2024–2025 SkillsUSA Massachusetts Advisors’ Handbook Chapter 1: National SkillsUSA • 9 SkillsUSA College/Postsecondary Division Constitution SkillsUSA College/Postsecondary Division Constitution Revised August 2005 ARTICLE I–NAME The official name of this organization shall be the “SkillsUSA College/Postsecondary 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, technology and health occupation 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 all phases of occupational endeavor, including: 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 • To emphasize the importance of continuous education consistent to the needs of the individual and the require- ments of his or her chosen occupation 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 the SkillsUSA College/Postsecondary Division 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 the SkillsUSA College/Postsec- ondary Division shall consist of the total eligible members of the chartered state association, territorial or U.S. posses- sion, 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 one College/ Postsecondary Division, and all members of the state asso- ciation 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 Americans 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 sequence of courses or career major that prepares the student for further education and/or employment related to trade, industrial, technology and health occupations and is earning credit toward a diploma/certificate or its equivalent. Direct Membership–Students enrolled in College/Postsec- ondary program courses offered in trade, industrial, tech- nology 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 organized local SkillsUSA chapter sponsored by the appropriate Board of Education. Direct members may not serve as national voting delegates or hold national office. Alumni Membership–Former active members who are no longer enrolled in career and technical 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 repre- sent the state active association membership in National SkillsUSA. Charters may be issued for local and state alumni associations. The Board of Directors approves appointments to the National Alumni Coordinating Committee, which over- sees contributions to the National SkillsUSA Alumni Fund, a fund which supports a variety of worthwhile projects for active SkillsUSA members.
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