BY-LAWS
NEW YORK SCHOOL PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION
Approved October 13, 2017
ARTICLE I – Name
The name of this organization shall be the New York School Public Relations Association.
ARTICLE II – Geographic Jurisdiction
The geographical jurisdiction of the New York Chapter shall encompass all areas within the geographic limits of the State of New York.
ARTICLE III – Objectives
The chapter is organized and shall be operated exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes, as may qualify it as exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or any corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law. More specifically, such purposes include, but are not limited to:
(1) providing a medium for communication and exchange of ideas; (2) encouraging and developing effective educational public relations; (3) encouraging cooperation within the allied areas of business, labor, and industrial public relations and with other interested groups; (4) fostering and promoting the professional growth of school information personnel; (5) recognizing and rewarding outstanding school public relations programs, people and publications.
ARTICLE IV – Membership
1. Membership is open to public relations professionals and other individuals who have responsibilities in educational public relations in the State of New York, as well as in Canadian provinces or states in NSPRA’s Northeast Region that do not have a chartered NSPRA chapter. NSPRA members who belong to another state chapter may also join, but are subject to NSPRA Bylaws Article IX—Chapters, Section 4 and may not hold elective office in more than one chapter at a time.
2. The chapter officers (including president, president-elect, treasurer, and secretary) shall be members of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) and all other Chapter members are encouraged to be members of NSPRA.
ARTICLE V – Dues
1. The establishment of dues, and all policies pertaining thereto, shall be the recommendation of the Chapter’s Executive Board.
2. Approval of two-thirds of the members present shall be required on all matters affecting dues.
ARTICLE VI – Officers
Officers of the Chapter shall be elected in the spring, and shall be reported to the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) by May 1. Newly elected officers shall take office May 1. The term of office shall be two years.
In the event of a tie vote for an officer position, a revote for that position shall take place as soon as reasonable after informing the candidates and entire membership, but no later than five (5) business days after the first vote. The person who receives the majority in the balloting for the contested office shall be declared elected by the Executive Board. The Executive Board has the authority to modify an election deadline if necessary and appropriate to facilitate a swift resolution of the tie vote.
Elected Officers and their duties shall be:
1. President – Shall be the executive director of the Chapter and shall preside at meetings of the Chapter and Executive Board. S/he shall appoint the chairpersons of all standing and special committees, and shall approve the selection of committee members made by the chairperson. S/he shall approve disbursements. S/he shall be a member of the National School Public Relations Association, shall maintain a liaison with NSPRA through the NSPRA Northeast vice-president and the national office.
2. President-elect – shall perform all duties of the President in the event of the inability of the president to act, oversee the membership function and, shall assume the office of president following completion of a term as President-elect. S/he shall be a member of the National School Public Relations Association.
3. Treasurer – shall keep cash flow records using the fiscal year set by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), prepare/provide any financial statements required by NSPRA, prepare financial statements for the annual meeting (and upon request of the Executive Board or membership), receive and deposit revenues and disburse Chapter funds as approved by the President. S/he shall be a member of the National School Public Relations Association.
4. Secretary – shall take minutes, keep records of meetings and assist in handling Chapter correspondence. S/he shall be a member of the National School Public Relations Association.
ARTICLE VII – Executive Board
The governing body of the Chapter shall be the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall consist of the elected officers of the Chapter, the immediate Past President, and any appointed liaison(s).
ARTICLE VIII – Meetings
1. There shall be an annual meeting of the Chapter in the spring. The time, place and program shall be determined by the Chapter’s Executive Board. Business may be transacted by a majority vote of members attending a meeting, whether a virtual (online) meeting, in-person meeting at a location, or a combination of both.
2. Other meetings of the Chapter shall be set at the discretion of the Executive Board.
3. The secretary shall notify all members of the Chapter of meetings at least two weeks in advance of those meeting dates.
4. The Executive Board shall meet at least once annually on notice from the President. A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE IX – Amendments
These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership present at any Chapter meeting, or by a majority vote, provided at least 30 days notice has been given of any proposed amendment. After Chapter approval, all amendments shall be submitted to the Executive Board of the National School Public Relations Association for approval before they become effective.
ARTICLE X – Prohibited Activities
No part of the earnings of the Chapter shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, its directors, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in these by-laws. Except as provided in Section 501 (h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or any corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law, no substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempt to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of campaign statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidates for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these By-laws, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501 (h) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law. Upon dissolution of the corporation, the Executive Board shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all the assets of the corporation exclusively for the purposes of the corporation in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law as the Executive Board shall determine.
ARTICLE XI – By-laws Adoption
These by-laws shall be approved by the Executive Board of the National School Public Relations Association after adoption by the Chapter. By-laws may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the membership present at any Chapter meeting, or by a majority vote, provided at least 30 days notice has been given of any proposal.
Amended October 13, 2017 l Approved by NSPRA Board November 17, 2017
Amended November 16, 2012
Amended October 11, 2002