Mark you calendars and get ready to "Shoot For Success" with BPA!
We look forward to a terrific year with Minnesota BPA! Thank you for your continued
support.March 7, 2010
SLC DETAILS
Proctor assignments will be hopefully midweek - thanks for your patience -
it's just taking longer than I anticipated! Remember to continue to email
me edits and changes to SLC students and their events!
March 2, 2010
TORCH AWARDS
Please keep in mind that you as an advisor need to verify your student's app
for the Torch Award. Please review the attached list - if they are on the list
but should not receive, please let me know. Likewise, if they are to receive
and aren't on the list, please advise so that they will be recognized.
GENERALS/OPENS
On the report that you received late last week with your chapter's attendees
listed, if a student is registered to attend but does not have any qualifying
events, and you registered only for generals, they will not appear on the report.
But rest assured, they are in the data base.
LCD/LAPTOPS
BPA Conference will provide lcd/laptops for the following events - have students
bring their projects on a flash drive:
Presentation – Individual
Presentation – Team
Network Design Team
Entrepreneurship
Small Bus Mgmt
Digital Media
Video Production
Global Marketing
Web Design
Web Application
Software Engineering Team
Computer Animation
February 27, 2010
Today is the deadline for pre-submits. Please follow the directions in the WSAP for further information. For Interview and Advanced Skills there is an electronic box on the bottom of the application form. For the letter, either sign and scan the letter, scan the signature and insert on letter OR use a script font for the signature.
For Admin Support Research Paper - Use Edna Renick who is listed as manager of the Admin Support Dept for Professional Bus Associates - see Style and Reference Manual to see the chart.Use her name for the heading lines on the first page of the paper.
February 25, 2010
ATTENDEE VERIFICATION REPORT
Attached is a listing that includes all chapters. Print out yours and review
carefully. See the attached word document for complete directions.
When reviewing teams, keep in mind that the 3 letter/numeric code is as follows:
the letter indicates which team they are a part of - if your chapter has only
1 team then that will be an A. If you have two you should have an A and a B.
The 2 digit number is your chapter id code so in essence every single team
that your chapter has will always have that number in it.
Please let me know if you have questions and be certain to review.
BPA FLASH
With the state conference rapidly approaching, there will be many flash updates
- thanks for taking the time to read - they may help answer questions you
have!
Here is some additional clarification on the interview skills and advanced
interview skills events submission.
The letter, resume, and application form (available at www.mnbpa.org/forms.htm
are submitted together. On the application form there is an electronic signature
option provided following the signature line. The applicant simply checks the
line and adds their initials.
Signature suggestion - kids scan in signatures, save as jpg and place on the
letter and/or form. Another option is to sign the letter and/or form and scan
those into the computer.
PDF and Word are both acceptable formats.
An additional copy of the resume, application letter and completed application
form must be provided at the time of the interview for both preliminary and
final competition. A copy of the resume may be used for reference during the
interview.
February 18, 2010
SOFTWARE FOR DESKTOP PUBLISHING
Adobe InDesign CS3 will not be offered but rather CS4.
SOFTWARE FOR COMPUTERIZED ACCOUNTING
Peachtree 2008 will not be offered but rather Peachtree 2009.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS STATE CRITERIA
Remember, Minnesota has actual scoresheets used for the various special recognition
awards. These scoresheets will also posted to our website. Minnesota will
have these events turned in at the Conference Registration desk on Thursday
morning, March 11th in hard copy format. Keep in mind that for nationals,
you will submit electronically.
Once again this year, the Torch Awards will be awarded during the Opening General
Session on Thursday evening. If you have a student that has qualified to receive
the Torch Award, please let me know if you did NOT include that code number
on your conference excel file.
The Outstanding Recipients of the various special recognition awards will be
awarded at the Grand Awards Ceremony. This year a separate Special Recognition
Session will not be held on Friday afternoon.
INTERVIEW SKILLS CLARIFICATION
Students do not have a contest time on Thursday as in previous years. Just
their interview on Friday.
ON PRESUBMISSIONS
When it asks for id number - we don't have our "state conference system" generated
id's so please use your national membership number.
February 16, 2010
ROOMS AT SLC
Even if you have already submitted your room lists to the Hyatt (I hope so
- due last week!), you may still be wanting to find room mates and combine.
Watertown-Mayer has 2 females and 2 males - anyone?
SPREADSHEET CONTESTS
Fundamental & Advanced Spreadsheets will be held Thursday, at 6 pm.
