State Officer Candidate Application

​This application is for student members of TSA seeking to run as a candidate for following state officer positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, and Sergeant at Arms. Serving as a TSA State Officer, you will become an ambassador for your school, state, and the National TSA organization. It is strongly recommended that only TSA students with strong GPA and academic standards even consider the possibility of running for office, as candidates will be absent from school during the school year on a considerable number of occasions. It is incumbent upon the individual to maintain their grades while serving as a TSA officer.

UPDATE (2/2/2023): The Application Cycle for the 2023-2024 State Officer Team is now closed and the application was due February 1st at 11:59pm EST. 

Current Candidates: The Candidate Guide for this year can be viewed here.  This guide contains more information about dates/deadlines, expectations, and the steps of the campaign process.  Any questions can be directed to the State Officer Coach, Carson Bock, via email at Carson.Bock@tntsa.org

Perspective Future Candidates: Those interested in seeking office in the future are encouraged to apply for the Membership Committee following the conclusion of the State Leadership Conference and to contact Carson Bock or the current State Officer Team with any questions you may have about the State Officer Program.

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To be eligible, candidates must meet and/or comply with each of the following:
Be an active member of TSA. Have at least one full year remaining in career & technical training. Make arrangements for transportation to required events and training. I have permission from my parent/guardian and school administration to attend ALL of the following events:

• State Officer Orientation - May/June (after school has ended)
• National TSA Conference - June/July
• State Officer Leadership Training - August
• Fall Leadership Conferences as assigned - Fall
• ​TSA Executive Council bimonthly meetings (Calendar to be released near State Conference)
• Regional Conferences as assigned - Spring
• Youth in Government Seminar - CTE Week in February
• State TSA Conference - Spring

I understand that failure to attend any assigned activity could result in being removed from office. Please note the duties of a State TSA Officer will take precedence over sports, job, extracurricular and social activities. The state officer may be expected to provide advance travel and expense money necessary for discharging the responsibilities as a state officer. Authorized expenses will be reimbursed following the completion of the trip and/or assignment. Parents of a state officer should know if their son/daughter fails to fulfill their duties, reimbursement may not be made, and/or the parents may be asked to reimburse Tennessee TSA for the monies spent on his/her travel. I agree to attend all Executive Council activities, and other official TSA meetings unless excused, in advance, by the State Officer Team Coach or TSA State Advisor. I understand that if I am unable to meet my obligations as a TSA state officer, that I will be relieved of my office. I agree to refrain from the use of tobacco, alcohol, and non-prescribed drugs. I agree to abide by the established state officer dress code. Receive favorable recommendation from the TSA Executive Council screening committee.

If you have any questions concerning the above, you can contact the TNTSA State Officer Coach.

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Letters of Recommendation

I will request letters of recommendation from my high school principal, academic/extracurricular teacher, and TSA Advisor that indicates their support of me as a state officer candidate and their understanding of the above responsibilities; the letters must be emailed to the TSA State Officer Coach at Carson.Bock@tntsa.org.

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Advisor Responsibilities

Candidates must have their advisor's support before applying for office. Advisor responsibilities include: Assist the candidate in completing this candidate application. Prepare the candidate for the screening process. Secure campaign material as desired for the candidate. Provide transportation for the officer to all required functions. Chaperone the officer at all functions and activities, if in attendance.

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CANDIDATE Information

​Tennessee TSA State Officer Candidates

The Tennessee TSA State Officer program offers student members the opportunity to build leadership skills, travel, and represent the organization at the local, state and national levels. 

Tennessee TSA State Officers build life-long friendships and learn more about themselves and our association. 

The Tennessee TSA State Officer  Candidate program is seeking qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds across our great state. The completed officer candidate online application must be received by Tennessee TSA on or before February 1st. ​

​State Officer Candidate Duties and Responsibilities

If elected to Tennessee TSA state office, you will:

1. Be dedicated to TSA and the total program of STEM education
2. Be willing to commit to all state officer activities.
3. Be willing and able to travel in serving Tennessee TSA.
4. Understand the mission, goals, bylaws, and creed of Tennessee & National TSA. 
5. Become knowledgeable of STEM education and TSA.
6. Through preparation and practice, develop yourself into an effective public speaker and project a desirable image of TSA at all times.
7. Regularly and promptly write all letters, thank you notes, reports, and other forms of correspondence which are necessary and desirable.
8. Follow the state officer code of ethics.
9. Serve as a member of the team, always maintaining a cooperative attitude.
10. Be willing to take and follow instructions, as directed by those responsible for you.
11. Avoid expressing personal opinions regarding political or controversial problems when representing Tennessee TSA.
12. Maintain an overall GPA of at least a 2.8 based upon the scale where 4.0 = A​

Tennessee TSA Travel Guidelines
Please read this carefully and review with your parent(s).    

