UNIFORM STATE CHAPTER CONSTITUTION

FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA-PHI BETA LAMBDA, INC.

ARTICLE I - Name

The name of this organization shall be the West Virginia State Chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America - Phi Beta Lambda, Incorporated, hereinafter referred to as "the Chapter."

ARTICLE II - Purpose

The purpose of this PBL Chapter shall be to further the goals of PBL within the State of West Virginia. The Chapter shall provide opportunities for post-secondary and college students to develop vocational competencies for business and office occupations and business teacher education. PBL is an integral part of the instructional program and, in addition, promotes a sense of civic and personal responsibility.

The specific goals of FBLA-PBL and the Chapter are to:

Develop competent, aggressive business leadership
Strengthen the confidence of students in themselves and their work
Create more interest 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 establishment of occupational goals
Facilitate the transition from school to work

The Chapter shall not have any purpose nor engage in any activity inconsistent with the status of an educational and charitable organization as defined in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or any successor provision thereto, and none of these goals shall at any time be deemed or construed to be other than the public benefit purpose and objectives consistent with such educational and charitable status, nor shall the Chapter adopt goals or engage in any activity inconsistent with the goals and policies of FBLA-PBL, Incorporated.

ARTICLE III - Membership

The membership of the Chapter shall consist of FBLA or PBL members residing within the State of West Virginia. The Chapter shall establish classes of membership identical to those established by FBLA-PBL, INC. Such classes, together with the voting and other rights of each, may be more specifically set forth in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE IV - Dues and Finance

Section 1. The Chapter may assess dues from the members in addition to dues assessed by FBLA-PBL, Incorporated.

Section 2. No part of the net earnings of the Chapter shall inure to the benefit of any member, sponsor, donor, creator, director, officer, employee, or any other private individual or to the benefit of any corporation or organization, any part of the net earnings of which inure to the benefit of any private individual; provided this shall not prevent payment of reasonable compensation for services actually rendered the Chapter in effecting its goals.

The Chapter shall not divert any part of its income or corpus to any member, sponsor, donor, creator, director, officer or employee; by lending any part of its income or corpus without receipt of adequate security and reasonable rate of interest; by paying any compensation in excess of reasonable allowance for salaries, or other compensation for personal services actually rendered; by making any purchase of security or other property for more than adequate consideration for money or money's worth; by selling any substantial parts of its securities or other property for less than adequate consideration for money or money's worth; or by engaging in any other transaction which, either directly or indirectly, results in such diversion of its income or corpus.

The Chapter shall not make any accumulation of its income unreasonable in amount or duration.

Section 3. The Chapter shall not use any income for purposes other than the objects in this Constitution set forth or invest any income in any manner which might jeopardize the fulfillment or carrying out of its objects. The Chapter shall not devote a substantial portion of its activities to carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and in no event shall the Chapter engage in any legislative activities other than those in direct furtherance of the Chapter's stated objectives. The Chapter shall not participate in or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. In general, the Chapter shall not act in any way or engage in any activity which might affect its right or the right of FBLA-PBL, Inc., to full tax exemption or the right of donors to the Chapter of FBLA-PBL, Inc., and the Chapter shall be so operated as to be entitled to and receive all tax exemptions, federal or local, which may be granted to charitable, scientific, or educational associations or foundations.

ARTICLE V - Organization

Section 1. The Chapter is subsidiary of the Future Business Leaders of America - Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. As an integral part of FBLA-PBL, Inc., the Chapter shall have goals and engage in activities consistent with the organization’s status as a charitable and educational organization as defined in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Reports shall be submitted to FBLA-PBL, Inc., as requested.

Section 2. The Chapter shall be governed by a Board of Directors, which shall serve as the policy making body for the Chapter, and which shall be subject to this Constitution, the FBLA or PBL Bylaws, and the Board of Directors of FBLA-PBL, Inc.

