Bylaws
Central Michigan Chapter
Public Relations Society of America
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this non-profit professional organization shall be the Central Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES
In accordance with the objectives of the Public Relations Society of America, the objectives of this chapter shall be to advance the art and science of public relations in the public interest; to encourage research, discussion and study of the problems and techniques of the public relations profession; to strengthen and maintain the highest standards of service and ethical conduct by all members of the profession; to exchange ideas and experiences and collect and disseminate information that may enhance or improve the professional knowledge, standards, ethics and standing of the membership; and to promote fraternalism within the profession.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Eligibility and admission to membership. To be eligible for membership in the chapter, a person must be a member in good standing of the society. Any such member of the society is eligible for chapter membership and may become a chapter member upon payment of chapter dues.
Section 2. Retirement Status. Any active member of the chapter who is eligible may be granted retirement status by the chapter board of directors in accordance with provision of the bylaws of the society. No chapter dues will be assessed to any member accorded official retirement status. Members with retirement status shall enjoy all rights and privileges of membership.
Section 3. Termination of Chapter Membership. Any member who for any reason ceases to be a member of the society or is dropped from the society's roll for non-payment of dues shall cease to be a member of the chapter and shall be dropped from the chapter roll.
Rights and Privileges of Membership. In accordance with the bylaws of the society, assembly delegates, alternate delegates, and at least one of the professional advisers to PRSSA chapters shall be accredited members. The right to hold chapter office, or to sponsor applicants for membership shall be limited to members in good standing, subject to such other chapter bylaw provisions that apply.
ARTICLE IV - DUES
Section 1. Amount. Changes in the amount of the chapter dues shall be recommended by the chapter's board of directors and approved by the membership. Local dues will be collected annually by the national PRSA office at the same time national dues are invoiced. CMPRSA will be reimbursed for these local dues in accordance with national PRSA’s chapter dues billing service guidelines.
Section 2. Nonpayment of Dues. A member whose chapter dues are unpaid for three months shall be considered not in good standing and may not vote, hold office or enjoy other privileges of chapter membership, provided such member shall have been duly notified.
Section 3. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the chapter shall be the calendar year.
ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Composition. The governing body of the chapter shall be a board of directors consisting of the president, president-elect, assembly delegate(s), secretary, treasurer, immediate past president, and not less than three nor more than nine directors-at-large as determined by the board to ensure at least one director-at-large for every 15 chapter members. In addition, the chair of any standing committee, who is not a board officer or director-at-large, shall be a voting member of the board of directors.
Section 2. Directors-At-Large. The directors-at-large shall be elected for three years. One third of their number shall be elected each year by the chapter membership at its annual meeting for three-year terms beginning January 1 of the following year. If additional positions are created by an expansion of the board, in accordance with these bylaws, shortened initial terms shall apply to certain of the directors as are required to maintain the effect of having the terms of one third of the directors expire each year.
Section 3. Vacancies. In the event of death, resignation, removal or expulsion of any officer, director or assembly delegate, the board of directors shall elect a successor who shall take office immediately and serve for the balance of the unexpired term or until the next annual election, whichever occurs first.
Section 4. Removal. Any member of the board who misses more than three regularly scheduled board meetings in a year without prior notice will be contacted by the chapter president at the recommendation of the board of directors to determine their interest in and commitment to remaining on the board of directors. Any board member who resigns as a result of this contact will be replaced in accordance with Section 3 above.
Section 5. Board Meetings. There shall be a minimum of six meetings of the board of directors each year, at such times and places as it may determine. In addition, it shall meet at the call of the president or upon the call of any three members of the board of directors. Notice of each meeting shall be given to each officer and director at least seven days in advance.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum for all meetings of the board.
ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS
Section 1. Chapter Officers. The chapter officers are president, president-elect, immediate past president, secretary, treasurer and assembly delegate(s). The officers shall be elected by the chapter membership for a term of one year and until their successors are duly elected and installed, with the exceptions of the annual succession of the president if previously elected as president-elect and of the immediate past president if previously elected as president or president-elect.
Section 2. President. The president presides at all meetings of the chapter, the executive committee, and of the board of directors. He/She appoints all committee leaders, with the approval of the board of directors. He/She is an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee. He/She performs all other duties incident to the office.
Section 3. President-Elect. The president-elect succeeds to the office of president in the year immediately following his/her term as president-elect. The major duties of this position are to serve as program chair, assist the president, learn the requirements of the office of president and plan for a smooth administrative transition. In the absence or disability of the president, the president-elect exercises the powers and performs the duties of the president.
