Revised March 2011

FLORIDA FBLA-PBL PROFESSIONAL DIVISION BYLAWS

 ARTICLE I
 NAME

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be Florida Future Business Leaders of America - Phi Beta Lambda Professional Division (hereinafter referred to as the “Professional Division”).

 

ARTICLE II
PURPOSES

Section 1. The purpose of the Professional Division shall be to provide an opportunity for professional members to continue to further the goals of Florida FBLA-PBL, Inc.
a. participate in worthwhile activities for the improvement of business and community;
b. form a speaker’s bureau to inform business leaders of activities of FBLA - PBL and to assist chapter program development;
c. create interest and understanding in the intelligent choice of business occupations;
d. strengthen the confidence of individuals in themselves and their work;
e. encourage the development of competent, aggressive business leadership;
f. establish and improve standards for entrance into business occupations;
g. help ease the transition from school to business community;
h. provide recommendations and referrals for job opportunities;
i. provide assistance in planning and conducting leadership conferences, meetings, and other Florida FBLA-PBL activities;
j. provide assistance in establishing local and state advisory councils;
k. provide assistance and support to Florida FBLA-PBL and its state and national    projects and activities.

 

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Any past active member of FBLA-PBL, adviser, or other person who adopts the purpose of the Professional Division shall be eligible for membership in the Professional Division.

Section 2. The class of membership that shall be recognized is regular members. Regular members shall consist of former members of those chapters, which possessed an active charter granted by National FBLA-PBL, Inc. or any other person who adopts the purpose of the Professional Division.

Section 3. Students enrolled in undergraduate programs in a school with an active FBLA or PBL chapter shall not be eligible for membership in the Professional Division. Graduate students who are former members of FBLA-PBL shall be eligible for membership provided that they do not hold membership in another division.

Section 4. Any member who has paid current dues shall be a member in good standing and shall be entitled to vote.

Section 5. At the discretion of the membership, Honorary Life Memberships shall be granted to individuals deserving of this distinction. Honorary life members shall be non-voting members of the Professional Division.

 

ARTICLE IV
DUES AND FINANCE

Section 1. Professional Division dues shall be sufficient enough to cover national dues which contain a rebate to the state professional division chapters for state dues.

Section 2. The fiscal year shall be July 1 through June 30.

Section 3. Any individual expenditure over $250.00 shall be approved by a majority vote of the State Executive Council and a committee of three (3) members of the Board of Directors selected by the president of the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE V
ORGANIZATION

Section 1.  The chapter of the Florida Future Business Leaders of America - Phi Beta Lambda Professional Division shall be an association of members, operating in accordance with a charter granted by FBLA-PBL, Inc.

Section 2. The administration of the Professional Division shall be vested in the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Except as vested in the Board of Directors, the Executive Council shall:
a. adopt policies of operation as deemed necessary, the necessary vote being in accordance with the provision of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, current edition;
b. review all proposed amendments to the bylaws of the Professional  Division;
c. present to the membership at the annual meeting the approved proposed amendments; and
d. perform such other duties as prescribed in these bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS

 

Section 1. The officers of the Professional Division shall consist of a President, five (5) District Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a parliamentarian.

Section 2.  Only Professional Division members in good standing are eligible to hold office.

Section 3. The President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected by a majority vote of the membership at a meeting of the Professional Division, which shall be held each year in March or April.

Section 4.  The appointed offices of this organization shall be the five (5) District Vice Presidents and the State Parliamentarian, with said appointments being made by the State Professional Division President with the approval of the Executive Council.

Section 5. Duties of Officers. The officers shall constitute the Executive Council and shall perform the duties prescribed for them in these bylaws and the most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

 

The President shall: 
a. preside at meetings of the Professional Division and the Executive Council;
b. appoint committees and chairmen;
c. serve as an ex-officio member of all committees, except the nominating committee; 
d. appoint the five(5) District Vice Presidents;
e. appoint a parliamentarian to serve in an advisory capacity;
f. promote the goals of FBLA-PBL and the Professional Division; and
g. represent the Professional Division as a member of the Board of Directors of Florida FBLA-PBL Association, Inc.

 

The Secretary shall:
a. keep accurate records of all meetings of the Professional Division & Executive    Council;
b. submit required reports to the state and national offices and other reports requested;
c. maintain necessary files; and
d. notify the membership in advance of scheduled meetings.

 

The Treasurer shall:
a. be the custodian of all funds;
b. collect all dues;
c. keep an accurate record of receipts and deposits;
d. send the membership list with dues to the national office; and
e. submit printed financial reports to the membership semiannually and to Florida FBLA-PBL Association, Inc. Board of Directors, when required; and
f. serve as the Professional Division representative on the FBLA-PBL Foundation, Inc., Board of Directors.

 

The State Vice Presidents shall:
a. assist the president in the promotion and development of the Professional Division in  the districts they represent;
b. organize district activities; and
c. represent the Professional Division in their respective districts.

 

The Parliamentarian shall:
Be responsible for the orderly conduction of all Professional Division meetings, according to  the most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, to insure organized  meetings presided over by the president.

 

Section 6. These officers shall serve on the State Professional Division Executive Council and shall perform such duties as directed by the president. 

