2022 By-Laws

By-Laws of the LCTI chapter of FBLA

as adopted February 2, 2022

Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute chapter of Future Business Leaders of America; herein referred to as the LCTI chapter of FBLA.

Article II. Purpose

Section 1.

The purpose of the LCTI chapter of FBLA is to provide additional opportunities for post-secondary students to develop career and technical competencies for business and entrepreneurship professional endeavors. The LCTI chapter of 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 the LCTI chapter of FBLA are to:

  • Develop competent, aggressive business leadership;
  • Strengthen the confidence of students in themselves and their work;
  • Create more interest in and understanding of American business enterprise;
  • Encourage members in the development of individual projects, which contribute to the improvement of home, business, and community;
  • Develop character, prepare for useful citizenship and foster patriotism;
  • Encourage and practice efficient money management;
  • Encourage scholarship and promote school loyalty;
  • Assist students in the awareness of occupational goals; and
  • Facilitate the transition from school to work.

Article III. Membership

Section 1.

The LCTI chapter of FBLA membership shall consist of students, either inperson or virtual, of Lehigh Career & Technical Institute. Members of the LCTI chapter of FBLA may not be members of their sending school district chapter of FBLA.

These members shall hold membership in the Pennsylvania Region 28 chapter, the Pennsylvania FBLA state chapter, and national FBLA-PBL chapter. Individual members shall be recognized only through the Pennsylvania chapter of FBLA except, in the case where there is no state chapter, the member shall be recognized by the National Association.

Section 2.

National FBLA, as well as the state and local chapters, shall be open for membership to these classes of members:

Active Members.

Active Members shall be secondary students who become members while enrolled in business and/or business-related fields, who accept the purpose of FBLA, subscribe to its creed, demonstrate a 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, serve as voting delegates to the National Leadership Conference, hold national office in accordance with Article VI, and otherwise represent their state and local chapters as approved by their respective state and local advisers.

Section 3.

Three consecutive unexcused absences from regularly scheduled meetings may cause loss of membership. This decision will be made by the adviser and the executive leadership council.

Section 4.

The scholastic and citizenship standing of each member shall be reviewed twice annually, once at the beginning of the school year and again at the beginning of the second school semester. Below average grades may result in placing the member on probation or cause loss of membership.

Section 5.

To participate, every member must have a signed copy of the LCTI Code of Conduct.

Article IV. Dues and Finance

Section 1.

Dues.

National dues shall be based on fiscal reports by the National Center and on recommendations by the National Executive Council and the board of directors and shall be determined by a majority vote of the local voting delegates at the National Leadership Conference.

National dues of members shall be forwarded directly to the FBLA-PBL National Center. Membership dues are unified on local, state, and national levels and are not available separately.

Section 2.

The membership dues in the LCTI chapter of FBLA shall be $20.00 a year, of which $7.00 shall be remitted to the FBLA-PBL National Center in payment of the national dues, $7.00 to the Pennsylvania FBLA state chapter in payment of state dues, and $6.00 to the FBLA Region 28 chapter.

Dues shall be due by the first day of November. Exceptions to this payment date will be given by the Adviser only after discussion with student about financial circumstances.

Paid dues will not be refunded.

Section 3.

The fiscal year of the LCTI chapter of FBLA shall be July 1 through June 30.

Section 4.

An audit shall be made annually by the auditing committee, which shall report at the annual meeting.

Article V. Officers and Elections

Section 1.

Officers of the Chapter shall be: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and historian/parliamentarian. These officers with the adviser as ex-officio member shall constitute the Executive Leadership Council. Officers shall be elected at the annual meeting and shall hold office for a term of one year or until their successors are elected. Officers shall assume their duties at the close of the meeting at which they were elected.

Section 2.

Each local chapter shall have an Adviser who shall be a faculty member who believes in the mission and goals of the association. A local chapter may have as many special-emphasis groups under the chapter charter as it deems necessary to meet the interests of all students. The local chapter of FBLA shall assume full responsibility for coordinating the program for these interest groups.

Section 3.

The Chapter shall have an Advisory Council, which shall consist of educators, alumni, and other area business leaders.

Section 4.

as adopted May 24, 2022

Elections shall occur at the end of the previous school year for the following school year.

Students eligible for nomination for officers shall include rising (as of the next school year) sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Current year seniors are ineligible to run for office as their graduation will invalidate their enrollment as a student during the subsequent school year.

Candidate nomination shall occur on the first regular meeting of the chapter following the Pennsylvania State Leadership Conference in April of the previous school year.

