Chapter Bylaws

The official name of this organization shall be “Warren High School SkillsUSA Chapter.” Members may also refer to the organization informally as “Warren SkillsUSA.”

1. Our mission is to empower members to become world-class workers, leaders, and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of Framework skills that include personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academic foundations. Warren High School SkillsUSA chapter envisions producing students who are interested, engaged, and innovative members of the collaborative school, local, and broader communities.

2. The purposes of this organization are:

• To build an inclusive community dedicated to student members’ growth and development in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and pathways

• To provide opportunities for hands-on, project-based learning activities and experiences that are collaborative and emphasize various vocational, trade, and industrial skills through democratic processes

• To provide opportunities for student members’ to grow the soft skills related to a variety of industries, including fostering respect, ethics, patriotism, civic engagement, responsibility, and democratic processes and practices

• To provide opportunities for students to engage in and develop skills in leadership, collaboration, and service

• To foster a community-wide respect for dignity in the workforce and purposeful living

• To promote a healthy competitive spirit that pushes all members to improve themselves in skills aligned to the SkillsUSA Frameworks

• To foster an appreciation and understanding of the development of workmanship, scholarships, and personal and communal safety

The Warren High School SkillsUSA Chapter shall maintain policies and practices designed to prevent discrimination against any qualified advisor, leader, or member on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, and/or disability. This policy of nondiscrimination shall apply to all practices, including the selection, discipline, and dismissal of advisors, leaders, or members.

1. The Warren High School SkillsUSA Chapter shall be affiliated with the California Association of SkillsUSA. The chapter shall operate in accordance with its charter granted by the California association.

2. This constitution is designed to amplify provisions of the State and National Constitution and cannot contradict components thereof; the chapter is obligated to adhere to the provisions of SkillsUSA as ratified, revised, and sustained in all activities it undertakes.

1. The logo, ceremonial emblems and colors of The Warren High School SkillsUSA Chapter shall be that of the national organization when engaging in regional, state, and national organization-affiliated events, as well as for formal, official chapter events and projects. The wearing or use of the logo, emblem, and colors will be governed by the national organization.

2. The chapter will also augment with section-specific logos, emblems, and colors used for campus activities and those affiliated specifically with the local chapter. Such logos, emblems, and colors will be governed by the chapter’s Executive Council (see Article IV section 3).

1. The Warren High School SkillsUSA Chapter shall be organized into occupational pathways. The pathway is defined as an occupational or cooperative education program, of at least two years and including a designated concentrator program and culminating in a capstone course. Pathways generally focus on preparing enrolled students for further education and/or employment related to technology, the health industry, trades or industry; courses aim at earning credit toward a diploma, certificate, or the equivalent.

2. Pathways must include a minimum enrollment of active students in one of the program courses in order to qualify for active participation in The Warren High School SkillsUSA Chapter for the given academic year.

3. The teacher of the Pathway will serve as the Pathway Advisor, who will actively participate in the Pathways Advisor Committee (see section 2), and plan a calendar of Pathway activities.

4. Each Pathway is expected to elect Pathway officers, who will serve to coordinate and advise on pathway activities in conjunction with the Pathway Advisor; roles include Pathway President, Vice President, and Secretary; the Pathway President will also serve as an officer on the chapter Executive Council (see Article IV section 2). 

1. All Pathway advisors shall be members of the chapter’s Pathways Advisor Committee; they shall meet periodically to discuss SkillsUSA as it relates to the instructional program, and their advice and counsel shall be transmitted to the Pathways Councils and the SkillsUSA Executive Council of student leaders as well. 

2. The Pathways Advisor Committee, or the appropriate school administrator(s), shall also appoint one or more SkillsUSA Program Advisors, who will oversee the management of all aspects of the SkillsUSA chapter (see section 4). 

1. The Advisory Council shall be composed of community leaders from education, management, and labor, and shall be appointed by the appropriate school administrator upon recommendation of the Executive Council (see Article IV section 3), and Pathways Advisor Committee (see section 2).

