Revised July 2023
FLORIDA FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA
ARTICLE I
NAME
Section 1. The name of this division of the Florida FBLA-PBL Association, Inc. shall be the Florida State Chapter of Future Business Leaders of America Middle School/High School and may be referred to as FBLA.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
Section 1. The purpose of FBLA is to provide opportunities for secondary students to develop vocational competencies for business and office occupations. FBLA is an integral part of the instructional program and, in addition, promotes a sense of civic and personal responsibility.
Section 2. The specific goals of FBLA are to:
A. Develop competent, aggressive business leadership;
B. Strengthen the confidence of students in themselves and their work;
C. Create more interest in and understanding of American business enterprise;
D. Encourage members in the development of individual projects which contribute to the
improvement of home, business, and community;
E. Develop character, prepare for useful citizenship, and foster patriotism;
F. Encourage and practice efficient money management;
G. Encourage scholarship and promote school loyalty;
H. Assist students in the establishment of occupational goals; and
I. Facilitate the transition from school to work.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. FBLA membership shall consist of members of chartered local chapters. These members shall hold membership in Florida district, state and national chapters. Individual members shall be recognized only through a local chapter of FBLA.
Section 2. State FBLA, as well as local chapters, shall be open for membership to the three following classes of members:
Active Members shall be secondary students in grades 5-12 who become members while enrolled in business and/or business-related fields, who accept the purpose of FBLA, subscribe to its creed, demonstrate willingness to contribute to good school-community relations, and possess qualities for employment. Active members shall pay dues as established by FBLA and may participate in national events, in accordance with the guidelines of the National Awards Program and the State Awards Program, serve as voting delegates to the National Leadership Conference and the State Leadership Conference, hold national and/or state office in accordance with Article VI, and otherwise represent their state and local chapters as approved by their respective state or local advisers.
Alumni Members shall be persons associated with or participating in the professional development of FBLA as approved by state chapters. Such members may include local and state chapter advisers, business teachers, business teacher educators, state supervisors of business and office education, employers or supervisors of cooperative work-training students, advisory council members, business persons, and other persons contributing to the growth and development of FBLA. Alumni members shall pay dues as established by Florida FBLA Board of Directors.
Honorary Life Members shall be persons who are assisting in the advancement of business and office education and/or who are rendering outstanding service to Florida FBLA Honorary Life Members shall not vote or hold office and shall not be required to pay dues.
Section 3. By paying dues and becoming a Florida FBLA member, each student agrees to be bound by the association bylaws, guidelines, code of conduct, dress codes, and competitive events requirements.
ARTICLE IV
DUES AND FINANCES
Section 1. State membership dues shall be $5.00 per year per member, payable by December 1 of the current year.
Section 2. Students who become eligible (new or transfer from another school) for membership after December 1 must pay dues by January 31 to determine eligibility to participate in district leadership conferences.
ARTICLE V
ORGANIZATION
Section 1. FBLA shall be an association of local chapters, each operating in accordance with a charter granted by FBLA Inc. Only chapters in good standing shall be referred to as "Future Business Leaders of America." Chapter charters and numbers shall be issued to each FBLA chapter by the National office.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall serve as the policy making body of this organization.
Section 3. The administration of FBLA shall be vested in the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Each district shall have a district director whose duty it shall be to coordinate the activities of the District in cooperation with the state adviser.
ARTICLE VI
STATE OFFICERS, ELECTIONS AND REMOVAL
Section 1. State Officers. The elected state officers of FBLA shall be a president, five regional vice-presidents, secretary, and reporter. A parliamentarian is appointed annually.
Section 2. Qualification for State Office.
A. Only active members are eligible to hold state office.
B. Only those applicants who are present at the State Leadership Conference and officially certified by the Officer Screening Committee shall be eligible for nomination.
C. To be considered for an office in FBLA, an applicant shall be a high school student who shall:
1. have at least one (1) full year remaining in his/her high school education;
2. be enrolled in a business-related course throughout the term of office;
3. hold or have held an elective office in his/her local chapter;
4. be recommended by the chapter adviser and endorsed by his/her local chapter;
5. file an official application with the state adviser, according to policy set by the Board of Directors; and
6. be approved by the Officer Screening Committee, and
7. remain a Florida resident during his/her term of office.
Section 3. Nominations.
A. The president, five regional vice-presidents, secretary and reporter shall be nominated at a general session of the State Leadership Conference.
B. With respect to the president, five regional vice-presidents, secretary and reporter, only candidates approved by the Officer Screening Committee for the designated office shall be nominated.
Section 4. Elections.
A. The president, secretary and reporter shall be elected annually at the State Leadership Conference by the state voting delegates. The five regional vice-presidents shall be elected annually at the State Leadership Conference by the registered voting delegates from the respective regions.
