How to be active

One of the most often asked questions of individuals being recruited for Professional Division (PD) membership is "What can I do as a PD member?" Well, local chapters seem to ask "What can I use my PD members for?" Below are examples of involving and recognizing your Professional Division members. They don't have to actually be a graduate of the college in your area, but may live close to your college and are willing to become an active participant with your chapter's activities.

Professional members, for the most part, are graduates of a college or university. Some of the professional members are advisers of local chapters and some are business people. But "alumni" that have joined the professional division are usually interested in staying involved and giving something back to PBL.

Here's how you can involve Professional Division members:

• Invite your PD's to attend your local chapter meetings.
• Ask them to speak at a local chapter meeting.
• During FBLA-PBL week, host a reception for your adviser(s) and your PD members or have a special dinner / reception for PD members that have exceeded your expectations during the year.
• Involve PD members with committees - be a "coach" for fund-raising or community service.
• Encourage PD's to attend the SLC - offer for the chapter to pay their way (hotel & / or registration) if they work at the SLC (event administrator, judge, leadership development coordinator, PD fund-raising, event coordination, etc.) contact Robbie McDonald for more info on involving your PD's at the SLC.
• Encourage a PD member from your chapter to run for a professional Division office and be a part of the state committee.
• Ask PD members to be coaches for members participating in oral and competitive events, as well as the preparation of reports, for the SLC.
• Use your PD members to form an advisory committee for your chapter. This can lead to networking, involving other business, community service efforts, etc.
• Nominate an outstanding PD member for the "Distinguished Professional Division Member" award. More information on this award can be found in the Chapter Handbook under the "SLC Guide section".
• Submit an outstanding PD member for the "Business Person of the Year" award. More information on this award can be found in the Chapter Handbook under the "SLC Guide section".

More information about the Professional Division:

• What is Professional Division
• How to join