Tennessee Technology Student Association Bylaws
As Revised March 29, 2011
As Revised March 29, 2011
ARTICLE I – NAME
The official name of this organization shall be the
Tennessee Technology Student Association and may be referred to as “Tennessee
TSA” and may be abbreviated as “TN TSA”.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSES
Section 1 – General Purposes
The general purposes of this organization are to:
1. Assist local chapters and members in the growth and development of TSA.
2. Assist local chapters and members in the development and leadership in social, economic, educational and community activities.
3. Increase student knowledge and understanding of our technological world.
4. Assist technology engineering education students in the making of informed and meaningful career goals.
5. Promote leadership development of members.
Section 2 – Specific Purposes
The specific purposes of this organization are to:
1. Develop, through individual and teamwork, the ability of members to plan, organize, and use a variety of resources to solve problems.
2. Explore technology and develop an understanding of technological literacy.
3. Promote high standards of learning through curricular resource activities.
4. Encourage students to professionally express their creativity.
5. Provide career opportunity information pertaining to a broad range of occupations, including training requisites, working conditions, salaries or wages, and other
relevant information.
6. Provide exploratory experiences in classrooms and laboratories, and develop partnerships in business or industry to acquaint students with career opportunities.
7. Assist in providing guidance and counseling for students enrolled in technology education programs in making informed and meaningful career choices.
8. Expose students to the responsibility of representing a large membership.
9. Instill desirable work habits and attitudes toward the positive way of life in students and foster a deep respect for the dignity of work.
10. Prepare individuals for enrollment in advanced or highly skilled career and technical education programs.
11. Encourage students to practice good ethics and have positive attitudes while interacting with others.
12. Assist members with the growth of leadership skills and development of personal responsibilities.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION
Section 1
The Tennessee Technology Student Association is an organization of local chapters each operating in accordance with a charter granted by TSA, Inc.
Section 2
Each chartered chapter of Tennessee TSA will be responsible for all TSA operational activities within that school under the direction of the chapter advisor.
Section 3
Membership in Tennessee TSA shall be through the state delegation. Each chapter will consist of individual members meeting the following descriptions:
A. Active members shall be students who are presently enrolled in, or have been previously enrolled in technology education programs. An active member shall pay dues as established by the TSA, Inc., Board of Directors and Tennessee TSA Executive Council, and may be declared eligible to hold a state office, to participate in state competitive events or projects, to serve as a state voting delegate, or to otherwise represent their chapters in Tennessee TSA affairs as may be approved by their chapters.
B. Associate members shall be students who are enrolled in related fields of instruction with emphasis in technology education or who have been previously enrolled in technology education programs. An associate member shall pay dues as established by the Tennessee TSA Executive Council. Associate members shall not vote or hold office.
C. Alumni members shall consist of those individuals who have completed an industrial arts/technology education program (have been former active or associate TSA members) who have graduated from or left school. Alumni members shall pay dues as established by the Tennessee TSA Executive Council.
D. Professional members are those individuals engaged in education, business, and industry who have interest in Tennessee TSA and in the welfare of technology education. Professional members shall pay dues as established by the Tennessee TSA Executive Council. Professional members shall not vote or hold office.
E. Honorary/Honorary Life members may be individuals who have made or are making contributions to the advancement of technology education as may be approved by the Tennessee TSA Executive Council and shall be exempt from annual dues.
Section 4
Tennessee TSA is an organization of local chapters, each operating in accordance with a charter granted by TSA.
Section 5
Tennessee TSA shall be broken into regions and local chapters. The nine regions are known as Memphis/Shelby, Southwest, Northwest, Mid Cumberland, South Central, Upper Cumberland, Southeast, East, and First Tennessee. The county in which the chapter is located shall define its region. The counties in each region are as follows:
Memphis/Shelby: Memphis City Schools & Shelby County Schools
Southwest: Chester, Decater, Fayette, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Lexington, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Tipton, WTSD
Northwest: Benton, Carroll, Hollow Rock-Bruceton, Huntington, McKenzie, South Carroll, West Carroll, Crockett, Alamo, Bells, Dyer, Dyersburg, Gibson, Bradford, Humboldt, Milan, Trenton, Henry, Paris, Lake, Obion, Union City, Weakley
Mid Cumberland: Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Stewart, Williamson, Franklin SSD, TSB
South Central: Bedford, Coffee, Manchester, Tullahoma, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Fayetteville, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry, Wayne
Upper Cumberland: Bledsoe, Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Grundy, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Sequatchie, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, White, Wilson, Lebanon, York Institute
Southeast: Bradley, Cleveland, Hamilton, Marion, Richard City, McMinn, Athens City, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, Dayton
East: Anderson, Oak Ridge, Blount, Alcoa, Maryville, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Lenoir City, Monroe, Sweetwater, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Oneida, Sevier, Union, ETSD
First Tennessee: Carter, Elizabethton, Cocke, Newport, Greene, Greeneville, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Rogersville, Johnson, Sullivan, Bristol, Kingsport, Unicoi, Washington, Johnson City
Section 6
Tennessee TSA shall publish annual membership dues. Changes to the annual state dues require a motion submitted by a local chapter to the Tennessee TSA State President and State Advisor at least sixty (60) days before the annual business meeting.
