One mother's dream became a reality for Hillsdale High School‘s BPA chapter this school year.

In the fall of 2011, parent Emily Wood came to the BPA with her idea of opening a student run business. Members of the BPA club liked the idea and started doing research. They wrote a business plan and sought grant money to make their dreams a reality. In January of 2012 the group found out that they were awarded $12,950.00 towards building the Coffee Shop in the high school. Now the students had to take their business plan and turn it into an action plan, creating the foundation for the student run business. The students met weekly with adult advisors to create the name, the blueprint, construction plans, marketing, training and schedules, all the things needed to create the foundation for the business. The local coffee shop (Checker Records) got involved and helped the students choose appropriate equipment and taught them how to be baristas.

As written in Hillsdale Daily News in the article about Hillsdale High School BPA, “This coffee shop is a true-grass roots effort, as a whole community of business people helped the students dream become a reality. The students will now get the opportunity to run a business during the school year.” The Hillsdale High School BPA club was very grateful for all the people, business owners and family members willing to help and donate things to the high schools newest addition.

Hillsdale High School’s BPA now has 32 members All members are required to work once a week in the study cup with an option of two shifts, before and/or after school.

Mindy Boyd and Jenny Duff are the teachers who commit their time to run BPA and manage the Study Cup on a daily basis. The two have done their best to guide the students and make sure that all the rules including: proper hygiene, recipes, prices, organization and so on are enforced for the success of the business. Without their help, the students would be over their heads in work and the coffee shop would not run as professionally and efficiently as it does today.

The Study Cup, inside the halls of Hillsdale High School, has been and will continue to be both a work in progress and a learning experience for everyone involved in running the business. Not only does it take a group of diverse students to run such a thing like this, but team work. Skills such as money management, inventory, proper hygiene, running a small business, organization, inventory, marketing and much more will be instilled in each and every one of the members. Most of all however, each student will learn the importance of working together as a team and compromising to make decisions. This is crucial in the running of a business, which is why it goes hand in hand with BPA. With the help of many local businesses such as Checker Records, Chris Eggleston Construction, Creative Concepts, G&G Glass, Jonesville Lumber, Gelzer’s Hardware, Hoop Lawn and Snow, and American Copper and Brass made building this business possible. Also, with help from many other caring people around the community the BPA could never have created this beautiful coffee shop.

The 2013 BPA National Leadership Conference offered a new event, the Fair Trade Challenge Expo, and Dearborn High School’s team took second in two categories: Total Invoices and Total Overall. Teams of one to eight members were to develop an operating plan and organizational structure to initiate a Fair Trade business. They then presented their products or services to potential buyers at the National Conference Expo in efforts to have them purchase their Fair Trade products or services.

Students became familiar with the fair trade market where producers in underdeveloped countries form a co-op. Then, through organizations such as Fair Trade USA, they sell their products or services at a “fair trade” price. Too often, major corporations take advantage of remote villages paying them far below reasonable market values for things such as coffee, chocolate, fruits, leather, etc. Instead, fair trade ensures a “fair” price to these people. This allows them to take the money and invest in schools, transportation, better water and sanitation for their community, etc.

Besides learning about fair trade, the event challenged the teams to develop an entire entrepreneurial plan—from the product or service, business and marketing plans, and then a live attention-grabbing booth and sales promotion at the Fair Trade Expo.

All BPA students and advisors were invited to the Expo where their received “invoices” to purchase products from booths of their choice.

Four awards were then given out to
1. Overall Award – (combined scores of business plan and sales pitch)
2. Total Invoices – (total amount of orders taken)
3. Total Sales – (total amount of sales dollars obtained)
4. Fair Trade Representation – (best fair trade booth awarded by Fair Trade Association)

Dearborn’s team created four authentic organic energy drinks consisting of fair trade produce, including bananas, pineapple, watermelon, almond milk, blueberries, cocoa, honey, etc. Through developing their recipes, they researched the actual effects each ingredient has on the body so as to create the perfect energy mix. They created their company, Awake Shake, and designed labels which they attached to bottles containing their drinks.

For nationals, they brought their own juicers, mixers, knives, cutting boards and feverishly created their mixes for over 400 participants to sample. Everyone loved their honey and berry blends in particular.

Congratulations to Dearborn’s team which included Moiead Charawi (our state president) as captain, Charein Faraj, Sam Achkar, Danny Rammouni, Ali Hojeij, Malek Alcodray, Malak Sabbagh, and Mo Makki.

This updated list (dated 5/19/2013) contains our special recognition awards, Ambassador Torch Award recipients, industry certifications, and competitive events winners for the Secondary and Postsecondary Division. Advisor Honor Award recipients will be added soon as well.

