1. Gain the Competitive Edge
Lynda Oswald, North Augusta High School
Rita Beard, Sumter School District
SCBEA Convention – February 5, 2016

2. General Guidelines Follow State Handbook Guidelines
Know the guidelines for your members’ events
Be aware of items on the rating sheet
Events at a Glance

3. Objective Tests Objective Tests Online (NLC vs Scantron (SLC)
100 multiple choice questions
Examples:
Accounting 1
Business Law
Cyber Security
The FBLA-PBL competitive events are offered in several different venues. Many of the events require an objective test which may be taken on computers or just taken as a pencil/pen test using a scrantron form. The tests have 100 questions and you are given 60 minutes to complete the test.
If taking an online test, make sure to take advantage of the sample tests. You can practice with the format of the online tests by putting the word “sample” in each of the fields on the login screen. Once your sign in to your test, the time starts. Once you select an answer to a question, it is automatically saved. You are able to go back and review questions and change answers. You can use the calculator found on the program. This is like taking any test, if you “accidentally” go to the Internet, you will be disqualified. Once you “Submit for Grading,” you are no longer able to change any answers.
If you are taking a scantron test, make sure you bring several sharpened pencils. And always arrive early to your testing site!
Objective Tests

4. Introduction to Business Communication
9th and 10th Grade Events
The following events are only open to 9th and 10th grades:
FBLA Principles and Procedures
Introduction to Business
Introduction to Business Communication
Introduction to Business Presentation
Introduction to Business Procedures
Introduction to Financial Math
Introduction to Information Technology
Introduction to Parliamentary
Make sure members know the events in which they are competing. There is some confusion with these events and events for any grade level such as: Introduction to Business Communication and Business Communication.

5. What Should I Study? Internet Searches Variety of Textbooks
FBLA & PBL Competitive Events Study Guide (purchased through FBLA-PBL MarketPlace)
Ask others who took the same event the previous year
Preparing for the objective tests is a task that can pay big dividends at the Awards of Excellence programs at every level of competition. Start by using the Internet to search out information on the topic, ask your teachers to let you use a variety of textbooks and review the glossary and end of chapter summaries. Check with other FBLA and PBL members who might have participated in this event a previous year. (Quizlet, etc.)
Competitive Events Study Guide that is offered through the MarketPlace

6. What Should I Study?
Online Reference Guide - pbl.org/fbla/competitive-events/guide/
Online Reference Guide

7. Test Taking Tips Read the question before looking at the answer
Eliminate answers you know aren’t correct
Read all choices before choosing an answer
Usually the first choice is the correct choice – don’t second guess yourself
A positive choice is more likely to be true than a negative one
Usually the correct answer is the choice with the most information
Google searches are invaluable when looking for information. Google sites that give valuable tips on taking a written test. Several thoughts to keep in mind when going into the room with hundreds of other students to take an objective test event—whether on the computer or a pencil and paper answer sheet.
Remember arrive early and follow the dress code for any event you enter.

8. Future Business Leader
Interview Events
Job Interview
Competitors must bring one (1) hard copy of résumé and cover letter in a folder to each round of interviews onsite.
FBLA—Merit Corporation is a fictitious company
Apply for business or business related job you will be qualified for by end of year
Future Business Leader
Highlight FBLA involvement, leadership positions, conferences, awards, etc.
Interview events are fun and prepares members for future jobs.
Remember for the Job Interview members need to apply for a job they qualify for by the end of the current school year. The resume needs to reflect correct information, but for FBLA the Merit Corporation is a fictitious company, so apply for a job in business related field. It may be a summer position/internship, etc.
For FBLA, an application is also required. It can be found on FBLA-PBL’s website. Make every effort to provide the judges a copy of the application that has been keyed/typed. Handwritten copies are ok, but showing that extra effort can make a difference to the judges.
Have someone review your resume & letter of application to make sure they are correct and absolutely free of grammatical and spelling errors– don’t lose points in this category.
FBLA’s Future Business Leader is an event to showcase the member’s accomplishments in FBLA.
For this event, it is important that the member prepare a resume and letter of application. Be sure to stress involvement in FBLA.
During the interview, answer questions confidently and always focus on FBLA-PBL.