Elections shall occur in the first two weeks of the month of May of the previous school year. The results of the voting shall be announced during the third week of May with the induction of officers made at the May meeting of the chapter.

Article VI. Duties of FBLA Officers

Section 1.

The duties of the the LCTI chapter of FBLA executive leadership council: Office of the PRESIDENT

Well-qualified and dependable officers are crucial to the growth of any FBLA-PBL chapter. Effective leaders will:

  • Provide an environment where all members will grow professionally.
  • Include all members in a dynamic program of work.
  • Conduct the business of the chapter in proper parliamentary procedure.
  • Maintain complete current records and minutes.
  • Encourage individual and chapter participation in conferences.
  • Develop and implement a strong publicity program.

The president shall:

  • serve as chairperson of the LCTI chapter of the FBLA executive council;
  • preside over the the LCTI chapter of FBLA meetings at minimum of once (1) per month;
  • appoint appropriate committees and committee chairpersons;
  • serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of all committees; and
  • perform other duties for the promotion and development of the LCTI chapter of FBLA.

Section 2.

The duties of the the LCTI chapter of FBLA executive leadership council: Office of the VICE-PRESIDENT

Well-qualified and dependable officers are crucial to the growth of any FBLA-PBL chapter. Effective leaders will:

  • Provide an environment where all members will grow professionally.
  • Include all members in a dynamic program of work.
  • Conduct the business of the chapter in proper parliamentary procedure.
  • Maintain complete current records and minutes.
  • Encourage individual and chapter participation in conferences.
  • Develop and implement a strong publicity program.

The vice-president shall:

  • assist the president in the promotion and development of the LCTI chapter of FBLA in the organization that elected them;
  • assist in organizing and arranging for attendance at conferences and events;
  • assist in maintaining, updating, and informing members of relevant FBLA information using the website at LCTIFBLA.com;
  • preside at the LCTI chapter of FBLA meetings; and
  • assume the office of the president in the event that the president may be unable
  • to fulfill the remainder of their term.

Section 3.

The duties of the the LCTI chapter of FBLA executive leadership council: Office of the SECRETARY

Well-qualified and dependable officers are crucial to the growth of any FBLA-PBL chapter. Effective leaders will:

  • Provide an environment where all members will grow professionally.
  • Include all members in a dynamic program of work.
  • Conduct the business of the chapter in proper parliamentary procedure.
  • Maintain complete current records and minutes.
  • Encourage individual and chapter participation in conferences.
  • Develop and implement a strong publicity program.

The secretary shall:

  • keep an accurate record of all meetings of the LCTI chapter of FBLA;
  • type, edit and produce at least one copy of the minutes and substantiating reports to the LCTI FBLA president, LCTI FBLA vice-president, and LCTI FBLA adviser. These minutes of record shall be submitted as the official record of the organization;
  • Work with the LCTI business office in order to ensure accurate documentation of all organization records regarding meetings, organization expenditures, and reconciliations;
  • initiate communication with LCTI FBLA vice president to promote information using the website at LCTIFBLA.com; and
  • assume the office of the vice president in the event that the vice president may be unable to fulfill the remainder of their term.

Section 4.

The duties of the LCTI FBLA executive leadership council: Office of the TREASURER

Well-qualified and dependable officers are crucial to the growth of any FBLA-PBL chapter. Effective leaders will:

  • Provide an environment where all members will grow professionally.
  • Include all members in a dynamic program of work.
  • Conduct the business of the chapter in proper parliamentary procedure.
  • Maintain complete current records and minutes.
  • Encourage individual and chapter participation in conferences.
  • Develop and implement a strong publicity program.

The treasurer shall:

  • keep accurate records of the LCTI chapter of FBLA expenses and disbursements;
  • account for all monies collected for fundraising events;
  • prepare LCTI chapter of FBLA account deposits of all monies collected for fundraising events;
  • prepare withdrawal disbursements for all the LCTI chapter of FBLA expenditures;
  • present a monthly financial report to the LCTI chapter of FBLA members at every monthly meeting;
  • work with the secretary and assist on documentation of organizational expenses and reimbursements; and
  • assume the office of the secretary in the event that the secretary may be unable to fulfill the remainder of their term.

Section 5.

