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Central Iowa PRSA Bylaws
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this non-profit professional organization shall be the Central Iowa Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, Inc.
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 profession and the professional; to encourage research, discussion and study of the problems and techniques of the public relations 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
To be eligible for membership in the chapter, a person must be a member in good standing of the society. Section
2. Admission to Membership
Admission to membership in the society shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of the bylaws of the society. Any person admitted to membership in the society shall become a member of the chapter, if eligible, upon payment of chapter dues.
Section 3. Retirement Status
Any member of the chapter who is eligible for society retirement status may become a retired member of the chapter upon payment of reduced chapter dues.
Section 4. 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's roll.
Section 5. Rights and Privileges of Membership
Subject to the bylaws of the society, the right to serve as an assembly delegate or alternate delegate, as the professional advisor to a PRSSA chapter, the accreditation director or the ethics officer shall be limited to members who are accredited. It is preferred that the public relations officer be accredited as well but it is not a necessary requirement to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of this position.
ARTICLE IV - DUES
Section 1. Amount
The amount of chapter dues shall be fixed annually by the chapter's board of directors and shall be payable in accordance with chapter fiscal policies.
Section 2. Nonpayment of Dues
Any member whose chapter dues are unpaid for three months shall be considered not in good standing and shall not be entitled to vote, hold office or enjoy other privileges of chapter membership, provided such member shall be duly notified.
Section 3. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the chapter shall be June 1 through May 31.
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, program chairperson, program chair-elect, secretary, treasurer, treasurer-elect, the immediate past president, the assembly delegate(s), membership chair, the accreditation chair, the accreditation chair-elect, and the public relations officer.
Section 2. Compensation and Reimbursement
No elected officer of the chapter shall be entitled to any salary or other compensation. The board of directors may reimburse elected officers or assembly delegates or their alternates for their expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties.
Section 3. Vacancies
In the event of death, resignation, removal or expulsion of any member of the board of directors, the remaining members of the board of directors shall elect a successor who shall take office immediately and serve for the balance of the un-expired term or until the next annual election.
Section 4. Removal
Any director who misses more than three consecutive board meetings without an excuse acceptable to the board may be given written notice of dismissal by the chapter president and replaced in accordance with Section 3 above.
Section 5. Board Meetings
The board of directors shall meet at least four times a year at such times and places as it may determine. It shall meet at the call of the president upon call of any three members of the board of directors. Notice of each meeting of the board shall be given to each director and committee chair 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 officers of the chapter shall be a board of directors consisting of the president, president-elect, program chairperson, program chair-elect, secretary, treasurer, treasurer-elect, the immediate past president, the assembly delegate(s), membership chair, the accreditation chair, the accreditation chair-elect, and the public relations officer.. The officers shall be elected by the chapter membership at its annual meeting for a term of one year unless noted below, and until their successors are elected and installed. No officer having held an office for two successive terms shall be eligible to succeed himself/herself in the same office.
Section 2. President
The president shall preside at all meetings of the chapter and of the board of directors. He/she shall appoint all committees with the approval of the board of directors and shall be the ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee. He/she shall perform all other duties incident to the office.
Section 3. President-elect
The president-elect shall, in the absence or disability of the president, exercise the powers and perform the duties of the president. He/she also shall assist the president and perform other duties as prescribed by the board of directors. The president-elect will become chapter president in the following year. He/she also shall serve as chair of the Institute.
Section 4. Program Chairperson
The program chairperson shall, in the absence or disability of both the president and president-elect, exercise the powers and perform the duties of the president. The program chair will also arrange speakers and chapter meeting locations.
Section 5. Program Chair-elect
The program chair-elect will assist the Program Chairperson with arranging speakers and chapter meeting locations. The program chair-elect will become Program Chairperson in the following year.
Section 6. Secretary
The secretary shall keep records of all meetings of the chapter and of the board of directors, send copies of such minutes to society headquarters, and fulfill other secretarial-related duties as assigned by the president or the board of directors.
