Bylaws of the Oklahoma City Chapter
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

Article I - Name

The name of this non-profit professional organization shall be the Oklahoma City Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

The Chapter is also a member of the Southwest district of 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 practice 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; to collect and disseminate information that may enhance or improve the professional knowledge, standards, ethics and standing of the membership; and to promote friendship 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 member of the Society is eligible for membership in the Chapter. Even those who hold membership in another Chapter of the Society may join this Chapter on approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Election to Membership

Election to membership in the Society shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of the Bylaws of the Society. Any person elected 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 has been a member of PRSA in good standing for at least five years and is gainfully employed for no more than 50 percent of the time is eligible for retirement status. Members on retirement status shall enjoy all the rights and privileges of Chapter membership. Members on retirement status who are in good standing with PRSA Nationals will not be charged chapter dues. The waiving of Chapter dues for members on retirement status may be reexamined annually by the Board at the same time and in the same manner as dues for the general 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

Any member of the Chapter is eligible to hold Chapter Office. The right to serve as an Assembly Delegate or Alternate, Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Liaison, Advocacy Officer or Ethics Officer is limited to members who are accredited. The right to vote is held by every member of the Chapter.

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 advance on the member's anniversary date each year.

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, Immediate Past President, the Assembly Delegate(s), Advocacy Officer, Ethics Officer and two At-Large Members appointed by the President.

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) shall also serve as members of the Southwest District Board of Directors. The Assembly Delegate(s) must have served at least one year as a Chapter Officer or Board Member prior to serving as Assembly Delegate. The Assembly Delegate(s) shall be elected by the Chapter membership for a three-year term in accordance with provisions of the Bylaws of the Society, Article III.

Section 3. Vacancies

In the event of death, resignation, removal, or expulsion of any officer 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. Committee chair vacancies resulting from death, resignation, removal or expulsion shall be filled by the President's appointment of a new committee chair.

Section 4. Board Meetings

There shall be regular meetings of the Board of Directors at a designated time and place as it may determine. In addition, the Board may meet at the call of the President or upon call of any three members of the Board. Adequate notice of each meeting of the Board shall be given to each Director personally, by mail, e-mail, facsimile or prsaokc.com web site posting no less than three days in advance.

Section 5. Quorum

Five directors will constitute a quorum for all meetings of the Board.

Article VI. - Officers

Section 1. Chapter Officers

The officers of the Chapter shall be: President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer and Immediate Past President. The officers shall be elected by the Chapter membership at the October annual meeting for a term of one year, beginning January 1  next ensuing and until their successors are elected. No officer shall hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms. The President-Elect shall automatically become President after serving a one year term as President-Elect or in the event that the President position becomes vacant for any reason.

Section 2. President

The President shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and the Board of Directors. The President shall appoint all committee chairs with the approval of the Board and shall be ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominations Committee. The President shall also serve as a member of the Southwest District Board of Directors. The President 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. The President-Elect shall also assist the President and perform such other duties as shall be prescribed by the Board. The President-Elect is responsible to arrange programs/speakers for each regular meeting of the Chapter. The President-Elect shall serve as President during the calendar year following the term as President-Elect.

Section 4. Secretary

The Secretary shall keep records of all meetings of the Chapter and of the Board of Directors, 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. The Treasurer shall issue receipts and make authorized disbursement by check after proper approval by the President and/or Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall prepare the Chapter's budget, make regular financial reports to the Board, and render an annual financial statement to Chapter membership. The Treasurer shall perform all other duties incident to the office.

Section 6. Immediate Past President

The Immediate Past President shall provide continued support and advisement and share knowledge accumulated during Chapter presidency.

Section 7. Compensation and Reimbursement

No elected officer or Committee Chair of the Chapter shall be entitled to any salary or other compensation. The Board of Directors may reimburse elected officers, Assembly Delegates or their alternates, or Committee Chairs 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 members appointed by the President, with approval of the Board, at least 60 days prior to the October annual meeting of the Chapter.

Section 2. Nominations

The Nominating Committee shall name a qualified nominee for each Chapter office and for each Assembly Delegate whose term is expiring. It shall ensure that each nominee has been contacted and agrees to serve if elected. The nominees shall then be approved by the Board of Directors. Additional nominations, if any, shall be accepted from the members at the annual meeting, provided the nominees have been contacted and agree to serve if elected.

Section 3. Notice to Membership

After approval by the Board of Directors and at least 30 days before the October annual meeting, the Secretary or the Chair of the Nominating Committee shall mail to all Chapter members the list of nominees prepared by the Nominating Committee.

Section 4. Elections

Officers, Directors and Assembly Delegate(s) shall be elected at the October annual meeting. Election shall be by majority vote of the members in good standing, present and voting, Balloting for contested elections shall be by secret ballot.

Article VIII - Committees

Section 1. Standing Committees

In addition to the Nominations Committee, there shall be standing committees on: Awards and Award Banquet, Membership, Professional Development, Accreditation,,Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Liaison, Public Service, Media Relations, New Young Professionals Committee (NYPC), Hospitality, Academic/Scholarship, Web Site, Sponsorship and Diversity. Other standing committees may be formed by the President and/or board of Directors.

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 regularly report committee activities to the Board of Directors. All committee activities shall be subject to Board approval.

Article IX - Membership Meetings

Section 1. Annual Meetings

There shall be an annual meeting of the Chapter in October of each year. This meeting shall be the regular October meeting of the Chapter and will be held at such times and places as may be designated by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Regular Meetings

There shall be a regular monthly Chapter meeting at least 10 times each 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 Director, or on written request by 25 percent of the Chapter members.

Section 4. Notice of Meeting

Notice of the annual meeting shall be mailed to each member at least 30 days in advance. Notice of a regular meeting or special meeting shall be mailed to each member at least 10 days in advance.

Section 5. Quorum

A majority of the members of the Chapter present shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Chapter.

Article X - Amendments

Following approval by the Board of Directors, these Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any meeting or by proxy, provided a quorum has been represented, and provided at least 30 days notice has been given to all members of any proposed amendment. Amendments adopted in accordance with this provision become effective immediately upon approval by the Society's Board of Directors.

These Bylaws were amended and adopted by the Oklahoma City Chapter membership at a regular meeting on Date TBD, and approved by the Public Relations Society of America Board of Directors Date TBD.