Bylaws of the Pikes Peak Chapter
Public Relations Society of America, Inc.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Updated February 8, 2023 - Approved by PRSA National
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this nonprofit professional organization shall be the Pikes Peak Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES
In accordance with the objectives of PRSA, the objectives of this Chapter shall be to unify, strengthen and advance the profession of public relations in the Pikes Peak region. This will be accomplished by:
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 national Society. Any person admitted to membership in the Society is eligible for membership in the Chapter.
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 shall 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 less 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 at reduced cost.
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 rolls for non-payment of dues, shall cease to be a member of the Chapter and shall be dropped from the Chapter rolls.
Section 5. Rights and Privileges of Membership. Subject to the bylaws of the Society, the right to serve as a professional advisor to a Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter shall be limited to members who have five years public relations experience and/or are accredited. The Chapter accreditation chair must also be an accredited member. The right to serve as an Assembly delegate or alternate delegate will be governed by the Society’s bylaws.
Section 6. Non-discrimination. The Chapter shall, in all deliberations and procedures, subscribe to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, creed, religion, disability, sex, age, color, national origin or sexual preference.
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. Members shall be billed for annual local chapter dues by PRSA at the same time as national dues each year.
Section 2. Non-payment of Dues. Any member whose chapter dues are unpaid for 90 days after the initial date of billing shall be considered not in good standing and shall not be entitled to vote, hold office or enjoy other privileges of Chapter membership.
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, vice president, secretary, treasurer, immediate past president and three directors-at-large. All shall be voting members of the board. The appointed committee chairs are encouraged to attend meetings of the board, but are not voting members. The responsibilities of chapter officers are covered in ARTICLE VI – Officers.
Section 2. Leadership Assembly Delegate. The Leadership Assembly delegate(s) shall serve as the Chapter’s representative at meetings of the PRSA Leadership Assembly and shall be appointed by the chapter president to a one-year term and may serve up to three total years consecutively. The assembly delegate(s) must meet the requirements set forth in the Society’s bylaws. The Leadership Assembly delegate(s) shall also serve as the chapter liaison with PRSA’s Western District.
Section 3. Directors-at-Large. Three directors-at-large shall be elected each year for a one-year term beginning January 1. At the discretion of the president, directors-at-large may also chair major committees.
Section 4. Vacancies. In the event of death, resignation, removal or expulsion of any officer, or director except the president, 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. In the event of death, resignation, removal or expulsion of the president, the president-elect shall become the president for the remainder of the current term and for the following year.
Section 5. Removal. Any board member who misses more than three consecutive 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. Board members may also be removed for cause by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the board members in office, provided advanced notice of intention to remove such member is set forth in the meeting agenda. The member subject to removal vote shall be entitled to appear before, and be heard, at such meeting.
Section 6. Board Meetings. There shall be at least six meetings of the board of directors each year 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 board member at least 14 days in advance. Any chapter member in good standing may attend board meetings.
Section 7. Quorum. A majority of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum for all meetings of the board. When special conditions exist the president may allow any person participating in a meeting of the membership, board, or committee of the chapter to participate by means of conference telephone or by any means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting are able to hear one another and otherwise fully participate in the meeting. Such participation constitutes presence in person at the meeting.
Section 8. Proxy. Board members who are unable to attend a scheduled board meeting may assign a proxy to another elected board member who will be empowered to vote on the absent member’s behalf. Each assigned proxy will be used to determine whether a quorum is present for each board meeting. The proxy must be assigned in writing (an email is sufficient) at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. The assignment must be provided to the president with a copy to each board member. The absent board member must assign a directed proxy with specific instructions to vote on an issue that is on the agenda.
Section 9. Succession. When possible, the chapter will use the following succession plan to ensure continuity and that chapter members are both experienced and qualified to fulfill the leadership positions in the chapter. The sitting vice-president will typically be the board of director’s nominee for president-elect for the following year. The vice-president nominee will usually have served at least one year on the board prior to nomination for that office. Ideally, the progression would be: Board member, Vice-President, President-Elect, President, Immediate Past-President.
ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS
Section 1. Chapter Officers. The officers of the Chapter shall be the past-president, president, president-elect, vice president, secretary and treasurer. The officers shall be elected annually by the Chapter membership for a term of one year or until their successors are elected and installed.
Section 2. President. The president shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and of the board of directors. He/she shall appoint all committee chairs and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. He/she shall be authorized, along with the treasurer, to sign checks on behalf of the Chapter.
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 shall also assist the president with the coordination of strategic planning for the Chapter, serve as the chapter advocacy chair and perform such other duties as shall be prescribed by the board of directors. The president-elect automatically becomes Chapter president the following term. Candidates for chapter president-elect must have served as a member of the chapter board of directors for at least one year prior to the president-elect position.
Section 4. Vice President. The vice president shall be responsible for programs for all regular Chapter meetings. This includes soliciting speakers for regular meetings, promoting speakers and the meetings, and making all arrangements for speakers, such as speaker gifts, transportation, lodging, audiovisual equipment, etc. He/she is also responsible for the Chapter’s annual professional development workshop. The vice president chairs the program committee. The vice-president is typically in line to become the president-elect, but must be elected to that position.
Section 5. Secretary. The secretary shall keep records of all meetings of the Chapter and the board of directors and send copies of such minutes to each board member within seven (7) days. If directed, copies of board minutes will also be sent to society headquarters and the Western District chair. Once approved by the board, the minutes will be posted to the Chapter files on the PRSA website.
Section 6. Treasurer. The treasurer shall receive and deposit all chapter funds in the name of the Chapter in a bank selected and approved by the board of directors. He/she shall issue receipts and make authorized disbursements by check or debit card after proper approval by the president or board of directors. He/she shall prepare the Chapter’s budget, make financial reports to the board of directors at all scheduled board meetings and render an annual financial statement to the Chapter membership during the month of December. The treasurer shall also provide all financial records for an end-of-year audit by a committee consisting of the president, president-elect and one director-at-large.
Section 7. Immediate Past President. The immediate past president provides advice and support to the chapter president, and performs other duties as required. He/she also serves as the chapter ethics chair.
Section 8. 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 and committee chairs for administrative expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties. The chapter may provide a stipend to offset personal expenses for the attendance of a board member (usually the Vice-President) to the PRSA Leadership Rally and the Assembly Delegate (designated by the President) to the Leadership Assembly. The amount must be approved annually in advance of travel by the board of directors.
ARTICLE VII – TERMS OF OFFICE
The officers, directors-at-large and the Leadership Assembly delegate shall be elected by the Chapter membership for a term of one year beginning January 1. No elected member, having held an office for two successive terms, shall be eligible to succeed himself/herself in the same office. Board members may not serve on the board for more than six consecutive years in an elected position. A one-year hiatus is required before such a person may serve on the board again. Under special circumstances, the board may waive these requirements with a 2/3 vote.
ARTICLE VIII – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS.
Section 1. Nominating Committee. A four-person nominating committee shall issue a call for nominations from the membership in September and present a recommended slate of officers (president-elect, vice president, secretary and treasurer), three directors-at-large to the board during its October meeting. The nominating committee shall consist of the president, president-elect and two non-board members appointed by the president with input from the board of directors. Nominating committee members must have been Pikes Peak Chapter members for at least one year. The committee is chaired by the president-elect who must contact each person on the proposed slate to ensure that they are willing to serve in that capacity if elected. Following approval by the board at its October meeting, the election process may proceed.
Section 2. Elections.
Ballots presenting the board-approved slate of officers and directors shall be emailed to all chapter members in good standing by October 31 with a response requested by November 15. Write-in votes will be accepted on the ballot. Ballots received after November 15 shall not be counted in the election but may be used to determine the percent of the chapter members voting. At least 40 percent of the Chapter members must participate in the election for it to be valid, and a majority of the votes must be received for a candidate to win. Election results shall be announced by November 30.
ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES.
Section 1. Standing Committees. In addition to the nominating committee, there shall be standing committees for programs, membership, accreditation, awards, chapter communications, ethics, advocacy, community outreach and diversity, equity inclusion and belonging.
Committee duties are as follows:
Programs – Develops topics, obtains speakers for and makes meeting arrangements for the monthly lunch meetings and the annual professional development workshop. The Chapter vice president/program chair manages this committee.
Membership – Maintains the Chapter membership rolls, recruits new members, communicates with new members about chapter activities, pairs new and existing members for mentorship opportunities and plans membership appreciation events. The membership chair manages this committee. The membership chair should be one of the elected board members.
Accreditation – Oversees APR (Accredited in Public Relations) candidate recruitment, training, testing and publicity. The accreditation chair is appointed annually by the chapter president and manages this committee. The accreditation chair must hold APR accreditation.
Awards – Develops and administers a Chapter awards program and promotes calls for entries in Southern Colorado. The awards chair manages this committee. A document outlining the chapter awards program will be presented to the board annually for approval.
Chapter Communications – Responsible for both internal and external chapter communications. Provides information of interest to Chapter members using all media. Serves as website content editor, maintains the email distribution list of members, and non-member practitioners, coordinates the use of social media, develops content for the Chapter website and keeps the website current. Publicizes chapter meetings and professional development workshops to media and other groups, and distributes chapter news to the media. The chapter communications chair manages this committee.
Ethics – Provides advice and counsel to Chapter members regarding the PRSA Code of Ethics and the ethical practice of public relations. The immediate past-president serves as ethics chair and manages this committee.
Advocacy – Represents the Chapter with PRSA’s national Advocacy Advisory Board in fulfilling advocacy goals and building recognition of PRSA as the profession’s leading voice on important industry, societal and global issues in the Pikes Peak region.
The president-elect serves as advocacy chair and manages this committee.
Community Outreach – Manages the Chapter’s pro bono public relations support to non-profit community coordinates with the administrator of the Colorado Springs Crisis Communications Network, and coordinates chapter support for area university PR courses/students and PRSSA Chapters. The community outreach chair manages this committee.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Manages the chapter’s support for local and national diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Supports the PRSA National Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee by implementing and integrating DEI activities into local programming. The diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging chair manages this committee.
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 submit a written planning document that outlines its processes, procedures and projected timelines on its activities to the board of directors no later than March 1st of each year. All committee activities shall be subject to approval by the board of directors.
ARTICLE X – CHAPTER MEETINGS.
Section 1. Regular Meetings. There shall be regular monthly meetings at least nine times a year at such times and places as may be designated by the board of directors.
Section 2. 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 3. Notice of Meetings. Notice of regular meeting or special meetings shall be sent to each member at least seven (7) days in advance.
Section 4. Holiday Event. When possible, the chapter will have a holiday event (in lieu of a monthly meeting) in December of each year.
Section 5. Annual Workshop. When possible, the chapter will hold a day-long professional development workshop. This workshop will be held in lieu of a monthly meeting.
Section 6. Annual Retreat. Upon approval of the newly elected officers and directors, the president-elect shall schedule a retreat for the newly elected officers and board members to finalize the strategic plan for the upcoming year. Based on this strategic plan, officers, board members and committee chairs will develop or update their processes, procedures and projected timelines.
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS.
Two board members shall review chapter bylaws at least once every three years. These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Chapter board of directors. Amendments adopted in accordance with this provision become effective only after approval by the Society’s national board of directors.
ARTICLE XII – CHAPTER DISSOLUTION
If the Chapter is disbanded, all remaining funds in the treasury shall be transferred to the national Society and distributed as directed by the Society’s board of directors.
