Dimes (Special Edition) Newsletter Published

October 22 **Extended** September Sweeps Deadline

November 2-3 National Fall Leadership Conference-

Indianapolis, IN

November 9-10

National Fall Leadership Conference- Denver, CO

November 15 American Enterprise Day

November 16

Winter Tomorrow’s Business Leader Deadline

November 17 National Premature Awareness Day

November 16-17 National Fall Leadership Conference- Charlotte, NC

December 15

The Communication Connection Winter Issue Published

Important DatesDon’t miss out on opportunities!

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Taylor Marten, Executive Secretary! Taylor Marten, a senior at Sandhills High School in Dunning, Nebraska, is serving as your National Secretary Council’s Executive Secretary. This is Taylor’s sixth year in FBLA and she

currently serves as her local chapter’s president and Red Cross Student Coordinator. She is currently serving a third term as a National Board Officer, having twice served on the Mountain Plains Regional Board. She has earned her Future, Business, and Leader levels of the National Business Achievement Awards and

has attended State Leadership Conference three times, placing in twelve events. Taylor has also attended the National Leadership Conference three times. Outside of FBLA, she participates in basketball, volleyball, and track. She currently is serving as student council president and class president. She is also a member of the quiz bowl team, the one act play production crew, and the National Honor Society. Taylor is looking forward to serving FBLA members across the nation this year!

Hunter Harley, Communications Director! Hunter Harley, a junior at Lexington Technology Center (LTC) in South C a r o l i n a , i s honored to serve as a Communications Director on the Nat ional Secre-tary's Council. He is a two-term State

Secretary for South Carolina FBLA and a LTC FBLA chapter officer for three years. Outside of FBLA, Hunter is an athletic  trainer for his high school and a big fan of The University of South Carolina Gamecocks. Hunter is excited about "Igniting Innovation" through the National Secretary's Council!

Jason Mahr, Communications Director! Jason Mahr is a senior at Montville Township High School in Northern New Jersey. Proudly serving as one of your 2012-2013 FBLA National Secretary’s Council’s Communications Directors, Jason is excited to make this year one of FBLA’s best ones yet! He has been very involved in FBLA since his freshman year of high school and is constantly s e e k i n g t o p r o m o t e membership growth and community service within his own local and state chapters. Last year, Jason served as the recording secretary of the 2011-2012 NJ Community Service Committee, where he was able to impact the entire state through the new initiatives that he helped to organize and the NJ FBLA Community Service Guide, which he helped to create. Over the years, Jason has participated in numerous local, state, and national-level FBLA activities and he encourages fellow members to take advantage of all the opportunities that FBLA provides. This year, Jason is looking forward to serving the over 250,000 FBLA members across the nation!

The NSA’s NotablesLearn about your notable council members!

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Fall 2012The Communication Connection

of FBLA, Elizabeth is heavily involved with fighting human trafficking. She is the president of a Free the Slaves chapter at her school as well as an intern for Proposition 35, an anti human trafficking initiative that will be on the ballot this November in California.  She is currently her FBLA chapter's CEO, and hopes to "Ignite Innovation" and increase involvement between all levels of FBLA.

Crystal Nwagobe, National Secretary Assistant! Crystal Nwagobe in a senior at Elmont Memorial High School in Elmont (Long Island), New York. She has served as her chapter secretary, district secretary, chapter vice-president, and vice-chair of New York State (NYS) FBLA Membership Committee. She currently serves as the NYS FBLA Executive Vice President (she oversees all SVPs and D i s t r i c t / A r e a / R e g i o n activities). She joined the National Secretary’s Council simply because she had to give back to FBLA. Not only on the Chapter, District or State Level, but on the National Level also. FBLA has been an instrumental part of the woman that she is today, and this is her way of saying her ever grateful and humble thank you. Outside of FBLA, Crystal was given the opportunity to work in Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer this summer, creating and testing out novel medicine/machinery to shorten and improve high levels of radiation dosages during Radiation Therapy.

