Eastern Oklahoma State College Attends 2004 Oklahoma FBLA–PBL State Fall Leadership Conference
(Press Release 10-30-04)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

MUSKOGEE— By Linda Morgan

Twenty–two members and advisors from the Eastern Oklahoma State College Lambda Lambda chapter of Phi Beta Lambda attended the 2004 Oklahoma FBLA–PBL Fall Leadership Conference on October 16, at Connors State College, Port Campus, in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Dr. Donnie Nero, president of Connors State College, welcomed FBLA–PBL members to the campus. Muskogee’s Mayor Hershel McBride proclaimed October 16, 2004, as Future Business Leaders of America–Phi Beta Lambda Day in Muskogee. Attendees stood and were named honorary Okies from Muskogee.

Keynote speaker was John Irvin, trainer, wellness educator and author of the two joke books, Chicken Poop in MY Bowl, and Chicken Poop in YOUR Bowl, II. The ability to have fun is more important today than ever before. A recent issue of Training Magazine states: “If you are too busy to have fun, you may be missing a vital element of productivity and creativity.” Humor, joy and laughter have been proven to enhance our physical and mental health. They help us to deal with change, and maintain a positive attitude when stress is high. Irvin helped members loosen up and lighten up!

Members attended various breakout sessions including: Officer/Member Training; True Colors; How Do I Handle This Situation?; Introduction to Connex Dance/J–Roll; How to Write a Winning Report; How to Create a Winning Résumé; Connex Dance/Swing; FBLA–PBL Jeopardy; How to Run for State/National Office; and FBLA Business Achievement Awards and PBL Career and Membership Achievement Program. Workshop presenters included Brian Ferrell, former PBL National President; Floyd Cox, an Oklahoma Education Association Teaching and Learning Specialist; Jerry Johnson, a legislative and political organizer; Brad Howard, PBL National Southern Region Vice President; Jamin Jackson, Connex Dance; Laura Morgan, former PBL National Mountain–Plains Region Vice President and Oklahoma PBL Parliamentarian; Lance Cogburn, Certified Career Specialist in the College of Business at Oklahoma State University; Estella Bennett–Mask, Eastern Oklahoma State College PBL Advisor; Linda Morgan, Oklahoma PBL State Advisor; Connie Bettes, Wilburton High School FBLA Advisor; and Lisa Hudson, Oklahoma FBLA State Advisor.

Future Business Leaders of America–Phi Beta Lambda, Inc., is a national student vocational education association that prepares students for careers in business and business education. Membership is over 260,000 in 11,000 chapters across the United States and abroad. Future Business Leaders of America is the high school division; Phi Beta Lambda is the collegiate division.

Photo ID for 2004 Oklahoma FBLA–PBL Fall Leadership Conference

Front Row: Amber Cole, Wilburton; Krystal Tomlinson, Wilburton; Angelina Scott, Stigler; Lindy Morgan, Wilburton; Jackie Caughern, Leflore; and Elizabeth Hatter, McAlester.

Second Row: Chris Mervyn, Wilburton; Hendra Oen, Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia; Hiroki Sawayanagai, Nagano, Japan; Tuan Nguyen, Wister; Tommy Gonzales, Wilburton; Jeremy Pebley, Wilburton; and co–advisor Linda Morgan.

Back Row: Sara Johnson, Kinta; Regina Calhoun, Quinton; Dawn Wallis, Wilburton; Carmen Beers, Hartshorne; Jenna England, Wilburton; Belinda Keith, Stigler; and co–advisor Estella Bennett–Mask.