TIMBERWOLVES TICKETS
Last call for tickets for the Timberwolves game on Friday evening, March 12th.
If you need to add some to your state conference registration, I will need
to know by 2 pm tomorrow as tickets will be released this afternoon.
MEMBERSHIP
Remember to double check your rosters if you have not yet done so. Membership
deadline is on Feb. 15th - TODAY. Don't let someone slip through!
February 2, 2010 - Ground Hog's Day - Six More Weeks of Winter!
COMPUTER LAB OFFICE FURNITURE
Is your school doing a remodel or building project???? We are extremely fortunate
to have the possibility of Spectrum Manufacturing setting up the office/lab
furniture in our PC lab in the Exhibit Hall during SLC. Spectrum will once
again offer a nice discount to any school wishing to purchase any or all
of the furniture upon the completion of the state conference. The desks (36" ,
60" or 72" style) will be offered at about a 30% reduction. There
will be approximately 90 offered. Schools would need to make arrangements
for pick up. If you are interested, please contact Brian Myhre direct at
Spectrum - 715.829.9290 . Hopefully we can find buyers so that Spectrum is
able to support us in this manner!
Please act quickly if you are interested and let me know if you are!
January 22, 2010
SUBMISSION DEADLINES FOR STATE
Attached is the official listing of competitive event deadlines for the MN State Leadership Conference. If you have any questions, please ask!
STATE CONFERENCE JUDGES
Yes, we still need judges in almost all events - please take a moment to consider who you may recruit. You can either have them submit this form to me as an email attachment, or you can just have them email me with their event preferences and I will then slot them in. After they sign up, they receive an additional confirmation with details including the guidelines for the event that they will be judging.
TORCH AWARDS PROCEDURE FOR STATESMAN
With the change of the Torch Awards procedure to being online by the National Center, we will once again be following this procedure for STATE 2010.
January 16, 2010
FRIDAY EVENING ENTERTAINMENT OPTION
Minnesota BPA will have a night at the Timberwolves on Friday evening, March
12, 2010. See flyer for details. You will order your tickets. Transportation
is not included.
DEADLINE DATE FOR STATE CONFERENCE
Deadline to register at the lower fee of $60 before higher registration of
$65 kicks in, is February 10, 2010. Also, if payment from your chapter is
not received prior to the start of SLC, you will be charged the higher rate.
SUBMISSION DEADLINES
You will notice that is not detailed out in the info packet.
This will be finalized in the next week and sent out to you.
FORMAT FOR REGISTRATION
You will once again use an excel spreadsheet very
similar to last year.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS - EXCEL file on the forms page.
This will once again be submitted directly to the hotel (please cc me). This
year, the file will be an excel document. Please review this info as there
have been some changes that the hotel has requested.
GENERAL SESSION TIMES
Please note that we will be keeping the general sessions time as last year
- the Opening General Session will take place at 9:00 pm on Thursday, March
11, 2010. The awards session will begin at 9:30 am on Saturday, March 13,
2010.
MAKE UP TIMES
There will be 3 makeup sessions for ALL conflicts -
Thursday morning: 10:00 am - 12:00 noon
Thursday evening: 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Friday morning: 6:00 am - 8:00 am
All conflicts will be scheduled to be made up at this time, ideally, the
same day the contest is offered. Keep in mind that judged events are not
able to be rescheduled as we only have judges in on the one day, Friday.
CONFLICT FORMS
There is once again a form that will be available on line for you to complete
ahead of time if you are aware of a student conflict. This will help alleviate
the time on site. It is up to you to bring completed copies of this form
to be taken care of at the conflict desk on site Thursday morning of SLC.
SCHOLARSHIP APPS
Remember that scholarship apps are due on February 15th. See SLC Honors & Awards
packet for additional details. Encourage your students to apply!
OUTSTANDING SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR
MN BPA will be adding the "Outstanding School Administrator" to
the professional awards that the organization awards. See the SLC Honors & Awards
packet for details.
APPLICATION INTERVIEW FORM
For your convenience, this has been posted on our state website under Forms
page, Misc. forms.
MEMBERSHIP
Remember to double check your rosters before region competitions!
January 8, 2010
Computer Security event MAY USE reference materials. This was an error in the WSAP.
December 19, 2009
BPA FLASH - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
DRAFT - 2010 BPA DIRECTORY
Please take a moment and review your info within the 2010
BPA Chapter Directory. Please respond with any changes/corrections ASAP. In a week a new finalized
version will be sent out.
