Business Professionals of America

Business Professionals of America
BPA logo
Motto	"Today’s students. Tomorrow’s business professionals."
Formation	1966
Type	Youth organization
Legal status	Intra-Curricular Non-profit organization
Headquarters	Columbus, Ohio
Region served	United States
Membership	51,000 (2,300 chapters) in 23 States
National Presidents	Sam Alexander (Secondary), Lyndsay Robinson (Post-Secondary)
Website	http://www.bpa.org

Business Professionals of America (BPA) is a career and technical student organization that is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. BPA aims to develop leadership, academic, and technological skills in the workplace among students and leaders within the community. BPA's colors are navy blue, tan, and red.^[1]
At the beginning of meetings or other events, BPA members recite their pledge: "We are met in a spirit of friendship and goodwill as we prepare for productive careers in a world-class workforce. We work together to develop professionalism and leadership through Business Professionals of America and pledge our loyalty to our nation."^[1]
BPA's motto is: "Today’s students. Tomorrow’s business professionals."^[1]

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[edit] Officers at National, State, and Chapter Levels

Every Business Professionals of America chapter has presiding officers for the national organization, state associations, and local chapters. They all share and carry out similar tasks at all levels.

President: A good leader is one who can work with people and in turn get people to work with him/her for the good of the organization. He/she knows the work that has to be done and recognizes that it will take many people to do the job. The leader keeps informed at all times of the efforts and progress of those whom a responsibility has been given and sees that the organization is moving forward.

Vice-President: The office of vice president usually carries specific responsibilities for program planning. In most organizations, this is a major task involving many skills and much hard work. In BPA, the vice president has the responsibility of coordinating all Torch Awards Program activities and assisting the president by meeting with all committees, coordinating the program, and assuring that all activities are in keeping with general chapter practices.

Secretary: A good secretary contributes much toward the efficiency of a chapter. Some chapters have one or more recording and corresponding secretaries while others have only one secretary. Some duties include keeping a complete and accurate account of proceedings of the chapter’s business meetings and the meetings of officers, keeping membership lists including a record of attendance, answer all correspondence promptly, and file the letter and the reply for future reference. This position is vital to the stability and progress of the chapter. It requires a responsible and organized individual that will get things done before or right on deadlines without delay in order to keep chapter activities running and stable.

Parliamentarian: The chapter parliamentarian is responsible for the smooth running of meetings according to proper parliamentary procedures. Suggested duties include being present at each meeting to advise the presiding officer, being familiar with the by-laws of the local chapter, and the state and national organizations; studying parliamentary procedure so as to be familiar with all of its principles.

Treasurer: A good treasurer should be accurate, prompt and resourceful. Some suggested duties are serving as chairman of the finance committee, help plan the chapter budget for the year, and keep accurate financial records.

Historian: The historian will provide pictorial and factual information to be kept as permanent records of the chapter’s activities.

Reporter: The reporter writes articles for the media, including the school newspaper and local paper regarding chapter news and spotlights.

Sergant at Arms: Keeps order at meetings, but at a larger level (similar to parliamentarian).

[edit] Types of awards

BPA rewards members in three categories:

Competitive Events: Members are rewarded for high placement in competitive events.

Special Recognition Awards includes: Air Force Recruiting Salute Award, Community Relief Service Award, BPA Marketing and Public Relation, Chapter Activities Award of Excellence, Community Action, Outstanding Service Award, Entrepreneurship Exploration, Hall of Fame and Outstanding Service Awards, Member Recruiter, Merit Scholar, National Center Capital Improvements Campaign, Safety Awareness, Special Olympics, Environmental Action Award, and The Professional Cup. ^[2]

Torch Awards: Members are rewarded for excellence in seven categories such as "Patriotism," "Leadership," "Love, Hope, and Faith," and more. ^[3]

[edit] Leadership Conferences

There are several levels of competition held at conferences and competition advancement is sought at each level in events referred to in the Competitive Events section.

Regional Leadership Conference (RLC)

State Leadership Conference (SLC)

National Leadership Conference (NLC)

Many regions opt to arrange Fall Leadership Conferences in which there is no competition. These conferences are usually less formal than at RLC, SLC, and NLC.

