Some of the benefits and activities you could be involved with include:

• You will be given access to the Virtual Chapter Web Site and can “meet” the other members in the virtual chapter.
• You can participate in the PBL Chat Room meetings, FaceBook messaging, regular e-mails from the advisers, newsletters and speaker presentations.
• You will automatically be a member of the state chapter in the state where you live or where your school is depending on your choice.
• You can hold leadership positions, including officer positions for the Virtual Chapter.  We will elect officers to lead online discussions.  You could also hold a state officer position.
• You will be invited to attend the State Leadership Conference where you live or go to school and participate in competitive events.
• You will have access to the FBLA-PBL Web Page
• You will receive regular e-mails from the National officers
• You are invited to attend all National Leadership Conferences and compete in competitive events.
• You can participate in the Career and Memberhip Achievement Program (CMAP) sponsored by Virtual Phi Beta Lambda
• You will be a member of a nationally recognized business organization!
• It looks great on the resume!

Virtual Chapter membership is open to individuals who are enrolled in accredited post-secondary institutions and who meet the other membership eligibility requirements defined in the PBL National and/or State chapter bylaws.   Additionally, these individuals will need to demonstrate that they are unable to participate actively in a traditional local chapter due to one or more of the following circumstances: 

• The student is enrolled in a distance- or fully electronic-learning program and does not regularly attend courses or programs on-campus;
• The student is enrolled in a school which does not have a currently active local chapter.

As a Virtual Member, you are eligible to attend and participate in the leadership conferences organized by the state chapter you choose to affiliate with for membership purposes.  

STATE SPONSORED CONFERENCES

Each Fall most states hold a State Leadership Conference.    These events focus primarily on leadership and career development workshops, plus they are wonderful opportunities to network with other members and organizational leaders.

Each Spring, your state will hold a Spring State Leadership Conferences.  At this conference, officers are elected for the coming year and you can participate in competitive events. Workshops and speakers may also be included. 

Check out information on state conferences by going to the Web Pages for your state affiliation (see State Chapter Link)

NATIONALLY SPONSORED CONFERENCES

In additon to conferences held by the various State Chapters, the National association also sponsors both fall and summer events.   The National Fall Leadership Conferences, usually held in 3-4 cities around the country each November, are high powered leadership training programs where members from all around the region come together to learn about the association, career options, and leadership skills.

National Fall Conferences for 2011 are being held in Philadelphia, PA (Nov 4-5), Milwaukee, WI (Nov 11-12), and  Little Rock, AR (Nov 18-19).    

A special VIrtual Chapter Meeting is being held in conjunction with the Little Rock conference.   All Virtual Members are invited to attend what will, in essence, be a conference within a conference with special presenters, content, and activities just for members of the Virtual Chapter.    For details about the Virtual Chapter Meeting, please email Glenn Morris ASAP.

The National Leadership Conference is the culimating experience for members each year.  Held in a major US city in late June or early July, the PBL event features 1,500-plus college members from all over the country gathering to talk about leadership and careers.   Additionally, those members who placed well in their competitive events at the State Leadership Conferences will have the opportunity to square off against each other for national awards, bragging rights, and cash prizes!   The 2012 National Leadership Conference will be held in San Antonio, Texas from June 24-28.   Details about the conference can be found here.

Details about the Competititve Event Program can be found HERE.      

The cost for membership in Phi Beta Lambda depends on your state fee which can be found when you register.  National dues are $10 per year and the state dues vary from $6 to $12 per year.  This is a small price to pay to become involved in a professional business organization such as this one.  Dues can be paid online or you can send your dues to VPBL Membership c/oFBLA-PBL, Inc., 1912 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191.  Make sure you mark on your membership check that this is for the PBL National Virtual Chapter.

For information about the CMAP program or other membership benefits, contact Jason Mott.

To submit questions or suggestions about this website, or for help in contacting your affiliated State Chapter Adviser, contact Glenn Morris.