Bylaws of the Charlotte (N.C.) Chapter Of the Public Relations Society of America, Inc.

Article I - Name

The name of this non-profit professional organization shall be the Charlotte (NC) Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, Inc. (PRSA)

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 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, standard, 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. Any such Member of the Society is eligible for membership in the Chapter.

SECTION 2. Admission to Membership. Admission to membership in the Society shall be governed by the pertinent provision to 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 has been a member of PRSA of good standing for at least five (5) years and is gainfully employed for less than 50 percent of the time is eligible for retirement status. Members on retirement status shall enjoy all rights and privileges of membership.

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 nonpayment of dues shall cease to be a member of the Chapter and shall be dropped from the Chapter 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 or as a professional advisor to the PRSA Chapter shall be limited to Members who are accredited.


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 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, Secretary, Treasurer, the immediate past President, the Assembly Delegate(s), and up to five Directors At-Large.

SECTION 2. Assembly Delegates. The Assembly Delegate(s) shall serve as the Chapter's representative(s) at the meetings of the PRSA Assembly and shall be elected by the Chapter membership for a three-year term in accordance with provision of the Bylaws of the Society.

SECTION 3. Directors At-Large. On the first board of the Chapter, one director shall serve three years, one director shall serve two years and one director shall serve one year. Thereafter, one director shall be elected each year by the chapter membership at its Annual Meeting to serve a term of three years beginning January first and until his/her successor is elected and installed.

SECTION 4. 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.

SECTION 5. Removal. Any director who misses more than three 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 4 above.

SECTION 6. Board Meetings. There shall be at least four meetings annually of the board of directors at such times and places as it may be determined. It shall meet at the call of the President or upon call of any three members of the board of directors. Notice of each meeting of the board shall be given to each director personally, by mail or by fax at least seven days in advance.

SECTION 7. 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 President, a President-Elect, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The officers shall be elected by the Chapter membership at its Annual Meeting for a term of one year 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 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 shall assist the President and perform such other duties as shall be prescribed by the board of directors.

SECTION 4. 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, issue notices of all such meetings, maintain or cause to be maintained the roll of membership and perform all other duties customarily pertaining to the office.

SECTION 5. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive and deposit all Chapter funds in the name of the Chapter in a bank or trust company selected and approved by the board of directors. He/she shall issue receipts and make authorized disbursements by check after proper approval by the President or 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 6. 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 6A: The Chapter is committed to ensuring that its members' interests are represented before the assembly at PRSA's national conference. If necessary, the board of directors will reimburse delegates for all reasonable expenses incurred while attending the assembly, including travel and up to two nights lodging and meals, subject to the treasurer's review. The board may also allocate additional funds annually for delegates to use toward expenses for attending the entire national conference.


Article VII - Nominations and Elections

SECTION 1. Nominating Committee. There shall be a Nominating Committee of no fewer than three Members who are Accredited, appointed by the President with the approval of the board of directors at least sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Meeting of the Chapter.

SECTION 2. Nominations. The Nominating Committee shall name a qualified nominee for each office and for each 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 at the Annual Meeting, provided the nominees have been contacted and agree to serve if elected.

SECTION 3. Notice to Membership. At least thirty (30) days before the Annual Meeting of the Chapter, the Secretary shall mail to all Chapter members the list of nominees prepared by the Nominating Committee.

SECTION 4. Elections. Officers, directors, and Assembly Delegates shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of PRSA Chapter. Election shall be by majority of the Members in good standing present and voting. Balloting in contested election shall be by secret ballot.

Article VIII - Committees

SECTION 1. Standing Committees. In addition to the Nominating Committee, there shall be standing committees on Programs, Eligibility/Membership, Professional Development, Accreditation, Awards, Public Relations, Public Service, Student Chapter Liaison, Bylaws, Arrangements, Newsletter, Membership, Data Base, and Foundation Academy Members. (These may be either separate committees or combined.)

SECTION 2. Special Committees. Special Committees may be established and appointed by the President with the 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.

Article IX - Membership Meetings

SECTION 1. Annual Meetings. There shall be an Annual Meeting in October or November 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 ten (10) 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, the board of directors or on written request by 25% of the Chapter Membership.

SECTION 4. Notice of Meetings. Notice of the Annual meeting shall be mailed to each member at least thirty (30) days in advance. Notice of a regular meeting or special meeting shall be mailed to each member at least ten (10) days in advance.

SECTION 5. Quorum. A majority of the Members of the Chapter shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Chapter.

Article X - Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, provided such proposed amendment(s) has been approved by the Chapter's board of directors and at least thirty day's notice has been given to all member's 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.
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