<p>So I am wondering if there is anyone out there who has started or held a leadership position for FBLA. My school has DECA, but not FBLA. Are the two too similar already? Also, how do I start the FBLA? Any help would be appreciated!</p>
<p>One of my friends started an FBLA his freshman year. The first two years were eh, but after someone won a national award, our member count went up to like 50 people (small school) and we could barely fit in the classroom we had meetings in. The ease with which awards are won should be enough to attract people, along with the wide array of interesting topics that are tested. It might not be an instant hit, but when recruiting members, make the awards, interesting topics, competition, and, of course, the appeal it potentially has on college apps (that’s how my friend sold it). After your chapter starts racking up awards across a year or two, it can easily be (relatively) massively successful.</p>
<p>I think you can find how to start a local chapter on the FBLA website.</p>
<p>super helpful @captainamerica, however, im a rising junior, so I doubt I could get it very popular right away before I graduate…but it can certainly be done</p>
<p>just say free awards at the state level if you join
nationals are another story though :p</p>
<p>It depends on the state too. We’re in California and it’s insanely hard to get top 3 with massive schools like Troy and Homestead sweeping everything (I didn’t place with an 89% on Econ, while 1st place was 97%!). Like, Homestead probably had as many people as we have in our entire chapter go to nationals this year. </p>
<p>Basically, if you’re in the California or the northeastern states (like NJ and NY) then it’s definitely not free awards.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure you need a club sponsor</p>
<p>I’m in NJ and its not that hard, #1 in state didn’t place at nationals for a lot of events so take what you want from that </p>
<p>Really? Wow. I know NY is really competitive but the first place person in Econ at nationals this year was from NJ, so I thought that it may have been a very strong state. She also got 1st and 2nd in her national events the last two years and was a USABO finalist, though, so… :|</p>
<p>i could use some easy awards too ;).
Also, anyone know if there is a deadline to register by?</p>
<p>I don’t believe the deadline is anytime soon. My school started a chapter this year and officially became a FBLA chapter in January I believe. NJ, NY and California are all highly competitive, although it’s still a rewarding experience. I’m the VP of the Massachusetts FBLA so feel free to contact me if you have any questions. </p>
<p>Do it! I am currently Co-President of my chapter, and this past year (my junior year), the only two people left in the club who hadn’t graduated were myself and the other Co-President. So it was basically like starting a new club; we even had a new advisor! We were fortunate enough to get to go to Nashville and it’s a great experience overall. What state are you from? I’m always trying to find new FBLA friends, haha!</p>
<p>@capitalamerica </p>
<p>Yeah, she’s from my school 
I also placed top 3 in my topic at nationals. Our school did pretty well ;)</p>
<p>@foolish Holy crap, your school is OP. We only had three people qualify and go to nationals; one got 5th (cyber security), one got 10th (business communications), and the last didn’t even place (Agribusiness).</p>
<p>Jealous. :c (plus I wish that girl went to my school… Because reasons. :3)</p>
<p>We had like 10 go and 4 place, so it’s meh, but pretty good taken in absolute.</p>
<p>I finished 7th in Entrepreneurship at Nationals, which isn’t bad for a first year chapter from MA. </p>