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

Students Perform Well at State Competitive Events

Kendal Knabe	From left: Kayla Shiplet, Margaret Davidson, Terranda Murray, Susan Parent, and Brenda Coonrod

Students from Northwest Technology Center competed at the Business Professionals of America 2008 State Conference. Several students who are enrolled in the Business and Information Technology program and the Web Development and Graphic Design program placed in their respective contests.

Kendal Knabe, who is a secondary student from Alva, placed first in the Fundamentals of XHTML. Kayla Shiplet placed second in the Fundamentals of Accounting and placed in the top 10 in Spreadsheet Applications and Analysis. Susan Parent placed in the top 10 in the Fundamentals of Word Processing. Terranda Murray placed in the top 10 in Basic Office Systems and Procedures. Brenda Coonrod placed in the top 10 in the Fundamentals of Word Processing. Margaret Davidson placed fourth in Presentation Management. Shiplet, Parent, Murray, Coonrod and Davidson are all post-secondary students.

BPA Officers Attend Fall Leadership Conference

Students serving as officers for the Business Professionals of America (BPA) student organization at the Alva Campus attended the Fall Leadership Conference held on the campus of Oklahoma City University. The theme of the conference was "Transforming Today's Students Into Tomorrow's Leaders".

Students attended workshops that offered guidance on the office they hold with BPA. The keynote speaker for the conference was Randy Earhart, CEO of Taco Mayo.

Pictured above are (left to right): Front Row--Jessica Cunningham, A.M. Representative; Nicole Kelley, A.M. President; Laine Fry, P.M. President; Susan Parent, P.M. Secretary/Reporter; Kristy Stephens, P.M. Vice President; Back Row--Kalei Nixon, A.M. Secretary/Reporter; Margaret Davidson, P.M. Class Representative; Brenda Coonrod, A.M. Vice President; Morgan Neilson, P.M. Class Representative; and Jason Corder, A.M. Class Representative.