Section 7. The officers, at the discretion and call of the President shall sit as the State Executive Council. Such call may be made telephone, mail, facsimile, electronic mail, or in person, but notice of the proposed meeting shall be at least one (1) week (7 days) prior to the meeting. Quorum for the State Executive Council shall be a simple majority of all occupied positions.

Section 8. The State Executive Council shall be empowered to carry out the business of the organization that does not contradict the bylaws, purposes, or the goals of the organization or that of Florida FBLA-PBL Association, Inc., provided that the total expenditures obligated or spent by the State Executive Council does not exceed two hundred dollars ($200) between regular meetings of the membership of the organization.

Section 9. The President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall serve a term of two fiscal years.  The five District Vice Presidents and the Parliamentarian shall serve a term of one fiscal year.

Section 10. All newly elected or appointed state officers’ dues must be received by the treasurer and/or national office prior to the adjournment of the fall meeting or thirty (30) days from their appointment, whichever is later in time. Failure to pay said dues within the allotted time shall result in the automatic removal from office.

 

 ARTICLE VII
 FLORIDA FBLA-PBL ASSOCIATION, INC.

Section 1.  The Professional Division shall hold three (3) seats on the Board of Directors of Florida FBLA-PBL Association, Inc. The terms of membership are two 3-year terms and one 2-year term to be held by the current Professional Division President.

Section 2. The Professional Division representatives to the Board of Directors of Florida FBLA-PBL Association, Inc. shall:
a. attend all meetings and functions of Florida FBLA-PBL, Inc.
b. represent the Professional Division at all meetings and functions of Florida    FBLA-PBL, Inc.
c. present a report at each meeting of the Professional Division of their activities and   involvement in Florida FBLA-PBL, Inc.

Section 3. The Board of Director position shall be elected by a majority vote of the membership at a meeting of the Professional Division which shall be held in accordance with article 6, section 3.

Section 4. In the event that the person elected president of the Professional Division is already serving as a member of the Florida FBLA-PBL, Inc. Board of Directors, that individual shall serve as the Professional Division President representative and they shall resign their Board of Director’s seat for the remainder of their term. In such event, another person shall be appointed to fill that vacancy for the remainder of the year by the President of the Board of Directors pursuant to Division I, Article 6, Section 7.

 
 
ARTICLE VIII
REMOVAL OF OFFICERS AND REPRESENTATIVES

Section 1.  An elected officer or officers may be removed from office for reasons of improper conduct or neglect of duty.

Section 2. The requirements of removing an elected officer or Board of Director representative shall be as follows:
a. a two-thirds vote of the individual members in good standing at the trial proceedings;
b. adherence to the impeachment and trial procedures according to the most current    edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

 

ARTICLE IX
VACANCY IN ELECTED OFFICE

Section 1.  In the event there is a vacancy in any of the elected offices of the Professional Division, the membership of the Professional Division shall be advised of such vacancy in writing by an officer. Such letter shall state the following:
a. name of office/director seat seeking to fill; and
b. letter of intent deadline - date to be given which shall be 20 days following the date of notification to the membership of the vacancy.

Section 2. Members interested in applying to fill the vacancy shall submit a letter of intent by the stated deadline to the officer who sent the notice to the nominating committee.

Section 3. A ballot containing a brief synopsis of the letter of intent shall be mailed to each member, and each member shall be given a deadline to return their ballots, which shall be at least ten days from the date of the notification. The person receiving a simple majority of the ballots returned by the deadline shall be deemed to have been elected. The person elected shall be notified and shall serve through the end of the tern for the position, which they have filled.

Section 4. If no one applies for the position, then in that event, the State Professional Division President shall appoint a person to fill the position with the approval of the Executive Council.

 

ARTICLE X
MEETINGS

 

Section 1.  The Professional Division shall hold no less than two (2) meetings during the fiscal year, upon the call of the president. One of the two shall be an annual business meeting for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports, and for any other business which may arise. The annual meeting shall be held in accordance with Article 6, Section 3.

Section 2. The most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern all meetings of the organization when not inconsistent with these bylaws.

Section 3. A quorum for any duly called meeting shall consist of any number of members in good standing in attendance at such meeting over six (6) i.e., at least seven (7) members).

Section 4. Questions to be brought before the membership not involving the election of officers may be brought by mail ballot.

Section 5. A ballot containing the question shall be mailed to each member, and each member shall be given a postmark deadline for return of the ballot, which shall be at least 10 days from notification. In case of a motion, a simple majority of the ballots returned within the deadline shall be required for acceptance of the motion or amendment.

 

 ARTICLE XI
 AMENDMENTS

 

Section 1. Proposed amendments to these bylaws shall be submitted in writing no later than 60 days before a scheduled meeting to the President, by a member or by the Board of Directors. Notice of the proposed amendments must be received by the membership at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which the amendment is to be considered. Proposed amendments shall be approved by the Board of Directors. The State Executive Council shall present approved amendments to the membership at a regularly scheduled meeting. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present, in good standing and voting is required for adoption.

Section 2. No amendment shall be in conflict with the ethics, goals, or bylaws of FBLA-PBL, Inc., as well as Florida FBLA-PBL Association, Inc.