STATE AND NATIONAL DUES
Remember to go online and submit your state and national dues please! Keep
in mind to pay close attention to name spelling as well as full names vs. nick
names. The name and spelling follows all the way through to NLC and consistency
is important!
REQUEST FOR CHAPTER ACTIVITIES AND PHOTOS
Please send a paragraph or two along with a photo of any activities that your
chapter has been involved with - we really like to have new things to place/feature
on our state website but we need your help! You can email to either myself
or webmaster Nancy McAfee at: NMcAfee@wm.k12.mn.us
CHAPTER OF THE MONTH OPPORTUNITY
This year's State Officers will once again be recognizing chapters monthly
for their accomplishments. Please consider applying!
STATE OFFICER VISITS
The State Officers are also very willing to assist in any activities your chapter
or region may be sponsoring. Please complete the attached and submit to the
state officer. We will do our best to accommodate requests!
STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
The State Board met last Friday - here are some of the updates on the procedures
that will be used for our State Leadership Conference, March 11-13, 2010.
•
Software offering just 2007 version; nationals is 2007 only so state will be
the same;
•
State BPA is looking to provide lcd?s and laptops for many of the events at
state as we did last year ? watch for more info; students will bring their
presentations on flash drives
•
Events will be submitted ahead of time; additional columns will be added to
the deadlines page document; deadline is February 27, at 11:59 p.m. for submission.
There will be a complete listing sent via flash with details.
•
275 or above will receive one more entry in judged events and team events
•
Timberwolves entertainment?game is Friday, March 12, 2010; watch for more details!
•
Torch Award approval?advisor will register them in the event and be approved
by the chapter advisor
•
Entrepreneurship Exploration; each project entry receives a certificate and
the students need not register for State?entries are submitted upon advisors
approval. There will not be one ?outstanding entry? selected. It will be similar
to the process of Torch Awards.
•
WeSeed Social Circle Challenge- state association will not be providing any
recognition for this award at the state level.
November 20, 2009
Holiday Greetings!
STATE DUES
State dues traditionally go up to $6 per person on the 1st Monday of December
- so you have about a week to submit your membership and received the $5 rate
on the state portion!
CHAPTER ACTIVITIES
We encourage you to submit any group photos of chapter activities along with
a paragraph describing what your chapter is up to! You can email this info
to me and I will forward to Nancy McAfee, our webmaster!
CHAPTER OF THE MONTH
The State Officers will once again be offering the Chapter of the Month Program.
See Chapter of the Month page for details. Maybe your chapter will be selected
as the December Chapter of the Month!!!
October 31, 2009
We are always looking for news to post of chapter activities - send please!!!!
Include pictures. BPA Chapters throughout the state are busy but we don't often
know what everyone is up to!!!!
STUDENT PASSWORDS
In an effort to serve our student members with specialized programs, we have
made our student password field mandatory on the online registration.
Usernames & passwords are required for student access to the online Torch Awards System, the Workplace Skills Assessment Program and future programs to come. The username is the student member ID assigned automatically at registration and the password can be whatever you or the student chose.
We appreciate your time and effort on this new feature.
If you have already submitted your registration without passwords, you are not required to do so, however, you may add it by logging onto the registration site and clicking the edit button next to the student name.
October 27, 2009
Please note the following update to the WSAP:
Under General Guidelines, clarification has been provided regarding the use
of reference materials on CD-rom. The following text has been added under the
sub-heading for Reference Materials:
Published/unpublished reference materials may be brought on a ?read-only? CD-rom and/or hard copy for events that allows resources. Please note: CD-rom should only be used for computerized events, as no additional computer access will be provided for use of reference materials.
This update reflects a policy that was approved by the Board of Trustees for the 2008-2009 academic year. At NLC, we will allow reference materials on read-only CD-rom as stated above; State Advisors are encouraged to consider the policy and determine the feasibility of this practice within their states. Please disseminate this information to your advisors and students as you feel appropriate.
Regional Test Materials
Last week, the Regional test materials were posted on-line and the access information
was provided to regional designees. If you (or your designees) did not receive
the access information please let me know so that I can assist.
REQUEST FROM CHAPTER ADVISOR
I am looking for any advisor who is using Exam View and has the legal test
banks. MN is authoring the legal office procedures test and we need to use
the legal test bank from Exam View. Please contact Shelly Streich at sstreich@edenpr.org.
CONGRATS TO NEW STATE OFFICERS!
