• The first NJ FBLA chapter was chartered on October 16, 1947, at Pennington (now Hopewell Valley Central) High School; it is chapter #112.

• The first significant stride toward the formation of the state chapter was taken on November 11, 1960, in Atlantic City when a group of local chapter advisers met with Mr. Hollis Guy, Executive Director of FBLA and the United Business Education Association. A full-scale organizational meeting followed on December 1, 1960. Dr. Louis C. Nanassy, Professor of Business at Montclair State College (known today as Montclair State University), served as the first state chairman. Application was made for the state chapter charter; and it was granted by the national office on May 1, 1961, as State Chapter #27. The first NJ PBL chapter was chartered at Montclair State College (now University) on December 10, 1967.

• The first FBLA state convention was held at Montclair State College on May 13, 1961. It was attended by 180 students and advisers from 13 of the 23 active chapters. Dr. Hamden L. Forkner, Professor Emeritus of Teachers College of Columbia University and founder of FBLA, delivered the main address. Mr. Hollis Guy also attended. Competitive events were conducted; state officers were elected for 1961-62; the constitution was ratified; and awards were presented.

• The FBLA-PBL state office was located at Montclair State College until 1967. From 1967 to 1994, the organizational structure for New Jersey Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda had been managed by the New Jersey Department of Education as an in-house operation or through funded projects at Rider College. The state association was located in the New Jersey Department of Education with Ms. Mary Lynn Fracaroli, an education program development specialist, serving as FBLA-PBL State Chairman. Due to the Department of Education divesting all student vocational organizations, a grant was awarded to Mercer County Community College to manage New Jersey FBLA-PBL from July 1, 1995, to June 30, 1996. Ms. Ellen A. Benowitz was appointed the State Chairman, with Mrs. Phyllis Halperin as Education Specialist. The grant has been renewed each year thereafter to date.

• Currently, New Jersey FBLA-PBL is housed at Kean University with Dr. Jeff Victor serving as the State Chairman and Ms. Kimberly Clark serving as the State Adviser.

• NJ FBLA-PBL national presidents:

  • ​Jeffrey Malloy, PBL National President, 1982-83

  • Joseph McDougall, PBL National President, 1993-93 from Rider University

  • Michael Yaroshefsky, FBLA National President, 2007-08 from Wayne Valley High School

• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) for high school students, with over 214,000 members and more than 5,250 chapters.

• FBLA-Middle Level (FBLA-ML) for junior high and middle school students, with over 21,500 members and more than 700 chapters.

• Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) for college students, with over 10,000 members and more than 500 chapters.

• Professional Division (PD) for FBLA-PBL alumni, business professionals, educators, and parents who support the goals of the association, with over 3,350 members.

FBLA-PBL is governed by a set of Bylaws, defined and interpreted by the FBLA-PBL Board of Directors. Each state chapter and local chapter also operates under a set of bylaws.

• FBLA bylaws

• FBLA-Middle Level bylaws

• PBL bylaws

• Professional Division bylaws

FBLA-PBL’s National Awards Program, commonly called competitive events, recognizes and rewards excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas. Through state-based competition at the spring State Leadership Conferences, members compete in events that test their business knowledge and skills. Top winners in each state are eligible to compete for honors at the National Leadership Conference each summer.

FBLA-PBL is funded by membership dues, conference fees, corporate contributions, and grants. FBLA-PBL is recognized by the Association for Career and Technical Education, International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, National Association of Parliamentarians, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Business Education Association, and the U.S. Department of Education.

• Develop competent, aggressive business leadership.

• Strengthen the confidence of students in themselves and their work.

• Create more interest in and understanding of American business enterprise.

• Encourage members in the development of individual projects that contribute to the improvement of home, business, and community.

• Develop character, prepare for useful citizenship, and foster patriotism.

• Encourage and practice efficient money management.

• Encourage scholarship and promote school loyalty.

• Assist students in the establishment of occupational goals.

• Facilitate the transition from school to work.

I will:

• be honest and sincere.

• approach each task with confidence in my ability to perform my work at a high standard.

• willingly accept responsibilities and duties.

• seek to profit from my mistakes and take suggestions and criticisms directed toward the improvement of myself and my work.

• abide by the rules and regulations of my school.

• exercise initiative and responsibility and will cooperate with my employer and fellow workers.

• dress and act in a manner that will bring respect to me and to my school.

• seek to improve my community by contributing my efforts and my resources to worthwhile projects.

I believe:

• education is the right of every person.

• 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 all of these groups.

• 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.

• every person should actively work toward improving social, political, community, and family life.

• every person has the right to earn a living at a useful occupation.

• every person should take responsibility for carrying out assigned tasks in a manner that brings credit to self, associates, school, and community.

• 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.

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 leader.

Virtual Business Challenge

https://knowledgematters.com/highschool/competitions/fbla/

*Check the link above for updates on the challenges

What Is It?

• The Virtual Business Challenge is a competitive event that encourages FBLA members to test their skills within the virtual business environment.

• Essentially, it is almost like a game (sort of like Sims)

• You can work individually or in teams (up to 3 members on a team)

• The first round of the challenge has already taken place. The second round is scheduled.

• Participating in the challenge will result in you earning points for the point system.

Personal Finance:
Test financial literacy skills. You make personal finance decisions for a simulated person. Concepts include: opening bank accounts, paying bills, filing taxes, applying for jobs, enrolling in educational courses, paying for goods, applying for credit cards, determining schedules, budgeting, and more. For each round, teams will be ranked based on the person's net worth after a virtual 2 years.

Management:
Tests skills in managing either a bicycle manufacturing business or a blue jeans manufacturing. Student is limited as to which concepts they are able to control during each round. Some things they can control include: recruiting/hiring/supervising employees, risk management, organizing floor layouts, bidding on orders, and more. Individuals/teams will be ranked based on the Business' cumulative profit after running a virtual 6 months.

• Team registration for these events begins October 6th (can most likely still register)

• 2nd challenge: Feb. 1, 10:00 A.M - Feb. 26. 5:00 P.M

• At the conclusion of both rounds, teams that qualified to compete in the final round for this event (which will be held virtually) will be notified. The final round dates are TBD.

  • Note: Advisor (Noll) must notify the national FBLA if qualifiers would like to participate in final rounds.

• The top 8 nationally ranked teams will be recognized for round 1 and round 2

• Final Rounds:

  • 1st place: $1,000/team

  • 2nd place: $500/team

  • 3rd place: $250/team

  • Teams that placed 1st-10th will be recognized at NLC

Eligibility

• All high school members are allowed to participate

• Ensure dues are paid prior to any submission to Virtual Business Challenge (VBC) files to Knowledge Matters

Team Membership

• Teams must consist of 1-3 members

• A member cannot be on more than one team

• No additional team members can be added after registration

• Team name must adhere to FBLA’s code of ethics

Code of Conduct:

• Participants must agree to compete by the Rules of Competition

• All work submitted is work done by the participant (and its partners) -- Honor Code

• Cheating is not tolerated/no hacking

Qualifier Rules:

• Top 8 nationally-ranked teams per round from both tracks of the event qualify to compete in the final round of the event.

• Max of one team, per state, per round, per track, is eligible to qualify

Scores:

• The numeric score will not be posted, but bars symbolizing a team’s score will be posted

• In the event of a tie, the team with the earliest file submission will rank higher, so it is important to get your files sent early in the Challenge