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California School Public Relations Association

Articles of Incorporation and BYLAWS

-REVISED January 2026-

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:

  1. To advance the cause of education through sound school/community relations
  2. To provide a medium for communication and exchange of ideas among members in order to promote professional growth
  3. 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

  • Individual - An employee of an educational agency or education-related non-profit association or a consultant that provides direct advising and professional public relations services to educational agencies and organizations not associated with a product or vendor service.
  • Institutional - Three Individual Members as defined above. (Additional Members can be added to the Institutional Package.)
  • Student/Academic - 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. Full-time students who have not yet entered their professional career may obtain this membership for no more than five years. Recently graduated students who are not yet employed in the profession may continue their membership for an additional year. There is no time limit for professors.
  • Golden Mentor - A free lifetime membership granted by the Executive Board to members who are retiring from full-time status in the education public relations field, who were members in good standing for at least five consecutive years.
  • Transitional - For one year after leaving a district/LEA, members will have access to a free “Transitional Membership,” allowing them to continue to view job postings, utilize the listserv, attend events at the member rate, and access Member Library materials.

Section 2 - Code of Ethics

The CalSPRA Code of Ethics is applicable to all CalSPRA members, board members, staff, sponsors, and participants of CalSPRA events. This code is in alignment with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and NSPRA Code of Ethics, reflecting CalSPRA’s commitment to ethical conduct. Given the significant public trust placed in CalSPRA members while serving the public good, we acknowledge our special obligation to act ethically and maintain high standards.

The CalSPRA Executive Board reserves the authority to deny or revoke membership or exclude individuals from association events or activities if they have been sanctioned by a governmental body, convicted in a court of law, or have engaged in actions that violate the PRSA or NSPRA Code of Ethics.

For further information and resources, please refer to the PRSA Code of Ethics and the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Code of Ethics.

Section 3 - Dues

The dues of the Association shall be established by the Executive Board.  Any changes in dues shall include an effective date.

Section 4 - 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. 

Officers of CalSPRA shall be President, a President-elect, a Vice President of Engagement, 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 listed in the Governance Manual, attend the annual CalSPRA conference, provide and/or attend succession training between officer positions, and participate in a minimum of two-thirds of regular Executive Board meetings and all Executive Board retreats.

Upon election to the CalSPRA Executive Board, the newest member will serve for a four-year term, including one year as Vice President of Engagement, one year as President-Elect, one year as President and one year as Immediate Past President.

  1. President – The President shall perform the following duties:
    • Preside at official meetings of CalSPRA and its Executive Board
    • Maintain active communication with the National School Public Relations Association and the NSPRA Regional Vice President
    • Work with Executive Director to coordinate activities between CalSPRA and other appropriate organizations throughout the State and Nation
    • Represent CalSPRA to agencies and organizations, when necessary
    • Lead review and update of strategic plan with Executive Board and Executive Director
    • Provide oversight and direction to the Executive Director
    • Appoint Extended Board Members with Executive Board approval
  2. 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 chairperson for the annual conference
  3. Treasurer – The Treasurer shall serve a five-year term and be appointed by a majority vote of the Executive Board. The term may be extended by an Executive Board vote. 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 for CalSPRA business
    • Prepare and present financial reports as outlined in the Governance Manual at monthly CalSPRA meetings
    • Propose and adopt an annual budget in conjunction with Executive Board and Executive Director aligning with the NSPRA Fiscal Year of September 1 through August 31
  4. Vice President of Engagement – The Vice President of Engagement 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 and Governance Manual
    • Support Executive Assistant and Executive Director with member emails, as needed
    • Provide welcome to all new members using a list provided by the Executive Assistant
    • Review Listserv on a regular basis to curate items for the Member Library
  5. Executive Director – The Executive Board may employ an Executive Director who shall perform the duties outlined in the contract and job description.

Section 5 - Officer Vacancies

  1. 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.
  2. In the event an elected member of the board is unable to continue their service in the Executive role, the Executive Board may choose any one of the options listed in the Governance Manual to handle the vacancy.

Section 6 - Elections

  1. Election of officers shall be concluded by May 1 of each year and the election results shall be reported to NSPRA national offices by the Immediate Past President by May 15. Newly elected officers shall officially take office on June 1 and shall serve in that position through May 31 of the following year.
  2. 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.  

Section 7 – Meetings

  1. Meetings of the CalSPRA Executive Board shall be set at the discretion of the Executive Board.

Section 8 – Bylaw Amendments

  1. These Bylaws may be amended by a majority of a CalSPRA membership vote. Two-thirds of voting members must agree to approve amendments.
  2. When deemed necessary by the Executive Board, bylaw amendments can be included with officer candidate ballots.
  3. Amendments to the Bylaws must be approved by the Executive Board of NSPRA prior to the member vote to become effective.

Section 9 – Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses

  1. 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.
  2. CalSPRA shall be responsible for expenses incurred by/on behalf of the Executive Director as outlined in the Executive Director employment contract.
  3. 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.
  4. 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. This includes but is not limited to attendance at the NSPRA annual President Summit. 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 distributions 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:

  1. 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
  2. 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

Amended on: March 20, 2023

Amended on: November 16, 2025

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