California School Public Relations Association
Articles of Incorporation and BYLAWS
-REVISED January 2022-
Article I – Name
The name of this chapter shall be the California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA).
Article II – Mission
The chapter is organized and shall be operated exclusively for charitable, scientific and education 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:
To advance the cause of education through sound school/community relations
To provide a medium for communication and exchange of ideas among members in order to promote professional growth
To establish a clear philosophy, develop effective techniques and promote sound practices for school public relations programs in California.
BYLAWS
Section 1 - Membership
All members will abide by the current code-of-conduct guidelines and pay annual fees as approved by the Executive Board to remain in good standing. Members who are not in good standing with CalSPRA may have certain membership privileges suspended or revoked as determined by the Executive Board.
Membership Categories
Professional Member - An employee of an educational agency or education-related non-profit association or a consultant that provides direct advising and professional services to educational agencies and organizations not associated with a product or vendor service.
Professional Member Bundle - Three Professional Members as defined above. (Additional Professional Members can be added.)
Student/Academic Member - Granted by the executive board to full-time student or a professor in a communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, education or related program in an accredited college or university. Recently graduated students who are not yet employed in the profession may continue their membership for three years.
Section 2 - Dues
The dues of the Association shall be established by the Executive Board. Any changes in dues shall include an effective date.
Section 3 - CalSPRA’s Executive Structure
The Executive Structure of the Association shall consist of the elected CalSPRA officers working in conjunction with the Executive Director. The CalSPRA officers shall act as the Executive Board of CalSPRA with the authority vested in it by the general membership.
The Executive Board shall hire and evaluate the Executive Director, authorize appointment of all committees, and shall formulate policies for the programs and services of the Association. A majority of the members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business. The Executive Board may remove any officer from office if, in the Board’s judgment, the officer’s actions have caused serious damage to the Association or to its reputation or cannot meet or has not met the responsibilities of the office. Such removal shall require a majority vote of the Executive Board.
Officers of CalSPRA shall be President, a President-elect (who shall become President after one year’s service as President-elect), a Secretary, a Treasurer and an Immediate Past President. Each officer and the Executive Director will be required to abide by the board member code-of-conduct, attend the annual CalSPRA conference, provide and/or attend succession training between officer positions, serve as a liaison on special committees, and participate in a minimum of two-thirds of regular Executive Board meetings and all Executive Board retreats.
President – The president shall perform the following duties:
President-Elect – The President-elect shall perform the following duties:
Perform all the duties of the President in the event of the inability of the President to act
Serve as program chairperson for the annual conference
Treasurer – The Treasurer shall perform the following duties:
Keep all records of funds and financial transactions of CalSPRA
Prepare and provide NSPRA with CalSPRA Annual Cash Flow Report
Provide financial statements to the Executive Board as needed
Disburse CalSPRA funds for normal, necessary and expected expenses as approved by the President and, with Executive board approval, disburse funds for any other expenses incurred by the Association
Prepare and present financial reports (including, but not limited to, net worth, itemized category, and income statements) at monthly CalSPRA meetings
Process, document, and report on all CalSPRA income
Assist in developing the annual budget aligning with the NSPRA Fiscal Year of September 1 through August 31
Secretary – The Secretary shall perform the following duties:
Keep minutes of all CalSPRA Board meetings; prepare minutes for approval by Executive Board
Ensure compliance with CalSPRA by-laws
Distribution of communication to membership
Monitor and respond to CalSPRA email and voicemail in association with Executive Director
Moderate CalSPRA listserv
Section 4 - Committees
Nominating Committee – a standing committee led by the Immediate Past President and including two other members representative of the CalSPRA membership, the nominating committee shall perform the following duties:
6. Oversee the return of the ballots and announce the elected officers.
Special committees may be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board, which shall designate the powers of the committee and term of appointment.
Section 6 - Elections
Candidates receiving the highest number of votes (simple majority) shall be deemed elected to their respective offices. In the event of a tie, a runoff election shall be held.
In the event of an unexpected vacancy or if a vacancy occurs during the unexpired term of any Executive Board member, the President shall appoint a member to fill the unexpired term with Executive Board approval.
Section 7 – Meetings
Annual Meeting: There shall be an annual meeting of CalSPRA held each school year. In conjunction with the Executive Director, the President shall prepare a report on the status of the Association. Copies shall be available at this meeting. It also shall be sent to each member and the National School Public Relations Association Vice President.
The Secretary shall notify all members of the annual meeting within 72 hours.
Other meetings of the CalSPRA Executive Board shall be set at the discretion of the Executive Board.
Section 8 – Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended by a majority of the membership present at any CalSPRA meeting, provided a quorum of the Executive Board is present and the meeting has been announced to the membership in writing at least ten (10) days in advance of the meeting.
The CalSPRA Executive Board may also choose to ask its membership to vote electronically. Two-thirds of voting members must agree to approve amendments.
When deemed necessary by the Executive Board, bylaw amendments can be included with officer candidate ballots.
Section 9 – Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses
CalSPRA shall be responsible for expenses incurred by/on behalf of the current President to maintain membership in the National School Public Relations Association during the President’s year in office (if not paid by the President’s employer), as well as all normal and reasonable expenses incurred to attend the NSPRA national conference, including registration, travel, food and lodging.
CalSPRA shall be responsible for expenses incurred by/on behalf of the Executive Director to maintain membership in the National School Public Relations Association, as well as all normal and reasonable expenses incurred to attend the NSPRA national conference and CalSPRA conference, including registration, travel, food and lodging.
It shall be considered a conflict of interest to reimburse members of CalSPRA (or their districts/county offices/business) for the use of the member’s/member’s staff’s time, talent or services to the organization. All reimbursement to members shall be limited to actual expenses incurred in providing such service to the organization, and requires approval of the Board of such expenditure prior to incurring the expense.
Expenses incurred by members of the board while performing the normal duties of their office shall be the responsibility of the board member or their employer. Any reimbursement to Board members to cover any other expenses incurred on behalf of the organization shall require prior approval of the board.
Section 10– Prohibited Activities
No part of the earnings of the chapter shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable 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 distributes in furtherance of the purposes set forth in these Bylaws. 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 the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting 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 candidate for public office.
Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on:
By a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law, or
By a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 (c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law.
Under dissolution of the corporation, the Executive Board shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all the assets of the corporation exclusively for the purpose 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.
Section 11 – Affiliation
CalSPRA is a chapter of the National School Public Relations Association.
Amended on: December 12, 2021
Approved on: January 27, 2022