The Source – 01/15/2022

The Source - Jan. 15, 2022

Farewell Dr. LouAnn Ross. Thank you for your leadership and dedication to BPA.

A NOTE FROM THE BPA BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR

With both sadness and genuine gratitude, the Business Professionals of America Board of Trustees has accepted the resignation of Dr. LouAnn Ross as the Executive Director. Dr. Ross joined BPA in 2018 and has been instrumental in the momentum BPA has experienced, even during the pandemic challenges. Under Dr. Ross's leadership, data collection supported the development and implementation of a strategic plan. Through this plan, we established BPA 365 engagement for students and advisors. In addition, she has ensured the organization employs staff members who lead the organization forward, cultivated existing partnerships, increased industry support, established new strategic partnerships and has helped stabilize operations, among many other accomplishments.

Dr. Ross’s last day will be February 6, 2022. To ensure a smooth transition and maintain operational levels, the Board of Trustees has selected Mr. Steve Darnell to serve as Interim Executive Director. Mr. Darnell's role in the transition is critical as we navigate the recruitment and selection process for an individual to carry the torch for continued success and opportunities for BPA. Dr. Ross leaves BPA in a solid position, poised for continued membership and services growth. We sincerely thank her for her leadership and contributions and wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.

Brenda Jacobsen
Brenda Jacobsen, Ph.D., BPA Board Chair

Executive Director Search
The job description and application instructions are available online. Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their interest and qualifications on or before January 28, 2022.

Photograph of Winter Meeting attendees working at a conference table

Student Leaders Gather for Winter Meeting, Prepare for National Leadership Conference

BPA’s Executive Council (pictured above) met January 1–6 in Dallas, Texas, site of the 2022 National Leadership Conference (NLC). The student officers and staff in attendance toured the conference facilities, participated in leadership and teambuilding activities to prepare for the NLC and developed plans to make the first in-person NLC in two years an exciting and memorable experience for conference attendees. NLC will occur May 4–8, and more information will be available in the Conference Preview Guide that will be released in February.

Covid-19 Impact Survey

As we prepare for the National Leadership Conference (May 4-8 in Dallas), we are mindful of the health and safety of our student members, advisors and other conference participants. The public health situation can change quickly, but we would value hearing about the current Covid-19 policies and protocols in your school. Chapter advisors who have not already completed the short Covid-19 Impact Survey are invited to submit responses by Wednesday, January 19 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Advisors who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for BPA Mall gift certificates.

2022-2023 Executive Officer Applicant Handbook Cover

Executive Officer Applicant Handbook Now Available

Secondary and Post-secondary members seeking an incredible leadership opportunity and the chance for even greater involvement in BPA should consider running for the Executive Council, National BPA’s student leadership team. The 2022–2023 Executive Officer Applicant Handbook contains complete details about running for office. Candidate applications and all supporting documents are due by April 1. Contact Spencer Christensen with questions about the candidate application process or serving on the Executive Council.

Great Contests. Big Cash Prizes. Make sure your students enter to win.

Ethics Awareness Challenge
is an opportunity for teams of two to four Middle Level and Secondary BPA members to produce a video (1–2 minutes in length) about ethics. Videos should reflect the eight ethical principles as defined by the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative, which were covered in BPA’s six-part Leadership Academy on Ethics. The top five teams in each division will earn a share of the $15,000 in cash prizes. Entries are due by February 14, 2022. This competition is presented by MBA Research & Curriculum Center and the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative.

Virtual Business Challenge
offers online competitions in Accounting and Entrepreneurship. Secondary Division BPA members, individually or as a team of up to three members, are eligible to participate in one or both tracks. The top three nationally ranked finishers (teams or individuals) will win the following prizes: $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place and $500 for third place. Registration opens January 18. The competition begins February 1 at 10 AM Eastern Time and concludes February 25 at 5 PM Eastern Time. This competition is presented by Knowledge Matters.

TeamSmarts
provides a new Financial Challenge, available January 1–31. The highest scoring BPA team will receive a $100 cash prize. To participate, coaches should register a team or teams. The quiz will appear to the team captain (in the competitions tab), but the team must take the quiz together as a group. A BPA team also has the chance to advance directly to the National LifeSmarts Championship as a Wild Card team. This competition is presented by LifeSmarts.

"Learn How to Start Your Job or Internship Search" - Amelia Alburn

Free Student Webinar: January 29

Ready to jumpstart your career? Join Amelia Alburn, Director of Experiential Learning and Internship Development at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, on Saturday, January 29 at 1 p.m. EST via Zoom. She will provide tips for launching your job or internship search. This interactive event is free for BPA members, but registration is required.

Prepare for State and National Competitions with WSAP Materials

Purchase 2019–2021 State and National Test Packages
Advisors or students looking for ways to prepare for Workplace Skills Assessment Program (WSAP) competitive events can use materials from past competition years. WSAP state and national tests with answer keys from 2019 to 2021 are available for purchase in the BPA Member Gateway. Middle Level test packages are $20, and Secondary/Post-secondary packages are $40.

Media Package - Free Download
The WSAP Media Package is available for use in competitions or local chapter presentations. It contains a BPA-branded PowerPoint template and BPA logo files in various formats and colors. Competitors are not required to use these files in their projects but must adhere to the BPA Branding Guidelines and all other specifications listed in the Style and Reference Manual. The WSAP Media Package is located in the BPA Member Gateway Download Center near the bottom of the page.

Submit Chapter News: Share your BPA stories.

What’s new with your chapter?

We want to hear about the great things happening in your chapter—local BPA activities, community service events or successful fundraisers. Also send us stories about advisors, members and alumni who are doing amazing or inspiring things. We may even share and celebrate your story on the National BPA website, social media pages or a future newsletter. Submit your news now. We can’t wait to hear from you!