By-Laws of LCTI FBLA

as adopted December 14, 2023

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• Article I: Name
• Article II: Purpose
• Article III: Membership
• Article IV: Dues and Finance
• Article V: Officers and Elections
• Article VI: Duties of FBLA Officers
• Article VII: Meetings
• Article VIII: Committees
• Article IX: Emblems, Insignia, and Colors
• Article X: Parliamentary Authority
• Article XI: Amendment of Bylaws
• Article XII: Regional, State, and National Competition
• Article XIII: Overnight Lodging Rooming Assignments
• Article XIV: Hours and Eligibility

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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 LCTI FBLA.

Article II. Purpose

Section 1.

The purpose of the LCTI FBLA is to provide additional opportunities for post-secondary students to develop career and technical competencies for business and entrepreneurship professional endeavors. The LCTI 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 LCTI 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 FBLA membership shall consist of students, either in-person or virtual, of Lehigh Career & Technical Institute. Members of LCTI 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 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 Membership

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.

Social Membership

Social Members shall be members that are beginning their career and technical training and are enrolled in a career and technical program at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute. Social members shall opt to join the local LCTI FBLA chapter by accepting the purpose of FBLA, subscribing to its creed, demonstrate a willingness to contribute to good school-community relations, and possess qualities for employment. Social Members shall pay dues local dues, but will not be considered members of either the Pennsylvania FBLA or National FBLA organization. As such, social members may not participate in Pennsylvania state events, national events, serve as voting delegates to the National Leadership Conference, or hold an office; including, but not limited to local Executive Leadership Council, Pennsylvania state office, or national office in accordance with Article VI. Social Members may participate in chapter fundraising activities.

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

Social Membership dues are payable to the local LCTI FBLA organization.

Section 2.

The membership dues in LCTI FBLA shall be $25.00 per school year, of which $8.00 shall be remitted to the FBLA National Center in payment of the national dues, $8.00 to the Pennsylvania FBLA state chapter in payment of state dues, and $6.00 to the FBLA Region 28 chapter. Any amount over those forwarded to the national, state, or regional organization on behalf of the student shall be placed in the student fundraising account.

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 LCTI 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, historian, parliamentarian, first member at-large, second member at-large, and third member at-large. 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.

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.

Students will be provided with a thirty (30) day window on which candidate nominations may be formally submitted. Upon closing of the nomintation window, no further candidate nominations may be made; however, students may conduct an informal write in campaign for a an office vacancy. Only officially approved candidates that have applied within the nomination window may post formal election signage within the LCTI campus urging student support.

Candidate elections shall occur over the course of forty-eight (48) hours the week following the Pennsylvania State Leadership Conference in March / April of the previous school year.

The results of the voting shall be announced during not later than Wednesday of the week following the election.

Article VI. Duties of FBLA Officers

Section 1.

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

Well-qualified and dependable officers are crucial to the growth of any FBLA 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:

• assist Executive Leadership Council in the promotion and development of LCTI FBLA in the organization that entrusted the responsibility of their honor upon their leadership ability;
• serve as chairperson of the LCTI chapter of the FBLA executive council;
• preside over the weekly LCTI FBLA Executive Leadership Council meeting;
• preside over the LCTI FBLA meetings at minimum of once (1) per month;
• appoint appropriate committees and committee chairpersons;
• perform other duties for the promotion and development of the LCTI FBLA.

Section 2.

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

Well-qualified and dependable officers are crucial to the growth of any FBLA 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 Executive Leadership Council in the promotion and development of LCTI FBLA in the organization that entrusted the responsibility of their honor upon their leadership ability;
• attend and participate in the weekly LCTI FBLA Executive Leadership Council meeting;
• assist the president in the promotion and development of the LCTI 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 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 LCTI FBLA executive leadership council: Office of the SECRETARY

Well-qualified and dependable officers are crucial to the growth of any FBLA 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:

• assist Executive Leadership Council in the promotion and development of LCTI FBLA in the organization that entrusted the responsibility of their honor upon their leadership ability;
• attend and participate in the weekly LCTI FBLA Executive Leadership Council meeting;
• keep an accurate record of all meetings of the LCTI 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 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:

• assist Executive Leadership Council in the promotion and development of LCTI FBLA in the organization that entrusted the responsibility of their honor upon their leadership ability;
• attend and participate in the weekly LCTI FBLA Executive Leadership Council meeting;
• keep accurate records of the LCTI FBLA expenses and disbursements;
• account for all monies collected for fundraising events;
• prepare LCTI FBLA account deposits of all monies collected for fundraising events;
• prepare withdrawal disbursements for all the LCTI FBLA expenditures;
• present a monthly financial report to the LCTI 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 The duties of the LCTI FBLA executive leadership council: Office of the HISTORIAN

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

• Provide an environment where all members will grow professionally.
• Include all members in a dynamic program of work.
• Develop and implement a strong publicity program.

The parliamentarian/historian shall:

• assist Executive Leadership Council in the promotion and development of LCTI FBLA in the organization that entrusted the responsibility of their honor upon their leadership ability;
• attend and participate in the weekly LCTI FBLA Executive Leadership Council meeting;
• 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;

Section 6.

The Parliamentarian

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

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

• Conduct the business of the chapter in proper parliamentary procedure.
• Maintain complete current records and minutes.
• Encourage individual and chapter participation in conferences.

