Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) is a non-profit educational association for students preparing for careers in business, entrepreneurial, or business-related fields. The association prepares students for employment by promoting competent, aggressive business leadership, increasing understanding of American free enterprise, establishing career goals, encouraging scholarship, promoting efficient money management, and developing character and self-confidence. Co-curricular activities encourage career development, civic service, economic education, community involvement, and business advocacy. Partnerships are formed with Chambers of Commerce, local businesses, industries, and government. An extensive skills competition program is offered to challenge members in their academic pursuits.

The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) concept was developed in 1937 by Dr. Hamden L. Forkner of Columbia University. The first high school chapter was chartered in Johnson City, Tennessee on February 3, 1942. A post-secondary division, Phi Beta Lambda, was created in 1958. A Middle Level division of FBLA was established in July 1994, and in 1989, the Professional Division was organized to include businesspersons, administrators, parents, alumni, and all persons supporting the goals of FBLA-PBL.

Membership in Phi Beta Lambda is unified on the local, state, and national levels. Local chapters operate with the guidance of a chapter adviser. FBLA-PBL has over 250,000 active members in more than 13,000 chartered chapters throughout the United States, its territories, the Pacific, Asia, and Europe.

The objectives of the CEB Chapter of Phi Beta Lambda are to:

Spring regional conferences are held each year for Phi Beta Lambda chapters in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. The conferences involve multifaceted activities including formal business meetings, knowledge and skills competitions in various business fields, and social events. An annual national conference is also held each year in which winners from the regional conferences compete in their respective business fields. Any fund raising in which the CEB chapter is involved during the year goes toward defraying expenses associated with the conferences. The CEB chapter is also involved with various civic activities in the community.

Members of the CEB chapter of Phi Beta Lambda excel in the competitions that are held at annual regional and national conferences. CEB student winners and their competitions from recent conferences are found below:

At the Center for Excellence in Business, membership in PBL is available to any student regardless of major or minor. The CEB chapter of PBL maintains membership at both the state and national levels. Although students may not be familiar with the organization, many business professionals have been and continue to be members of Phi Beta Lambda.

The CEB chapter offers students many benefits, not the least of which is the fact that membership and participation in Phi Beta Lambda contribute significantly to professional resumes. Interested students should contact the chapter advisor, Professor Mary Reed, at 701.252.3467 ext. 5019 or at her e-mail address at mreed@jc.edu.

You can obtain more information about Phi Beta Lambda by visiting the organization's web site:  Phi Beta Lambda