Public Relations Society of America, Inc.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Updated February 8, 2023 - Approved by PRSA National
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this nonprofit professional organization shall be the Pikes Peak Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES
In accordance with the objectives of PRSA, the objectives of this Chapter shall be to unify, strengthen and advance the profession of public relations in the Pikes Peak region. This will be accomplished by:
- Improving the professional development of members
- Maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct
- Improving opportunities for networking among practitioners
- Promoting a better understanding of the role of PR in the community
- Recognizing the professional accomplishments of practitioners
- Maintaining and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in all chapter activities
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 national Society. Any person admitted to membership in the Society is eligible for membership in the Chapter.
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 shall 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 less 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 at reduced cost.
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 rolls for non-payment of dues, shall cease to be a member of the Chapter and shall be dropped from the Chapter rolls.
Section 5. Rights and Privileges of Membership. Subject to the bylaws of the Society, the right to serve as a professional advisor to a Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter shall be limited to members who have five years public relations experience and/or are accredited. The Chapter accreditation chair must also be an accredited member. The right to serve as an Assembly delegate or alternate delegate will be governed by the Society’s bylaws.
Section 6. Non-discrimination. The Chapter shall, in all deliberations and procedures, subscribe to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, creed, religion, disability, sex, age, color, national origin or sexual preference.
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. Members shall be billed for annual local chapter dues by PRSA at the same time as national dues each year.
Section 2. Non-payment of Dues. Any member whose chapter dues are unpaid for 90 days after the initial date of billing shall be considered not in good standing and shall not be entitled to vote, hold office or enjoy other privileges of Chapter membership.
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, vice president, secretary, treasurer, immediate past president and three directors-at-large. All shall be voting members of the board. The appointed committee chairs are encouraged to attend meetings of the board, but are not voting members. The responsibilities of chapter officers are covered in ARTICLE VI – Officers.
Section 2. Leadership Assembly Delegate. The Leadership Assembly delegate(s) shall serve as the Chapter’s representative at meetings of the PRSA Leadership Assembly and shall be appointed by the chapter president to a one-year term and may serve up to three total years consecutively. The assembly delegate(s) must meet the requirements set forth in the Society’s bylaws. The Leadership Assembly delegate(s) shall also serve as the chapter liaison with PRSA’s Western District.
Section 3. Directors-at-Large. Three directors-at-large shall be elected each year for a one-year term beginning January 1. At the discretion of the president, directors-at-large may also chair major committees.
Section 4. Vacancies. In the event of death, resignation, removal or expulsion of any officer, or director except the president, 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. In the event of death, resignation, removal or expulsion of the president, the president-elect shall become the president for the remainder of the current term and for the following year.
Section 5. Removal. Any board member who misses more than three consecutive 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. Board members may also be removed for cause by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the board members in office, provided advanced notice of intention to remove such member is set forth in the meeting agenda. The member subject to removal vote shall be entitled to appear before, and be heard, at such meeting.
Section 6. Board Meetings. There shall be at least six meetings of the board of directors each year 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 board member at least 14 days in advance. Any chapter member in good standing may attend board meetings.
Section 7. Quorum. A majority of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum for all meetings of the board. When special conditions exist the president may allow any person participating in a meeting of the membership, board, or committee of the chapter to participate by means of conference telephone or by any means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting are able to hear one another and otherwise fully participate in the meeting. Such participation constitutes presence in person at the meeting.
Section 8. Proxy. Board members who are unable to attend a scheduled board meeting may assign a proxy to another elected board member who will be empowered to vote on the absent member’s behalf. Each assigned proxy will be used to determine whether a quorum is present for each board meeting. The proxy must be assigned in writing (an email is sufficient) at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. The assignment must be provided to the president with a copy to each board member. The absent board member must assign a directed proxy with specific instructions to vote on an issue that is on the agenda.