2. The Advisory Council shall provide counsel, advice, and assistance to the chapter and pathways in conducting related functions. Equal representation shall be given to management and labor.

3. This Advisory Council shall also assist in the administration of the Professional Development program (in collaboration with the Program Advisor, Workplace Experience; see section 4).

1. The Warren High School SkillsUSA chapter may have up to three Chapter Program Advisors, with the express functions and responsibilities enumerated below.

2. Program Advisor, Student Leadership: manages and facilitates overall student leadership structures, sector leadership, and the Executive Council; this program advisor manages the by laws and chapter constitution, facilitates parliamentarian functions within the executive council, advises on mission, vision, committee charters, Chapter of Excellence and documentation. 

3. Program Advisor, Events and Finance: manages student leadership facilitating audits, budgets, funding, and the planning and spending for chapter events and activities; this program advisor works with committees related to fundraising and budgetary concerns, as well as advises on chapter activities and social events.

4. Program Advisor, Workplace Experience: manages student leadership facilitating, scheduling, and implementing opportunities for student work-related experiences; this program advisor facilitates and coordinates development opportunities for general membership, and competition and conference registration, including at the regional, state, and national levels.

1. Chapter membership is bestowed upon students who are actively enrolled in Warren High School classes that are expressly part of the Official Pathways (see Article II, section 1).

2. State and national membership shall be permitted only through Chapter membership, and all members of the chapter are thus members of the state and national organization.

3. Active membership shall be from 1 August through 31 July, and are reevaluated based on course enrollment during the academic year. 

4. Active members may participate in regional, state, and national competitions and conferences only for that active. 

1. Alumni Membership is available for former active members who are no longer enrolled in vocational-technical education, or who have graduated from Warren High School, as well as for former advisors, teachers, and/or members of the school community.

2. Per the national organization, alumni members may participate at the national level through SkillsUSA Foundation Inc., but they are not eligible to serve as national voting delegates, hold national office, or otherwise represent the state active association membership in SkillsUSA.

3. Charters may be issued for local and state alumni associations. 

4. The SkillsUSA Board of Directors approves appointments to the National Alumni Executive Board, which oversees contributions to the SkillsUSA National Alumni Fund, a fund that supports a variety of worthwhile projects for active SkillsUSA members.

1. Professional Membership may extend to persons associated with or participating in the professional development of SkillsUSA as approved by a state association. 

2. Such members shall include active Chapter Program advisors, teacher educators (Pathway Advisors, see Article II section 1) and other supervisors specified by the chapter (e.g., Advisory Council members; see Article II section 3).

3. Professional Membership is governed by the National SkillsUSA organization, and follows their registration policies.

4. Such members will be ineligible to serve as national voting delegates, hold national office or otherwise represent the state association in SkillsUSA.

Honorary Life Membership may be bestowed upon Individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of SkillsUSA and vocational, trade, industrial, technical, and health occupations education whose membership has been approved by the chapter Executive Council upon the recommendation of the chapter association of members. The chapter shall define and provide membership services as they see fit.

The Warren High School SkillsUSA Chapter shall have a two-tiered system of student leadership, including the Pathways Council and the Executive Council.

1. The Pathways Council officers are elected by processes designed by each Pathway Advisor, as they see fit for their specific membership (see Article II section 1).

2. Pathways Council will meet quarterly, together with the Executive Council, to share chapter business and information. Pathways council members will have the opportunity to make motions, provide input on agenda items, and make collective decisions by voting on actions for organizations’ full membership, but they do not vote on Executive Council business.

3. Pathways Council are also responsible for disseminating information to their Pathways Advisors and their pathway organization members, including sharing information about voting initiatives, fundraising information, and so on.

4. Pathways officers should be selected at the end of the school calendar year, to serve the following school year.

5. All pathways should be represented in the leadership of the program at-large; students who serve as an Executive Council Director may also serve as their Pathways Council officer.

