(Approved by CWC membership on June 17, 2008; approved by the state board on August 4, 2008.)
Article I - Name and Headquarters (Section 1.1)
The name of this Chapter is the Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association, Inc., with headquarters at the office of the President unless otherwise designated by the Board of Directors.
Article II - Nature and Object (Section 2.1)
The object and purpose of the Central West Coast Chapter is to maintain the standards and objectives of the Florida Public Relations Association, Inc. Additionally the aim is:
- To foster the area's recognition of FPRA members as management professionals and promote the ethics and goals of the Florida Public Relations Association.
- To provide programs and activities for professional development as well as activities that encourage continued learning plus camaraderie among its members.
- To cultivate a better understanding of the leadership skills, and economic and social value of public relations to the consuming public.
- To strive in all ways to meet the requirements of membership in the Florida Public Relations Association, Inc., and advance the Association's welfare.
Section 2.2
In the event of the dissolution of the Central West Coast Chapter, all assets shall be distributed to the Florida Public Relations Association, Inc.
Article III - Membership (Section 3.1)
Membership in the Central West Coast Chapter shall be simultaneous with membership in good standing in the Florida Public Relations Association, Inc.
Section 3.2
Dues shall be as provided in Article V of the Bylaws of the Florida Public Relations Association, Inc.
Section 3.3
Membership in the Central West Coast Chapter entitles all to attendance at other chapters' meetings when guest privileges are reciprocal.
Article IV - Officers and Directors (Section 4.1)
Elected officers shall include President, President-elect, Vice President of Finance, Vice President of Membership, Vice President of Accreditation, Vice President of Professional Development, Vice President of Media Relations, Vice President of Communications, Vice President of Website Communications, Director of Emerging Communications, Director of Administration, Director of Special Events, Director of Sponsorships/Fundraising, Director of Image Awards, and Director of Community Service. The Immediate Past President shall automatically be one of the board members. An Assistant Director of Finance position is available, when needed.
Section 4.2
These officers are nominated by a committee of no fewer than three, who are appointed by the president with the approval of the chapter board of directors, no later than three months preceding the Annual Meeting of the Florida Public Relations Association, Inc. The most recent past chapter president who is still a member of the chapter will serve as chair of the nominating committee.
The slate of officers will be published in the Central West Coast Chapter newsletter prior to the election of officers.
Section 4.3
The election of officers will be held no later than the meeting immediately preceding the Annual Meeting of the Florida Public Relations Association, Inc. Election shall be by vote of the members in attendance at such meeting.
Section 4.4
Elected officers shall assume their responsibilities on September 1 and shall serve for a period of one year.
Section 4.5
The President will have the right to fill any vacancies on the Board of Directors by appointment for the duration of the un-expired term.
Article V - Duties of the Officers (Section 5.1)
The President will preside at all meetings of the membership and of the Board of Directors; enforce observance of and adherence to the Constitution and Bylaws; offer for consideration all motions regularly made; appoint all committees; fill all vacancies which occur on the Board of Directors; and perform such other duties as the office shall require. The President does not introduce motions; nor vote on any question except in the event of a tie vote. The President serves as a member of the State Board of Directors of the Florida Public Relations Association, and is an ex-officio member of all committees.
Section 5.2
The President-elect will, in the absence of the President, assume the duties of that office. In addition, the President-elect serves as a member of the State Board of Directors of the Florida Public Relations Association, Inc. and is the incoming President of the chapter.
Section 5.3
The Vice President of Membership supervises the duties and activities of the Membership Committee. He or she insures that all membership applications are properly prepared and channeled to the Board of Directors and to the State Association for acceptance or rejection. This VP also maintains a list of and encourages membership to all prospective members, including PR professionals identified in the media.
Section 5.4
The Director of Administration prepares and distributes the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors. He or she is responsible for arrangements for all meetings of the chapter including, location, menu and special equipment requirements. The Director of Administration maintains an accurate roll of the chapter membership and assists the President-elect/Finance in registering and welcoming regular meeting and special event attendees.
Section 5.5
The Vice President of Finance is responsible for the receipt of all funds due to the chapter; the disbursement of chapter monies; maintaining an account with a recognized financial institution; preparing an annual budget; making a financial report at each board meeting or at special meetings when called upon to do so; and submitting a complete financial report at the end of the Chapter's fiscal year. A member cannot be responsible for finances more than two consecutive years.
The chapter president should review original bank statements monthly. Two signatures are required on checks over $250.
The chapter fiscal year begins September 1 and runs through August 31, to coincide with the chapter leadership year.
Section 5.6
The Board of Directors serves as a policy-making Board. It may authorize expenditures not to exceed the current amount in the treasury. The Board meets prior to regularly scheduled meetings, or at the request of the President.
Section 5.7
The President may remove any member from the Board of Directors who has two unexcused absences or three consecutive absences from monthly meetings.
Board of Director meetings can be held without a quorum (one more than half of all eligible members). Any official board business that requires a vote does require a quorum.
Section 5.8
When officers cannot attend a Board meeting, they will notify the President and send any items for the meeting at least 24 hours prior. Board members may also send an alternate in his or her place. This alternate has no voting privileges, but must be a member in good standing.