9. Interview Events continued
Preparation Hints
Google sample interview questions
All interview materials should be error free
Practice handshake and eye contact
Practice mock interviews with teachers, principals, counselors, local HR employees
Prepare questions to ask at the end of the interview
Mock interviews are very important. Have an adviser, faculty member, business person or friend practice with the member. And, almost every interview will have a period of time where the person who is being interviewed can ask questions. Be prepared with one or two questions of your own!

10. Reports Read guidelines and review rating sheets
Common Mistakes (point deduction)
Report cover incorrect
Typographical errors
Over page limit
Not following the order of the rating sheet
Another category of competition are chapter and individual reports – e.g. Community Service, Business Plan,, etc.
When writing the report, review the rating sheet and create your report in the order of the points found on the rating sheet.
Normally the judges go straight down the rating sheet when scoring the written report. If they can’t find the information quickly, the report will receive lower scores.
Make sure you don’t lose points for typos and not following directions. Have someone else proofread the report before it is finalized.
You wouldn’t believe the number of reports that lose points once received for national judging. The points deducted are mainly because the cover lacks one of the “Cover Musts” – usually it is either the date or the school name. It isn’t worth losing 10 points over such minor errors.
Community Service Rating Sheet

11. North Augusta High School Chapter Community Service Projects

12. Project CURE Creating Urgency for Research and Education
Project CURE Creating Urgency for Research and Education

13. Project CURE Creating Urgency for Research and Education
In the school year, the members of the Future Business Leaders of America here at NAHS wanted to do a project that would impact and improve the lives of the citizens in the North Augusta community. The members voted to adopt a project that addressed cancer research and health education called Project Cure
Goals that we accomplished
Improved the community’s awareness of cancer
Raised funds for breast cancer research at the Medical College of Georgia to help find a cure
Organized walks at all local middle schools, and the high school, and in the community to raise money for cancer research
Educated students, parents, and other community members about the importance of cancer research
It raised awareness about the benefits of cancer research, as well as the importance of pursuing a healthy lifestyle
In the school year, the members of the Future Business Leaders of America here at NAHS wanted to do a project that would impact and improve the lives of the citizens in the North Augusta community. The members voted to adopt a project that addressed cancer research and health education called Project Cure.
Goals that we accomplished:
Improved the community’s awareness of cancer
Raised funds for breast cancer research at the Medical College of Georgia to help find a cure.
Organized walks at all local middle schools, and the high school, and in the community to raise money for cancer research.
Educated students, parents, and other community members about the importance of cancer research
It raised awareness about the benefits of cancer research, as well as the importance of pursuing a healthy lifestyle

14. Project TAB Teaching Adolescents and Adults About Bullying
Project TAB Teaching Adolescents and Adults About Bullying

15. Project TAB Teaching Adolescents and Adults About Bullying
The project was adopted in order to teach adolescents and adults about the negative effects of bullying. It directly affected over 2,500 students and over 5,000 adults in the community
Dr. Yarborough required all administrators and teachers in Aiken County School District high schools to sign off saying they were familiar with TAB Anti-Bullying Policies
Requested to be presented at the South Carolina Anti-Bullying Summit at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
Featured on WJBF News Channel 12 for a special presentation concerning anti-bullying strategies
North Augusta High School published a book “Not Cool to be a Bully Chant” and presented copies to local elementary schools.
Project TAB, Teaching Adolescents and Adults about Bullying, affected over 2,500 students and over 5,000 adults in the community. All high school administrators and teachers in the Aiken County School District were required by academic officer, Dr. Tim Yarborough, to sign off saying they were familiar with the TAB Anti-Bullying Policies. TAB was presented by request at the South Carolina Anti-Bullying Summit in September of last year, by ourselves. Members, Jacqueline Phillips, Nick Butler, and Zane Stripling were featured on WJBF News Channel 12 for a special presentation concerning Anti-bullying strategies
2014 Anti-bullying video was presented to the entire NAHS Student Body
Project TAB banners were made for students to place handprints on pledging to not bully
Project TAB Teaching Adolescents and Adults About Bullying

