PREAMBLE
In order to establish a common meeting ground for airline public relations representatives, the New York Airlines Public Relations Association (NYAPRA) is hereby re-constituted as the North American Airlines Public Relations Association (NAAPRA) with the following By- Laws:
BY-LAWS
I. FOUNDING MEMBERS
All persons representing their air transport companies in the North American Public Relations Advisory Committee (NAPRAC) and NYAPRA shall be Founding Members of NAAPRA.
II. ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP
Any Public Relations representative of an air carrier, with a North American
office, whose application has been sponsored by two members and approved
by the Membership Chairman, shall be submitted to the membership as an
Active Member.
Active Membership may also be offered at the discretion of the Membership Chairman,
in consultation with the Executive Committee, to any Public Relations or Press
Relations Officer of a governmental agency, industry trade association, industry
partner (manufacturer), university or school, with a North American office,
whose primary function relates to air transportation.
Associate Membership may be offered to former NYAPRA/NAAPRA members
who have left the industry and desire to remain affiliated. These members will
be assessed dues similar to those paid by Active Members but will not be entitled
to vote. Associate Members who served on the Executive Committee while they
were Active Members will be eligible to further serve on the Executive Committee
in any capacity except Chairman, and will be eligible to vote on Executive
Committee matters.
Emeritus Membership may be designated by the Membership Chairman, in consultation
with the Executive Committee, on former NYAPRA/NAAPRA members
of long standing who are retired from active airline public relations duties
and responsibilities and also to Past Chairmen who have left the industry.
Members Emeritus are entitled to lifelong privileges of the Association, except
voting, free of dues payment and may also serve on the Executive Committee
in any capacity except Chairman, and will be entitled to vote on Executive
Committee matters.
New members shall be announced in the minutes of the meeting at which they
are introduced.
III MEETINGS
Meetings will normally be held once a month at a time and place announced at the prior meeting or in the meeting notices. The Chairman is empowered to call special meetings at his or her discretion. Meetings are only open to members. Guests may be invited to attend meetings of special interest as designated by the Chairman.
IV. QUORUM
One-fourth of the NAAPRA membership shall constitute a quorum. Decisions shall be made on the basis of a simple majority of those voting at a meeting.
V. OFFICERS
The elected officers of NAAPRA shall consist of: Chairman; First Vice Chairman – Program; Second Vice Chairman – Recording Secretary; Third Vice Chairman – Corresponding Secretary; Fourth Vice Chairman – Treasurer and Fifth Vice Chairman – Publicity.
VI. NOMINATIONS
The Chairman shall appoint a Nominating Committee of active past chairmen at the October meeting each year. Recommendations of the Nominating Committee shall be made at the November meeting and written ballots shall be circulated immediately by mail to the full membership. The secret written ballots shall be counted at the December meeting and the results announced.
VII. ELECTIONS
Officers shall be elected annually by a majority of votes cast, and shall serve for the forthcoming calendar year. If no nominee receives a majority vote for a particular office, a run-off election shall be held at the December meeting by secret ballot. If an office becomes vacant during the year, the Chairman shall appoint a replacement to fill out the term.
VIII. STANDING COMMITTEES
The officers of NAAPRA shall
constitute the Executive Committee. The signature of two members of the
Executive Committee shall be required for disbursements.
Upon taking office, the Chairman shall appoint the Membership Chairman and
Historian/ Parliamentarian, both to be members of the Executive Committee,
plus special committees as required.
IX. DUES
NAAPRA shall assess dues annually as voted upon by the membership.
X. AMENDMENT TO BY-LAWS
By-Laws shall be amended only on two-thirds majority of the NAAPRA membership by written ballot. Proposed amendments to the By-Laws shall be posted in the minutes of the meeting at which they are made, and following discussion, voted upon at the next meeting.
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(As amended in 1993 and 1999)
