Skip To Main Content

Colorado School Public Relations Association Bylaws

ARTICLE I. NAME
ARTICLE II. GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
ARTICLE III. PURPOSE, MISSION AND GOALS
ARTICLE IV. NON-DISCRIMINATION
ARTICLE V. FISCAL ORGANIZATION & EXPECTATIONS
ARTICLE VI. MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE VII: SCHOLARSHIPS
ARTICLE VIII. CHAPTER MEETINGS
ARTICLE IX – OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
ARTICLE X. ELECTIONS
Article XI – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
ARTICLE XII. COSPRA BOARD & APPOINTMENTS
ARTICLE XIII. COMMITTEES AND DUTIES
ARTICLE XIV. AUTHORITY OF PROCEDURE
ARTICLE XV. AMENDMENT


ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Colorado School Public Relations Association (COSPRA). 
 


ARTICLE II. GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

The geographical jurisdiction of the Colorado Chapter shall encompass the States of Colorado and Wyoming. The Colorado chapter consists of four regions: Metro Denver, Southern, Northern and Western, as defined in this map.
 


ARTICLE III. PURPOSE, MISSION AND GOALS

SECTION A. PURPOSE

COSPRA is the Colorado chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) and its purpose is to advocate for effective public relations practices that support student achievement by:

Promoting effective public relations practices
Providing professional development and opportunities for strategic collaboration for its members
Encouraging and facilitating the exchange of successful school public relations ideas, techniques, messaging and programming
Creating an atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding by leading, serving and engaging the public in support of public education in Colorado and Wyoming
Advocating for adherence to the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Code of Ethics

SECTION B. MISSION 

COSPRA’s mission is to elevate people, practice, and profession to provide value to our members.

SECTION C. STRATEGIC PLAN

The Executive Committee shall establish strategic goals, strategies and objectives for the organization and review them regularly to ensure they support the  mission. 
 


ARTICLE IV. NON-DISCRIMINATION

The Chapter shall, in all deliberations and procedures, subscribe to a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of race, creed, religion, disability, sex, age, color, national origin, sexual identity or sexual preference.
 


ARTICLE V. FISCAL ORGANIZATION & EXPECTATIONS

SECTION A: NON-PROFIT STATUS

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.

SECTION B: FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year shall be from September 1 through August 31.

SECTION C: COMPENSATION AND/OR REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES TO MEMBERS

Expenses incurred by members of the Executive Committee, Board, or designees, while performing the normal duties of their office shall be the responsibility of the member or their employer. Any reimbursement to members to cover any other expenses incurred on behalf of the organization shall require prior approval of the Executive Committee. 

Regional Chairs will receive an annual allotment, as decided by the Executive Committee, to facilitate quarterly regional membership meetings. Event Chairs may receive annual budget allocations to facilitate their assigned work

It shall be considered a conflict of interest to reimburse members of COSPRA (or their districts/organizations) for the use of the member’s/member’s staff’s time, talent or services to the chapter. All reimbursement to members shall be limited to actual expenses incurred in providing such service to the chapter and requires approval of the Executive Committee of such expenditure prior to incurring the expense.

SECTION D: 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 activities 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, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(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 Committee 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 Committee shall determine.
 


ARTICLE VI. MEMBERSHIP

SECTION A. CLASSIFICATION

Active membership in the Colorado Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (COSPRA) is open to persons who are committed to furthering the mission of COSPRA. COSPRA members are encouraged, but not required, to hold membership in the National School Public Relations Association.

Membership in COSPRA shall be defined as follows: 

  • Professional Membership: Open to any person who has full- or part-time responsibilities in the field of public-school communications and public relations and is employed by a public school district, an individual public school or an education governmental department in COSPRA’s geographic area.

    Professional members have the right to vote and to hold office.

    With the interest of encouraging entire school public relations teams to participate, COSPRA offers discounted institutional membership packages to Professional members only.
     
  • Individual: Individual pays for membership and it remains with the individual when the member leaves their organization.
  • Institutional: Membership stays with the institution when a member leaves their organization.
     
  • Non-Profit Membership: Open to any person who has full- or part-time responsibilities in a non-profit or not-for-profit organization of which the primary purpose is advancing public education and school public relations, including, but not limited to educational foundations supporting specific school districts. 

    Non-profit members do not have voting privileges and may not hold office.
     
  • Affiliate Membership: Open to any person who has full- or part-time responsibilities in a private sector school, business or as a freelance consultant whose primary purpose is to support a COSPRA school district or an individual school. 

    Affiliate members do not have voting privileges and may not hold office.
     
  • Emeritus Member: Former COSPRA members who have retired from active work in school public relations, but who are committed to furthering the mission of COSPRA. Emeritus members may be nominated by any member of the Association and are designated by a majority vote of the COSPRA Executive Committee. 

    Emeritus members have the right to vote but not hold office. 
     
  • Honorary Lifetime Member: Restricted to COSPRA members who have been active members for 10 years or more before leaving the field. This membership is only available through COSPRA and is designated as a result of outstanding performance. Honorary Lifetime Members may be nominated by any member of the Association, and are designated by a majority vote of the COSPRA Executive Committee. 

