Published: June 28, 2008 01:08 pm            

McAlester campus hosts state PBL meeting

Members of the Oklahoma FBLA-PBL State Officer teams recently met at the AmericInn and Eastern Oklahoma State College McAlester Campus in McAlester, Oklahoma, for an intense two-day training. Officers participated in team-building exercises and various workshops to enhance their knowledge and commitment to FBLA-PBL.

The weekend began with Oklahoma FBLA-PBL State Officer Team Adviser Brian Ferrell welcoming the team members and asking how this year's officer team is going to make a difference? What are you going to do different from last year's team? What gives you the edge? What gives Oklahoma FBLA-PBL the edge? The team completed a “Team Web” exercise to demonstrate how working together as a team can make the team strong!

Ferrell then discussed some of the expectations and responsibilities of being a state officer. The group brainstormed examples of leadership. The roles and duties of the officers were addressed.

Officers were paired to present a history of FBLA-PBL. Each group was given a decade to present to the group. The presentations were entertaining and informative.

Next, Ferrell discussed image and branding. The importance of professionalism and development of character was explained.

Oklahoma FBLA-PBL State Adviser Linda Morgan presented proper dinner etiquette. The group then traveled to Krebs for dinner at Pete's Place where they put their etiquette knowledge to the test. Joining the group were Oklahoma House District #17 Representative Brian Reneagar and his wife, Theresa. Renegar challenged the team to “find your passion. You spend most of your time working. Find what will give you the greatest joy, and pursue that. Then it's not work.”

After dinner, they journeyed to AmericInn where State Assistant Jr. Calton and State Administrative Assistant Laura Morgan led the State Service Project and Public Relations Committee work.

The teams met late for a “getting to know you” session. Each officer was asked to bring two items that describe you. Items could be pictures, mementos, souvenirs, etc. Each took turns showing one item and telling why it described who he/she is. The item was then passed to another officer. The exercise helped officers learn more about each other.

Saturday began with another team building exercise. Officers worked in teams to see who could build the highest tower from marshmallows and spaghetti. State Adviser Linda Morgan and State Administrative Assistant Laura Morgan then worked with the Membership Recruitment/Retention and Sponsorships Committees.

Team members came back together to create a Plan of Action for 2008-2009. Members participated in “Magic Carpet” and “Shrinking Island” team-building exercises. They learned that by pulling together they truly can find solutions to situations.

The group then went to the auditorium to learn proper techniques for speaking in public and presenting awards.

A “reality check” was the final activity, with officers sharing what they had learned during the two-day training.

Oklahoma PBL Officers attending were President Josh Holmes, Two-Year College Vice President Danielle Adamson, and Parliamentarian Stacy Tipton-all from the Tulsa Community College-Metro Campus.

Oklahoma FBLA Officers attending were President Shelby Atkinson, Wilburton High School; Vice President Classie Mote, Wilburton High School; Secretary Desirae Wilson, Wilburton High School; Reporter Laura Myers, Wilburton High School; and Parliamentarian Brittany Gipson, Stonewall High School.

Participating in the training were Oklahoma FBLA-PBL State Adviser Linda Morgan, Oklahoma FBLA-PBL Officer Team Adviser Brian Ferrell, Oklahoma FBLA-PBL Administrative Assistant Laura Morgan, and Oklahoma FBLA-PBL State Assistant Jr. Calton.

Also attending were Wilburton High School FBLA Adviser Virginia Hollingback and TCC-Metro Campus Advisers Vonn Goolsby and Mitch Ober.

        

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