Sample Chapter Constitution
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This is a sample constitution for your local chapter to use. Spaces have been left blank for you to insert specific information concerning the operations of your particular chapter. A few
suggestions are listed to assist in the completion of this sample constitution for your chapter.
In Article I, your school name or class name should be used when referring to the name of a “chapter.” Your state name should be used when referring to the name of a “state association.” The divisions for use in the Business Professionals of America organization are: Secondary (high school and associate), Post-secondary (two-year, four-year programs, or adult education), and Middle Level.
In Article III, officers may be elected annually by the chapter members. The administration of your chapter can be vested in: the advisor, officers, school administration, or any combination of the aforementioned.
The "DATE" is the date that the constitution has been approved or amended by your local chapter.
(SAMPLE) CONSTITUTION
_______________________________ Chapter
PREAMBLE
With the identification of business, information technology, and office occupations as an area of career and technical education, it has become necessary to provide a student group experience for students enrolled in business education programs. Leadership development through student groups can be effective in strengthening career and technical education for business, information technology, and office occupations. It is deemed essential that:- There be established a career and technical student group to serve the needs of those students enrolled in initial, refresher, or upgrading business, information technology, and/or office education programs.
- This organization be an integral part of the career and technical education curriculum preparing students for business, information technology, and office occupations.
- The organizational pattern facilitates the use of existing student groups as an integral part of the education pattern for business, information technology, and office occupations as established in law and regulation.
- This organization provides a means for individual state groups to participate as members of a national student group serving the career and technical educational needs of students enrolled in business, information technology, and office occupations.
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be Business Professionals of America, _____________________ Chapter and shall be associated with the (state) Association and (Associate/Secondary/ Post-Secondary/Middle Level) Division of the national organization.ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The purposes of this organization are:- To provide opportunities for chapter members in leadership and development.
- To unite in a common professional bond without regard to race, creed, sex, or national origin of students enrolled in classes with business employment as their objective.
- To develop leadership abilities through participation in career and technical education, civic, recreational, and social activities.
- To assist students in establishing realistic employment 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 the democratic processes.
- To foster an understanding of the functions of labor, entrepreneurial, and management organizations in the American free enterprise system.
- To develop competent, assertive leaders in business education.
- To develop and strengthen members’ confidence in themselves and their work.
- To provide satisfactory social and recreational activities.
- To foster practical application of business education skills through competition.
ARTICLE III - ORGANIZATION
Section 1: Business Professionals of America, ___________________ Chapter is an organization operating in accordance with a charter granted by the (state) Association which is granted a charter by Business Professionals of America, Inc.Section 2: The administration of Business Professionals of America, ______________ Chapter will be vested in ______________.
Section 3: The Business Professionals of America, __________________ Chapter will have officers who will be elected annually by the membership. The officers, through the chapter president, will make recommendations to the advisor with respect to the welfare of the Business Professionals of America, __________________ Chapter.
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the Business Professionals of America, _________________ Chapter shall consist of any student from ______________ enrolled in a business education, information technology, and/or office education program as approved by the state of (state). The member must pay dues as established by the local, state, and national association; and will be eligible to hold office, participate in award programs, serve as a delegate to state and national meetings, or to otherwise represent his/her chapter in state and/or national Business Professionals of America affairs.ARTICLE V - VOTING
Local members of Business Professionals of America, __________________ Chapter shall exercise their voting privilege through voting delegates at conferences. The allocation of the voting delegates from each chapter to the state and national association will be determined each year by the respective associations.ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS
Officers of the _________________ Chapter shall be elected by majority vote of the membership. Officer positions shall consist of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, historian, and parliamentarian. Officers elected one term shall continue to hold office until the election of officers the following term. The term of office shall be ______________________.ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the _________________ Chapter will be held. Parliamentary procedure for all meetings will be governed by the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.ARTICLE VIII - ADVISORS
The teacher or teacher/coordinator of each business education, information technology, and/or office education program will serve as an advisor of his/her Business Professionals of America chapter. However, an alternative advisor may be appointed as deemed necessary by the school administration.ARTICLE IX - FINANCES
Local associations will be responsible for local, state, and national dues according to the number of individual members claimed. The __________________ Chapter is also responsible for submitting dues to the appropriate designee by the designated deadline(s).ARTICLE X - EMBLEM AND COLORS
Section 1: Colors are navy blue, tan, and red.Section 2: The official Business Professionals of America emblem is the shield which represents the aims and objectives of the organization.
Section 3: The official Business Professionals of America Flag emphasizes the logo, tagline, and colors.
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS
To amend this constitution, the proposed amendment must be presented in writing by the member proposing the amendment to the chapter president and chapter advisor at least ten days prior to the next regularly scheduled chapter meeting. The proposed amendment may be adopted by a two-thirds approval of the voting members.ARTICLE XII - RULES, REGULATIONS, AND BYLAWS
The ________________ Chapter of Business Professionals of America will adopt such rules, regulations, and bylaws as are deemed necessary by the members and advisor.BYLAWS
ARTICLE I - QUALIFICATIONS FOR STUDENT OFFICE
Section 1: Only active members will be eligible for office in the ________________ Chapter.Section 2: To be eligible for office in the ____________________ Chapter candidates must meet the qualifications as established by the chapter advisor.
ARTICLE II - DUTIES OF STUDENT OFFICERS
Section 1: President. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at all business meetings; to preside over officer meetings; to make all necessary committee appointments including the designation of committee chairmen; to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of Business Professionals of America.Section 2: Vice President. It shall be the duty of the vice president to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to serve as chairman of the committees; to accept the responsibilities of the president as occasions may demand; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of Business Professionals of America.
Section 3: Secretary. It shall be the duty of the secretary to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to record the proceedings of all business and officer meetings; to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of Business Professionals of America.
Section 4: Treasurer. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to present any financial membership reports necessary for the division; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of Business Professionals of America.
Section 5: Historian. It shall be the duty of the historian to maintain the Business Professionals of America ________________ Chapter yearbook; the history of Business Professionals of America, _______________ Chapter; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of Business Professionals of America. Section 6: Parliamentarian. It shall be the duty of the parliamentarian to be responsible for the general conduct at the meeting; to rule on rules of order, should the occasion arise, during the business meetings of Business Professionals of America, ____________________ Chapter; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of Business Professionals of America.