ARTICLE: Purpose

The overall purpose of the Public Relations Division is to develop a greater understanding of the theoretical basis for effective communication between organizations and their publics, and to apply theoretical advances for the solution of pragmatic public relations problems. The division seeks to achieve this purpose by 1) stimulating and advancing theory and research in the area of Public Relations, 2) encouraging the dissemination of research findings in Public Relations, and 3) promoting the application of research results in Public Relations to the problems of society.

ARTICLE III: Membership

Any Active member of ICA who expresses interest in, and subscribes to, the purposes of the Division is eligible for membership in the Public Relations Division.

ARTICLE IV: Officers, Nominations, Elections

Section 1: Officers. The officers of the Public Relations Division shall include a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary (who also serves as the Division’s Newsletter editor). The Vice Chairperson and Secretary shall be elected in alternate years, with the Vice Chairperson elected in even years.

Section 2: Terms of Office. The terms of the office of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary shall be two years each. The Vice chairperson automatically succeeds themselves in office. Non-members of the Public Relations Division may not hold office. A term of office shall begin on the last day of the ICA Annual Conference.

Section 3: Other Positions. In addition to officers the chairperson may appoint additional persons to other posts. Theses may include but not be limited to a Public Relations/Membership Director for the Division, who is responsible for recruitment of new Division members and for maintaining Active members; members of ad hoc committees to assist in the conduct of the business of the Division; and members to serve on ICA committees as requested by the ICA President or Board of Directors.

Section 4: Nomination and Elections. Nominations for office shall be solicited from the Active members of the Division by a committee of the Division. The head of the committee shall be the immediate past Chairperson of the Division, with the other members appointed by the current Chairperson of the Division. Nominations will take place during the business meeting of the Public Relations Division at the annual conference preceding the elections. The names of at least two nominees, who have given their consent, must appear on the ballot for each vacant office. The election of any officer shall be by the vote of only the Active Members of the Public Relations Division.

Section 5: Removal from Office. Any elected officer of the Division may be removed from office by the following procedures: At least one-third of the Active Members of the Division must sign a petition to the Executive director of ICA requesting a special election and including nominations for the office in question. The Executive director will arrange an extraordinary election within 60 days at the Division’s expense, with the challenged officer(s) included on the ballot. The result of the election become effective immediately.

Section 6: Vacancies. When a vacancy occurs in the office of Chairperson during the first year of the Chair’s two-year term, the Vice Chairperson shall assume the remainder of the unexpired term, and serve to its end. When a vacancy occurs in the office of Chairperson during the second year of the Chair’s two-year term, the Vice Chairperson shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term and then his or her own normal two-year term as Chair. Vacancies in any other office shall be filled by appointment of the Chair of the Division until a special ballot can be held to fill the unexpired term of the office holder.

ARTICLE V: Annual Meeting and Reports

Section 1: Annual Meeting. An annual business meeting of the Public Relations Division shall be held at the time and place of the Annual conference of the Association. A simple majority of the number of registered Active Members of the Division in attendance at the Conference shall constitute a quorum for officially conducting the business of the Division.

Section 2: Agenda. The agenda for the meeting will be composed by the Chair and will include a summary of division business for the year, and activity reports of officers and committees of the division. The agenda will be announced to members attending the business meeting. Agenda items requiring action must be identified as such, and shall be discussed and presented for vote by the active Members of the Division in attendance at the meeting.

Section 3: Reports. The Secretary shall prepare a written report of the Annual Business Meeting to be published in the Public Relations Division Newsletter. The Chair of the Division shall report on the Division’s activities to the ICA Board of Directors at the yearly Association annual Board Meeting

ARTICLE VI: Amendments and Restrictions

Amendments or revisions to these Bylaws shall be by procedures which parallel those described in Article XIII of the current Bylaws o the ICA. These Division Bylaws may not conflict with the Bylaws of the Association; the latter take precedence, and the power for determining conflict rests with the Board of Directors of the Association.

ARTICLE VII: Parliamentary Authority

In the absence of any provision to the contrary in theses Bylaws, all business meetings of the Public Relations Division shall be governed by the parliamentary rules and usages contained in the current edition of Robert Rules of Order, Revised.