Download the Michigan 2013 NLC recap  newsletter

Michigan BPA would like send our best wishes to everyone competing and traveling to the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida from May 8-12. We have already had many students show their exceptional work by qualifying for the NLC. In the past few years Michigan has shown outstanding results in competitive events. Let’s keep up the tradition!

There will also be many fun opportunities other than competitive events. Members from all over the country are looking to trade pins and meet Michigan members. The national officers, including Devin Alexander who was at the Michigan State Leadership Conference, will be putting on spectacular sessions for all members. There will be trips going to the beach party, Universal Studios, Cocoa Beach, and many other fun places around Orlando.

We hope everyone has a great time and safe travels. Good luck!

Please take time to provide feedback to us regarding your experience at the Secondary State Leadership Conference at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The online evaluation student and advisor surveys will available until April 26, 2013. Click the appropriate link below to begin the survey:

Student Survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2013slc-student-evaluation

Advisor Survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2013slc-advisor-evaluation

Click here to download the 2013 Secondary SLC Winners List (PDF)

Click here to download the 2013 Postsecondary SLC Winners List (PDF)

Friday, March 22

• Annual Business Meeting: 6:30 - 7:00 pm
• Opening Session: 7:30 - 9:00 pm (Parade of Presidents, special awards, candidate speeches, Statesman Torch Awards)

Saturday, March 23

• Dinner Session: 6:30 - 9:00 pm (2012-2013 State Officer Farewells, New Chapter Initiation, Scholarship, Barbara Chambers Outstanding Advisor Award, Honorary Lifetime Award, 2013-2014 State Officer Installation)

Sunday, March 24

• Awards Session: 9:15 - 11:00 am

We would like to remind you that it is not too late to order pins and pin wheels. The state executive council will be accepting orders until the state leadership conference. We really encourage you to get your chapter involved in this wonderful BPA opportunity to help out people in our communities. Every little bit will help.

Thank you!

• Service Learning Awards: Includes Community Relief, Community Action, Special Olympics, Environmental Action/Awareness, Safety Awareness, and Service Learning Individual.  
• Special Recognition Awards: Includes BPA Marketing and PR, BPA Merit Scholar, Chapter Activities Award of Excellence, Entrepreneurship Exploration, Member Recruiter, and National Center Capital Improvements Campaign awards. 
• Professional Awards: Includes Advisor of the Year, Emerging Advisor, Emerging Professional, Hall of Fame, Outstanding Service, and Professional Cup awards. 

More information on the BPA Cares Program can be found here: http://www.bpa.org/service/bpacares. 

• Ambassador Torch Award: Given at the national level, the Ambassador Torch Award requires 70 points in each Torch Category. An Ambassador is defined as "a diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and accredited as representative of the organization."

More information on the Torch Awards Program can be found here: http://www.michiganbpa.org/torch. 

Remember that these opportunities help you grow in and out of Business Professionals of America. The awards listed above at given at the national level; therefore, you will be awarded at the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida. Good luck and continue inspiring imagination! 

Diligent, caring, and helpful are the three best words to describe Diane Harrington, advisor of the Sault Area Career Center BPA chapter.

Anna Olson, Treasurer of the Sault Area Career Center BPA chapter, nominated Mrs. Harrington for her dedication to community service and preparing BPA members for the regional leadership conference.

This year, Mrs. Harrington has been keeping each BPA member on track by providing individual attention. She assisted members to find the perfect competitive event, provided practice tests, and even graded those practice tests by herself.

Due to her strong commitment to BPA, Mrs. Harrington has been named the January Advisor of the Month! On behalf of the Business Professionals of America-Michigan Association, I would like the thank Mrs. Harrington for the 18 years of service she put into Business Professionals of America and the well-being of her students.

Members, if you would like to nominate your advisor for the Advisor of the Month award, check under “Resources” tab of our website for the application. The deadline for the application is the 25th of each month.

Regional Leadership Conferences (RLCs) are just moments away! I know you may feel a bit scared about the whole idea, but relax. The RLC tests the amount of effort you put into your competitive event. If you put just enough time into it, you should do great! Just to help you out, here are a few tips.