1. The Executive Council officers shall be the Director(s) of Chapter Leadership, the Director(s) of Communications, the Director(s) of Campus Outreach, the Director(s) of Financial Management, the Director(s) of Partnerships and Professional Development, and the Director(s) of Workplace Experience, and will include a representative from each Pathway (i.e., the President from each Pathway; See Article II section 1).

2. Director(s) of Chapter Leadership: this position includes the role consistent with chapter President, who is charged with overseeing the Mission, Vision, and Leadership committee, which plans for and directs the Executive Council. 

3. Director(s) of Campus Outreach: this position includes the role consistent with chapter Vice President, who is charged with overseeing the Campus Community Engagement committee, which plans, creates, manages, implements, and evaluates campus-wide programs and events hosted by the SkillsUSA chapter, with particular emphasis on social cross-collaborative engagement with other campus clubs and organizations. 

4. Director(s) of Communications: this position includes the role consistent with chapter Secretary, who is charged with overseeing the Marketing and Advocacy committee, and provides structures for the various communications between entities within the chapter leadership and membership structures.

5. Director(s) of Financial Management: this position includes the role consistent with chapter Treasurer, who is charged with reviewing treasury reports, presenting budgets and auditing reports, and reviewing fundraising and activities spending. 

6. Director(s) of Partnerships and Professional Development: this position includes roles consistent with chapter Reporter, and is charged with facilitating projects and activities in conjunction with the Sector Advisors committee (see Article III section 5), the Chapter Advisory Council (see Article III section 4), chapter alumni members, and community and industry partners, with particular emphasis on service-based projects, volunteer opportunities, and shared projects in coordination with other on and off campus entities.

7. Director(s) of Workplace Experience: this position includes roles consistent with chapter Parliamentarian, and is charged with planning, facilitating, and coordinating programs, workshops, and activities related to technical skills and employability, including mentorships, internships, and employment opportunities within the community–and should work closely in coordination with the school College and Career center counselors, especially with regards to coordination with and participation in State and National SkillsUSA competitions and leadership conferences. 

1. The Executive Council alone (without the Chapter Council) may vote and rule on approval of standing committees, mission and/or goal setting for the school year, any chapter-awarded scholarships, or other decisions regarding the vision at-large.

2. The Executive Council shall meet with the Program Advisor(s) to discuss chapter business regularly per need of the club (to be decided at the beginning of every program calendar year, e.g., weekly, biweekly, etc.).

3. Parliamentary procedure of all meetings will be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

4. Each Director in the Executive Council–in addition to their described responsibilities–is responsible for leading Chapter (standing) Committees (for information about Chapter Committees, see Article V). 

5. Being an Executive Council leader in a SkillsUSA chapter is an honor that carries responsibility, and leaders must be concerned about the organization’s purposes and its successful and efficient functioning.

6. Some major responsibilities include:

• Studying and practicing to become more skillful in their duties

• Developing a complete knowledge of regional and national SkillsUSA constitutions and bylaws

• Approaching issues objectively to make decisions for the good of all members

• Carrying out duties thoroughly, on time and to the best of their abilities

• Working cooperatively to make their leadership strong and effective and to ensure the chapter’s success

1. The purpose of the nominating committee is to recognize and seek qualified nominees for the Executive Council of the Warren High School SkillsUSA chapter.

2. In March of each school year, the Program Advisor(s) will appoint a Nominating Committee.  

3. The Nominating Committee may include any membership type (active, alumni, professional, and honorary), and will be selected on:

• Merit and ability

• Willingness to devote adequate time to the responsibilities involved

• Knowledge of eligibility requirements (see section 6) 

• Knowledge of the responsibilities of the offices being filled (see section 3)

• Awareness of the qualifications and abilities of potential nominees

• Ability to give objective consideration and use sound judgment in evaluating nominees

• Tact, discretion, integrity, and ability to keep deliberations confidential

4. The nominating will meet at an agreed upon time to discuss the leadership roles, evaluate existing student leaders, and find and select the best candidates to fill Executive Council positions. 