Section 3. The Chapter shall adopt a set of Bylaws consistent with this Constitution, which shall include the powers and duties of the Board of Directors, officers and elections, meetings of the Chapter, and any other provisions necessary for the orderly administration of the Chapter.

Section 4. The Chapter shall maintain such relationship with FBLA or PBL local chapters within the State of West Virginia as shall be approved by the Board of Directors. The chapter may apply to the Internal Revenue Service for a group tax exemption ruling on behalf of the local chapters within the State.

Section 5. Upon dissolution, all the assets of the Chapter shall be and remain the assets of FBLA-PBL, Inc.

ARTICLE VI - Emblems and Insignia

The Chapter emblems shall be the emblems of the national organization. Only members in good standing may use official emblems and insignia.

ARTICLE VII - Amendment

This constitution is a mandatory Constitution drafted by FBLA-PBL, Inc., for adoption by its state chapters and shall be unamendable without the written consent of FBLA-PBL, Inc. Should amendments be required for the purpose of qualifying or retaining qualification under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or any successor provision thereto, such amendments, as approved by the Board of Directors of FBLA-PBL, shall become a part of this constitution with or without the consent of the Chapter.

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I – Membership

Section 1. Individual members shall be recognized only through the State chapter of National FBLA-PBL.

Section 2. The State and local chapters shall be open for membership to all students enrolled in an instructional business or business related program and shall be open for membership to these classes of members:

Active Members shall be students who become members while enrolled in business and/or business-related fields and who accept the purposes of FBLA-PBL, subscribe to its creed, demonstrate willingness, contribute to good school-community relations, and possess qualities for employment. Active members shall pay dues as established by FBLA-PBL, Inc., shall be eligible to participate in national events, serve as delegates to the National Leadership Conference, hold national office, or to otherwise represent their local chapter as approved by their respective State or local advisers.

Professional Members shall be persons associated with or participating in the professional development of FBLA-PBL as approved by the State chapter. 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, and other persons contributing to the growth and development of FBLA-PBL. Professional members shall pay dues as established by FBLA-PBL, but shall be ineligible to participate in events, serve as voting delegates, or hold office.

Honorary Members may be elected to a local or State chapter by a majority vote of the members who are of the opinion that such persons are assisting in the advancement of business and office education and who are rendering outstanding service to FBLA-PBL. Honorary members are not eligible to vote or hold office and are not required to pay dues.

Honorary Life Members may be persons who are assisting in the advancement of business and office education and to the growth and development of FBLA-PBL. Honorary life members shall be recommended by the State chapter and approved by the Board of Directors of FBLA-PBL, Inc. These members shall not be eligible to vote or hold office and are not required to pay dues.

Section 3. The membership year shall be July 1 through June 30.

ARTICLE II - Dues and Finance

The current State dues are four dollars ($4.00) per FBLA and middle level member and four dollars ($4.00) per PBL member. This amount is in addition to the local chapter dues and national dues. The current National dues are six dollars ($6.00) per FBLA member, four ($4.00) per Middle Level member and ten dollars ($10.00) per PBL member.

ARTICLE III - Governing Authority

Section 1. State Chairman/State Adviser: The State Chairman of this organization shall be appointed by the Executive Director of FBLA-PBL, Inc.

Section 2. Executive Committee: The PBL Executive Committee shall consist of the officers, their sponsors, the State Adviser, and State Chairman appointed by the Executive Director of FBLA-PBL, Inc. During intervals between meetings of the Executive Committee, the State Chairman shall exercise all powers conferred on it by the National Board of Directors in the management and direction of the business and the conduct of the FBLA-PBL. The Executive Committee shall keep a record of its proceedings and report the same to the Advisory Committee at the next succeeding meeting.

Section 3. State FBLA-PBL Advisory Committee: Members of the State FBLA-PBL Advisory Committee shall cooperate with and serve in an advisory capacity to the State Chairperson and assist with the growth and development of FBLA-PBL. Members of the committee shall be appointed as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. Recommendations for persons for such appointments may be requested of local chapters.