• Get there early! Yes, time management is super important for the RLC. Keep in mind that this is one-day deal; therefore, a lot of events need to be fitted into the schedule. It is a good idea to check out the schedule as soon as you reach your destination. If possible, find the rooms you will be competing in.
• Do not forget your materials! It is crucial that you take basic supplies with you. These include: pencils, pens, and a calculator. For members competing in administrative support events, do not forget your Style & Reference Manual! This is possibly the most important document for such events. Members competing in any presentation events, remember to take any equipment and materials you need in order to present. 
• Make it memorable! While this is a serious event, it should definitely be great looking back it. The RLC ignites the BPA competition so make the most of it. Meet members from other chapters or even introduce yourself to any state officers that are present. Make sure you take pictures and send them to us via Instagram at #MIBPA.

Whether this is your last RLC or your first, enjoy yourself. I wish everyone good luck during their RLC.

The chapter that has been named the Chapter of the Month for January is Swan Valley High School. Gregory Bujouves, Chapter President, nominated Swan Valley High School.

The Swan Valley chapter participated in two major community service projects throughout this school year. During their school’s Homecoming parade, they gave out foam footballs that helped advertise local businesses. Several members donated canned goods and other food items to help people in need for their school's Hidden Harvest program.

Just like the Swan Valley chapter, we hope everyone is reaching their full potential and inspiring imagination to the next level. On behalf of everyone on the state executive council, I would like to congratulate Swan Valley High School and wish them the best of luck throughout this year.

If you would like to apply for the Chapter and/or Advisor of the Month award, check under “Resources” for the application. The deadline for the application is the 25th of each month.

This school year Michigan Business Professionals of America is offering awards to one chapter and one advisor each month. Past month winners have already been announced on our website, but there is still time to apply. The application process is short and simple, but a great way for your chapter to stay involved in BPA. A chapter officer must nominate their chapter or advisor by filling out the simple application. The applications can be found on the website under the Resources section.

The chapter of the month application asks about some of the things that a chapter is currently working on such as service projects. It also asks about current chapter goals and the impact BPA has had on the school. A picture of the chapter or recent chapter activities is required. The advisor of the month application asks how the advisor has helped the members, and how they helped with chapter activities, in the past month. It also asks for a short biography of the advisor, including the number of years they have been an advisor. A picture of the advisor is required.

Both applications are due on the 25th of each month. Winners will be notified by email, then have their chapter recognized on the Michigan BPA website. This is a great way to show off the great things your chapter has been doing. We highly recommend that you apply, and look forward to reviewing your applications.

The chapter that has been named the Chapter of the Month for December is Hillsdale High School. Darian Allwardt, Chapter Historian, nominated Hillsdale High School.

The BPA chapter has gone out of its way to learn more about how a business works by meeting local businesses in our own community. Furthermore, this school year, the Hillsdale chapter created a student-run coffee shop inside their high school. While establishing a base and gaining experience with their own coffee shop, they have built connections with other establishments in the area. The student-operated coffee shop will provide BPA members with work experience before graduation.

Just like the Hillsdale chapter, we hope everyone is reaching towards full potential and inspiring imagination to the next level. The state executive council congratulates the Hillsdale High School BPA Chapter and wish them the best of luck throughout this year.

If you would like to apply for the Chapter and/or Advisor of the Month award, check under the resources tab for the application. The deadline for the application is the 25th of each month.

NOTE: Stay tuned to our website for more information about the Hillsdale HS chapter coffee shop in the future.

Original, exemplary, and influential are three of the many great words that can be used to describe Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center BPA advisor Mrs. Valerie Gerhart. Garrett Bleshenski, Vice-President of the Bay-Arenac ISC Career Center BPA chapter, nominated Ms. Gerhart for constantly assisting in the development of chapter team activities and volunteer events.

This year, Mrs. Gerhart assisted her chapter with the organization of many volunteer events such as College Exploration Night and Bay City State Park Grass Restoration. Mrs. Gerhart has fostered an environment where she and her co-advisors let their trained team of young business professionals take charge in coordinating our upcoming fall rally. Additionally, she put an extensive amount of time into training their officers at college leadership camps. Garrett states, “Without Mrs. Gerhart’s creative inspiration, positive attitude, and professional coordination, we could not achieve that same level of success we have had with our competitions, gatherings, and volunteer work.”

On behalf of the Business Professionals of America-Michigan Association, we would like the thank Mrs. Gerhart for the time she puts into Business Professionals of America and the well-being of her community.

Due to her hard work and dedication Mrs. Gerhart has been named the December Advisor of the Month. Members, if you would like to nominate your advisor for the Advisor of the Month award, check under the Resources tab of our website for the application. The deadline for the application is the 25th of each month.

After meeting all of the potential 2013-2014 SEC candidates at the Fall Leadership Conference, we are more excited than ever about the future of Michigan BPA. However, with over 4,500 members statewide, it is our hope that more of you aspire to achieving a position on the state executive council.