    Honorary Lifetime Members do not have voting privileges and may not hold office.

    Honorary membership status shall be put on hold if that member gains or returns to full- or part-time employment in school communications or public relations.

Section B. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Any member, who for any reason, ceases to be a member of the Chapter, or is dropped from the Chapter’s rolls for non-payment of dues, shall cease to be a member of the Chapter and shall be dropped from the Chapter rolls.

Section C. MEMBERSHIP DUES

Annual Dues for members shall be set by a majority vote of the Executive Committee and shall remain in effect until changed in the same manner. Individual and institutional members who pay by September 30 of each year will remain in good standing, eligible to vote and hold office and will receive COSPRA member benefits. Membership renewal will begin the last week of August and extend through September 30 of each year.
 


ARTICLE VII: SCHOLARSHIPS

SECTION A: COSPRA shall provide four scholarships annually to encourage professional development and growth amongst COSPRA membership, as well as recognition for high quality communication in public education.

  • Accreditation (APR) Candidate Scholarship - The Accreditation (APR) Candidate Scholarship recognizes a COSPRA member who demonstrates a strong commitment to continually improve their knowledge, skills and abilities in public relations to benefit the organization they work for, other COSPRA members and the greater public education community. This is a self-nominating award. The member chosen for the APR recognition receives some funds to offset the cost of applying for Accreditation.
     
  • Professional Development Scholarship - The Professional Development Scholarship recognizes a COSPRA member who demonstrates a strong commitment to continually improve their skills to benefit their organization and the public education community. This is a self-nominating award. The member chosen for this award receives a free registration to the upcoming NSPRA seminar.
     
  • Rookie of the Year Award - The Rookie of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding COSPRA member who exhibits a creative, dedicated and professional approach to school communications, and has not been employed in school public relations for more than 36 months at the time of the application deadline. COSPRA members can self-nominate or nominate others for this award.
     
  • Communicator of the Year Award - As the most prestigious and enduring award of the Colorado School Public Relations Association, the Communicator of the Year Award recognizes the public relations best practices of people and organizations whose work supports Colorado public education. COSPRA members must nominate others for the Award.
     

ARTICLE VIII. CHAPTER MEETINGS

SECTION A. REGULAR MEETINGS

At least one regular meeting of the Chapter shall be held during each fiscal year.

SECTION B. SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special meetings shall be upon call of the Executive Committee, by one week's written notice.

SECTION C. ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual Meeting may be incorporated along with the regular Chapter meeting.

SECTION D. QUORUM

Business may be transacted by a majority vote of members either present at an official state meeting or received via electronic mail.
 


ARTICLE IX – OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Officers of the chapter include the President, President-Elect/Vice President, Communications Secretary and the Treasurer. 

Officers of the chapter shall be elected at the spring annual meeting and shall be reported to the national office within one week. 

SECTION A. OFFICER POSITIONS

The officers and their duties shall be:

  1. PRESIDENT – shall be the executive director of the Chapter and shall preside at meetings of the chapter and the Executive Committee; shall appoint, with agreement of the Executive Committee elected officers, the chairpersons of all regions, departments and any standing or special committees; shall be actively involved in the planning of the conference(s) each year; shall maintain communication with NSPRA through the NSPRA Southwest Regional Vice President and the national office.
     
  2. PRESIDENT-ELECT/ VICE PRESIDENT - shall serve as counsel and support to the President and perform all duties of the President in the event of the inability of the President to act. At the end of their term as president-elect, they shall automatically become President.
     
  3. COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY - shall oversee the chapter’s communication including its website and sharing of updates to membership, including decisions made by the Executive Committee.
     
  4. TREASURER - shall maintain the records of funds, financial statements, disbursements, and membership records.
     

SECTION B. NSPRA MEMBERSHIP AND MEETINGS

The elected officers must be members of NSPRA. NSPRA dues for the President, President-Elect/Vice President, Communications Secretary, and theTreasurer will be paid for by COSPRA, if the member elected to the position is not a current NSPRA member and the member’s district cannot pay association dues. 

To ensure representation at the NSPRA National Seminar, the chapter shall pay the President’s and President-Elect’s seminar registration fees and airfare – providing that person’s district cannot pay for the registration and airfare and the funds are available.

To ensure representation at the annual NSPRA President’s Summit the chapter shall pay the President’s and President-Elect’s, or President’s designee airfare – providing that funds are available. 

Special circumstances requiring expenditures in excess of dues and seminar registration must be approved by the Board.
 


ARTICLE X. ELECTIONS


SECTION A. NOMINATING COMMITTEE

A nominating committee named by the President and Executive Committee shall submit a slate of candidates at a spring meeting.

The Nominating Committee, with the support of the Executive Committee, will solicit interest in holding office from its membership.

SECTION B. NOMINATIONS

Voting is not limited to the committee's slate; nominations from the floor are in order. Nominees must be present or have given consent for their names to be placed before the Chapter as candidates.