Section 9. Succession. When possible, the chapter will use the following succession plan to ensure continuity and that chapter members are both experienced and qualified to fulfill the leadership positions in the chapter. The sitting vice-president will typically be the board of director’s nominee for president-elect for the following year. The vice-president nominee will usually have served at least one year on the board prior to nomination for that office. Ideally, the progression would be: Board member, Vice-President, President-Elect, President, Immediate Past-President.
ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS
Section 1. Chapter Officers. The officers of the Chapter shall be the past-president, president, president-elect, vice president, secretary and treasurer. The officers shall be elected annually by the Chapter membership for a term of one year or until their successors are elected and installed.
Section 2. President. The president shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and of the board of directors. He/she shall appoint all committee chairs and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. He/she shall be authorized, along with the treasurer, to sign checks on behalf of the Chapter.
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 shall also assist the president with the coordination of strategic planning for the Chapter, serve as the chapter advocacy chair and perform such other duties as shall be prescribed by the board of directors. The president-elect automatically becomes Chapter president the following term. Candidates for chapter president-elect must have served as a member of the chapter board of directors for at least one year prior to the president-elect position.
Section 4. Vice President. The vice president shall be responsible for programs for all regular Chapter meetings. This includes soliciting speakers for regular meetings, promoting speakers and the meetings, and making all arrangements for speakers, such as speaker gifts, transportation, lodging, audiovisual equipment, etc. He/she is also responsible for the Chapter’s annual professional development workshop. The vice president chairs the program committee. The vice-president is typically in line to become the president-elect, but must be elected to that position.
Section 5. Secretary. The secretary shall keep records of all meetings of the Chapter and the board of directors and send copies of such minutes to each board member within seven (7) days. If directed, copies of board minutes will also be sent to society headquarters and the Western District chair. Once approved by the board, the minutes will be posted to the Chapter files on the PRSA website.
Section 6. Treasurer. The treasurer shall receive and deposit all chapter funds in the name of the Chapter in a bank selected and approved by the board of directors. He/she shall issue receipts and make authorized disbursements by check or debit card after proper approval by the president or board of directors. He/she shall prepare the Chapter’s budget, make financial reports to the board of directors at all scheduled board meetings and render an annual financial statement to the Chapter membership during the month of December. The treasurer shall also provide all financial records for an end-of-year audit by a committee consisting of the president, president-elect and one director-at-large.
Section 7. Immediate Past President. The immediate past president provides advice and support to the chapter president, and performs other duties as required. He/she also serves as the chapter ethics chair.
Section 8. 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 and committee chairs for administrative expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties. The chapter may provide a stipend to offset personal expenses for the attendance of a board member (usually the Vice-President) to the PRSA Leadership Rally and the Assembly Delegate (designated by the President) to the Leadership Assembly. The amount must be approved annually in advance of travel by the board of directors.
ARTICLE VII – TERMS OF OFFICE
The officers, directors-at-large and the Leadership Assembly delegate shall be elected by the Chapter membership for a term of one year beginning January 1. No elected member, having held an office for two successive terms, shall be eligible to succeed himself/herself in the same office. Board members may not serve on the board for more than six consecutive years in an elected position. A one-year hiatus is required before such a person may serve on the board again. Under special circumstances, the board may waive these requirements with a 2/3 vote.
ARTICLE VIII – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS.
Section 1. Nominating Committee. A four-person nominating committee shall issue a call for nominations from the membership in September and present a recommended slate of officers (president-elect, vice president, secretary and treasurer), three directors-at-large to the board during its October meeting. The nominating committee shall consist of the president, president-elect and two non-board members appointed by the president with input from the board of directors. Nominating committee members must have been Pikes Peak Chapter members for at least one year. The committee is chaired by the president-elect who must contact each person on the proposed slate to ensure that they are willing to serve in that capacity if elected. Following approval by the board at its October meeting, the election process may proceed.
Section 2. Elections.