Section 7
In order to attend conferences, participants must follow the Tennessee TSA Codes of Ethics and Dress Code. These are available on the Tennessee TSA website and shall be printed in the conference program.
Section 8
In order to affiliate with Tennessee TSA, a chapter must have at least ten (10) active members. Members must be affiliated with Tennessee and National TSA prior to registration for any TSA conference they wish to attend
Section 9
The membership year shall be July 1 to June 30.
Section 10
The fiscal year shall be July 1 to June 30.
ARTICLE IV – Officers
Section 1- State Offices
The Tennessee TSA officers shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, and Sergeant-at-Arms. No individual may be elected to more than one full term as State President. These officers, the Tennessee TSA State Advisor, and the TEE Program Consultant will be known collectively as the Executive Committee of Tennessee TSA.
Section 2 – Officer Duties
All officers hold the responsibility of professionally representing Tennessee TSA to the national organization and external entities, to promote the growth of TN TSA, and ensure the mission statements of Tennessee and National TSA are upheld. The duties of the officers are as follows:
A. President: It shall be the duty of the president of Tennessee TSA to preside at all meetings; to make necessary committee appointments including the designation of committee chairpersons; to develop with the Executive Committee a program of work for the term of office; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of Tennessee TSA.
B. Vice President: It shall be the duty of the vice-president to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to accept the responsibility of the president as occasion may demand; to serve as chairperson of the Tennessee TSA Council of Chapter Presidents; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of Tennessee TSA.
C. Secretary: It shall be the duty of the secretary to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to record proceedings of all meetings; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of Tennessee TSA.
D. Treasurer: It shall be the duty of the treasurer to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to keep records and membership reports; and to be available, as necessary, promoting the general welfare of Tennessee TSA.
E. Reporter: It shall be the duty of the reporter to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to accumulate and keep up-to-date information on the history of the state association; to prepare articles for national and state TSA publications, professional magazines and journals, newspapers and other news media; to contact other association members concerning news items for publication; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of Tennessee TSA.
F. Sergeant-at-Arms: It shall be the duty of the sergeant-at-arms to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to assist in the preparation and control of the meeting place; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of Tennessee TSA.
G. State Officers-Elect: It shall be the duty of the State Officer Team-Elect (see Article IV, Section 7) to assist, as directed, the State Officer Team in any and all activities relating to preparation for the upcoming National TSA Conference. The Elect Team will also learn the proper procedures for serving TN TSA as a State Officer.
Section 3 – Qualifications for State Office and National Officer Candidacy.
A. Only an active member of Tennessee TSA will be eligible to run for a state office. Students must have at least one (1) year of high school eligibility remaining to run for state office. A student elected as a state officer at the annual meeting may not hold a national or local TSA office concurrently with the term as state officer.
B. A student must be a member of TSA for at least one year before seeking a state office. A Tennessee TSA member must have completed the seventh grade and at least one technology education class to be qualified for a state office. He/she must have attended at least one state conference prior to seeking a state office. A Tennessee TSA member must have served as an officer of his/her local chapter to be qualified as a state officer candidate. Members must have and maintain at least a 2.8 Grade Point Average, in order to be considered for state officer candidacy. No more than three (3) TSA members from the same local chapter may run for a state office in the same year.
C. Tennessee TSA members must have submitted an officer candidate application and must have been approved by the nominations committee in order to run for state office or to seek national officer candidacy.
Section 4 – Candidates
A. The Nominations Committee shall decide if members who apply are eligible for state officer candidacy or eligible to seek national officer candidacy. This committee shall consist of The Tennessee TSA State Advisor and the TEE Program Consultant. Candidates will apply to run for the presidential pool, apply to be in the officer pool, or to seek state approval for national officer candidacy.
B. This committee shall review all state officer applicants and their qualifications and will submit to the voting delegates a slate of all candidates declared eligible for (a) the presidential pool, (b) the officer pool and (c) national officer candidacy.