The parliamentarian shall:

• assist Executive Leadership Council in the promotion and development of LCTI FBLA in the organization that entrusted the responsibility of their honor upon their leadership ability;
• attend and participate in the weekly LCTI FBLA Executive Leadership Council meeting;
• 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 7.

Section 8.

Section 9.

Section 10.

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 11.

In the event of a vacancy of an officer of the Executive Leadership Council, members in the subsequent role will be called upon to fill the vacancy of the open office.  

Officers may:

elect to move up to the higher office and keep the previous office and responsibilities, or;

they may elect to move up to the higher office and resign from the elected office and responsibilities, or;

they may decline the offer to move up to the higher office.

An invitation to fulfill the Executive Leadership Council office vacancy shall continue down the chain of leadership among all members until the Executive Leadership Council office vacancy is filled or no other Executive Council Members remain.

In the event that the chain of leadership is declined by all current members of the Executive Leadership Council, the vacant office shall be filled through a special appointment by the office of the president of the Executive Leadership Council member At-Large to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the vacant office.

Section 12.

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 13.

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 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.

Executive Leadership Council members will meet weekly in an online forum for the purpose of conducting business of LCTI FBLA. The data and time of this meeting shall be determined by the president on the first day of September of the school year. General membership is welcome to join the session; however, participation in the meeting shall be limited to the open comment at the beginning of the meeting.

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 use of the FBLA logo shall comply in respect to the copyright of the intellectual property of FBLA, Inc. Any use of FBLA logos, wordmarks, trademarks, positioning statements, or creative content shall occur within the directed guidelines of the FBLA National organization.

In accordance with the branding guidelines of the FBLA National organization, the chapter emblem will not utilize the logo of the FBLA National organization. The local logo will appear as a version of the logo of Lehigh Career and Technical Institute with the inclusion of the name of the chapter “Future Business Leaders of America” appearing directly below in Apercu Pro in Cobalt Blue (PMS 2728).

In the event that the logo of the FBLA National organization is to be used with local branding, the LCTI logo must appear either directly on top of the FBLA logo, or directly to the left of the FBLA logo, with both logos appearing at the same size and proportion.

Section 2.

The logo of the FBLA National organization, 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 FBLA National organization board of directors through the official FBLA branding guidelines.

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 Navy (PMS 288), Cobalt Blue (PMS 2728), Gold (PMS 7409), White, and Black (PMS Process Black).

The official colors of LCTI FBLA shall be Navy (PMS 288), Red (PMS Warm Red), Cobalt Blue (PMS 2728).

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, 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 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

Section 1.

Participation and entrance into a Regional, State, and National Competition will require the following:
To be eligible to enter a competition 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.

Section 2.

In the event that the Pennsylvania FBLA state organization extends an At-Large invitation to FBLA members to attend workshop or conference events, the invitation shall be extended to rising (as of the next school year) sophomores, juniors, and seniors that have completed and submitted competitive event entries but have not received an invitation to the workshop or conference events based upon the scoring of their objective testing or competitive judging score. Priority will be extended to any student that has attended the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Workshop during the current academic year. Current year seniors are ineligible to attend in an At-Large capacity unless they have attended the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Workshop during the same academic year. Order of invitation shall be determined in descending order from the highest cumulative score to that of the lowest, with qualifying invitees that decline the invitation forfeiting the invitation in lieu of the next qualifying chapter member receiving a prospective invitation.

Section 3.

In the event that one individual student earns an invitation to the FBLA National Leadership Conference, LCTI policies (LCTI Policy Manual) prohibit one-on-one interaction of a student and a teacher. In such an event, circumstances facilitate the necessity for another member of the LCTI FBLA chapter to attend the FBLA National Leadership Conference in order to provide for a two-deep student minimum. In the event that the need exists for another LCTI FBLA member attend the FBLA National Leadership Conference, the invitation to attend will be offered to members of the LCTI Executive Leadership Council beginning at the office of President and continuing downward with each subsequent decline of the invitation. Should all members of the LCTI FBLA Executive Leadership Council decline the invitation to the National Leadership Conference, then subsequent invitations shall be extended to rising (as of the next school year) sophomores, juniors, and seniors of the LCTI FBLA general membership that have attended the Pennsylvania State Leadership Conference in that academic year and are expected to return to Lehigh Career and Technical Institute during the next academic school year, and as determined by the highest placement and/or objective or judge score during the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference. Priority will be extended to any student that has attended the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Workshop during the current academic year.

Article XIII. Overnight Lodging Rooming Assignments

Overnight student lodging for workshops, competitions and professional development conferences shall be based upon quad occupancy. Fundraising proceeds may be applied against the cost of a quad occupancy room.

Students, at their own discretion, may opt for a private room at their own out of pocket cost as it pertains to the difference between the cost of the quad room and the cost of the private room. Fundraising proceeds may not be applied against the cost of a private room.

For example:
An LCTI student that is a female gender will be roomed in a female only room.

Students will be roomed with students of the same gender. Under no circumstances shall students of different genders be roomed with one another.

Article XIV. Hours and Eligibility

Section 1.

Members must earn 140 hours by the date of the second school semester and attend the FBLA State Leadership Workshop to receive a FBLA lapel pin.

Section 2.

Members must earn 30 hours monthly in their career and technical program to be considered an active FBLA member.

Former Governance: LCTI FBLA Bylaws: February 7, 2023