PREAMBLE

Members of the Michigan School Public Relations Association recognize that student education achievement and success is directly related to effective educational communication. Through responsible communication, members of the Michigan School Public Relations Association pledge themselves to continue advancing the cause of student education achievement and success.

ARTICLE I—ORGANIZATION

1. The name of this organization shall be the MICHIGAN SCHOOL PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATED.  November 1978.

2. The Michigan School Public Relations Association is organized as a chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA).

a. 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.

b. The Chapter officers shall be members of the national Association and members should be encouraged to be members of the national Association.

c. 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.

ARTICLE II—PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

The 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:

1. Providing a medium for communication and exchange of information among its members and Michigan's educational community.

2. Encouraging, enhancing and assisting in the development of effective school public relations programs and practices throughout Michigan.

3. Developing collaborative relationships with school leadership groups to encourage school public relations practices, provide insights, and enable the distribution of educational information in support of public education.

4. Fostering and promoting professional growth and recognition of MSPRA members.

5. Providing consulting services to Michigan’s educational community.

ARTICLE III—MEMBERSHIP

Membership may be held by anyone who has school public relations responsibilities. Any individual meeting this criterion and having worked or is currently working within the geographic boundaries of Michigan may choose to join MSPRA.

Professional membership may be held by anyone who is employed in education whose job responsibilities involve communication, promotion and/or its support, including, but not limited to public relations professionals, administrators, board members, educators, and school support staff.

Institutional membership is available to any organization with employees who hold a professional position in educational public relations, communication, or marketing. Institutional membership shall provide membership for up to three employees of an organization. Institutional members shall have the right to hold chapter office and to vote on all issues that may come before the chapter.

Retired membership is available to anyone who has been an active member of MSPRA and who is no longer providing public relations services to schools. Retired members maintain all rights of Professional membership.

Executive Board complimentary memberships:

Life membership may be awarded to an individual who has had a long and significant impact on the Association. Life members maintain the rights of Professional membership.

Honorary membership may be awarded to a prominent state or national official who has had a significant impact on education in Michigan and/or the nation. Honorary members cannot vote or hold MSPRA office.

ARTICLE IV—DUES AND FISCAL YEAR

The establishment of dues and all policies pertaining thereto shall be on the recommendation of the Executive Board. Membership year is July 1-June 30; fiscal year is September 1 to August 31.

ARTICLE V—OFFICERS, TERMS OF OFFICE AND DUTIES

A nominating committee shall be appointed annually by the President no later than March 15th to present a slate of candidates for each office who are eligible MSPRA members. Said committee shall be composed of three (3) members of the Executive Board and two (2) individuals from the general membership who are not currently part of the Executive Board as defined under Article VI. The nominating committee shall solicit nominations from Michigan School Public Relations Association members. The written ballot shall contain space for write-in votes for each office. The ballot shall be sent to the Professional and Institutional membership no later than April 15 of the election year.  Newly elected officers shall take office on September 1 of the election year.

President

The President shall be the executive officer and shall preside at meetings of the Michigan School Public Relations Association and its Executive Board. He or she shall appoint the chairpersons of all standing and special committees and shall approve the selection of committee members made by the chairpersons. He or she shall fill all appointive offices. He or she shall maintain a liaison with the National School Public Relations Association and the National School Public Relations Association Regional Vice President. He or she shall be responsible for the preparation and distribution of an annual status report of Association activities to the general membership and the National School Public Relations Association Regional Vice President. The term of office for the Michigan School Public Relations Association President shall be two (2) years.

President-Elect

The President-Elect shall perform such duties as delegated by the President. The President-Elect will automatically succeed to the office of President after his/her elected term as President- Elect.   In case of a vacancy in the position of President, the President-Elect shall at once succeed to the office of President for the balance of the President’s term. The term of office for the President-Elect shall be two (2) years.

