Business Professionals of America

Overview

Business Professionals of America (BPA) is a national organization for students who are enrolled in career and technical business education classes. BPA offers its members opportunities for professional and leadership development, community service, and competitions to demonstrate their business and computer technology skills. Competitive events include financial services, administrative support, information technology and management/marketing/human resources categories.

Mission

BPA's mission is "to contribute to the preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic and technological skills".

Vision

• BPA will be a cohesive agent in the worldwide networking of education, business, and industry.
• BPA will be the leading student organization in preparing a world-class workforce.
• BPA will set a standard of excellence for vocational student organizations.

Purposes of BPA

• To provide opportunities for chapter members in leadership and development.
• To unite in a common professional bond without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, marital status, or disability of students interested in business careers as their objective.
• To develop leadership abilities through participation in career and technology education, civic, recreational, and social activities.
• To assist students in establishing realistic career objectives.
• To create enthusiasm for learning.
• To promote high standards in ethics, workmanship, and scholarship.
• To develop the ability of students to plan together, organize, and carry out worthy activities and projects through the use of democratic processes.
• To foster an understanding of the functions of labor, entrepreneurial, and management organizations in the American free enterprise system.
• To develop competent, aggressive business leaders.
• To develop and strengthen members' confidence in themselves and their work.
• To provide satisfactory social and recreational activities.
• To foster practical application of business and information technology education skills through competition.

Membership

The Business Professionals of America (BPA) is open to students enrolled in the following programs:

• Business and Information Technology - Alva Campus
• Business and Information Technology - Fairview Campus
• Computer Repair and Networking - Alva Campus
• E-Commerce and Web Services - Alva Campus
• Interactive Media - Fairview Campus

BPA Colors

The official colors of the BPA are navy blue, tan, and red. These three colors symbolize the opportunities of leadership and professionalism in our democratic free enterprise system. Navy blue signifies the success achieved through leadership and professionalism. Tan represents the bountiful fields of opportunity in America. Red symbolizes the friendship obtained through devotion and teamwork in our organization.

Publications

• It's A New Year: chapter handbook containing general information on the organization and its activities published in the fall each year.
• COMMUNIQUE: student member magazine published four times during the school year, featuring timely articles on leadership, business topics, and current association news.
• Alumni Accent: published four times a year featuring articles on alumni, state, and national Business Professionals of America activities.

Pledge

We are met in a spirit of friendship and goodwill as we prepare for productive lives in business and office careers. We work together to develop professionalism and leadership through Business Professionals of America and pledge our loyalty to our nation.

Spring Leadership Conference

The Oklahoma BPA Spring Leadership Conference and Competitive Events will be held in March at OSU-Okmulgee and Oral Roberts University Mabee Center in Tulsa. Students must complete an application in order to be considered for participation in the SLC. Competitive events are offered in the following categories: Administrative Support, Financial Services, Information Technology, and Management, Marketing and Human Resources.

Links

BPA -Alva Campus Website

National BPA Website

Oklahoma BPA Website

News

Business Professionals of America Students Place at State Contest

Eight students enrolled in Business & Information Technology and Web Development & Graphic Design classes on the Fairview campus attended the 2010 BPA State Leadership Conference held at OSU Institute of Technology in Okmulgee on March 9 and Oral Roberts University in Tulsa on March 10.

The students included:  Kathy Gard, 5th Place Management/Marketing/HR Concepts, 9th Place Financial Math & Analysis,  Administrative Support Team, Shari Rowe, Administrative Support Team, Destynee Pheatt, 6th Place Advanced Interview Skills, Voting Delegate, Kristen Richardson, Voting Delegate, Bryan Valencia, 3rd Place Video Production Team, Trent Harris, 3rd Place Video Production Team, Easton Blood, Word Processing Fundamentals Finalist, Voting Delegate, Carissa Neufeld, 3rd Place Video Production Team, 5th Place Administrative Support Concepts. BPA advisors are Lisa Fuller, Business & Information Technology instructor and Amy McClure, Web Development & Graphic Design instructor.