C. All approved state officer candidates shall be notified at least one month before the beginning of the annual state conference
D. There will be no additional nominations from the floor.
E. In order to seek national officer candidacy a member must meet the requirements set by Tennessee and National TSA and receive approval from the State Delegation by a two-thirds (2/3) vote during officer elections.
F. Due to the nature of the offices, the nominations committee shall have the authority to prevent under-qualified students from becoming candidates.
Section 5 –Elections
A. State Officers shall be elected by a ballot vote by the voting delegates at the annual state conference.
B. An election will be held to select the Tennessee TSA State President.
i. A majority vote is required to elect the President if there are two or more candidates.
ii. If there are more than two candidates for the office of President and a majority is not reached on the first ballot, the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes shall be dropped and a second ballot vote will be taken, and the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes on each succeeding ballot will be dropped until a majority is reached.
C. If there is only one candidate for the office of President, the candidate must receive at least a two-thirds (2/3) total votes from the votes cast. In this type of election, delegates may vote “Yes”, “No”, or may abstain. To be elected, a candidate must receive an affirmative two-thirds (2/3) vote from the total number of votes cast for that candidate by the delegates
D. After the presidential election has been held, all eliminated presidential candidates shall be placed in the officer pool. All eliminated presidential candidates and other candidates (the “officer pool”) will be submitted to the delegates for election of the other five offices.
E. In the election of the five officers other than president, each voting delegate will have five votes to cast. Any delegate may cast no more than one vote per candidate, and a delegate must cast either five total votes or none at all. (If there are five or less total candidates in the officer pool, see paragraph H)
F. The five candidates with the top number of votes will be named Tennessee TSA State Officers.
i. The candidate receiving the most votes shall be Vice President, the second most votes shall be Secretary, the third most votes shall be Treasurer, the candidate receiving the fourth most votes shall be Reporter, and the candidate receiving the fifth most votes shall be Sergeant at Arms. (For the purposes of elections this shall be the order of officers.)
ii. A tie for any position among the five candidates receiving the most votes, or for which candidates constitute the top five will be decided by lot.
G. If there is only one candidate for President, and that person does not receive the required number of votes to be elected president, then that person will be placed in the officer pool or if there are no candidates for President then six candidates, rather than five, will be selected from the officer pool.
i. Any delegate may cast no more than one vote per candidate, and a delegate must cast either six total votes or none at all.
ii. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be named President, the candidate receiving the second most votes shall be Vice President, the candidate receiving the third most votes shall be secretary and so on.
H. If there are five or less candidates in the officer pool after the election of the President (unless there was only one candidate for President and they are not elected in which case there could be six in the officer pool), each candidate shall stand on their own and each must receive at least a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the total votes cast.
i. In this type of election, for each candidate delegates may vote “Yes”, “No”, or may abstain. To be elected a candidate must receive an affirmative two-thirds (2/3) vote from the total number of votes cast for that candidate by the delegates.
ii. The candidate receiving the most “Yes” votes shall be Vice-President (President if six candidates), the candidate with the second most shall be Secretary (Vice President if six candidates), the candidate with the third most votes shall be Treasurer (Secretary if six candidates), and so on.
iii. A tie for any position among the five candidates receiving the most votes will be decided by lot.
I. In the approval of National Officer Candidates, all candidates must receive a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the total votes cast by the delegates at the business meeting to be approved to run for National TSA Office.
i. In this type of election, for each candidate delegates may vote “Yes”, “No”, or may abstain. To be approved a candidate must receive an affirmative two-thirds (2/3) vote from the total number of votes cast for that candidate by the delegates.
ii. This election shall be held after the election of the Tennessee TSA State Officer Team.
Section 6 – Vacancies
The nominations committee may fill by appointment any vacancy occurring among the state officers for the unexpired term except the office of President, which shall be filled by the Vice President. If all six offices are not filled by the election procedures at the annual state conference, a special election shall be held with the following procedures:
A. The Tennessee TSA State Advisor shall appoint a special election committee, consisting of the Technology Engineering Education Program Consultant; an outgoing Tennessee TSA State Officer who did not seek re-election; a TN TSA Chapter Advisor with no officers or candidates from their school; a chapter president who, while serving on this committee, has no state officers or state officer candidates from his/her chapter; and a past state officer.
B. The Tennessee TSA State Advisor shall develop a special election application that shall be available to all students who meet the qualifications for State Office.
C. The special election committee shall determine which applicant is most qualified to fill the vacant state office.
D. The vacant office shall be filled before the National TSA Conference.
Section 7 – Terms of Service
A full state officer term is defined as follows: state officers’ terms will begin at the close of the national conference after the state conference at which they were elected, and they will serve until the close of the following year’s national conference. The newly elected officers will serve as the Tennessee TSA State Officer Team-Elect while at the national conference of the year in which they were elected.