The application process begins with the SEC application, which can be found on the Michigan BPA website. In this application, you will complete a short worksheet assessing your knowledge of Business Professionals of America. Along with that, two candidate endorsements will be required, which are similar to recommendation letters, but much shorter.

The application deadline is January 16, 2013, and after it is mailed in, you will be contacted to set up a telephone interview with the state director. Based on the application and telephone interview, state officer candidates will be selected.

On Friday at the State Leadership Conference, you will take a small quiz based on the questions asked in the application worksheet, and will then have an interview with the current state executive council. The opening session, in which you will give your candidate speech, will be held that Friday night. On Saturday, you will have your campaign rally, in which you will be able to meet and greet the voting delegates, after which they will cast their vote. Results will be announced at the dinner session that Saturday night.

To find out more about the process, and the responsibilities of each officer if elected, check out the SEC Candidate Application Packet at www.michiganbpa.org/documents. Any questions may be redirected to the current State Executive Council; our contact information can be found at www.michiganbpa.org/state-executive-council.

On behalf of the 2012-2013 State Executive Council, and all administrators involved in Michigan BPA, we would like to encourage the best among you to take advantage of this rare opportunity. Being elected and serving as a Michigan BPA State Officer is one of the best experiences you will ever have.

This year’s state service project is the Children’s Trust Fund of Michigan. The primary purpose of the Children’s Trust Fund is to protect Michigan’s children through child abuse prevention and neglect. A brochure regarding the organization is available by clicking here.

For the 2012-2013 school year, we are asking local secondary and postsecondary chapters to order pinwheels and lapel pins from Michigan BPA in order to sell them in your communities. These pinwheels and pins are a way of showing your support of preventing child abuse and neglect throughout our state. In 2008, statistics show that more than 60% of children ages 17 and under were victims of abuse. Buying a pin/pinwheel shows support against this abuse and will help in the efforts of raising money for families in need. To ensure your active participation in this year’s project, the following are some ideas that will help you when trying to sell your pins and pinwheels.

First, start at your school. Set up a table during lunch and get your classmates interested. Offer incentives to encourage students to buy pins and pinwheels. These incentives don’t have to be anything extravagant, just something simple that will recognize them for participating. When students buy pins/pinwheels, have them write their name on a special recognition wall that’s posted in your school for everyone to see. If you want to take this further, you could offer a higher incentive to the person that buys the most items or donates the most amount of money.

Another simple idea would be setting up a table near the entrance or concession stand during sporting events. By doing so, this will expose people in your community to this fundraiser and will allow them to participate. Not only does this expose people in your own community, it will give people from the other schools an opportunity to learn about the Children’s Trust Fund and participate as well. If a few BPA members each took a different sporting event, you could reach your goal very quickly. Setting up a table at sporting events would not take a lot of planning or equipment. This is something quick you could do to raise a few extra dollars.

Due to the fact that our state service project falls in the line of many holidays, this gives you a perfect opportunity to sell them to your whole school! During the holidays you could set up an order form for students to order pins/pinwheels for other students. This would be a great opportunity to surprise your friends and give them something new to play with! Also pins would be a nice touch to other gifts you may be giving. Another plus to doing this during the holidays would be these make great decorations! Decorate your home, Christmas trees, or even your school!

Finally, ask local businesses to sell them for you. Have them set up a system where they ask customers if they would like to make a donation to the Children’s Trust Fund of Michigan. People who make donations could choose between a pin or pinwheel to keep! All of these ideas are quick and simple so you can get selling these items today!

To get started, request pins and pinwheels to be sent to your chapter by completing the Children's Trust Fund State Service Project Form. The school with the greatest participation will receive special recognition at our state leadership conference in March. Start your project today, especially while people are in a giving spirit during the holiday season!

Kind, intellectual, and nurturing are the words that come to Jacob Standel, BPA Chapter President of Capac High School, when he thinks of his advisor, Mrs. Denise Palmateer.

Due to her hard work and dedication Mrs. Palmateer has been named the November Advisor of the Month! She has been involved with Business Professionals of America for over fifteen years not just as an advisor but also as parent volunteer. Her strong motherly instinct sets her apart from other advisors.

This year, Mrs. Palmateer assisted her chapter establish a Golf Outing Fundraising Event. The funds will be used to send members to the state and national conferences. On behalf of the Business Professionals of America-Michigan Association, I would like the thank Mrs. Palmateer for the time she puts into Business Professionals of America.

Members, if you would like to nominate your advisor for the Advisor of the Month award, check under “Resources” tab of our website for the application. The deadline for the application is the 25th of each month.