Section 7. Treasurer
The treasurer shall receive and deposit all chapter funds in the name of the chapter, in a bank, trust company or saving situation selected and approved by the board of directors. He/she shall issue receipts and make authorized disbursements by check after proper approval from the board of directors. He/she shall prepare the chapter's budget, make regular financial reports to the board of directors, render an annual financial statement to the chapter membership and perform all other duties incident to the office.
Section 8. Treasurer-Elect
The treasurer-elect shall manage the financial aspect of the regular chapter meetings, collect meeting payments from attendees and make bank deposits. In the absence or disability of the treasurer, the treasurer-elect shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of the treasurer. He/she also shall assist the treasurer and perform other duties as prescribed by the board of directors. The treasurer-elect will become chapter treasurer in the following year.
Section 9. Assembly Delegate(s)/Ethics Officer
The assembly delegate(s) shall represent the chapter at the meeting of the Society Assembly and report Society business back to the chapter membership. This position shall be elected by the chapter membership for a three-year term in accordance with provisions of the bylaws of the society. This person must be an accredited member. One delegate serves as Ethics Officer for his/her three-year term.
The ethics officer will be responsible for coordinating the ethics training and education of the chapter's members, and will assist members in addressing ethical dilemmas in accordance with the ethical code of standards established by the national PRSA organization.
Section 10. Membership Chair
The membership chair shall manage the recruitment of new members, help retain current members and maintain the roll of all chapter members.
Section 11. Accreditation Chair
The accreditation chair shall manage the chapter's accreditation program serving as the chapter's liaison between the national office of PRSA and the membership. The accreditation chair will oversee the committee members responsible for administering the training necessary for qualified chapter members to complete the APR examination process. The accreditation chair will also work with the coaching coordinators to select and support the coaches, serve as an advocate for the APR examination process at board meetings and chapter functions, and implement recognition programs for members who successfully complete the APR examination.
Section 12. Accreditation Chair-Elect
The accreditation chair-elect will assist the accreditation chair with duties necessary to manage the chapter’s accreditation program. He/She will be come the accreditation chair the following year.
Section 13. Public Relations Officer
The public relations officer publicizes chapter activities in the community and serves as the supervisor of the public relations intern. An accredited Board Member is preferred for the Public Relations Officer position.
Section 14. Immediate Past President
The immediate past president shall serve on the board of directors for a period of one year following his/her presidency, and shall chair the scholarship committee.
ARTICLE VII - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1. Nominating Committee
There shall be a nominating committee of no less than three members, appointed by the president-elect with approval of the board of directors at least 60 days prior to the annual meeting of the chapter.
Section 2. Nominations
The nominating committee shall name a qualified nominee for each board position 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 at the annual meeting provided the nominees have been contacted and agree to serve if elected.
Section 3. Notice of Membership
At least 30 days before the annual meeting of the chapter, the secretary shall make available to all chapter members the list of nominees prepared by the nominating committee.
Section 4. Elections
Officers shall be elected at the annual meeting of the chapter. Election shall be by majority vote of the members in good standing present and voting, or by electronic voting. Balloting in contested elections shall be by secret ballot.
ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES
Section 1. Standing Committees
In addition to the nominating committee, there may be standing committees on awards, job network, newsletter, professional development, technology, social, and PRSSA Chapter liaisons.
Section 2. Special Committees
Special Committees may be established and appointed by the president with approval of the board of directors.
Section 3. Committee Reports
The chair of each committee shall report its activities regularly to the board of directors. All committee activities shall be subject to approval by the board of directors. Committee chairpersons do not have voting rights on the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX - CHAPTER MEETINGS
Section 1. Annual Meeting
There shall be an annual meeting in June each year at such time and place as may be designated by the board of directors.
Section 2. Regular Meetings
In addition to the annual meeting, there shall be regular monthly meetings at least seven times a 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, board of directors or on written request by 25 percent of the chapter members.