Section 4. Immediate Past President. The immediate past president succeeds to that office in the year immediately following his/her term as president. The major duties of this position are to serve as the ad hoc nominating committee chair and assist the president.
Section 5. Secretary. The secretary keeps records of all meetings and performs all other duties customarily pertaining to the office.
Section 6. Treasurer. The treasurer receives and deposits chapter funds in the name of the chapter, in a bank or trust company selected and approved by the board of directors. The treasurer issues receipts and makes authorized disbursements by check after proper approval by the president or board of directors. The treasurer prepares the chapter's budget, makes regular financial reports to the board of directors, renders an annual financial statement to the chapter membership, and performs all other duties incident to the office. Committee chairs are responsible for submitting annual budgets (if applicable) to the treasurer.
Section 7. Assembly Delegate(s). The assembly delegate(s) shall serve as the chapter's representatives to the PRSA Assembly and be elected by the chapter membership in accordance with provisions of the bylaws of the society.
Section 8. Compensation and Reimbursement. No elected officer of the chapter is entitled to any salary or other compensation. The board of directors may reimburse elected officers or assembly delegate(s) or their alternates for their necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties.
ARTICLE VII - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. Composition. The executive committee of the chapter consists of the president, president-elect, immediate past president, secretary, treasurer, and assembly delegate. Each officer has full voting rights on the executive committee.
Section 2. Functions. In the absence of a quorum for either a regular or special board meeting, the president is empowered to convene the executive committee as the temporary or emergency administrative body of the chapter. As such it may administer ongoing chapter activities previously approved by the board of directors. In the event of an emergency, the executive committee may make decisions on behalf of the board. It may also issue temporary rules which will have the force of law until the next regularly-scheduled board meeting and may formulate and recommend policies and procedures to the board. At the next board meeting, the board shall either ratify or abrogate any actions of the executive committee.
Section 3. Quorum. A majority of the officers shall constitute a quorum for all meetings of the executive committee.
ARTICLE VIII - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1. Nominating Committee. With the approval of the board of directors, the immediate past president shall appoint and chair an ad hoc nominating committee of up to three members in good standing.
Section 2. Nominations. In September the nominating committee shall recommend to the board of directors, for board approval, a qualified nominee for each elected officer position, assembly delegate and director whose term is expiring. It shall ensure that each nominee has been contacted and agrees to serve if elected. Additional nominations, if any, shall be accepted from members provided the nominees have been contacted and have agreed to serve if elected.
Section 3. Nomination of President and President-Elect. Effective for the terms of office beginning January 1, 1992, the nominees for chapter president and president-elect shall be PRSA accredited. In the event that no accredited member accepts nomination, a non-accredited member may be nominated.
Section 4. Notice to Membership. At least 30 days before the annual meeting of the chapter, the ballot approved by the board shall be mailed to all chapter members in good standing.
Section 5. Elections. Officers, directors and assembly delegates shall be elected by a majority of the ballots returned by members in good standing. Balloting in contested elections shall be by secret ballot.
ARTICLE IX - COMMITTEES
Section 1. Standing Committees. In addition to the program committee and the nominating committee, there shall be standing committees on membership, professional development, accreditation, state conference, communications, “ChaseSetters” (new professionals) and PACE Awards. In addition, the chapter will provide a professional advisers to the Ned S. Hubbell Chapter of PRSSA at Michigan State University and the Diane S. Krider Chapter of PRSSA at Central Michigan University.
Section 2. Special Committees. Special committees may be established by the president with the approval of the board.
Section 3. Committee Reports. The chair of each committee shall report its activities regularly to the board of directors. All committee activities are subject to the approval of the board.
ARTICLE X - MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Section 1. Annual Meeting. Prior to the society's annual national assembly meeting, there shall be an annual meeting of the chapter. This shall be held in October each year at such time and place as the board of directors may designate.
Section 2. Regular Meetings. There shall be monthly membership meetings at least 10 times each year at such times and places as may be designated by the board of directors.
Section 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the chapter may be called by the president, a majority of the executive committee or on written request by 25 percent of the chapter members.
Section 4. Notice of Meetings. Notice of the annual meeting shall be mailed to each member at least 30 days in advance of the meeting. Notice of regular or special meetings shall be mailed to each member at least 10 days in advance.
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS
Section 1. Amendments. These bylaws may be amended at any general membership meeting, or by ballot. Amendments go into effect unless disapproved by one-third of the members in good standing. Amendments become effective only after approval by the society's national board of directors.
Reviewed and revised by Chapter Board: June 2003
Approved by Chapter Members: _____________
Approved by national PRSA Board of Directors: _____________