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 January 31. 

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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.
3. Tennessee TSA does not 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. Due on April 1 by email.
2. Officer candidates will introduce themselves to the executive council screening committee.

You will want to prepare so you will be knowledgeable about TSA and leadership in order to answer any questions. Questions that have been asked of officer candidates in the past include the following.

1. What are your goals if elected?
2. What are your long-term goals in life? 
3. What are your career aspirations?
4. What would you like to change about TSA and how will you do that?
5. What is the TSA motto?
6. What are the TSA colors and what do they mean?
7. What is the mission of TSA?
8. Can you recite the TSA creed?
9. Who is your role model inside of TSA? 
10. Who is your role model outside of TSA?
11. Who is the national TSA _______________(office)?

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 allowed as a giveaway in addition to other flyers or materials 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.
3. TSA alumni and current Tennessee TSA state officers not seeking re-election will serve as moderators for each session. These alumni and officers will field questions for the candidates from the audience while also maintaining order.

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 Advisor 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. 

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.