Ballots presenting the board-approved slate of officers and directors shall be emailed to all chapter members in good standing by October 31 with a response requested by November 15. Write-in votes will be accepted on the ballot. Ballots received after November 15 shall not be counted in the election but may be used to determine the percent of the chapter members voting. At least 40 percent of the Chapter members must participate in the election for it to be valid, and a majority of the votes must be received for a candidate to win. Election results shall be announced by November 30.
ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES.
Section 1. Standing Committees. In addition to the nominating committee, there shall be standing committees for programs, membership, accreditation, awards, chapter communications, ethics, advocacy, community outreach and diversity, equity inclusion and belonging.
Committee duties are as follows:
Programs – Develops topics, obtains speakers for and makes meeting arrangements for the monthly lunch meetings and the annual professional development workshop. The Chapter vice president/program chair manages this committee.
Membership – Maintains the Chapter membership rolls, recruits new members, communicates with new members about chapter activities, pairs new and existing members for mentorship opportunities and plans membership appreciation events. The membership chair manages this committee. The membership chair should be one of the elected board members.
Accreditation – Oversees APR (Accredited in Public Relations) candidate recruitment, training, testing and publicity. The accreditation chair is appointed annually by the chapter president and manages this committee. The accreditation chair must hold APR accreditation.
Awards – Develops and administers a Chapter awards program and promotes calls for entries in Southern Colorado. The awards chair manages this committee. A document outlining the chapter awards program will be presented to the board annually for approval.
Chapter Communications – Responsible for both internal and external chapter communications. Provides information of interest to Chapter members using all media. Serves as website content editor, maintains the email distribution list of members, and non-member practitioners, coordinates the use of social media, develops content for the Chapter website and keeps the website current. Publicizes chapter meetings and professional development workshops to media and other groups, and distributes chapter news to the media. The chapter communications chair manages this committee.
Ethics – Provides advice and counsel to Chapter members regarding the PRSA Code of Ethics and the ethical practice of public relations. The immediate past-president serves as ethics chair and manages this committee.
Advocacy – Represents the Chapter with PRSA’s national Advocacy Advisory Board in fulfilling advocacy goals and building recognition of PRSA as the profession’s leading voice on important industry, societal and global issues in the Pikes Peak region.
The president-elect serves as advocacy chair and manages this committee.
Community Outreach – Manages the Chapter’s pro bono public relations support to non-profit community coordinates with the administrator of the Colorado Springs Crisis Communications Network, and coordinates chapter support for area university PR courses/students and PRSSA Chapters. The community outreach chair manages this committee.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Manages the chapter’s support for local and national diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Supports the PRSA National Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee by implementing and integrating DEI activities into local programming. The diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging chair manages this committee.
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 submit a written planning document that outlines its processes, procedures and projected timelines on its activities to the board of directors no later than March 1st of each year. All committee activities shall be subject to approval by the board of directors.
ARTICLE X – CHAPTER MEETINGS.
Section 1. Regular Meetings. There shall be regular monthly meetings at least nine times a year at such times and places as may be designated by the board of directors.
Section 2. 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 3. Notice of Meetings. Notice of regular meeting or special meetings shall be sent to each member at least seven (7) days in advance.
Section 4. Holiday Event. When possible, the chapter will have a holiday event (in lieu of a monthly meeting) in December of each year.
Section 5. Annual Workshop. When possible, the chapter will hold a day-long professional development workshop. This workshop will be held in lieu of a monthly meeting.
Section 6. Annual Retreat. Upon approval of the newly elected officers and directors, the president-elect shall schedule a retreat for the newly elected officers and board members to finalize the strategic plan for the upcoming year. Based on this strategic plan, officers, board members and committee chairs will develop or update their processes, procedures and projected timelines.
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS.
Two board members shall review chapter bylaws at least once every three years. These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Chapter board of directors. Amendments adopted in accordance with this provision become effective only after approval by the Society’s national board of directors.
ARTICLE XII – CHAPTER DISSOLUTION
If the Chapter is disbanded, all remaining funds in the treasury shall be transferred to the national Society and distributed as directed by the Society’s board of directors.