Section 8 – Officer Obligations
State officers are required to follow the requirements listed on the State Officer Application. They must perform the duties of their office; attend required meetings; meet deadlines satisfactorily; follow Tennessee TSA rules and responsibilities; and act in a professional manner.
Section 9 – Removal from Office
Failure to fulfill the obligations of a state office without legitimate cause will result in the removal from office by the state advisor and TEE program consultant. If an officer is removed from office for any reason, he/she will not be allowed to run for state office again.
ARTICLE V - MEETINGS
Section 1
The Tennessee TSA state conference will be held each year with the time, date, and place designated by the Tennessee TSA Executive Council.
Section 2
Each chapter in attendance at the Annual State Conference will be entitled to two (2) votes. Each state officer and national officer (from Tennessee) in attendance will also have one (1) vote.
Section 3
A majority of the registered voting delegates for the state conference shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Section 1
The Tennessee TSA Executive Council shall consist of the state officer team, the State Advisor, and the TEE Program Consultant.
Section 2
Meetings can be requested by the president and must be approved by the Tennessee TSA State Advisor(s).
Section 3
A majority of the executive council members present shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4
The Tennessee TSA Executive Council shall appoint standing and special committees as deemed necessary.
Section 5
The Tennessee TSA Executive Council is the policy-making body for the administration of Tennessee TSA activities and programs.
ARTICLE VII - THE LOCAL TSA ADVISOR
It is recommended that a technology engineering education teacher serve as a chapter TSA advisor; however, in cases where there is no such interested teacher, an advisor may be appointed by the school’s principal. The appointed advisor would have all the rights and privileges of a regular advisor as long as that chapter has affiliated.
ARTICLE VIII - COUNCIL OF CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
The Tennessee TSA Council of Chapter Presidents shall be a non-voting body of Tennessee TSA consisting of chapter presidents from each of the chartered local chapters. The Tennessee TSA Council of Chapter Presidents shall be chaired by the state vice-president. It shall be the duty of the Tennessee TSA Council of Chapter Presidents to promote the general welfare of Tennessee TSA through representative interaction among local TSA chapters. This council shall assemble at least once a year at the annual state conference.
ARTICLE IX - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern Tennessee TSA in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the organization may adopt.
ARTICLE X - EMBLEM AND COLORS
Section 1
The TSA emblem is a rectangular shape with three parts. The middle section and largest part of the emblem contains the letters TSA in a very large, bold print. The letters are white on a blue background. Below these letters and about one-third (1/3) the size, is the name of the association–Technology Student Association–in white letters on a red background. The top portion of the emblem is a red, rectangular shape, the same size as the bottom area, and contains the name of the state-Tennessee.
Section 2
The colors of TSA shall be scarlet, white, and navy. Scarlet represents the strength and determination of the technology education students and teachers to obtain their goal. White represents high standards, morals, and religious beliefs. Navy represents the sincerity of the technology education students and teachers in obtaining a greater knowledge of our technological world.
ARTICLE XI - MOTTO AND CREED
Section 1
The motto of the Technology Student Association will be "Learning to live in a technical world."
Section 2
The creed of the Technology Student Association will be:
I believe that Technology Education holds an important place in my life in the technical world. I believe there is a need for the development of good attitudes concerning work, tools, materials, experimentation, and processes of industry.
Guided by my teachers, artisans from industry, and my own initiative, I will strive to do my best in making my school, community, state, and nation better places in which to live.
I will accept the responsibilities that are mine. I will accept the theories that are supported by proper evidence. I will explore on my own for safer, more effective methods of working and living.
I will strive to develop a cooperative attitude and will exercise tact and respect for other individuals.
Through the work of my hands and mind, I will express my ideas to the best of my ability.
I will make it my goal to do better each day the task before me and to be steadfast in my belief in my God, and my fellow Americans.
ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS
Section 1
To amend or revise these bylaws, local chapters must submit proposed amendments, to the Tennessee TSA President and the State Advisor. Proposals may be mailed or emailed and must be signed by a chapter advisor and two members and must be submitted at least ninety (90) days prior to the annual business meeting.
Section 2
The Executive Council of Tennessee TSA will review all proposed amendments. The state advisor will submit all approved amendments to the local chapters at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual business meeting.
Section 3
The proposed amendments must be approved by a ballot or roll call vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the chapter delegates present and voting at the annual business meeting.
Section 4
Each affiliated chapter will be entitled to two (2) votes. Every state officer and national officer (from Tennessee) in attendance will also be given one (1) vote.
Section 5
The state advisor of Tennessee TSA will be responsible for notifying the local chapters, in writing, about adopted amendments within sixty (60) days of the annual business meeting.