B. These state officers shall be elected by a ballot vote of the voting delegates. These state officers shall be elected by a plurality vote of the voting delegates.
C. Districts may nominate only one candidate for state office with the exception of Regional Vice President. A district may nominate one Regional Vice President candidate in addition to one of the other state officer candidates. Unopposed candidates and appointed parliamentarians shall not be eliminated because of this restriction. A local chapter may only nominate one candidate to be elected—this does not limit the opportunity to have their chapter members seek the position of parliamentarian.
D. No state officer shall hold a district office at the same time he/she is a state officer.
Section 5. Term of Office. State officers shall be elected for one (1) year or until their successors are elected or appointed, and their term of office shall begin at the close of the State Leadership Conference at which they were elected.
Section 6. Vacancy in Office. A vacancy in any office, other than that of president, shall be filled by appointment by the state adviser. Should the office of the president become vacant, the regional vice-president from the president’s region shall automatically become president.
Section 7. Appointment of Parliamentarian. The approved applicant scoring the highest on the Parliamentary Procedure written test at the State Leadership Conference shall be appointed by the incoming state president to serve as parliamentarian. This individual must have at least one (1) year remaining before being graduated from a Florida secondary school.
Section 8. Removal from Office. If any officer fails to carry out the duties as described in the bylaws or Policies and Procedures Handbook or exhibits conduct inappropriate of a state officer, the officer may be removed from office by either of the following methods: an action by the Board of Directors; or if the Board of Directors is not currently meeting, the state adviser may remove an officer.
ARTICLE VII
DUTIES OF FBLA STATE OFFICERS
Section 1. The president shall preside over the officer meetings and business meetings of FBLA; serve as the FBLA student representative on the Board of Directors; appoint appropriate committees and committee chairmen with the approval of the state adviser; serve as an ex-officio nonvoting member of all committees; appoint the parliamentarian; and perform other duties for the promotion and development of local, state and national FBLA.
Section 2. The regional vice-presidents shall serve as Chairmen of the National Project Committee and assist the president in the promotion and development of FBLA.
Section 3. The secretary shall keep an accurate record of all meetings of the State Leadership Conference and the State Officer Meetings; and supply promptly at least one (1) typewritten copy of the minutes and substantiating reports to the president and the state adviser.
Section 4. The reporter shall compile local chapter activity news for the state newsletter; assist in compiling and publishing memos, informational reports, and other public relations releases as deemed necessary by the State Adviser; and function as public relations liaison to the national chapter for Florida FBLA.
Section 5. The parliamentarian shall advise the president on the orderly conduct of business in accordance with FBLA bylaws and Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, current edition.
ARTICLE VIII
DISTRICT OFFICERS, ELECTION AND DUTIES
Section 1. District Officers. Each district shall elect a president. Additional officers may be elected as determined by the respective districts.
Section 2. Qualifications for District Office.
A. Only active members are eligible to hold district office.
B. Only those applicants who are present at the District Leadership Conference shall be eligible for nomination.
C. To be considered for a district office, a candidate shall be a middle school or high school student who shall:
1. have at least one (1) full year remaining in his/her business program;
2. be enrolled in a business-related course throughout the term of office;
3. hold or have held an elective office in his/her local chapter;
4. be recommended by the chapter adviser and endorsed by his/her local chapter;
5. file an official application with the district director according to the policy set by the district; and
6. remain a resident of the district during his/her term of office.
Section 3. Nominations. The district officer(s) shall be nominated and elected at the District Conference.
Section 4. Elections. Each district shall decide how to elect district officers in their respective districts. District officers shall be elected annually at the district meetings.
Section 5. Term of Office. District officers shall be elected for a one (1) year term, and their term shall begin at the close of the State Leadership Conference.
Section 6. Vacancy in Office. A vacancy in office of the district president shall be filled by the district director.
Section 7. Removal from office. If any officer fails to carry out the duties as described in the bylaws or exhibits conduct inappropriate of a district officer, the district director in consultation with the state adviser shall determine whether or not the said district officer should be removed from office. In the event it is determined that the said district officer should be removed from office, the said district officer shall be immediately divested of his or her office.
Section 8. Duties. The district president shall assist the incoming state president and state organization in consultation with the state adviser in the promotion and development of FBLA in the district which elected him or her; work cooperatively with the district director in planning and implementing district activities; preside at all district meetings at the State Leadership Conference.
ARTICLE IX
LOCAL ADVISERS AND DISTRICT DIRECTORS
Section 1. Each local chapter shall have an adviser who shall be a faculty member who is teaching a business or business-related class or another school employee approved by the administration of the school.