Secretary

The Secretary shall keep records of meetings, be responsible for Michigan School Public Relations Association correspondence, and shall furnish to the general membership annually a directory of Michigan School Public Relations Association members. The elected term of office for the Secretary shall be one (1) year.

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall keep records of funds; provide financial statements annually to the Executive Board and annually to the general membership. He or she shall be the disbursement officer. The Treasurer shall be appointed annually by the Board.

ARTICLE Vl—EXECUTIVE BOARD

The governing body of the Michigan School Public Relations Association shall be the Executive Board. It shall consist of the elected officers of the Michigan School Public Relations Association, the Treasurer, six (6) members-at-large, and the chairpersons of all standing committees.

1. The Executive Board shall be responsible for in-term policy decisions, shall carry out all directives as voted by the Michigan School Public Relations Association and shall recommend policies for consideration at the annual meeting.

2. Six (6) at-large members shall be selected by the elected officers to serve on the Executive Board, with consideration given to regional representation.  All terms shall be for three (3) years.  At-large members may be reappointed to the Board.

3. The immediate Past President shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Executive Board for one (1) year.

4. The Executive Board shall meet on notice from the President or upon one-third (1/3) of the membership of the Executive Board. A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.

5. The position of an Executive Board member who fails to attend three (3) consecutive meetings of the Board without advance notice shall be declared vacant.

6. The Executive Board shall fill all vacancies occurring in the elective offices.  Appointees shall serve until the next annual election.

7. The Executive Board shall approve the creation of all standing committees.

ARTICLE Vll—MEETINGS

1. There shall be an annual meeting of the Michigan School Public Relations Association 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 Vice President.

2. The Secretary shall notify all members of the meeting, in writing, at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting date.

3. Other meetings of the Michigan School Public Relations Association shall be set at the discretion of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VIIl—AMENDMENTS

Proposed amendments to these Bylaws shall be submitted to the Executive committee 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 Michigan School Public Relations Association meeting. The MSPRA Board may also choose to ask its membership to vote electronically. Two-thirds of voting members must agree to approve amendments.

ARTICLE IX—RULES OF ORDER

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 of this Association.

ARTICLE X—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 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 last amended on December 17, 2021 via electronic vote.

Membership on an MSPRA committee provides new opportunities to network with your fellow professionals as well as gain additional knowledge. If you are interested in learning more about or joining an MSPRA Committee, please contact any one of the MSPRA Board Members or send an email to:  mspraboard@gmail.com.  Thank you.  

Awards and Recognition

Elevates the practitioner and school public relations by identifying and recognizing professional school communicators and their districts through the MSPRA School Communicator and Superintendent Communicator of the Year Awards, MSPRA Gold Medallion Award for programs and projects, constructive peer-review feedback on communication strategies and activities, APR (Accredited in Public Relations) Certification, and application to the National School Public Relations Association for the Distinguished Chapter Award. The Awards and Recognition Committee chairperson works with volunteers to coordinate committee activities.

Marketing

Our goal is to make educators, statewide, aware of the overall benefits of MSPRA membership. As part of that effort,the marketing committee promotes participation in the annual MSPRA conference, in regional MSPRA activities, in periodic “drive-in” events, and other MSPRA activities.  Committee members work with other Standing Committees and MSPRA volunteers to achieve its goal.

Professional Development

As PR professionals in the world of education, we rarely get a chance to work with other experts in our field.  Professional Development is critical for continuous learning, as well as networking with other school PR experts. This committee helps in the planning and implementation of the annual MSPRA conference and drive-in conferences on topics requested or needed by our members. The Professional Development Committee chairperson works with Professional Development Committee volunteers to plan events.

Technology

Electronic communication is the life blood of school communicators.  Managing (and modeling) excellent digital media is essential to communicating with (and setting an example for) MSPRA members.  This committee oversees the association’s website and social media accounts to provide information and engage its members.  The Technology chairperson works with volunteers and members of other committees to coordinate and deliver relevant and timely digital content on a variety of platforms.