Section 6
Amendments will become effective sixty (60) days after adoption unless a different time period is stipulated in the amendment.
Section 1 – General Purposes
The general purposes of this organization are to:
1. Assist local chapters and members in the growth and development of TSA.
2. Assist local chapters and members in the development and leadership in social, economic, educational and community activities.
3. Increase student knowledge and understanding of our technological world.
4. Assist technology engineering education students in the making of informed and meaningful career goals.
5. Promote leadership development of members.
Section 2 – Specific Purposes
The specific purposes of this organization are to:
1. Develop, through individual and teamwork, the ability of members to plan, organize, and use a variety of resources to solve problems.
2. Explore technology and develop an understanding of technological literacy.
3. Promote high standards of learning through curricular resource activities.
4. Encourage students to professionally express their creativity.
5. Provide career opportunity information pertaining to a broad range of occupations, including training requisites, working conditions, salaries or wages, and other
relevant information.
6. Provide exploratory experiences in classrooms and laboratories, and develop partnerships in business or industry to acquaint students with career opportunities.
7. Assist in providing guidance and counseling for students enrolled in technology education programs in making informed and meaningful career choices.
8. Expose students to the responsibility of representing a large membership.
9. Instill desirable work habits and attitudes toward the positive way of life in students and foster a deep respect for the dignity of work.
10. Prepare individuals for enrollment in advanced or highly skilled career and technical education programs.
11. Encourage students to practice good ethics and have positive attitudes while interacting with others.
12. Assist members with the growth of leadership skills and development of personal responsibilities.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION
Section 1
The Tennessee Technology Student Association is an organization of local chapters each operating in accordance with a charter granted by TSA, Inc.
Section 2
Each chartered chapter of Tennessee TSA will be responsible for all TSA operational activities within that school under the direction of the chapter advisor.
Section 3
Membership in Tennessee TSA shall be through the state delegation. Each chapter will consist of individual members meeting the following descriptions:
A. Active members shall be students who are presently enrolled in, or have been previously enrolled in technology education programs. An active member shall pay dues as established by the TSA, Inc., Board of Directors and Tennessee TSA Executive Council, and may be declared eligible to hold a state office, to participate in state competitive events or projects, to serve as a state voting delegate, or to otherwise represent their chapters in Tennessee TSA affairs as may be approved by their chapters.
B. Associate members shall be students who are enrolled in related fields of instruction with emphasis in technology education or who have been previously enrolled in technology education programs. An associate member shall pay dues as established by the Tennessee TSA Executive Council. Associate members shall not vote or hold office.
C. Alumni members shall consist of those individuals who have completed an industrial arts/technology education program (have been former active or associate TSA members) who have graduated from or left school. Alumni members shall pay dues as established by the Tennessee TSA Executive Council.
D. Professional members are those individuals engaged in education, business, and industry who have interest in Tennessee TSA and in the welfare of technology education. Professional members shall pay dues as established by the Tennessee TSA Executive Council. Professional members shall not vote or hold office.
E. Honorary/Honorary Life members may be individuals who have made or are making contributions to the advancement of technology education as may be approved by the Tennessee TSA Executive Council and shall be exempt from annual dues.
Section 4
Tennessee TSA is an organization of local chapters, each operating in accordance with a charter granted by TSA.
Section 5
Tennessee TSA shall be broken into regions and local chapters. The nine regions are known as Memphis/Shelby, Southwest, Northwest, Mid Cumberland, South Central, Upper Cumberland, Southeast, East, and First Tennessee. The county in which the chapter is located shall define its region. The counties in each region are as follows:
Memphis/Shelby: Memphis City Schools & Shelby County Schools
Southwest: Chester, Decater, Fayette, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Lexington, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Tipton, WTSD
Northwest: Benton, Carroll, Hollow Rock-Bruceton, Huntington, McKenzie, South Carroll, West Carroll, Crockett, Alamo, Bells, Dyer, Dyersburg, Gibson, Bradford, Humboldt, Milan, Trenton, Henry, Paris, Lake, Obion, Union City, Weakley
Mid Cumberland: Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Stewart, Williamson, Franklin SSD, TSB
South Central: Bedford, Coffee, Manchester, Tullahoma, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Fayetteville, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry, Wayne
Upper Cumberland: Bledsoe, Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Grundy, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Sequatchie, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, White, Wilson, Lebanon, York Institute
Southeast: Bradley, Cleveland, Hamilton, Marion, Richard City, McMinn, Athens City, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, Dayton
East: Anderson, Oak Ridge, Blount, Alcoa, Maryville, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Lenoir City, Monroe, Sweetwater, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Oneida, Sevier, Union, ETSD
First Tennessee: Carter, Elizabethton, Cocke, Newport, Greene, Greeneville, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Rogersville, Johnson, Sullivan, Bristol, Kingsport, Unicoi, Washington, Johnson City
Section 6
Tennessee TSA shall publish annual membership dues. Changes to the annual state dues require a motion submitted by a local chapter to the Tennessee TSA State President and State Advisor at least sixty (60) days before the annual business meeting.