Five Northwest Technology Center students from the Alva campus recently placed at the state Business Professionals of America (BPA) contest.  Events were held in Okmulgee and in Tulsa.   Corwyn Shirley is a student in the Web Development and Graphic Design program taught by Tami Frascht.  He participated in the Interviewing Skills portion of the contest.   Holly Parker placed in the top 10 in the Fundamentals of Word Processing.   Starla Phillips placed in the top 10 in Basic Office Systems and Procedures.  Jacky Sims placed second in the Advanced Word Processing event and placed in the top 10 in the Advanced Office Systems and Procedures.   Sarah Smart placed second in the Integrated Office Applications and fourth in the Legal Office Assistant event.  Parker, Philips, Sims and Smart are all students in the Business and Information Technology program taught by Andrea Long.  Pictured are (l to r) Corwyn Shirley, Holly Parker, Starla Phillips, Sarah Smart and Jacky Sims. 

Business Professionals of America Officer Installation Held

On October 1, 2009 the members of the Business Professionals of America (BPA) student organization at the Northwest Technology Center Alva Campus held officer elections. Students from Mrs. Long’s Business and Information Technology class and Mrs. Frascht’s Web Development & Graphic Design class are involved in the Business Professionals of America student organization at NWTC. Candidates that chose to run for an office campaigned for two weeks. They made flyers and buttons, handed out candy, and gave speeches.

Officers elected for the 2009-2010 A.M. Chapter are (right to left): Jacky Sims, President; Holly Ford-Parker, Vice-President; Starla Phillips, Secretary; Sarah Smart, Reporter; Les Corr, Business and Information Technology Class Representative; and Timothy Clapp, Web Development and Graphic Design Class Representative.

The elected officers for the 2009-2010 P.M. Chapter are (right to left): Susan Parent, President; Brandi Cunningham, Vicep-President; Liz Kennedy, Secretary; Sarah Smart, Reporter; Jacky Sims, Business and Information Technology Class Representative; and Blake Jordan, Web Development and Graphic Design Class Representative. 

NWTC Student Organizations Hold Officer Installation

Northwest Technology Center's Fairview Campus held its annual student organization officer installation in October. Students involved in the Health Student Occupations of America (HOSA), Business Professionals of America (BPA) and SkillsUSA were installed as members of their respective student organizations following the installation of officers.  Both morning and afternoon installation ceremonies were held.  

Patty Lovell, Guidance Counselor and Financial Aid Director for Northwest Technology Center coordinated the installation ceremony.  Advisors for the groups were recognized and closing remarks were given by Dr. Gerald Harris, Assistant Superintendent.  

Officers for the morning BPA, HOSA, and SkillsUSA are pictured in the photo above.

Officers for the afternoon BPA, HOSA, and SkillsUSA are pictured in the photo above.

The officer teams for the morning BPA organization included:   Jason Miller, president; Kathy Gard, vice-president; Virginia Minton; secretary/treasurer; Stephanie Dawson, parliamentarian and Destynee Pheatt, historian/reporter.   The afternoon BPA Officer Team included:  Carissa Neufeld, president; Jestin Gould, vice-president; Bryan Valencia, secretary/treasurer; Ana Gonzolez, parliamentarian and Amanda Beckner, historian/reporter.  Advisors for the organization are Lisa Fuller and Amy McClure.

The officer team for the morning HOSA organization included:   Ian Olson, president; Andrea Scraper, vice-president; Morgan Williams, secretary/treasurer; Jamie Dewberry, chaplain; and Mandi Hibbitt, historian/reporter.   Afternoon HOSA officers included:  Ian Olson, president; Kourtney Mondoux, vice-president; Jacqulyn Byfield, secretary/treasurer; Kimberly Ward, chaplain and Andrea Scraper, historian/reporter.  Debra Button serves as the advisor for the group.  

The officer team for the morning SkillsUSA group included:   James Syzemore, president; Coby Moody, vice-president; MaKayla Roberts, secretary; Stephen Hendricks, treasurer; Jacob Stephens, parliamentarian and Bryant Jackson, reporter.    Officers for the afternoon session of SkillsUSA included:   Henry Wall, president; Kenneth Daykin, vice-president; Jessie Follis, secretary; Dalton Cheshire, treasurer; Johnny Davis, parliamentarian and Jill Bollig, reporter.