How Arizona is preparing the leader of the next generation

As business leaders here in Arizona, we have a responsibility to help grow the next generation of leaders.   And school-based organizations play a key role.   During this holiday season teens are finding ways to serve through a variety of groups.

Student government, National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) all help tweens and teens look beyond themselves and into the needs of their community.  At Canyon State Credit Union, we are deeply involved with FBLA, and this year, their State Service Project is dedicated to a cause close to our hearts,  Caring For Kids collection drive.

Caring for Kids will benefit Child Crisis Arizona and Arizona Helping Hands, two organizations whose mission is helping support foster families in Arizona. FBLA has committed to collecting diapers to support the Caring for Kids program this Holiday season.

Serving at Christmas is a great way to kick-start the spirit of giving, but here are just three ways involvement in FBLA can help a teen develop community leadership skills all year long.

It prepares teens to enter the workforce

“FBLA offers students the opportunity to gain experience that cannot be obtained inside the classroom through events that educate and expose students to a realistic portrayal of being part of today’s workforce,” according to Odyssey. FBLA helps students explore business topics and ideas with real business leaders and gives them opportunities to lead in their local chapters. One of FBLA’s objectives is to help students create business goals of their own.

It gives teens confidence to look beyond themselves

One of the organization’s most prominent aims is to strengthen students’ confidence in themselves and their work.

“In order to develop this trust in someone’s relationship with themselves, they must cultivate two things: practice and accomplishment,” wrote Galadriel Coury, national treasurer for FBLA and former state officer for FBLA. “FBLA contains countless conferences to practice self-confidence. Almost all FBLA events require students to push themselves outside of their comfort zones in one way or another.”

Local service opportunities also can help your teen become more confident, wrote psychologist Kenneth Ginsburg for Psychology Today. “Your child does not need to build a water purification system in a faraway land to garner the benefits that contribution offers. There are needy among us.”

Teens who serve not only learn to see beyond themselves, but they also connect more closely with their neighborhood, schools and families, according to Ginsburg. This helps them build the belief that what they do matters in their communities.

FBLA encourages students to give back to their communities

Service projects are emphasized by every chapter of FBLA, every year.

These projects are a tool for our young people to take the steps to become community-minded business leaders through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.

We are thrilled that FBLA has chosen to join us in supporting Caring for Kids as this year’s service project.

We began this partnership with KTAR four years ago and the program has grown so much over these few years.  In fact, last year we had to add an additional charity due to the outpouring of support from our communities.

If you are looking for a service opportunity for your teenager this holiday season, he or she can collect these new items and drop them off at any Valley Walgreens location.

• Toiletries
• Diapers (size 4, 5 and 6)
• Diaper wipes
• Clothing for boys
• Clothing for girls
• Socks
• Bedding
• Toys
• Retail gift cards
• Gas gift cards

Be sure to join in service this season to benefit foster children, one of Arizona’s most vulnerable populations. At Canyon State Credit Union, we are committed to inspiring the next generation’s leaders to serve in their own communities, during the holidays and beyond.

About Canyon State Credit Union: Canyon State Credit Union has served the people of Arizona for more than 60 years, and is open for membership from anyone who lives, works, or worships in a number of zip codes within Arizona, as well as anyone who works for the credit union’s designated Select Employee Groups (SEGs). Their tagline at Canyon State is Committed To YOU™.   It’s not just a saying they take lightly, it’s a promise they make to provide members with the best products and services possible.