5. After reviewing potential candidates, enough names should be selected to make up a tentative slate of nominees and multiple alternates for each nominee; this group should then be analyzed in light of the following question: “Does this group as a whole possess all or most of the elements needed to strengthen the organization and achieve the roles and goals of the Warren High School SkillsUSA chapter Executive Council?”

6. The nominating committee and/or Program Advisors may choose to elicit information from potential candidates as well–this may be in the form of a resume, a leadership questionnaire, and/or interviews–in order to finalize a slate of nominees for the election ballot.

7. The Nominating Committee must submit the finalized slate of nominees at least a week before the scheduled election.

1. At a general meeting school year prior to the one leaders will serve, club members will be provided the election ballot with the slate of candidates.

2. Elections may take place through digital processes in lieu of an in-person general meeting, as decided by current leadership.

3. Elections must take place before the end of April of the school year prior to that which the leadership will serve.

4. Only active, current members may vote during the school year in which elections are held.

5. Members will be provided with a space to write in candidates for each position.

6. Top vote-receiving candidates will be selected to leadership. A Majority vote elects--candidates must receive fifty percent plus one vote to be elected.

7. Program Advisors and/or the Nominating committee may choose to allow co-leaders in each position in the event of 1) program need, and/or 2) close elections. 

8. Final selection notifications will be determined and sent via the Nominating Committee.

9. With few exceptions, a challenge to election procedures or outcomes must occur within a week of the election and the election results announcement. The election must be declared 'null and void' whenever it is discovered the individual elected did not meet the qualifications for position as stated in the bylaws. For example, an individual who is not an active member (or will not be an active member at the time of serving in leadership) is not qualified for election. 

10. Elected leaders may serve the same position for no more than three consecutive years. 

1. Results of the leadership election process must be announced to all members before the end of the school year prior to the one which leaders will serve. 

2. At such time, board-elect members will receive information from the out-going board regarding the meeting schedules for the current school year; both incoming and outgoing leaders will attend the final Executive Council meeting for the current schedule in order to provide a smooth transition. 

3. Outgoing leaders will provide incoming leaders with resources, suggestions for the annual calendar of events, and may provide suggestions to new board members regarding procedures, for example.

4. Incoming leaders must attend leadership training workshops and planning events leading into the school year in which they will serve, at the behest of the Program Advisor(s).

1. In the event that an elected leader fails to maintain the standards outlined for their position, an individual may be subject to disciplinary action, which may include–but is not limited to–written warning by the Program Advisor(s). 

   • Warnings will be given a reasonable time for correction.

   • Further warnings, if warranted, may warrant a special closed session of the Executive Council, and may warrant the inclusion of the Pathways Advisors committee. 

   • It is up to the Program Advisor(s) to determine when an individual exceeds a reasonable number of warnings. 

2. If warnings are not sufficiently heeded, or deficiencies not sufficiently corrected per the discretion of the Executive Council in conjunction with Program Advisor(s), then the Executive Council may motion to remove a leader from an elected position.

3. The member in question shall then receive written notification of the decision, and the individual may request a hearing with the Program Advisor(s) and Pathways Advisors committee and seek an appeal of the decision. 

4. Final decisions rest with the majority vote of the Program Advisor(s) and Pathways Advisors (upon reaching quorum). Removed leaders may continue their active membership status, but must return any items, materials, emblems, etc. bestowed upon them ceremonially for the leadership position (where applicable). 

5. Demoted leaders maintain the benefits of membership, but revoke special privileges, honors, or responsibilities specific to the elected leadership position.

6. In the event that a students’ offending actions are more flagrant violations of chapter or school code or law, the discipline and dismissal process may be invoked without initial warnings. 

1. Unoccupied leadership positions (which can also be due to a variety of non-discipline factors as well, including school or class transfers or resignations, to name a few) may be filled by special nomination and election processes outside of the normal election cycle per the recommendation of the Executive Council, the Program Advisor(s), and/or the Pathways Advisors committee.

2. After nominations are secured for the vacancy, the Executive Council will hold a special session to vote to fill the position. 

3. A majority vote of the Executive Council is necessary for special election.