Conducting Ceremonies

National Secondary President Symone Gamble ajournes the 2009 NLC.

Like many organizations, Business Professionals of America has traditions that have grown, developed, and sometimes changed with the organization. Traditions provide our culture with continuity from one generation to the next. Within an organization, traditions are maintained by passing on information, beliefs, practices, and customs by word of mouth, by example, or in writing.

Traditions unify our organization because they provide chapters with commonalities. For example, members nationwide are wearing the same pins and repeating the same pledge.

BPA’s traditions have been evolving since 1966 and the formation of the Office Education Association, our former name. Undoubtedly, some traditions will remain intact through future years and help maintain the organization’s thread of continuity. Others will be changed, updated, or eliminated as the organization grows and the world changes.

Business Professionals of America ceremonies symbolize the commitment of members to the fundamental principles and purposes for which our organization stands. The ceremonies have proven to be a starting point for learning about these principles and for developing leadership skills. It is the purpose of the Conducting Ceremonies booklet to explore how the ceremonies are used in a variety of settings and how ceremonies can be used as a leadership training tool. Click here to download and read the Conducting Ceremonies booklet.