What is the membership dues deadline?

For the Secondary Division, membership dues must be submitted by November 1 for all chapter advisors and any students that have paid through that date. The absolute final deadline to add any students who wish to compete at the Regional Leadership Conference is December 1. Both of these deadlines are postmark deadlines.

For the Postsecondary Division, preliminary membership dues must be submitted by November 1. However, the absolute final date for postsecondary students is February 15.

Students who pay dues after December 1 will be eligible to compete in the Open Events only. Top

Where do I mail my membership dues payment?

The original Membership Dues Application Form is processed online.

For your national dues ($10.00 per person), your online form along with payment are mailed to Business Professionals of America, P.O. Box 632707, Cincinnati, OH 45263-2707.

For your state dues ($8.00 per person), your online form along with the payment are mailed to Business Professionals of America, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. Top

I accidentally left a student member off my membership list when I submitted my dues application, can I add that student by changing name of someone who is not going to participate but paid his/her dues?

Membership dues cannot be changed/swapped from one person's name to another. Once dues have been submitted, the only type of membership change that can be made is an address change if an advisor or student transfers to another school. Top

Starting a Chapter:

Is it too late to start a chapter this year?

For the Secondary Division, the deadline for starting a chapter is November 15. However, since our final dues deadline is not until December 1, you may still start a chapter after the November 15 deadline; however, you will be limited in the competitions in which your students may compete. We recommend that you obtain a Chapter Start-Up Kit from http://www.bpanet.org/membership/. If it’s too late to start a chapter this year, you can still review the Chapter Start-up Kit in order to prepare for joining next year. In addition, you may still attend our conferences and events as a guest by contacting us at 734.487.1700. Top

How do I start or reactivate a chapter?

Obtain a Chapter Start-Up Kit by visiting http://www.bpanet.org/membership/. The Chapter Start-Up Kit will have all of the information you need in order to start or reactivate a chapter at your school. The earlier you start this process, the more successful your year will be. Top

Is there a training session I can attend to help learn how to start a chapter?

A New Advisor Orientation session has not be scheduled for the 2007-2008 school year. Contact our office at 734.487.1700 in case a date becomes available. Top

Torch Awards Program:

When is the deadline for submitting our Torch Awards application/résumé? Where do I mail my application/résumé?

For deadlines and mailing addresses, go to our Torch Awards page by clicking here. Top

How far back can I claim activities in the Torch Awards Program? Can I start from when I first joined?

Members can count all activities they participated in while a member of Business Professionals of America. For example, if a senior has been a member for four years, he/she can count activities done during those four years. This includes activities done during the summer. Top

Do the Torch Awards points carry over from one year to the next if I want to apply for the award again?

Many chapters allow their members to apply for the same award a following year. Members may carry over a limited number of points in each category, but a majority of the points must be for new activities. NOTE: Students who have obtained their Ambassador Award in a previous school year must start over at zero points. Top

Do I have to receive the Statesman Award before I get the Ambassador?

You do not have to receive the award from one level before applying for the next level. Members can apply for and receive the awards in any order they wish. Top

If I need assistance with administering the Torch Awards Program at my chapter, who can I contact?

You can contact Nate Cradit via email at: natecradit@gmail.com. Top