2024–2025 SkillsUSA Massachusetts Advisors’ Handbook Chapter 1: National SkillsUSA • 5 SkillsUSA High School Division Constitution SkillsUSA High School Division Constitution Revised August 2012 ARTICLE I—NAME The official name of this organization shall be “SkillsUSA High School Division.” ARTICLE II—PURPOSES The purposes of this organization are: • To unite in a common bond without regard to race, sex, religion, creed, national origin or disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, full-time students enrolled in programs with vocational trade, industrial, technical and health occupations objectives. • To provide leadership for the state organizations. • To provide a clearinghouse for information and activities. • To provide national recognition and prestige through an association and affiliated organizations. • To provide a vehicle, national in scope, for organizations to work articulately with trade, industrial, technology and health occupations student groups. • To develop leadership abilities through participation in educational, occupational, civic, recreational and social activities. • To foster a deep respect for the dignity of work. • To assist students in establishing realistic career goals. • To help students attain a purposeful life. • To create enthusiasm for learning. • To promote high standards in trade ethics, workmanship, scholarship and safety. • To develop the ability of students to plan together, orga- nize and carry out worthy activities and projects through the use of the democratic process. • To foster a wholesome understanding of the functions of labor and management organizations and a recognition of their mutual interdependence. • To create among students, faculty members, patrons of the school and persons in industry a sincere interest in and esteem for trade, industrial, technology and health occupations education. • To develop patriotism through a knowledge of our nation’s heritage and the practice of democracy. ARTICLE III—ORGANIZATION Section 1. SkillsUSA is an organization of state associa- tions, each operating in accordance with a charter granted by SkillsUSA, Inc. Section 2. The administration and authority in SkillsUSA affairs will be vested in the Board of Directors of SkillsUSA, Inc. Section 3. The national executive director is the administrator of the national headquarters. The executive director shall be appointed by and responsible to the Board of Directors for conducting the work of the national program. ARTICLE IV—MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Membership of SkillsUSA High School Divi- sion shall consist of the total eligible High School Division members of the chartered state association, territorial or U.S. possession, and members shall hold the same membership status as in their respective state and local organizations. Section 2. A state association must have at least four local chapters and all members of the state must be members of the national organization to qualify for a charter. Section 3. Each local chapter and state association shall be open for membership to all students regardless of race, sex, religion, creed, national origin or disabilities, as defined by the American with Disabilities Act. Section 4. SkillsUSA will recognize members only through a state association with the exception of direct member- ship. Classes of membership which will be recognized are: Active Membership—Students enrolled in a coherent series of courses or career major that prepares them for further educa- tion and/or employment related to trade, industrial, tech- nology and health occupations and who are earning credit toward a High School diploma/certificate or its equivalent. Direct Membership—Full-time preparatory students enrolled in High School vocational programs offered in trade, indus- trial, technology and health occupations education meeting the requirements of the State Plan for Career and Technical Education and residing in states without a state association to serve them. This classification will only be recognized if application for membership is made as part of an orga- nized local SkillsUSA Chapters sponsored by the appro- priate Board of Education and with the consent of the state director. Direct members may not serve as national voting delegates or hold national office. Alumni Membership—Former active members who are no longer enrolled in trade, industrial, technology and health occupations education. Although alumni members pay dues and may participate at the national level through the Youth Development Foundation of SkillsUSA, Inc., they are not eligible to serve as national voting delegates, hold national office or otherwise represent the state active asso- ciation membership in SkillsUSA. Charters may be issued for local and state alumni associations. The National Alumni Coordinating Committee oversees contributions to the SkillsUSA Alumni Fund, a fund which supports a variety of worthwhile projects for active Skill- sUSA members. Professional Membership—Persons associated with or participating in the professional development of SkillsUSA as approved by a state association. Such members shall include chapter advisors, teacher educators and supervisors.
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