The Historian / Parliamentarian The duties of the LCTI FBLA executive leadership council: Office of the PARLIAMENTARIAN/HISTORIAN

Well-qualified and dependable officers are crucial to the growth of any FBLA-PBL chapter. Effective leaders will:

  • Provide an environment where all members will grow professionally.
  • Include all members in a dynamic program of work.
  • Conduct the business of the chapter in proper parliamentary procedure.
  • Maintain complete current records and minutes.
  • Encourage individual and chapter participation in conferences.
  • • Develop and implement a strong publicity program.

The parliamentarian/historian shall:

  • prepare news release or articles for the local chapter of all FBLA activities within one week of the activity;
  • submit articles to the national publications, such as the Pennsylvania FBLA Penn Pal newsletter, and the FBLA Tomorrow’s Business Leader;
  • maintain history of the chapter, including an annual scrapbook and other reports;
  • see that chapter meetings are conducted in an orderly manner according to the rules of parliamentary procedure;
  • assist chapter members in understanding the basic purpose of parliamentary procedure; and
  • advise the presiding officer and other chapter members on parliamentary procedure.

Section 6.

The officers shall serve on the Executive Leadership Council, and perform such duties as directed by the President and the Adviser and not inconsistent with these Bylaws or other Rules adopted by the Chapter.

Section 7.

Officers of the chapter must adhere to position rules and responsibilities or are subject to disciplinary actions including but not limited to dismissal or probation.

Section 8.

as adopted May 24, 2022

Officers of the chapter may be removed from their elected position upon a motion of any two Executive Leadership Council officers that clearly and succinctly summarizes the grounds for proposed removal from office. The motion to vacate office must be seconded by a third member of the Executive Leadership Council. Not less than three Executive Leadership Council members may bring forth a removal of another officer of the Executive Leadership Council.

Upon dual motion and seconded motion, a vote of the membership will be occur at which time a quorum of members in attendance shall determine the outcome of the motion to remove the officer.

Article VII. Meetings

Section 1.

There must be at least one regular meeting a month during the school year. The regular September meeting shall be designated as the annual meeting for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports of officers and committees, and for any other business which may arise. Other meetings may be held as deemed necessary by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Section 2.

Quorum. A majority of members of the chapter shall constitute a quorum.

Article VIII. Committees

Section 1.

The President, on consultation with the Adviser, shall appoint the following committees: (a) Nominating, (b) Social, (c) Finance, and (d) Fundraising.

The President shall appoint additional committees as authorized by the Executive Committee. Duties of committees shall be determined by the Executive Committee and the adopted parliamentary authority.

Section 2.

Local chapters may select advisory committees to assist in the growth and development of their respective chapters.

Article IX. Emblems, Insignia, and Colors

Section 1.

The Chapter emblems shall be the emblems of the national organization.

Section 2.

The official emblem and insignia items and designs are described and protected from infringement by registration in the U.S. Patent Office under the Trademark Act of 1946. The manufacture, reproduction, wearing, or display of the emblem shall be governed by the board of directors.

Section 3.

Emblems and insignia shall be uniform in all local and state chapters and within special-emphasis groups; they shall be those of FBLA. Only members in good standing may use official emblems and insignia.

Section 4.

The official colors of the FBLA shall be red, white, blue and gold.

Article X. Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the
chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not
inconsistent with the rules of FBLA-PBL, Inc., these Bylaws, or any special rules of
order the chapter may adopt.

Article XI. Amendment of the Bylaws

Proposed amendments to these bylaws shall be submitted in writing no later than January 1 to the FBLA president, or if there is no current FBLA president, to the FBLA vice-president, and to the chapter adviser. Notice of proposed amendments shall be sent to local chapter members thirty (30) days prior to the first vote on the amendments of the bylaws. Proposed amendments shall be reviewed by the chapter Executive Leadership Council and approved by the Executive Leadership Council before they can be submitted to the voting delegates. The Executive Leadership Council shall present approved proposed amendments, with recommendations, to the voting delegates. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the voting delegates is required for adoption.

Article XII. Regional, State, and National Competition

Participation and entrance into a Regional, State, and National Competition will require the following:

To be eligible to enter an competition contest or event the student must be a paid in full FBLA member in good standing, and the FBLA member must have at least 70% of the event project completed before being registered for the regional event competition by the Advisor with the intention that 100% of the objectives completed by the date of the presentation at the regional event.

All eligible FBLA members are required to attend designated regional, state, and national competition events and conferences.

Article XIII. Hours and Eligibility

Section 1.

Members must earn 35 hours by the date of the second school semester
to receive a FBLA patch for a letterman jacket.

Section 2.

Members must earn 10 hours monthly to be considered an active FBLA
member.