16.
Project Homage Honoring our Military with Appreciation and Grateful Enactments

17. In the school year , Project Homage focused on honoring our American veterans and active military through enactments of appreciation.
Goals that we accomplished
Built a brick paver patriotic memorial honoring the military at the NAHS flagpole at the front entrance of the high school
Made presentations to elementary and middle school students, the North Augusta Service Network, the Optimists, and the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce teaching adults and children appreciation for our military
Legacy bricks continue to be ordered from the FBLA School Fusion website created by Joey Baldwin
Representative Bill Hixon presented students Jonathan Grimm and Jacqueline Phillips with a flag flown over the Capitol
Honoring our Military with Appreciation and with Grateful Enactments, Project Homages goals were to:
Build a patriotic memorial honoring the military at the NAHS flagpole
Presentations were made to elementary and middle school students, the North Augusta Service Network, the Optimists, and the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce teaching adults and children appreciation for our military
Legacy bricks continue to be ordered from the FBLA website created by student Joey Baldwin on the School-Fusion page
Students Jonathan Grimm and Jacqueline Phillips were presented a flag by Representative Bill Hixon that was flown from the South Carolina state Capitol to be flown at the NAHS school flagpole
Like Project TAB, the legacy of Project HOMAGE continues today
Project Homage Honoring our Military with Appreciation and Grateful Enactments

18. Operation GRAD Always Moving Forward

19. Operation GRAD Always Moving Forward
The Community Service Project was focused on raising the graduation rate at North Augusta High School
The overarching goal of the project was encouraging students at North Augusta High School to graduate by addressing educational barriers in our schools and communities
FBLA officers served as mentors to eight at-risk 9th grade students at North Augusta High School two days each week
Partnered with the United Way Aiken Center and Wal-Mart to provide over 1000 granola bars and snacks for the students taking the ACT and Work Keys test at NAHS
Provided 52 books for the Christmas Child Program to address literacy needs in our community
The graduation rate at North Augusta High School Increased from 81% to 83.4%
The Community Service Project was focused on raising the graduation rate at North Augusta High School
The overarching goal of the project was encouraging students at North Augusta High School to graduate by addressing educational barriers in our schools and communities
FBLA officers served as mentors to eight at-risk 9th grade students at North Augusta High School two days each week
Partnered with the United Way Aiken Center and Wal-Mart to provide over 1000 granola bars and snacks for the students taking the ACT and Work Keys test at NAHS
Provided 52 books for the Christmas Child Program to address literacy needs in our community
The graduation rate at North Augusta High School Increased from 81% to 83.4%

21. Collaborative Tests/ Role Play Performances
Team events requiring written test and performance
Team work
Designate a leader of group
Top teams advance to performance
Interact with the judge in performance
Many of the FBLA events require a team of 2-3 members (other than parli pro which is 4-5). The majority of these events require the team to collaborate and take a test with the top scores advancing to the final performance. When taking a collaborative test, designate one team member to be the “scribe” or computer operator. Remember team members may talk (collaborate) to come up with the correct answer.
For performance events that require a test: If the team is lucky enough to advance to the final round—they will be given a case and usually have 20 minutes to look over the case and then 7 minutes to present. The majority of the cases are interactive which means the judges will role play a part and ask questions throughout the presentation. Don’t get flustered. They are looking to see if you can answer their questions and defend what you say. It is important that all team members participate in the presentation.
Performance Events Without Equipment