Section 4. Notice of Meetings
Notice of the annual meeting shall be made available to each member at least 30 days in advance. Notice of a regular meeting or special meeting shall be made available to each member at least 10 days in advance.
Section 5. Quorum
One-fourth of the members of the chapter shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the chapter.
ARTICLE X - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of business affairs of the chapter in all situations to which the rules are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws or those of the society.
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS
Every three years, the president shall appoint a committee whose responsibility will be to review and update these bylaws, if necessary. These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any meeting at which one-quarter of the chapter members are present, or by an electronic vote, provided such proposed amendments have been approved by the chapter's board of directors and at least 30 days notice has been given to all members of any proposed amendment(s). Amendments adopted in accordance with this provision become effective only after approval by the society's national board of directors.
05/08
Central Iowa PRSA Policies
Attendance at Chapter Meetings
Prospective Members, Non-Members, Guests
1.1 It shall be the policy of the Central Iowa Chapter of PRSA that prospective members be invited to attend up to three membership meetings. Further attendance at membership meetings shall not be encouraged unless a membership application is pending. If an application for membership has been submitted, the person shall be welcome at all Chapter events until the application is acted upon by the national office of PRSA.
1.2 Public Relations practitioners who are eligible for membership but have not expressed interest in applying may attend one membership meeting of the chapter each year. This may be a joint event with another organization in the field of public relations.
1.3 The policies above (1.1 and 1.2) do not limit the right of chapter members to bring personal guests to chapter meetings, whether or not those guests are public relations practitioners eligible for membership.
1.4 University students in public relations may attend membership meetings without limit.
1.5 Persons who are not members of the chapter may be repeatedly invited to professional development events such as an Institute or other programs designed for attendance from a broader group than chapter membership. Cost for non-members to attend chapter events shall be greater than the cost for non-members.
Mailing List
2.1 It shall be the policy of this chapter that the mailing list for meeting notices shall include members, membership prospects (limited 1.1 and 1.2) appropriate officials of PRSA and courtesy mailing to faculty at colleges and universities, for their information.
2.2 The mailing list of the chapter may be furnished to suppliers who wish to invite members to tour their facilities, or demonstrate their services, so long as no endorsement of that supplier by the chapter is assumed or implied. If the custodian of the mailing list is in doubt about the appropriateness of a request to use the mailing list, the request shall be brought to the board of directors or executive committee. The mailing list shall be provided at the rental cost. A rental charge of $50.00 will be made per list for one time use only, unless the board or the president deems the use to be of direct professional benefit to members.
Information To Members
3.1 It shall be the policy of this chapter that minutes of membership meetings, relevant decision by the board of directors and the treasurer’s reports be circulated to the membership as reports or newsletter.
Meetings
4.1 Meetings of the Central Iowa Chapter of PRSA shall be designed to foster the education and professional development of the members. This may include tours and demonstrations of the physical facilities of a member’s business. To avoid apparent endorsement of any suppliers, chapter meetings shall not be scheduled on the premises of a supplier.
Reservations for chapter functions involving meals are binding unless canceled before the guarantee must be given for food service. Members may be billed for unused reservations.
Chapter Funds
5.1 Chapter funds will normally be disbursed by the treasurer after prior approval by the board of directors. Routine expenses for chapter operations, such as mailing costs, which are within the budget adopted by the board, need not be further approved individually. Non-routine expenses require prior authorization, in the general budget or as specific items. Individual officers are not given authority to encumber chapter funds without such prior authorization.
5.2 The chapter shall pay 100 percent of allowable expenses (roundtrip airfare or mileage, lodging, ground transportation and meals) for chapter delegates to attend all activities associated with the PRSA National Assembly. The chapter shall pay 50 percent of expenses associated with post-Assembly conference activities (lodging, meals and conference fees, excluding pre-conference or extra workshop fees) with the delegate responsible for the remaining 50 percent.
Dues
6.1 New members will pay the full $50.00 membership fee for local dues. Retiree dues are$20.00, paid annually. This is a local chapter policy only and has no impact on national dues collection.
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