BYLAWS OF THE CALIFORNIA CAPITAL CHAPTER

OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS SOCIETY OF AMERICA, INC.

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this nonprofit professional organization shall be the California Capital Chapter (the Chapter) of the Public Relations Society of America, Inc. (PRSA, the Society).

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.  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.  The pertinent provisions of the Bylaws of the Society shall govern admission to membership in 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 in good standing for at least five 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 the right 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 non-payment 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 professional advisor to a 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 (or Trustees)

Section 1.  Composition.  The governing body of the Chapter shall be a board of directors (or trustees) consisting of the President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, the Immediate Past President, the Assembly Delegate(s) and five Directors (Trustees)-At-Large.

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

Sections 3.  Directors (Trustees)-At-Large.  Directors (Trustees)-At-Large shall be elected on a rotating basis and serve for a three-year term. In a single 3-year cycle, two Directors-At-Large positions shall be elected in each of years one and two. One Director-At-Large position shall be elected in the third year.

Section 4.  Vacancies. In the event of death, resignation, removal or expulsion of any officer, director or Assembly Delegate, a majority vote of 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 elections.

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 meeting of the board of directors at such time and places as it may determine.  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 or by e-mail 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 President-elect shall serve a term of one year and will become President in the subsequent year. The Secretary and Treasurer will serve terms of two years and be elected by the members in alternating years. 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, in the absence or disability of the President, shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of the president.  He/she also shall assist the president and perform such other duties as shall be prescribed by the board of directors.

Section 4. Immediate Past President. The President shall assume the office of Immediate Past President upon completion of his/her one-year term as President. The Immediate Past President shall act as counsel to the board of directors and shall be a full voting member of the board.

Section 5.  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 meetings, maintain or cause to be maintained the roll of membership, and perform all other duties customarily pertaining to the office.

Section 6.  Treasurer. The Treasurer or designee 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.  The Treasurer 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 7.  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.  

ARTICLE VII – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1.  Nominating Committee.  There shall be a Nominating Committee consisting of the President and two accredited Members appointed by the President with the approval of the board of directors at least thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting of the Chapter.

Section 2.  Call for Nominations. At least sixty days prior to the date of the annual meeting, the Secretary shall e-mail to all Members a Call for Nominations indicating the open officer, delegate and board positions and giving nominating instructions.  Nominations shall be returned to the President and reviewed by the Nominating Committee. Nominees shall be contacted to confirm willingness to serve. The Nominating Committee retains final authority on the selection of nominees, but may, at its discretion, review the final list of nominees with the President-elect.

Section 3.  Elections. At least fourteen days prior to the date of the annual meeting, the Secretary shall e-mail to all Chapter Members a ballot showing at least one candidate for each open officer, director and delegate position prepared by the Nominating Committee, with ample space for write-in votes for each officer, delegate and director.  Election shall be by majority vote of the Members in good standing who return the ballot. Ballots will be returned to the President within two weeks of distribution, who either will hold a secondary election to break a tie or forward the results to the Secretary to inform the membership. Contested elections shall be conducted by secret balloting.  Write-in candidates will be contacted by the Nominating Committee to confirm willingness to serve.

ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES

Section 1.  Standing Committees.  In addition to the Nominating Committee, there shall be standing committees on Program, Membership, Accreditation, Public Relations and Public Service, and Student Chapter Liaison.

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 chairman 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 – CHAPTER MEETINGS

Section 1.  Annual Meeting.  There shall be an Annual Meeting 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 percent of the Chapter Members.

Section 4.  Notice of Meetings.  Notice of the Annual Meeting shall be sent to each member at least thirty (30) days in advance.  Notice of a regular meeting or special meeting shall be sent 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 two-thirds vote of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present or via e-mail to the entire membership of the chapter, provided such proposed amendment(s) has been approved by the Chapter’s board of directors and at least thirty (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.