Section 7
In order to attend conferences, participants must follow the Tennessee TSA Codes of Ethics and Dress Code. These are available on the Tennessee TSA website and shall be printed in the conference program.
Section 8
In order to affiliate with Tennessee TSA, a chapter must have at least ten (10) active members. Members must be affiliated with Tennessee and National TSA prior to registration for any TSA conference they wish to attend
Section 9
The membership year shall be July 1 to June 30.
Section 10
The fiscal year shall be July 1 to June 30.
ARTICLE IV – Officers
Section 1- State Offices
The Tennessee TSA officers shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, and Sergeant-at-Arms. No individual may be elected to more than one full term as State President. These officers, the Tennessee TSA State Advisor, and the TEE Program Consultant will be known collectively as the Executive Committee of Tennessee TSA.
Section 2 – Officer Duties
All officers hold the responsibility of professionally representing Tennessee TSA to the national organization and external entities, to promote the growth of TN TSA, and ensure the mission statements of Tennessee and National TSA are upheld. The duties of the officers are as follows:
A. President: It shall be the duty of the president of Tennessee TSA to preside at all meetings; to make necessary committee appointments including the designation of committee chairpersons; to develop with the Executive Committee a program of work for the term of office; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of Tennessee TSA.
B. Vice President: It shall be the duty of the vice-president to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to accept the responsibility of the president as occasion may demand; to serve as chairperson of the Tennessee TSA Council of Chapter Presidents; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of Tennessee TSA.
C. Secretary: It shall be the duty of the secretary to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to record proceedings of all meetings; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of Tennessee TSA.
D. Treasurer: It shall be the duty of the treasurer to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to keep records and membership reports; and to be available, as necessary, promoting the general welfare of Tennessee TSA.
E. Reporter: It shall be the duty of the reporter to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to accumulate and keep up-to-date information on the history of the state association; to prepare articles for national and state TSA publications, professional magazines and journals, newspapers and other news media; to contact other association members concerning news items for publication; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of Tennessee TSA.
F. Sergeant-at-Arms: It shall be the duty of the sergeant-at-arms to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to assist in the preparation and control of the meeting place; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of Tennessee TSA.
G. State Officers-Elect: It shall be the duty of the State Officer Team-Elect (see Article IV, Section 7) to assist, as directed, the State Officer Team in any and all activities relating to preparation for the upcoming National TSA Conference. The Elect Team will also learn the proper procedures for serving TN TSA as a State Officer.
Section 3 – Qualifications for State Office and National Officer Candidacy.
A. Only an active member of Tennessee TSA will be eligible to run for a state office. Students must have at least one (1) year of high school eligibility remaining to run for state office. A student elected as a state officer at the annual meeting may not hold a national or local TSA office concurrently with the term as state officer.
B. A student must be a member of TSA for at least one year before seeking a state office. A Tennessee TSA member must have completed the seventh grade and at least one technology education class to be qualified for a state office. He/she must have attended at least one state conference prior to seeking a state office. A Tennessee TSA member must have served as an officer of his/her local chapter to be qualified as a state officer candidate. Members must have and maintain at least a 2.8 Grade Point Average, in order to be considered for state officer candidacy. No more than three (3) TSA members from the same local chapter may run for a state office in the same year.
C. Tennessee TSA members must have submitted an officer candidate application and must have been approved by the nominations committee in order to run for state office or to seek national officer candidacy.
Section 4 – Candidates
A. The Nominations Committee shall decide if members who apply are eligible for state officer candidacy or eligible to seek national officer candidacy. This committee shall consist of The Tennessee TSA State Advisor and the TEE Program Consultant. Candidates will apply to run for the presidential pool, apply to be in the officer pool, or to seek state approval for national officer candidacy.
B. This committee shall review all state officer applicants and their qualifications and will submit to the voting delegates a slate of all candidates declared eligible for (a) the presidential pool, (b) the officer pool and (c) national officer candidacy.
C. All approved state officer candidates shall be notified at least one month before the beginning of the annual state conference
D. There will be no additional nominations from the floor.
E. In order to seek national officer candidacy a member must meet the requirements set by Tennessee and National TSA and receive approval from the State Delegation by a two-thirds (2/3) vote during officer elections.