Article VI - Committees (Section 6.1)
The following committees are responsible for the activities of the Central West Coast Chapter, as directed by the President and/or Board of Directors:
- PAST PRESIDENTS' COUNCIL - The Past Presidents' Council of the Central West Coast Chapter is composed of all past presidents of the Chapter. Past presidents of other FPRA chapters, who are now members of the Central West Coast Chapter, are also eligible. Past Chapter presidents must be FPRA members either active or retired. The purpose of the CWC Chapter PPC is to act as an advisory group to the current CWC Chapter Board.
Any suggestions made by the PPC must be approved by the CWC Chapter Board of Directors prior to implementation. The PPC may take on a project if it is approved by the CWC Chapter Board. The PPC is chaired by a past president. The CWC Chapter Immediate Past President shall serve as the liaison between the PPC and the CWC Board. - MEMBERSHIP - This committee, under the supervision of the Vice President of Membership, is responsible for the enlargement of the chapter membership by giving encouragement to other qualified persons throughout the area to seek membership in the State Association. It is responsible for the receipt of all membership applications and for the appropriate processing preliminary to reference to the State Association for acceptance or rejection.
This committee, along with the Board of Directors, shall also be responsible for stimulating attendance at all chapter meetings and meetings of the State Association. - E-NEWSLETTER/COMMUNICATION - Under the supervision of the Vice President of Communications, this committee is responsible for all activities necessary for the publication of a monthly communication tool and all email communication from the chapter using an established electronic software system.
- WEBSITE COMMUNICATIONS AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGY - The Vice President of Website Communications and Director of Emerging Communications may form committees to carryout their obligations. The Vice President of Website Communications is in charge of the chapter website and will maintain and update it at least monthly with new content, professional development opportunities, job postings, chapter information, etc.
The Director of Emerging Communications is responsible for staying abreast of up-and-coming communication trends and topics, facilitating social media outreach including the chapter's blog, and working with the other communication team members on projects. - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - Under supervision of the Vice President of Professional Development, the program committee is responsible for developing all regular monthly professional development luncheon programs, creating/printing a program sheet or flyer for all attendees, and seeking and tabulating evaluations of each program.
- MEDIA RELATIONS - This committee, under the leadership of the Vice President of Media Relations, is responsible for planning strategies to build public awareness of chapter activities through publicity and image building, to achieve greater public knowledge of the objectives and activities of the chapter and State Association.
- COMMUNITY SERVICE - With the guidance of the Director of Community Service, this committee will determine the need for service and special projects in the chapter and community. Projects are researched and presented to the Board of Directors for approval prior to submitting to membership for approval and support.
- SPONSORSHIPS/FUNDRAISING - This committee, which is lead by the Director of Sponsorships/Fundraising, is responsible for developing and conducting fund-raising projects in support of various Central West Coast Chapter activities. The committee will also secure sponsorships for all monthly professional development luncheons, as well as one major fundraising event each year (currently the Holiday Chance Drawing/Silent Auction).
- SPECIAL EVENTS - The committee, under the supervision of the Director of Special Events, is responsible for educational projects and activities of the chapter. It will develop two or more educational events for the professional development of members and area public relations professionals.
- ACCREDITATION/CERTIFICATION - This committee, under the leadership of the Vice President of Accreditation, encourages the membership to pursue accreditation/certification appropriate to their background and experience. Activities in support of the accreditation/certification program developed by the state association will be offered to the members of the Central West Coast Chapter.
- IMAGE AWARDS - The Image Awards Committee, under the direction of the Director of Image Awards, is responsible for activities necessary for hosting an Image Awards competition in the chapter's geographic area of service. The committee will follow all rules established for the Florida Golden Image competition.
- AUDIT COMMITTEE - This committee is identified by the President no less than one month before the end of the fiscal year. The committee should include the President-elect/Finance, the President and the Assistant Director of Finance, if there is a current person in this board position, or one other person, with the responsibility of finalizing the budget and selecting an auditing firm. The cost of the audit will be included in the annual budget. The audit will be completed by December 1.
- NOMINATING COMMITTEE - This committee is appointed by the President with no less than three months before the State Annual Conference. See Section 4.2.
- OTHER COMMITTEES - When the chapter finds that other committees are needed for the achievement of special objectives or to carry out current or new goals of the chapter, other committees will be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors.
Article VII - Meetings (Section 7.1)
Central West Coast Chapter meetings shall be held regularly, at the convenience of the members.
Section 7.2
The designation of time and place of the meeting shall be made by the President upon approval of the Board of Directors.
Section 7.3
It is understood that each attendee will pay his or her portion of luncheon or event expenses, which is specified in advance. It is further understood that if a reservation is made for a luncheon and is not canceled by the Friday before the scheduled activity and the person does not attend, the member or non-member is responsible to pay for the event or luncheon.
Section 7.4
All chapter members shall be encouraged and urged to attend and take part in all chapter meetings and in the sessions of the Florida Public Relations Association, Inc.
Article VIII - Amendments (Section 8.1)
This Constitution and Bylaws may be amended upon recommendation of the Board of Directors and approval of the membership. Approval will be by vote of two-thirds of qualified members of the Chapter at any regular meeting of the membership called and regularly held, or by mail/email ballot. Notice of proposed changes must be furnished to members in writing ten (10) days prior to the meeting.
Central West Coast Chapter 