Section 2. District Director Elections. Each district will have a district director elected in accordance with the district procedure.
Section 3. A district director shall be currently involved in teaching business-related subjects at an accredited secondary Florida educational institution or an employee at the district school board office.
Section 4. The term of office will begin July 1 of the current year. If vacancies exist by March 15 of the current year, the district director will be appointed by the state adviser.
Section 5. District directors shall present an annual district financial report to the advisers and shall be responsible and accountable for all district finances.
ARTICLE X
STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Section 1. A State Leadership Conference shall be held each year. A date and location will be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Each local charter (school) in good standing shall be entitled to send from its active membership, voting delegates to the State Leadership Conference in accordance with the following:
1- 50 members 2 voting delegates
51-100 members 3 voting delegates
101-150 members 4 voting delegates
151-200 members 5 voting delegates
For each additional 50 members a charter may have, it shall receive one (1) additional voting delegate. It is permissible to split the charter's votes.
Section 3. All voting delegates of local chapters shall be officially certified by their respective advisers and their names submitted to the State Leadership Conference coordinator in advance of the State Leadership Conference.
Section 4. Voting. Chapter voting delegates shall be entitled to vote on all state officer candidates, which come before the general session. There shall be no proxy voting.
Section 5. Quorum. The quorum for all business meetings of the State Leadership Conference shall be a majority of the registered voting delegates.
ARTICLE XI
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Section 1. All registrations for the National Leadership Conference must be received in the state office by the appropriate deadline.
Section 2. Any contestant not registered for the National Leadership Conference by the competitive event form deadline will be deemed ineligible to compete.
Section 3. Substitutions will be made at the discretion of the state adviser.
Section 4. Qualifications for National Office. Members wishing to run for a national office must meet all qualifications as set forth in the National Bylaws, must mail their written intent to run and a resume to the state adviser postmarked no later than January 1, and be approved by the Board of Directors at the January Board Meeting.
Section 5. Elections for National Office.
A. Applicants who pass screening and are approved by the Board of Directors will then campaign at the State Leadership Conference to be Florida's candidate for national office at the National Leadership Conference.
B. Local chapter voting delegates will vote by ballot for an applicant at the same time they vote for the state officers. A plurality vote will be used.
C. Applicants running unopposed who do not receive a majority vote of the voting delegates will not have the endorsement of the state chapter and will therefore be unable to run for national office that year.
ARTICLE XII
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. The state shall be divided into five (5) regions as determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. FBLA shall be entitled to five (5) high school adviser and two (2) middle school adviser representatives on the Board of Directors, in addition to the student president member.
Section 3. Each representative shall serve a three (3) year term.
Section 4. All such representatives must currently be a local chapter adviser with at least three years of experience or be currently serving as a district director.
Section 5. The term of each member of the Board of Directors shall begin on July 1.
Section 6. The Board of Directors, by a majority vote, shall adopt policies of operation of FBLA as deemed necessary, determine such matters as the number of contestants per contest from each district and the number of local chapter representatives for the State Leadership Conference, and approve candidates for national office.
Section 7. The Board of Directors shall serve as the Grievance Committee at the State Leadership Conference.
ARTICLE XIII
COMMITTEES
Section 1. Advisory committees to assist in the growth and development of FBLA may be appointed as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. Recommendations of persons for such appointments shall be requested of districts.
Section 2. Local chapters may select advisory committees to assist in the growth and development of their respective chapters.
Section 3. The president of FBLA shall, with the approval of the State Adviser, establish committees, appoint their members for a period not to exceed his/her term of office, and assist these committees in their activities.
Section 4. An Officer Screening Committee, composed of Board members, shall be appointed by the state adviser. The Officer Candidate Screening Committee shall, after careful consideration of applicants for office of FBLA, approve candidates for nomination.
Section 5. Committee business may be conducted by mail at the discretion of the state adviser. For adoption, action by mail shall require a majority vote of the members eligible to vote and shall be reported to the committee members not later than the next regular meeting.
ARTICLE XIV
EMBLEMS, COLORS AND MOTTO
Section 1. The official emblem and insignia item designs of FBLA are to be the same as the National FBLA, Inc. official emblem and insignia item. The wearing or displaying of this emblem shall be governed by the State Board of Directors.
Section 2. The official colors of FBLA shall be blue and gold.
ARTICLE XV
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section 1. The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, current edition shall govern FBLA in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the rules of FBLA, Inc., these bylaws, or any special rules of order which FBLA may adopt.
ARTICLE XVI
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Proposed amendments to these bylaws shall be submitted in writing 30 days prior to any noticed board meeting to the state adviser or, if there is no state adviser, to the president of the Board of Directors. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Florida FBLA Board of Directors is required for adoption.