Viroopa Volla - Eagan HS
viroopa.volla@mnbpa.org
State President
Paige Borst - Bertha Hewitt HS
paige.borst@mnbpa.org
Executive Vice President
Shawn Vue - Champlin Park HS
shawn.vue@mnbpa.org
Executive Secretary
Richard Lu - Wayzata HS
richard.lu@mnbpa.org
Executive Treasurer
Dylan Gronlund - Sebeka HS
dylan.gronlund@mnbpa.org
Executive Historian
Daniel Wagner - Brandon HS
daniel.wagner@mnbpa.org
Executive Parliamentarian
MEMBERSHIP
Please remember to process your membership registration in time for Nov. 1,
early registration deadline.
Membership processed by Nov. 1 will allow your chapter to:
1. Continue to receive all communication from BPA
2. Ensure membership deadlines for regional and state events
3. Ensure early processing of registration pins & membership cards
Please log onto www.registermychapter.com/bpamem and process your registration
today! If you have already processed your registration, Thank you and please
disregard this email.
Update to WSAP - 10/21/09
Please note the following update to the WSAP:
Under “General Guidelines,” clarification has been provided regarding
the use of reference materials on CD-rom. The following text has been added
under the sub-heading for Reference Materials:
Published/unpublished reference materials may be brought on a “read-only” CD-rom
and/or hard copy for events that allows resources. Please note: CD-rom should
only be used for computerized events, as no additional computer access will
be provided for use of reference materials.
This update reflects a policy that was approved by the Board of Trustees for the 2008-2009 academic year. At NLC, we will allow reference materials on read-only CD-rom as stated above; State Advisors are encouraged to consider the policy and determine the feasibility of this practice within their states. Please disseminate this information to your advisors and students as you feel appropriate.
Regional Test Materials
Last week, the Regional test materials were posted on-line and the access information was provided to State Advisors and their designees. If you (or your designees) did not receive the access information or you have not completed your Competitive Event Order Form, please let me know so that I can assist.
Thanks very much,
Jennifer Dunkle
Director of Educational Programs
Business Professionals of America
5454 Cleveland Avenue
Columbus, OH 43231
October 10, 2009
Thanks to all of you attending FLC this weekend! Couple of reminders -
HOTEL CHECKIN
Remember to bring your checks or have credit card - hotel does not accept Purchase
Orders. The hotel is EXTREMELY full on Saturday night which means that it will
be slow in getting rooms. Please have students dress accordingly so that they
are prepared for the afternoon activities.
NEW AT SHERATON
Off of the front desk there is a complimentary internet stations - you can
also bring your laptops down and access the wireless as well. The area is called "The
Link".
LAST MINUTE CHANGES
Please continue to email any substitutions to your attendees and also indicate
the track desired.
Exclusive Adobe Certification offer to BPA Advisors!
Beginning on January 1, 2010 -- a new Disney program will begin. It is Give-A-Day-Get-A-Disney-Day.
Any one can sign up (beginning on 1/1/10) to volunteer a day of service with
a participating organization (when service is completed and verified) and they
will get one day admission to a Disneyland theme park -- FREE!
Disney will be giving away one million tickets in exchange for community service.
BPA members who are interested in doing this should read all of the Terms & Conditions
as well as FAQs -- especially those under the age of 18.
The direct site is:
http://disneyparks.disney..go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name+Give-A-Day-Get-A-Disney-Day
September 26, 2009
HOTEL ROOM LIST SUBMISSION FOR FLC
Please use the following email address to submit your hotel reservation file.
01493.marsformrecipients@sheraton.com
Advisors, remember to sign up for the MovieMaker Session on your FLC Registration!
SHOOT FOR SUCCESS T-SHIRTS
Even if you are not attending FLC, here's a great way for you to promote BPA
within your schools! T-shirt orders can be part of your FLC registration OR
you may order with the attached form. See jpg
for art. BPA logo is on back
of shirt. Please place your order no later than September 28th. The t-shirts
will be shipped to you if you are not attending FLC after October 11, 2009.
T-shirts are $12.
LAST CALL FOR NAME BADGES
Name badge order will be turned in soon so next Friday, September 25 is the absolute last day.
September 11, 2009
FLC
The Fall Leadership Conference will be held October 11 & 12, 2009 at the
Sheraton South Bloomington. Registration fee is $35 per attendee. The conference
overview information is attached.
The actual registration process you will use to register your chapter is an
Excel file. When you send your file to me, please make sure to save it as your
chapter's name. You will also use an electronic file to submit your housing
to the hotel on. These forms are being sent with this Flash.
