In Sullivan County, there are two school districts –– Tri-  Valley and Liberty –– which offer a Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) program. 

But what is it?

According to FBLA’s national website, they are the largest business Career and Technical Student Organization in the world, each year, helping over 230,000 members prepare for careers in business.

The framework of what is known as FBLA today, was developed in 1937, with the first high school chapter being chartered in Tennessee in 1942.

The first collegiate chapter of FBLA was chartered in Iowa in 1958. 

FBLA’s mission is to  inspire and prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.

Goals of FBLA are as follows ...

• 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.

FBLA will surely continue to develop future generations of leaders in the business world, with the skills acquired benefiting students in life as well.

In this year’s section, we have a quick check-in with what’s happening in  Tri-Valley, written by one of the students in the program!