Elections & Procedures

Member commitment and involvement are vital to the health of any organization. Taking a leadership role beyond the chapter level provides students the opportunities to improve leadership skills and personal growth, meet new people and travel, increase involvement, be a spokesperson for FCCLA, and help the organization reach its goals. Members interested in running for regional, state, and/or national office must be enthusiastic, knowledgeable about FCCLA, energetic, innovative, futuristic, and must be committed to the organization. 

Regulations for Submitting Officer Qualifications Forms

• The candidate must be listed as a member of a chapter that is affiliated at the regional, state, and national levels by November 1 with dues payment processed by the national office on or before December 1.
• Officer Qualification Forms must be submitted through the online application process. This includes uploading scanned copies of the signature pages included in this packet. Digital photos of these forms will not be accepted. Originals of these forms may requested by the state/regional association.
• Since the Officer Qualification Form may be reproduced for the use of the voting delegates, candidates should be sure all words are spelled correctly and the form is neat in appearance.
• Before completing the Officer Qualification Form, members and advisers should make sure that the candidate meets the qualifications for the office they are seeking as stated in the bylaws.

Qualifications for Regional Office

• President, Vice President, and Vice President of Finance – Completed, at the time of the regional election, at least one semester of Family Consumer Sciences and Human Services instruction at the 6th grade level or above.
• President, Vice President, and Vice President of Finance – Earn a minimum of 80% or higher on the FCCLA Knowledge exam.
• All other officers must have completed, at the time of candidacy, at least 1 quarter (9 weeks) of Family Consumer Sciences and Human Services instruction.
• Be an active member of an FCCLA chapter affiliated at regional, state, and national levels.
• Have held a responsible position at the chapter level. Examples: Chapter officer, Committee Chairperson
• Have completed, or be currently working toward completion of, a Power of One unit.

If a region has more than 20 applicants for regional office, all candidates must earn a minimum score of 70% or higher on the FCCLA Knowledge exam.

Qualifications for State Office

• Completed, at the time of candidacy, a minimum of one year of Family Consumer Sciences and Human Services instruction at the 6^th grade level or above.
• Be an active member of an FCCLA chapter affiliated at regional, state, and national levels.
• Have held a responsible position at the chapter level.   Examples: Chapter Officer, Committee Chairperson
• Must have completed all five Power of One units and submit the completed Power of One FCCLA Recognition Application with the Office Qualification Form.
• Demonstrate interest in Family Consumer Sciences education and outstanding qualities of leadership, teamwork, and experience in parliamentary procedures.
• Have the approval and support of parents or guardians, local chapter, local adviser, and local school administration.
• A scholastic rating of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

State officer candidates should become familiar with the SEC Handbook, be aware of the required events for state executive council members, and be conscientious of the potential monetary obligations of holding such office. 

Qualifications for National Office

• The national officer candidate(s) must meet the requirements set forth by the national organization.
• Currently an active member in an affiliated chapter and has been an active member in good standing for at least one year.
• A minimum of one year of Family Consumer Sciences classes.
• Approval of the state association.
  Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements for State Officers (above) to receive approval of the state association for national office candidacy.
• Not a present or former member of the National Executive Council.

If a student is elected to run as a national officer candidate representing Missouri FCCLA, the candidate will work with the state office to prepare the officer packet. This includes, but is not limited to, sending a completed resume to the state office for suggestions and improvements and sending the completed packet to the state office for required signatures. The state office will send the packet to the national office.

The usage of the phrase “state bylaws” refers to the Missouri Association Family, Career and Community Leaders of America state bylaws, revised 2024. The usage of the term “chapter” refers to affiliated FCCLA local chapters. The term “affiliated” refers to chapters that have payed all regional, state, and national dues by the required affiliation deadlines. “SEC” refers to State Executive Council; “SOC” refers to state officer candidates; and “SEC Candidate” refers to a current State Executive Council member running for a second term on council, thus is a State Officer Candidate. 

Regional Election Procedures
Each candidate running for office must complete the Knowledge Test administered by the state office. This test must be completed independently and within the time frame set by the state. The state will then release scores and confirm the members eligible to run for state officer candidate and president. The candidates should score 80% or above to be considered as a State Officer Candidate or a Regional President candidate. The remaining regional candidates will take the test without the requirement of meeting a specific score, unless the region has more than twenty (20) applicants. If a region has more than twenty (20) officer applicants, all applicants will be required to score a 70% or higher on the FCCLA Knowledge Test. Along with the FCCLA Knowledge Test, each region must require candidates to present a speech of at least 1 minute long, but not exceeding 3 minutes, as well as answer a situational question. The speech topic for Regional Screening will be published on the Missouri FCCLA website by November 1. The situational questions will be provided by the state office 60 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the region’s officer screening.

Candidates desiring the position of regional president must indicate this preference on the officer qualification form. Once the voting delegates have cast the votes, the regional president candidate receiving the highest number of votes is elected as regional president. The regional president candidate receiving the second-highest number of votes is elected as regional vice president.

Should there be only one candidate for regional president, the regional officer candidate receiving the most votes is elected the regional vice president.

Selection or assignment of all other regional offices may be determined by procedures established by the regional associations and/or regional executive council.

State Election Procedures
Each region will elect a representative from their region to serve as state officer candidate. Any elected state officer candidate may be a candidate for the office of Missouri FCCLA State President, First Vice President, Vice President of Finance or National Officer Candidate. The state officer candidate may also choose to hold the office of other state vice president and not seek the elected offices of President, Vice President, Vice President of Finance, or National Officer Candidate. Until each representative’s office is determined at State Leadership Conference, he or she will known as a State Officer Candidate (SOC).

Review the State Election Procedures document for more detailed information on the election process at State Leadership Conference, dress code information for SOC, and more important details.