College Business Club Hosts State Leadership Conference
(Press Release 01-07-08)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Submitted story and photo

Eleven members and advisers from Eastern Oklahoma State College’s chapter of Phi Beta Lambda displayed their leadership potential in action as the chapter hosted the 2007 Oklahoma FBLA–PBL State Fall Leadership Conference at the McAlester Campus of Eastern Oklahoma State College.

“FBLA-PBL: Leadership in Action” was the theme for the event. Keynote speaker Kelly Barnes is an accomplished leader and inspirational story teller who is equipped with life experiences and lessons that can truly benefit those around him. Kelly is a professional speaker, leadership coach and an associate for YourNextSpeaker, LLC.

Kelly’s material draws from his numerous leadership roles and life experiences that have helped him turn his life into a true testimonial of leadership. Kelly has a unique ability to draw any audience in with his sincere yet entertaining stories and lessons.

Born and raised on his family farm in rural Oklahoma, Kelly has traveled across many states sharing his message of leadership. Kelly’s experience includes Oklahoma State University Student Government Association Vice President; former Oklahoma FFA State President and Vice President; American FFA Degree Recipient; and Alpha Gamma Rho Man of the Year.

Members attended various breakout sessions including Officer/Member Training, True Colors, Preparing for Written Competitive Events, March of Dimes March of Dimes, Your Résumé, Your Job Search!; Mr. Rogers was WRONG!; Preparing for Competitive Events—How to Write a Winning Report; “What Would the Queen of England Do?”; How to Run for State/National Office; Preparing for Performance Competitive Events; Ice Breakers and Team Building Exercises; FBLA Business Achievement Awards & PBL Career and Membership Achievement Program.

Workshop presenters included Linda Morgan, Oklahoma FBLA–PBL State Adviser; Laura Morgan, Oklahoma FBLA–PBL State Officer Team Adviser; Jr. Calton, Oklahoma FBLA–PBL State Assistant; Mary Oliver, PBL National Treasurer; Brian Ferrell, FBLA-PBL Communication and Publications Manager; Sharon Moore, Oklahoma Education Association Teaching and Learning Specialist; Sarah Chabinak OSU PBL Chapter Adviser; Anna Vee Hill, Campus Coordinator for the Antlers site of Eastern Oklahoma State College; Jennifer Mack, Co-Adviser for Eastern Oklahoma State College; and Kelly Barnes, keynote speaker.

Attending from Eastern Oklahoma State College were Josh Barnes, Manuel Franklin, Stormy McCarn, Vanessa Tillery, Megan O’Conner, Michael Tackett, Whitney Waldrop, Renato Zink, Co-Adviser George Larson, Co-Adviser Linda Morgan, and Co-Adviser Jennifer Mack.

Barnes was installed as the Oklahoma PBL Two-Year College Vice President.

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 college division.

Caption info:

Eastern Phi Beta Lambda members hosting the state fall leadership conference on the McAlester campus recently include from left: Co-Adviser Jennifer Mack; Michael Tackett, Bokoshe; Manuel Franklin, Eufaula; Stormy McCarn, Wilburton; Vanessa Tillery, Panola; Megan O’Conner, Stigler; Whitney Waldrop, Wilburton; Josh Barnes, McAlester; Renato Zink, Wilburton; Co-Adviser George Larson and Co-Adviser Linda Morgan.