FBLA Fall Leadership Conference
On September 24, five members of the Future Business Leaders of America attended the Fall Leadership Conference in Hastings. The morning began with the introduction of this year's state officers. The 2019-2020 Nebraska FBLA goals were reviewed. The opening general session featured the rock band GOODING. The Nebraska Council on Economic Education (NCEE) coordinates and secures sponsors for the band to visit five Nebraska schools. Jennifer Davidson, president of the NCEE explained why the band's music and message are a win-win for young people.
"Partnering with Funding the Future and nationally known musicians has been the most fun and engaging way to bring the important financial literacy message to today's students. The rock concert catches the student off guard and they are paying attention. Once the musicians establish their cool factor, the financial literacy literacy medicine goes down and students are open to the messages," she said.
After the concert, the band talks to students about the importance of saving, how compound interest works, why to stay away from payday lenders, and how it's 'rock n roll' to have the financial freedom to live your dreams.
"Some people think rock and roll and financial literacy don't have much to do with each other, but they actually do," Gooding said. "It wasn't until I saw what we do as a business that it began allowing us the freedom to do what we wanted. We're on our own music label now, so we play what we want to play and tour how we want to tour. We wouldn't be able to do it if we weren't investing in ourselves."
GOODING'S music has been featured in "CSI," "Criminal Minds," "The Daily Show," "Iron Man 2," "Walk the Line" and "Suicide Squad." Inspired by their work with Quincy Jones as part of Operation HOPE, they helped create Funding the Future.
The general session was followed by workshops including: Officer Position workshops and Keynote workshop, Campaigning 101, Executive Committees, Dress for Success, Jumpstart Your Collegiate Career, Nebraska FBLA Foundation, and UNK Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development Program.