The name of this non-profit professional organization shall be the Yankee Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, Inc. Hereinafter, the Yankee Chapter is referred to as “the Chapter,” and the Public Relations Society of America is referred to as “the Society” or, alternately “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 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 experience 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 may become a Member of the Chapter, upon payment of Chapter dues.

Section 3 – Retirement Status

Any Member of the Chapter who is eligible for retirement status may request such status of the Chapter’s Board of Directors in accordance with provisions of the Bylaws of the Society.

Section 4 – Termination of Chapter Membership

Any member who for any reason ceases to be a Member of the Society 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 Accreditation Chair or as professional advisor to a Public Relations Student Society of America Chapter shall be limited to Members who are accredited.

Section 6 – Non-discrimination

The Chapter shall in all deliberations and procedures subscribe to a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of race, creed, religion, disability, sex, age, color, national origin, or sexual or affectional preferences.

ARTICLE IV – DUES

Section 1 – Amount

The amount of the Chapter dues shall be fixed annually by the Chapter’s Board of Directors.

Section 2 – Payment of Dues

Chapter dues shall be due and payable on the same schedule of an individual’s national dues renewal.

Section 3 – Nonpayment of Dues

Any member whose Chapter dues are unpaid shall cease to be a member of the Chapter provided such Member has been duly notified.

Section 4- Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Chapter shall be July 1 – June 30.

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, Assistant Treasurer, the immediate Past-President, the Assembly Delegate(s) and four Directors-at-large, all of whom must be Members in good standing with the Chapter. Elected National, District and Section officers who are not otherwise members of the Board but are Members in good standing with our Chapter will serve in an ex-officio (without vote) capacity.

Section 2 – Assembly Delegates

The Assembly Delegate(s) shall serve as the Chapter’s representative(s) at meetings of the PRSA Assembly. The Assembly Delegate(s) and an alternate shall be elected by the Chapter membership. The term of the Delegate(s) shall conform to the Bylaws of the Society. To be eligible for service as an Assembly Delegate, a Member must have served a minimum of one (1) year as a Chapter Officer or Board Member. No Chapter delegate having served a full three year term may be elected to a succeeding term.

Section 3 – Directors-at-Large

Two directors shall be elected each year by the Chapter membership at its Annual Meeting to serve a term of two years beginning July 1 (or the first day of the Chapter program year next ensuing 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 or Officer who misses three Board meetings in a fiscal year without an excuse acceptable to the Board shall be given written notice of dismissal by the Chapter President and replaced in accordance with Section 4 above. Any Officer or Director who consistently fails to meet Chapter obligations can be removed from office by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board. The Board of Directors shall be notified at least 30 days prior to the vote taking place.

Section 6 – Board Meetings

There shall be monthly meetings of the Board of Directors at such times 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 mail at least seven days in advance.

Section 7 – Quorum

A majority of the voting members 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, a Treasurer, and an Assistant Treasurer. The officers shall be elected by the Chapter membership at its Annual Meeting for a term of one year and until their successor is 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 an ex-officio member of all committees. He/she shall be responsible for producing an annual report for distribution to the membership, ensuring an annual audit is conducted, and performing 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 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 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 5a – Assistant Treasurer

The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in the receipt and deposit of 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 assist with the issuing of receipts and making of authorized disbursements by check after proper approval by the President or Board of Directors. He/she shall assist with the preparation of the Chapter’s budget, and the preparation of regular financial reports to the Board of Directors, and rendering of an annual financial statement to the Chapter membership. The Assistant Treasurer shall, in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer shall intend to assume the duties of the Treasurer if duly elected, after the Treasurer’s term of office is complete.

Section 6 – Compensation adn Reimbursement

No elected officer of the Chapter shall be entitled to any salary or other compensation. The Board of Directors may reimburse officers or the Assembly Delegate(s) 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, of no less than three accredited members appointed by the President with approval of the Board of Directors at least sixty 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 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 the Yankee Chapter of PRSA. Election shall be by majority vote of the Members in good standing present and 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:

• Accreditation
• Awards
• Bylaws
• Education
• Membership
• Newsletter
• Past Presidents Council
• Professional Development
• Public Relations
• Public Service

Section 2 – SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Special committees or sub-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 the approval of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX – CHAPTER MEETINGS

Section 1 – Annual Meeting

There shall be an Annual Meeting in May or June each year at such time and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors.

Section 2 – Regular Meetings

In addition to Annual Meetings, there shall be regular meetings at least four 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 Members.

Section 4 – Notice of Meeting

Notice of the Annual Meeting shall be sent to each Member at least thirty days in advance. Notice of a regular meeting or special meeting shall be sent to each Member at least ten days in advance.

Section 5 – Quorum

Twenty percent 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 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 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.

ARTICLE XI – DISSOLUTION

The Chapter may be dissolved by written ballot of two-thirds vote of the Chapter membership. The Society’s Board of Directors may dissolve a Chapter with the approval of the national Assembly. Upon dissolution of a chapter, the chapter’s remaining funds shall be transferred to the Society and distributed as designated by the national Board of Directors. [ARTICLE VIII, Section 1, PRSA Bylaws]

ARTICLE XII – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the Chapter in all cases in which they are not inconsistent with Society Bylaws and any special rules of order the Society may adopt.

Adopted August 20, 1982
Amended June 24, 1985
Amended April 14, 1989
Amended May 20, 1991
Amended May 19, 1992
Amended May 24, 1993
Revised and adopted June 1, 1998
Amended January 29, 1999
Adopted June 7, 1999
Amended October 22, 2001
Revised and Adopted June 22, 2006