F. Due to the nature of the offices, the nominations committee shall have the authority to prevent under-qualified students from becoming candidates.
Section 5 –Elections
A. State Officers shall be elected by a ballot vote by the voting delegates at the annual state conference.
B. An election will be held to select the Tennessee TSA State President.
i. A majority vote is required to elect the President if there are two or more candidates.
ii. If there are more than two candidates for the office of President and a majority is not reached on the first ballot, the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes shall be dropped and a second ballot vote will be taken, and the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes on each succeeding ballot will be dropped until a majority is reached.
C. If there is only one candidate for the office of President, the candidate must receive at least a two-thirds (2/3) total votes from the votes cast. In this type of election, delegates may vote “Yes”, “No”, or may abstain. To be elected, a candidate must receive an affirmative two-thirds (2/3) vote from the total number of votes cast for that candidate by the delegates
D. After the presidential election has been held, all eliminated presidential candidates shall be placed in the officer pool. All eliminated presidential candidates and other candidates (the “officer pool”) will be submitted to the delegates for election of the other five offices.
E. In the election of the five officers other than president, each voting delegate will have five votes to cast. Any delegate may cast no more than one vote per candidate, and a delegate must cast either five total votes or none at all. (If there are five or less total candidates in the officer pool, see paragraph H)
F. The five candidates with the top number of votes will be named Tennessee TSA State Officers.
i. The candidate receiving the most votes shall be Vice President, the second most votes shall be Secretary, the third most votes shall be Treasurer, the candidate receiving the fourth most votes shall be Reporter, and the candidate receiving the fifth most votes shall be Sergeant at Arms. (For the purposes of elections this shall be the order of officers.)
ii. A tie for any position among the five candidates receiving the most votes, or for which candidates constitute the top five will be decided by lot.
G. If there is only one candidate for President, and that person does not receive the required number of votes to be elected president, then that person will be placed in the officer pool or if there are no candidates for President then six candidates, rather than five, will be selected from the officer pool.
i. Any delegate may cast no more than one vote per candidate, and a delegate must cast either six total votes or none at all.
ii. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be named President, the candidate receiving the second most votes shall be Vice President, the candidate receiving the third most votes shall be secretary and so on.
H. If there are five or less candidates in the officer pool after the election of the President (unless there was only one candidate for President and they are not elected in which case there could be six in the officer pool), each candidate shall stand on their own and each must receive at least a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the total votes cast.
i. In this type of election, for each candidate delegates may vote “Yes”, “No”, or may abstain. To be elected a candidate must receive an affirmative two-thirds (2/3) vote from the total number of votes cast for that candidate by the delegates.
ii. The candidate receiving the most “Yes” votes shall be Vice-President (President if six candidates), the candidate with the second most shall be Secretary (Vice President if six candidates), the candidate with the third most votes shall be Treasurer (Secretary if six candidates), and so on.
iii. A tie for any position among the five candidates receiving the most votes will be decided by lot.
I. In the approval of National Officer Candidates, all candidates must receive a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the total votes cast by the delegates at the business meeting to be approved to run for National TSA Office.
i. In this type of election, for each candidate delegates may vote “Yes”, “No”, or may abstain. To be approved a candidate must receive an affirmative two-thirds (2/3) vote from the total number of votes cast for that candidate by the delegates.
ii. This election shall be held after the election of the Tennessee TSA State Officer Team.
Section 6 – Vacancies
The nominations committee may fill by appointment any vacancy occurring among the state officers for the unexpired term except the office of President, which shall be filled by the Vice President. If all six offices are not filled by the election procedures at the annual state conference, a special election shall be held with the following procedures:
A. The Tennessee TSA State Advisor shall appoint a special election committee, consisting of the Technology Engineering Education Program Consultant; an outgoing Tennessee TSA State Officer who did not seek re-election; a TN TSA Chapter Advisor with no officers or candidates from their school; a chapter president who, while serving on this committee, has no state officers or state officer candidates from his/her chapter; and a past state officer.
B. The Tennessee TSA State Advisor shall develop a special election application that shall be available to all students who meet the qualifications for State Office.
C. The special election committee shall determine which applicant is most qualified to fill the vacant state office.
D. The vacant office shall be filled before the National TSA Conference.
Section 7 – Terms of Service
A full state officer term is defined as follows: state officers’ terms will begin at the close of the national conference after the state conference at which they were elected, and they will serve until the close of the following year’s national conference. The newly elected officers will serve as the Tennessee TSA State Officer Team-Elect while at the national conference of the year in which they were elected.