1. Tennessee TSA state officers are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from meetings.
2. Tennessee TSA state officers are not allowed to drive personal vehicles to and from meetings unless previously approved.
3. Tennessee TSA does provide money for gas or other travel expenses to and from most meetings. It is recommended that you carpool, whenever possible, with other officers in your area.
4. Tennessee TSA does provide hotel rooms, meals, registration for and transportation during all regularly scheduled meetings (except National TSA Conference).​

Tennessee TSA State Officers’ Official Attire
State officers shall wear official TSA dress, business-like attire, and/or appropriate dress as the occasion may demand. The official TSA dress and casual TSA apparel are considered appropriate dress for all conference activities. From the first scheduled TSA activity, officers must adhere to the dress code requirements as listed below. It may be necessary for state officers to purchase part of their matching uniforms (i.e., blazers, pants). Tennessee TSA will supply two officer shirts as budget allows.

Official TSA Attire

1. Blazer: navy blue with TSA patch
2. Tie: official TSA tie (males only)
3. Shirt/blouse: official TSA blue shirt 
4. Pants: light gray
5. Skirt: light gray (females only: skirt must be no more than 3 inches above knee) 
6. Shoes: black
7. Socks: black or dark blue (females only: hose) 
8. Belt

Business-like Attire (Minimum Standards)

1. Collared shirt/blouse 
2. Long pants (preferably dress slacks) 
3. Dresses/skirts 
4. Dress shoes 
5. Socks/hose 
6. Belt

Casual TSA Attire

1. TSA polo 
2. Khaki slacks
3. Brown or black shoes (no tennis shoes) 
4. Belt

Personal Appearance

1. No large, dangling earrings will be allowed when in official dress. 
2. Hair must be all one color and have a business-like appearance. 
3. No hats will be worn when representing TSA. 
4. Conservative nail polish will be worn when representing TSA (clear, skin tone or a tasteful color; no black, green, or distracting colors.) ​

Officer Candidate Responsibilities at State Conference

Campaigning Rules

1. Campaigning by officer candidates and their designees is allowed only in hotel common areas, convention center common areas and delegation meetings. It is encouraged that campaigning be done primarily in the public areas of the conference.
2. All campaigning must conclude, and materials cleaned up from all TSA conference areas after the business meeting.  
3. No posters or flyers may be placed on walls. This goes for all TSA conference hotels and convention center areas. 
4. Officer candidate voting will take place before the business meeting. Each state officer candidate will be given 30 seconds to give final campaign speech before voting begins.
5. Beginning at the state conference, campaigning will be limited to one handout and one tri-fold poster (no larger than 36 inches by 48 inches) presentation.
6. It is recommended that the officer candidate be in official dress or business-like attire for the duration of the campaign.

Officer Candidate Screening 

1. Officer candidates will submit a typed copy of their campaign speech to the TNTSA State Officer Coach. Due on March 15th by email.
2. Officer candidates will introduce themselves to the executive council screening committee.

Officer candidates will have the chance to ask the current state officers and state advisor any questions about the campaigning process at this meeting. Campaigning procedures will be reviewed again for the officer candidates.

Campaign Speech 

1. Campaign speeches will take place at the opening session. Each officer candidate is allowed two minutes for the speech.
2. Campaign speeches should include the following:
   1. Candidate’s name
   2. Campaign slogan
   3. Goals and ideas for TSA
   4. Qualifications for office
3. Candidates will have 30 seconds before voting begins to give final campaign statement. Voting occurs immediately before the business session.

Meet the Candidates Sessions  

1. Officer candidates should be available at each Meet the Candidates session. Attendees are given the opportunity to ask the candidates questions about their qualifications for office.
2. Candy is not allowed as a giveaway for the Meet the Candidates sessions. You may not hang anything up in the convention center. However, it is recommended that candidates focus on the questions and giving quality answers.​

Being an officer candidate is a big responsibility. At the same time it is a fun and rewarding experience. Officer candidates learn a great deal about TSA and themselves during this process. If at any time during the year or at state conference, you have questions; please ask the State Officer Coach or any of the students serving on the current state officer team. We are here to help you make this a positive and rewarding experience. 
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​National TSA Officer Candidates from Tennessee

Tennessee TSA has a strong tradition of sending officers to the national level to serve our organization and represent our state.  We encourage our members to continue their leadership journey by serving on the National TSA Officer Team.

In order to represent Tennessee as a candidate for a National TSA office, qualified candidates must be approved by the voting delegates during the election at the annual state conference.  Please complete the form for officer candidates in order to be considered as a candidate for national office from Tennessee.

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​***Please see the update above if you missed it!