Members of the New Jersey School Public Relations Association provide professional development, training, resources, and collateral support in all facets of communication, with the purpose of enhancing student achievement in our communities.
The name of this organization shall be the NEW JERSEY SCHOOL PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION. It will also be known as NJSPRA.
NJSPRA is organized as a chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA).
A Chapter may be established by the NSPRA Executive Board on petition of ten (10) or more members in good standing in a given area. (To continue in good standing, the Chapter must continue to have at least 10 members who are also NSPRA members.) The exact territory of Chapter jurisdiction shall be determined by the NSPRA Executive Board.
The Chapter President, the Vice President of Programming (President-Elect), the Treasurer, and Vice President of Communications shall be members of the national Association. All NJSPRA members shall be encouraged to be members of the national Association.
Bylaws of each Chapter shall be approved by the Executive Board of the Association before adoption by the Chapter. Amendments to the Bylaws of the Chapter must be approved by the Executive Board of the national Association to become effective.
This Chapter is organized and shall be operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, and educational 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:
Establishing appropriate mediums and forums for the exchange of information and ideas among its members and educational communities;
Encouraging, assisting, and promoting the development of effective school public relations throughout New Jersey;
Developing collaborative relationships with school leadership groups, focusing on enhancing school communications at all levels;
Providing timely and appropriate professional development for NJSPRA members;
Recognizing the achievements of members with a focus on advancing the field of school public relations.
NJSPRA membership may be held by any individual who has, or had, school public relations responsibilities within the geographic boundaries of New Jersey. In addition, anyone who is a member of NSPRA may become a member of NJSPRA.
All members in good standing are eligible to vote, participate in general meetings, and may serve as officers and/or on the executive committee.
Members in good standing are those who have registered, are current with their Chapter membership dues, and who abide by all provisions of these bylaws.
The establishment of dues and all policies pertaining thereto shall be on the recommendation of the Executive Committee. The membership year shall be July 1 through June 30 and the fiscal year shall be September 1 through August 31.
A nominating committee shall be appointed by the President, composed of the President and two other members in good standing selected by the President. The committee shall be appointed no later than March 15 and shall solicit nominations from the membership no later than April 15.
The election shall take place between April 15 and June 15. The election may take place in-person during the annual meeting, or may take place electronically. Newly elected officers will take their positions effective July 1.
President
The president directs all meetings of the Chapter and of the Executive Committee. The president chairs the nominating committee. The president appoints the Advisory Board and chairs of all standing and special committees. The president appoints, or delegates the responsibility to appoint, members of all standing and special committees. The president sends quarterly reports to the NSPRA regional vice president. The president submits annually required financial reports, as prepared by the Treasurer, and
membership data to the NSPRA business manager by October 31. The president attends the NSPRA Leaders’ Meeting at the NSPRA National Seminar or appoints the President-Elect, Treasurer or another Chapter designee to attend.
Vice President of Programming/President-Elect
The vice president of programming coordinates all training programs, workshops, and other Chapter meetings. Responsibilities include coordinating, or delegating responsibility for, the arrangements for speakers and facilities and evaluation of programs. The vice president of programming also serves as the President Elect.
Treasurer
The treasurer keeps all records of funds; maintains all financial accounts; provides annual financial statements to the membership and quarterly reports to the Executive Committee; and disburses Chapter funds as approved by the Executive Committee. The treasurer prepares annually required financial reports for submission to NSPRA by the President.
Secretary
The secretary keeps and distributes minutes of all meetings of the Executive Committee and the business portion of general membership meetings. The secretary maintains all Chapter records.
Vice President of Communications
The vice president of Communications oversees dissemination of Chapter information including newsletters, website and social media.
Vice President of Membership
The vice president of membership coordinates all membership drives and maintains membership records.
Terms and Limitation of Service
Each term of an elected officer is two years. No elected officer shall serve in the same position for more than two terms, unless there is no one else qualified or willing to assume the position.
Policies and operating procedures of NJSPRA shall be determined by an Executive Committee.
This body shall have the following responsibilities:
Set all policies governing the operations of the Chapter and carry out directives as voted by the Chapter membership.
Make changes in Bylaws as specified in Article VIII.
Set dues as specified in Article IV.
Fill all vacancies in elective offices, where appointees shall serve for the duration of the respective terms of the vacant positions.
Meet on notice from the President or upon notice from one-third (1/3) of the membership of the Executive Committee.
Approve creation of all committees.
Carry out any other responsibilities specified elsewhere in the Bylaws.
A simple majority of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business, except in cases where a larger vote is required under these Bylaws.
The Executive Committee shall consist of the following individuals:
Elected officers of NJSPRA as described in Article V.
The Chapter Advisory Board, which shall consist of no fewer than five NJSPRA members, who are appointed by the Chapter president to serve a one-year term. Chapter Advisory Board members may be reappointed to the Board.
There shall be an annual NJSPRA meeting held each school year. 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 Regional Vice President.
The secretary shall notify all members of the meeting, in writing, at least two weeks prior to any meeting.
Other NJSPRA meetings shall be set at the discretion of the president and/or Executive Committee.
Proposed amendments to these Bylaws shall be submitted to the Executive Board of the National School Public Relations Association for approval. Upon NSPRA approval, Bylaws will be submitted for a vote of the membership in attendance at the annual NJSPRA meeting, or to vote electronically. Two-thirds of voting members must agree to approve amendments.
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern in all business meetings of this Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws and policies of this Association.
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 activity not permitted to be carried on (a) 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 (b) by a corporation, contributors to which are deductible under Section 1 70(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.
Upon dissolution of the Corporation, the Executive Board shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the Corporation, dispose of all the assets of the Corporation exclusively for the purposes 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.
These bylaws were
Bylaws Originally Adopted March 15, 1991
Revised March 6, 1995; September 13, 2001; May 3, 2002; June 18, 2014; July 14, 2016; March 17, 2021; August 5, 2022
Approved by the NSPRA Executive Committee 9-9-22;
Approved by the NJSPRA Membership 10-7-22.