FORMAT FOR FLC
This year's FLC will be the returning format that was implemented a few years
ago. The content and schedule has been refined. ALL student participants will
participate in an academy style of offerings with each students going through
the same activities but assigned to color groups. This 2-part session (3 hours
each day) is being designed and offered by FOCUS Training. Chapter Officers
will be in a different track. There are also tracks specifically for those
members participated in FLC last year. More information on this format is included
in the information packet. If you have 1st year attendees that are also chapter
officers, the chapter officer track is recommended rather than the 1st year
track.
Deadline to register for FLC is Monday, September 28, 2009.
STATE OFFICER CANDIDATE INFO
You should have received an email earlier this week with the state officer
candidate information. Deadline to apply is September 28 (receipt of application).
Encourage your BEST to seek office! Immediately following the adjournment of
FLC, newly elected officers will participate in the initial training session
from 1-4 pm on Monday, October 12, 2009.
REGION PRESIDENTS
As your regions elect presidents, please be sure to send name and contact information
to the state office. Thanks!
CHANGES TO BPA ADVISORS
If you are aware of a change in BPA Advisors at any schools, please let Jackie
know. Sometimes it takes a couple of weeks for the changes to catch up with
me and it is helpful to get the new advisors in the loop as quickly as possible.
September 4, 2009
FLC
The Fall Leadership Conference will be held October 11 & 12, 2009 at the
Sheraton South Bloomington. Registration fee is $35 per attendee. The conference
overview information is attached.
The actual registration process you will use to register your chapter is an
Excel file. When you send your file to me, please make sure to save it as your
chapter's name. You will also use an electronic file to submit your housing
to the hotel on. These forms are being sent with this Flash.
FORMAT FOR FLC
This year's FLC will be the returning format that was implemented a few years
ago. The content and schedule has been refined. ALL student participants will
participate in an academy style of offerings with each students going through
the same activities but assigned to color groups. This 2-part session (3 hours
each day) is being designed and offered by FOCUS Training. Chapter Officers
will be in a different track. There are also tracks specifically for those
members participated in FLC last year. More information on this format is included
in the information packet. If you have 1st year attendees that are also chapter
officers, the chapter officer track is recommended rather than the 1st year
track.
Deadline to register for FLC is Monday, September 28, 2009.
STATE OFFICER CANDIDATE INFO
You should have received an email earlier this week with the state officer
candidate information. Deadline to apply is September 28 (receipt of application).
Encourage your BEST to seek office! Immediately following the adjournment of
FLC, newly elected officers will participate in the initial training session
from 1-4 pm on Monday, October 12, 2009.
REGION PRESIDENTS
As your regions elect presidents, please be sure to send name and contact information
to the state office. Thanks!
CHANGES TO BPA ADVISORS
If you are aware of a change in BPA Advisors at any schools, please let Jackie
know. Sometimes it takes a couple of weeks for the changes to catch up with
me and it is helpful to get the new advisors in the loop as quickly as possible.
HOW TO SUBMIT STATE BPA MEMBERSHIP - PLEASE TAKE NOTE!
We are excited to have you join us for the 2009-2010 membership year.
To access the online membership registration system, please go to http://www.registermychapter.com/bpamem/ and enter your username and password. Attached is a user guide for your reference.
Please remember that it will be essential that you include a copy of your invoice with your payment when submitting it to National BPA.
Minnesota BPA will continue the process for submitting state dues that was
implemented two years ago. Minnesota state dues will be submitted online through
the national website. We are a unified dues state, that meaning that all state
members must be national members as well. This means that you will submit ONE
check to NATIONAL BPA for both state and national dues.
State dues will continue to be $5 per member up until December 1st. Thereafter
ALL additions will be at a rate of $6 for state membership.
National dues will be $12.00 this year.
It is imperative that all members understand the benefits of being unified state. Our grant that we receive from the Minnesota Foundation for Student Organizations (MFSO) is directly related to our national membership. Each CTSO receive allocations that are determined by number of chapters as well as number of student national members. This year our grant dollars will be increased because we now have more chapters paying dues on all memberhsip not just those that would be strong contenders for national competition.
Additionally, we need to support our national organization ? all of our competitive events and entire WSAP is dependent upon our national affiliation and support.
Mark you calendars and get ready to "Shoot For Success" with BPA!
We look forward to a terrific year with Minnesota BPA! Thank you for your continued
support.