Section 4. Local chapters may select advisory committees to assist in the growth and development of their respective chapters.

ARTICLE IV - Officers

Section 1-a. The following State FBLA officers shall be elected at the annual State Leadership Conference: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The person scoring highest on the Parliamentary Procedures written test shall be appointed by outgoing State President to serve as Parliamentarian. All state officers shall have at least one year remaining before graduating from a secondary school.

Section 1-b. The following State PBL officers shall be elected at the annual State Leadership Conference: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter and Parliamentarian. In addition, one career technical education school representative from each FBLA-PBL section will be appointed to serve on the executive committee. The selection will be made on a rotation basis yearly, beginning with the oldest chapter in each section.

Section 2. Local Chapter Officers: The following recommended local chapter officers shall be elected by each local chapter: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Reporter. These officers constitute the executive board under the leadership of the sponsor.

Section 3. All State officers, except the adviser(s), chairman, and executive secretary, shall be elected annually by a plurality vote of the delegates present at the annual State Leadership Conference. The chairman of the State FBLA-PBL Committee and one State PBL adviser shall be named by the Administrative Committee of the National FBLA-PBL. A plurality is a number of votes cast for a candidate in a contest of more than two candidates that is greater than the number of votes cast for any other candidate.

Section 4. Vacancy in any state office shall be filled by an appointment of the State Chair/State Adviser.

ARTICLE V - Meetings

Section 1. Frequency: The Executive Committee shall have the power to call an annual State Leadership Conference and other meetings.

Section 2. Quorum: Delegates from a majority of the member chapters shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VI - Voting

Section 1. Delegates: Each member chapter shall be entitled to:

Under 50 members - two voting representatives

50 - 100 members - three voting representatives

Over 100 members - four voting representatives

Section 2. Alternates for the local chapter voting representatives may be sent to the State Leadership Conference.

Section 3. All voting delegates of local chapters shall be officially certified by their respective advisers to the State Advisor prior to the State Leadership Conference.

ARTICLE VII – Miscellaneous

Section 1. The Chapter, at its conferences, may amend and/or adopt necessary bylaws, rules or regulations.

Section 2. The official colors of FBLA-PBL shall be blue and gold.

ARTICLE VIII - Amendment of Bylaws

These bylaws may be amended at any state voting session or at the annual State Leadership Conference by a majority vote of all local chapter voting delegates, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing to all active local PBL chapters in West Virginia at least thirty (30) days prior to the voting session.

PBL DUES INFORMATION

LOCAL CHAPTER DUES

The local chapter sets local chapter dues and this fee varies throughout the state. It should be payable to the local chapter treasurer as quickly as possible.

STATE DUES

State PBL dues are four dollar ($4.00) per member. Additional members may be added through the year. However, to be eligible to enter contests or run for state offices, a member's dues must be mailed by January 22, 2018.

NATIONAL DUES

National PBL dues are ten dollars ($10.00) per member.

Make one check for state and national dues payable to: Future Business Leaders of America. Mail the check and membership forms to:

Future Business Leaders of America - Phi Beta Lambda

Membership Lockbox

PO Box 79063

Baltimore, MD 21279-0063

State and national dues must be mailed by January 22, 2018, to participate in the state conferences.

PBL membership registration MUST be done online. Log on to the FBLA-PBL home page at www.FBLA-PBL.org. Reporting online membership alone does not activate your chapter. Payment must be received at the national center before a chapter is considered officially active for the membership year.

On-line Registration Instructions

Log on to the national Web site at www.fbla-pbl.org
Click “Membership” on the left hand side of the page
Click “Register Now”
Key in your chapter number (do not key in hyphens or zero) and the password. Your chapter number is located on the mailing label or by contacting your State Advisor. The password is “Service.” Example: your chapter number 9811-00 would be 9811 and password would be “service.”

For questions or concerns regarding online registration, please contact the FBLA-PBL membership office at 800.325.2946 or membership@fbla.org.