NHSBBQA - State HSBBQ Association Charter

State High School BBQ Association (HSBBQ)® License Agreement

What Is a State High School BBQ Association®?

A State High School BBQ Association® (State HSBBQ®) is an official, NHSBBQA®-sanctioned educational division authorized to support schools, teachers, and students within a specific state through Career & Technical Education (CTE) programming using barbecue and live-fire cooking as the learning platform.

State Associations are licensed—not franchised—and operate under the national governance, safety, and educational standards of the National High School BBQ Association® (NHSBBQA®).

Why a License Agreement Matters

The State Association License Agreement exists to ensure:

• Educational integrity across all states

• Student safety and consistent live-fire protocols

• Teacher-first leadership aligned with school policy

• Brand and naming protection for schools and partners

• Clear governance and accountability

This structure mirrors proven youth education and activity models—such as Little League Baseball—where local and state organizations operate under a unified national charter.

Education First. Competition Optional.

All State HSBBQ® Associations are required to operate under an education-first mandate.

✔ Classroom learning
✔ Career pathway exploration
✔ Workforce readiness
✔ Leadership and teamwork
✔ Safety and professionalism

Competitions, cook-offs, and championships—when offered—are optional educational demonstrations, not the primary purpose of the program.

Schools may fully participate without ever competing.

How the Governance Structure Works

The National High School BBQ Association® uses a clear and transparent authority model:

National NHSBBQA® → State HSBBQ® Association → School Charter → Educator → Student

This ensures:

• Schools retain academic authority

• Teachers lead instruction

• Students are protected

• Communities are supported

State Associations do not operate independently and may not create competing governance, naming systems, or unsanctioned programs.

What the License Grants

Under the State Association License Agreement, a State HSBBQ® Association receives:

• Authorization to operate as the official NHSBBQA® state division

• Limited use of NHSBBQA® trademarks, logos, and naming conventions

• Access to national curriculum frameworks and safety standards

• Eligibility to host sanctioned educational events and competitions

• Support, guidance, and alignment with national partners

All rights are revocable if educational, safety, or brand standards are not upheld.

Brand & Trademark Protection

To protect schools, students, and sponsors, all State Associations must:

• Follow NHSBBQA® brand and trademark guidelines

• Clearly co-display national and state branding

• Avoid misleading or generic use of “High School BBQ” terminology

• Operate only within their licensed state boundaries

This protects schools from confusion and ensures families know they are participating in a legitimate, education-based program.

Who Can Become a State Association?

State Associations are typically led by:

• Educators

• School-aligned nonprofit organizations

• Education-focused community leaders

• Industry partners working in support of CTE

All State Associations must demonstrate:

• Alignment with public education values

• Commitment to student safety

• Ability to support schools—not replace them

Annual Review & Accountability

State HSBBQ® licenses are:

• Issued for one-year terms

• Reviewed annually

• Subject to compliance checks

• Renewable based on performance and alignment

This ensures every state maintains the same level of quality, safety, and educational integrity.

Why This Matters for Schools

For schools and districts, this license structure means:

✔ Clear accountability
✔ Consistent safety standards
✔ Nationally aligned curriculum
✔ No pay-to-play mandate
✔ Education always comes first

Interested in Becoming a State Association?

If you are an educator, organization, or partner interested in launching a State High School BBQ Association® in your state:

Contact the National High School BBQ Association®
Review the State Association License Agreement
Begin the alignment and approval process

National High School BBQ Association®

America’s CTE Food Sport
WHERE DREAMS IGNITE®
COME EAT OUR HOMEWORK!

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