Section 8 – Officer Obligations
State officers are required to follow the requirements listed on the State Officer Application. They must perform the duties of their office; attend required meetings; meet deadlines satisfactorily; follow Tennessee TSA rules and responsibilities; and act in a professional manner.
Section 9 – Removal from Office
Failure to fulfill the obligations of a state office without legitimate cause will result in the removal from office by the state advisor and TEE program consultant. If an officer is removed from office for any reason, he/she will not be allowed to run for state office again.
ARTICLE V - MEETINGS
Section 1
The Tennessee TSA state conference will be held each year with the time, date, and place designated by the Tennessee TSA Executive Council.
Section 2
Each chapter in attendance at the Annual State Conference will be entitled to two (2) votes. Each state officer and national officer (from Tennessee) in attendance will also have one (1) vote.
Section 3
A majority of the registered voting delegates for the state conference shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Section 1
The Tennessee TSA Executive Council shall consist of the state officer team, the State Advisor, and the TEE Program Consultant.
Section 2
Meetings can be requested by the president and must be approved by the Tennessee TSA State Advisor(s).
Section 3
A majority of the executive council members present shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4
The Tennessee TSA Executive Council shall appoint standing and special committees as deemed necessary.
Section 5
The Tennessee TSA Executive Council is the policy-making body for the administration of Tennessee TSA activities and programs.
ARTICLE VII - THE LOCAL TSA ADVISOR
It is recommended that a technology engineering education teacher serve as a chapter TSA advisor; however, in cases where there is no such interested teacher, an advisor may be appointed by the school’s principal. The appointed advisor would have all the rights and privileges of a regular advisor as long as that chapter has affiliated.
ARTICLE VIII - COUNCIL OF CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
The Tennessee TSA Council of Chapter Presidents shall be a non-voting body of Tennessee TSA consisting of chapter presidents from each of the chartered local chapters. The Tennessee TSA Council of Chapter Presidents shall be chaired by the state vice-president. It shall be the duty of the Tennessee TSA Council of Chapter Presidents to promote the general welfare of Tennessee TSA through representative interaction among local TSA chapters. This council shall assemble at least once a year at the annual state conference.
ARTICLE IX - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern Tennessee TSA in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the organization may adopt.
ARTICLE X - EMBLEM AND COLORS
Section 1
The TSA emblem is a rectangular shape with three parts. The middle section and largest part of the emblem contains the letters TSA in a very large, bold print. The letters are white on a blue background. Below these letters and about one-third (1/3) the size, is the name of the association–Technology Student Association–in white letters on a red background. The top portion of the emblem is a red, rectangular shape, the same size as the bottom area, and contains the name of the state-Tennessee.
Section 2
The colors of TSA shall be scarlet, white, and navy. Scarlet represents the strength and determination of the technology education students and teachers to obtain their goal. White represents high standards, morals, and religious beliefs. Navy represents the sincerity of the technology education students and teachers in obtaining a greater knowledge of our technological world.
ARTICLE XI - MOTTO AND CREED
Section 1
The motto of the Technology Student Association will be "Learning to live in a technical world."
Section 2
The creed of the Technology Student Association will be:
I believe that Technology Education holds an important place in my life in the technical world. I believe there is a need for the development of good attitudes concerning work, tools, materials, experimentation, and processes of industry.
Guided by my teachers, artisans from industry, and my own initiative, I will strive to do my best in making my school, community, state, and nation better places in which to live.
I will accept the responsibilities that are mine. I will accept the theories that are supported by proper evidence. I will explore on my own for safer, more effective methods of working and living.
I will strive to develop a cooperative attitude and will exercise tact and respect for other individuals.
Through the work of my hands and mind, I will express my ideas to the best of my ability.
I will make it my goal to do better each day the task before me and to be steadfast in my belief in my God, and my fellow Americans.
ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS
Section 1
To amend or revise these bylaws, local chapters must submit proposed amendments, to the Tennessee TSA President and the State Advisor. Proposals may be mailed or emailed and must be signed by a chapter advisor and two members and must be submitted at least ninety (90) days prior to the annual business meeting.
Section 2
The Executive Council of Tennessee TSA will review all proposed amendments. The state advisor will submit all approved amendments to the local chapters at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual business meeting.
Section 3
The proposed amendments must be approved by a ballot or roll call vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the chapter delegates present and voting at the annual business meeting.
Section 4
Each affiliated chapter will be entitled to two (2) votes. Every state officer and national officer (from Tennessee) in attendance will also be given one (1) vote.
Section 5
The state advisor of Tennessee TSA will be responsible for notifying the local chapters, in writing, about adopted amendments within sixty (60) days of the annual business meeting.
Section 6
Amendments will become effective sixty (60) days after adoption unless a different time period is stipulated in the amendment.