22. National Winning Emerging Business Issues Script
This team won 3rd place at national

23. Performance Event Tips
Speaking Events
Public Speaking – 4 or 5 minute, prepared topic
Penalized if 30 seconds under or over
Notes permitted but DON’T READ (notecards)
No electronic devices may be used
Tie topic back to one of FBLA- PBL Goals
General Tips
Eye contact, hand gestures
As with all events, start with reviewing the guidelines. FBLA has three speaking events, Public Speaking I, Public Speaking II and Impromptu Speaking.
Public speaking is a prepared speech, based on one of the goals of FBLA-PBL. Time is an important factor in this event. Carefully plan and practice the speech. Points will be deducted from your score if you are over OR under 30 seconds or more.
Impromptu Speaking topic will be given to you on site and you will have a 10-minute prep time and 4 minutes to deliver the speech. You will be able to jot down your thoughts during this time. Use as much of this time as possible to practice your speech!
Once again if you are in a speaking competition, practice in front of the mirror, your colleagues, and anyone that will listen. It looks so much better if students in events with prepared speeches have the speeches memorized, are animated using hand gestures and voice inflections.

24. Impromptu Speaking Topic: FBLA: Quotes:
Goals, Code of Ethics, Creed, Pledge
Quotes:
Leadership
Business
Education
Topic:
10 Minutes to Prepare
Notecards
2011 NLC FBLA Preliminary Topic Cell phones, texting, and cars are a dangerous mix. Agree or disagree? Final Topic Is leadership an innate or a learned skill?

25. Performance Event Tips
Introduce yourself with name, school, state
If using equipment, be prepared to present if equipment fails
Make sure everyone participates if team event
Practice good eye contact and looking confident
Vary your voice quality
Smile
Stay within time limit
There are other performance events in addition to the speaking events. Use these hints for all of the events where the member performs in front of judges!
The member should introduce her/himself with name, school and state/.
As great as technology is, sometimes it just doesn’t work! Be prepared with a Plan B to go forward with your performance even without the technology.
If it is a team event, make sure that all team members participate equally.
For members: Practice good eye contact with the judges and look confident…even if you are really nervous!
Vary your voice quality. Just as listening to a monotone teacher is boring to students, listening to monotone students is really boring for judges!
Smile! Watch your time. You do not want to lose points for being over or under your time limit!

26. Additional Pointers Technology Events—any software package may be used
The scenarios found in the CMH change yearly
Members should decide early in the school year (by October) what competition they want to compete in
Performance—practice in front of the mirror, in front of your classroom, advisory boards, etc.
Digital Video—uploaded to YouTube
Can I use templates or do I have to develop the Web page or other technology events using code? You can use templates, write code, or a combination of both. I would recommend when using shareware software, to have a credit page listing anything you use to avoid a judge figure you didn’t follow copyright issues.
What do I do regarding copyrights? I’m not sure what do to! FBLA-PBL guideline follows the “Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Use” which is found in the Format Guide. I would recommend when creating any of the technology events, just have a screen at the end listing credits/notations.

27. Competition Day
You’ve studied, now the big day has arrived! We have a few final tips to ready yourself for your competition.
Eat breakfast. Even if you don’t feel hungry, eat at least a piece of toast! You have to fuel your body for the big performance!
Dress appropriately. FBLA-PBL has an established dress code. Make sure that your outfit conforms completely with these guidelines. It would be bad to lose points on a great presentation for not following code. If you are not sure about something, it probably isn’t the best choice. Ask an adviser to help determine if you need help determining what is ok.
Show up early! Always be at your room at least 15 minutes early. If you are competing in an unfamiliar place, scope out the competition rooms when you arrive so that you will know exactly where to go. Not showing up on time can have a definite negative impact on event placement and could even result in a disqualification.

28. Lynda Oswald LOswald@acpsd.net Rita Beard rbeard@scfbla.org