Marissa Sepulveda, National Secretary Assistant Marissa Sepulveda, a senior from Jack Britt High School located in Fayetteville, North Carolina is honored to be serving as the National Secretar y 's Assis tant for the Souther n Region. She has been a part of FBLA for the past two years. Marissa has held a variety of

Sarah Arjun, National Secretary Assistant Sarah Arjun is a senior at Elmont Memorial High School in Elmont, New York and a proud FBLA member since her 9th grade year. She is currently residing as your Eastern Region Secretary’s Assistant, a State Officer for New

York FBLA and her chapter President. Sarah participates in her school’s newspaper, Senior Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society, Global Links and Student Government. She enjoys doing nothing more than something for FBLA and is proud to say that she lives f o r t h i s o r g a n i z a t i o n . Through her years in FBLA,

Sarah has attended 3 State Leadership Conferences and 2 National Leadership Conferences. As she says, “FBLA has made me the person I am today, and for that I owe this amazing organization everything, no matter where I go in life I will always remember what I learned as a New York State FBLA-er ; let’s face it once a New York State FBLA-er always a New York State FBLA-er”.

Elizabeth Chin, National Secretary Assistant Elizabeth Chin, a senior at University High School in Irvine, Cali-fornia, is honored to serve on the National Secretary's Council. After traveling to the National Leadership Conference (NLC) in San Antonio, TX, Elizabeth was excited to network with members from all across the US! During the NLC, Elizabeth completed in Hospitality Manage-ment, where she placed 6th in the nation, and participated  in the National Treasurer's Council workshop, where she realized that she wanted to contribute to FBLA in a greater capacity. Outside

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‘This November, prepare to embark on the quest of a lifetime! The 2012 National Fall Leadership Conferences (NFLCs) will spark your passion for FBLA-PBL and arm you with the tools you need to ignite innovation in the coming year. Dynamic workshops, keynote speakers, endless networking opportunities, and three great venues: Indianapolis, Denver, and Charlotte. Come network, learn, and interact with other future business leaders. Visit the exhibits for information about universities and colleges, new technologies, and fund-raising opportunities.’ The opening speaker at all three conferences will be Ryan Moran. ‘From the minute Ryan has the mic you know you’re in for something different and exciting. Ryan will take you on awild ride filled with humor, heart, and character while also teaching you about finding your gifts and talents, not fearing the unknown, and the difference even just one student can make. When the roller coaster of laughs and emotion ends you’ll look around and say, “It’s over already? I want to go AGAIN!!!” With his incredible ability to connect with young people, Ryan Moran is a speaker that members and advisers will be talking about for a long time.’ If this conference sounds like something you want to be a part of, then talk to your local chapter adviser about getting registered. The deadline is fast approaching, so don’t miss it! If you have any questions or need more information about the NFLC, you can download the official conference guide from the FBLA-PBL website.

SOURCE: 2012 National Fall Leadership Conference Official Conference Guide

National Fall Leadership Conference

Representative and Vice President of Membership and hopes to increase involvement and bridge the gap between local chapter activities and national programs. Outside of FBLA, she dances, sings, teaches second grade at her Sunday school, and serves as the historian of the Seven Lakes Chapter of Mu Alpha Theta

(Math Honor Society.) She enjoys volunteering at a local Alzheimer’s Care Center, and she is also a member of Best Buddies, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor, and the Science Olympiad team. She loves FBLA and cannot wait to ignite inno-vation in her

chapter and across the nation!

leadership positions which i n c l u d e b e i n g c h a p t e r p r e s i d e n t , c o m mu n i t y service and membership committee head, and is currently participating on t h e   N o r t h C a r o l i n a Southeas te r n Reg iona l Board. Apart from FBLA, she is actively involved in dance, athletic training, and the International Thespian Society. She is excited to serve on the National Secretary's Council and looks forward to working with everyone to Ignite Innovation together! 

Prasanna Tamminayana, National Secretary Assistant! Prasanna Tamminayana, a junior at Seven Lakes High School in Katy, TX, is thrilled to serve as a Secretary’s Assistant in the renewal of the FBLA National Secretary’s Council. She has previously been her local chapter’s Freshman