FBLA MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION BYLAWS

FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA, INC. 

ARTICLE I

Name

The name of this division of FBLA shall be “Future Business Leaders of America Middle School Division” and may be referred to as “FBLA Middle School Division.” 

ARTICLE II

Purpose

Section 1. The purpose of the FBLA Middle School Division is to provide, as an integral part of the instructional program, additional opportunities for students to explore, encounter, and experience positive leadership skills for their present lifestyles, as well as their future work. 

Section 2. The goals of the FBLA Middle School Division 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 that 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 establishment of occupational goals; and

• facilitate the transition from school to work. 

ARTICLE III

Membership

Section 1. FBLA Middle School Division membership shall consist of members of chartered local chapters. These members shall hold membership in their state and national chapters. Individual members shall be recognized only through a state chapter of the FBLA Middle School Division except that, in the case where there is no state chapter, the member shall be recognized by the national center. 

Section 2. The National FBLA Middle School Division, as well as the state and local chapters, shall be open for membership to these classes of members:

• Active Members shall be middle school student who accept the purpose of FBLA, subscribe to its creed, and demonstrate willingness to contribute to good school-community relations. Active members shall pay dues as established by the national board of directors and may represent their state and local chapters as approved by their respective state and local advisers.

• Honorary Life Members may be elected to a state or local chapter by a majority vote. They shall be persons who are rendering outstanding service to FBLA. Honorary life members shall not vote or hold office and shall not be required to pay dues.

 • National Honorary Life Members may be recommended by the membership and shall be accepted upon approval by the national board of directors of FBLA. They shall be persons making significant contributions to the field of education and/or to the growth and development of FBLA. National Honorary Life Members shall not vote or hold office and shall not be required to pay dues.

ARTICLE IV

Dues and Finance

Section 1. National dues shall be determined by a majority vote of the national board of directors based on fiscal reports by the national center.

Section 2.  Any person eligible for membership, who has paid the annual membership fee, shall be an FBLA Middle School Division member for a paid corresponding with the membership year.

Section 3.  The affairs and property of FBLA Middle School Division shall be managed by the board of directors, according to the current District of Columbia. Code.

Section 4.  The association president and chief executive officer shall administer all FBLA Middle School Division finances, include the Middle School Division finances in the annual budget to the board of directors for approval, and provide the board of directors and members with an annual audit.

Section 5.    The fiscal year of the FBLA School Division shall be August 1 through July 31.

Article V

Organization

Section 1. FBLA Middle School Division shall be an association of state and local chapters, each operating in accordance with a charter granted by FBLA. Only chapters that have received a charter and number issued by FBLA and that are currently in good standing shall be referred to as “Future Business Leaders of America Middle School Division” or “FBLA Middle School Division.” 

Section 2. The board of directors of FBLA shall serve as the policy making body of this organization and derives its authority from the Articles of Incorporation of FBLA and the laws of the District of Columbia. It may be referred to as the board of directors. 

Section 3. The administration of FBLA Middle School Division shall be vested in the president and chief executive officer of FBLA. 

Section 4. State chapter charters shall be issued upon approval of the board of directors. 

Section 5. Each local chapter shall have an adviser who shall be a member of the faculty or administration of that school.

Article VI

Committees

Section 1.      The local and state chapters may select advisory committees to assist in the growth and development of their respective chapters.

Article VII

Emblems and Colors

Section 1.         The official emblem and insignia item designs are described and protected from infringement by registration in the U.S. Patent Office under the Trademark Act of1946. The manufacture, reproduction, wearing, or display of the emblem shall be governed by the board of directors.

Section 2.         Emblems and insignia shall be uniform in all local and state chapters. Only members in good standing may use official emblems and insignia.

Section 3.          The official colors of the FBLA Middle School Division shall be blue and gold.

ARTICLE VIII

Parliamentary Procedure

Section 1.         The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the FBLA Middle School Division in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they in agreement with the rules of FBLA, these bylaws, or any special rules of order the FBLA Middle School Division may adopt.

ARTICLE IX

Amendment

Section 1.         The board of directors of FBLA may amend these bylaws by a two-thirds vote of the directors in office.

Section 2.         No amendment shall conflict with the ethics or rules of FBLA. Amendments required to qualify or retain qualification as an educational and charitable organization as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or any successor thereto, shall automatically become part of these bylaws.

Section 3.       The president and chief executive officer of FBLA shall be authorized to revise these bylaws to correct punctuation, grammar, cross-references, article and section designations, and to make such other technical changes as may be necessary, where these changes shall be minor in detail and shall not alter the meaning or intent of the bylaws. Notice of changes made under this authority shall be communicated in writing to the FBLA president and chief executive officer and the board of directors within 30 days.