[edit] Competitive events

Many different types of competitions, known as "events," are part of BPA. "Open Events" are electronically scored multiple choice tests. Other events can be computer-based, judged, or test-based. Events offered fall under the categories of Financial Services, Administrative Support, Information Technology, or Management/Marketing/Human Resources. ^[4]

[edit] Financial Services

Fundamental Accounting
Advanced Accounting
Computerized Accounting
Payroll Accounting
Managerial Accounting
Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications
Advanced Spreadsheet Applications
Banking & Finance
Financial Analyst Team
Economic Research Project Individual
Economic Research Project Team
Financial Math & Analysis
Insurance Concepts
Federal Income Tax Accounting Concepts

[edit] Administrative Support

Keyboarding Production
Fundamental Word Processing Skills
Advanced word Processing Skills
Integrated Office Applications
Desktop Publishing
Basic Office Systems & Procedures
Advanced Office Systems & Procedures
Legal Office Procedures
Medical Office Procedures
Database Applications
Administrative Support Team
Administrative Support Research Project Individual
Medical Transcription
Administrative Support Concepts

[edit] Information Technology

Computer Network Technology
Cisco Systems Administration
Network Administration Using Microsoft
C++ Programming
VB.Net Programming
Java Programming
Fundamentals of Web Design
PC Servicing & Troubleshooting
Computer Security
Digital Media Production
Computer Animation Team
Network Design Team
Software Engineering Team
Video Production Team
Web Application Team
Web Site Design Team
Information Technology Concepts
Broadcast News Production Team

[edit] Management/Marketing/Human Resources

Global Marketing Team
Entrepreneurship
Small Business Management Team
Graphic Design Promotion
Interview Skills
Advanced Interview Skills
Extemporaneous Speech
Human Resource Management
Prepared Speech
Presentation Management Individual
Presentation Management Team
Parliamentary Procedure Team
Management/Marketing/Human Resources Concepts
Parliamentary Procedure Concepts

[edit] National Leadership Conference

Every year BPA hosts a National Leadership Conference (NLC) with over 6,000 students from across the nation.
The 2012 National Leadership Conference will be held in Chicago. ^[5]
Future National Leadership Conference sites:

Past National Leadership Conference sites:

[edit] History of Business Professionals of America

Business Professionals of America was formed in 1966 as the Office Education Association (OEA). Note that information retrieved below was accessed at http://www.bpa.org/information/history.

1963 Vocational Education Act was passed. The need for a student organization for students enrolled in career/technical office/business programs was recognized.

1964 American Vocational Association conducted a study of 43 states indicating that 67% of the state vocational education supervisors wanted a career/technical youth group for students in office/business programs.

1965 Another study confirms the ’64 study findings; State supervisors meet to develop guidelines

1966 In July, the Vocational Office Education Clubs of America (VOECA) was formed by the states of Iowa, Kansas, and Wisconsin. In August, VOECA convened a meeting of youth group representatives to decide the most effective means to implement the office occupations youth group. After intensive effort, articles of incorporation were filed for the Office Education Association (OEA). The first three states to affiliate were Iowa, Kansas, and Wisconsin.

1971 A national office was established for the Office Education Association in Columbus, Ohio, and the Board of Trustees approved the Alumni Division.

1973 The first full-time Executive Director of OEA was employed.

1982 The present National Center at 5454 Cleveland Avenue, Columbus, Ohio was purchased.

1983 Dedication ceremonies for the new National Center were conducted in July.

1984 Board of Trustees commissioned the Market One firm of Columbus, Ohio to do a marketing study of the OEA. The resulting long-range marketing plan recommended reform of the national image of the OEA.

1988 Image reform recommendations of the marketing study were implemented—the OEA became Business Professionals of America.

1992 The National Center is paid off and the mortgage is burned in a ceremony at the National Leadership Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.

1998-2002 Delaware, Florida, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas pilot a New BPA Middle Level program.

2002 The Middle Level Program was approved by the Board of Trustees.

2003 The Middle Level Program was approved by BPA Corporate. The BPA Middle Level Division is born.

2004 Middle Level Division members participate in the National Leadership Conference.

Eric Kuvykin is a business specialist.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012