SECTION C. ELECTION

  1. Officers to be elected are President-Elect, Communications Secretary and Treasurer.
     
  2. Election Meeting. Officers of the Chapter shall be elected at the spring Chapter meeting following the submission of the slate of candidates. The election of officers shall be reported to NSPRA within one week.

SECTION D. TERM OF OFFICE

The following terms have been established for COSPRA Officers:

  1. PRESIDENT: One year
     
  2. PRESIDENT-ELECT/ VICE PRESIDENT: One year
     
  3. COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY: Three years
     
  4. TREASURER: Three years
     

SECTION E. RE-ELECTION

No elected officer shall serve in the same capacity for more than two consecutive terms.

SECTION F. VACANCIES

  1. Vacancy in the presidency. A vacancy in the Presidency shall be filled by the President-Elect.
     
  2. Vacancy in other offices. Vacancies in other offices shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Committee.
     

SECTION G. VOTING

Elections shall be by ballot, either paper, electronic, or in person, except in the case of but one nominee for an office, when election may be via voice. Majority vote shall elect.

SECTION H. ASSUMPTION OF DUTIES

Newly elected officers shall take office July 1. Transfer of duties shall be conducted in a timely and professional manner between current and new officers.

SECTION I. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS

Any elected official may be removed with or without cause at any time by the governing body of the Executive Committee of COSPRA for failure to fulfill the duties of the role by a majority vote of the COSPRA Executive Committee. 

Additionally, any elected official who misses three (3) unexcused regular meetings during any twelve (12) month period shall be removed automatically from membership of the Executive Committee. However, the removal shall not be final until the Executive Committee shall consider the removal at a later regular meeting. At that time two-thirds of the members present, excluding the removed member, may vote to override the automatic removal at a later regular meeting. The resulting vacancy will be filled by the executive committee.
 


Article XI – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The governing body of the chapter shall be the Executive Committee. It shall consist of the elected officers of the chapter and the immediate Past President.

SECTION A. ROLE OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee shall be responsible for all policy decisions affecting the chapter’s operation. It shall carry out all directives as voted by the chapter membership.

Under direction of the Executive Committee, the Chapter shall satisfy the requirements to maintain tax exempt status for the chapter.

Section B. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

 

  1. OFFICERS (as defined in ARTICLE IX)
     
  2. PAST PRESIDENT - The Past-President shall serve as counsel to the President and is a voting member on the Executive Committee.
     

ARTICLE XII. COSPRA BOARD & APPOINTMENTS

It is necessary to have a wider administration to help fulfill the organization’s Mission and Strategic Plan, as well as understanding and meeting the needs of our membership. The COSPRA Board shall consist of Regional Chairpeople, Department Chairpeople and Wise Counsels that help to carry out the organization’s work. Additionally, the Executive Committee is considered part of the Board for any votes of the Board.

SECTION A. REGIONAL CHAIRPEOPLE

The President shall appoint four Regional Chairs to a one-year terms. There are no term limits for Regional Chairs.

Regional Chairs shall serve as voting members of the Board, assessing the needs of members within the representative region (Metro Denver, Southern, Northern and Western) and serve as a liaison to the Executive Committee. 

Regional Chairs will recruit new COSPRA members from their respective regions.

Regional Chairs shall establish regional meeting schedules and programs and publicize meetings to regional members and the Executive Committee. At each meeting of the Executive Committee, they shall provide regional updates, which will be shared by the Communications Secretary to the full membership. 

SECTION B. DEPARTMENT CHAIRPEOPLE

The President may appoint Department Chairs to a one-year term. There are no term limits for Department Chairs.

Department Chairs shall serve as voting members of the Board and are responsible for leading their area of focus:

  • Awards -  coordinating of the chapters awards submissions, judging and celebration.
  • Events - coordinating the chapters events and supporting the Regional Chairs in coordinating their events, as needed.
  • Membership - attracting and retaining chapter members.
  • Professional Development - developing and facilitating high-quality training for members.
  • Sponsorship - recruiting of sponsors and managing the fulfillment of their agreements.
  • Strategic Planning - management and reporting regarding progress towards meeting strategic goals and objectives set by the Executive Committee.


SECTION C: WISE COUNSELS

The President may appoint three additional members to serve as Wise Counsels for a one-year term. There are no term limits for Wise Counsels. 

Wise Councils shall serve the Executive Committee, representing areas of special interest to COSPRA.

SECTION D: Appointments and Removals

All Board serve at the pleasure of the President. They may be appointed and/or removed from the Board by the President at any time with or without cause.
 


ARTICLE XIII. COMMITTEES AND DUTIES

Standing or temporary committees may be appointed by the President or their designee

SECTION A. STANDING COMMITTEES

The President shall appoint leads for any standing and special committees and shall approve the selection of committee members made by the lead.

SECTION B. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Committees shall report to the Chapter at a meeting upon completion of their duties, or at the request of the President.
 


ARTICLE XIV. AUTHORITY OF PROCEDURE

The parliamentary writings of Henry M. Robert shall apply on all questions of parliamentary law and procedure as specified in these Bylaws or the Standing Rules.
 


ARTICLE XV. AMENDMENT

SECTION A. DRAFTING AN AMENDMENT

The COSPRA Bylaws are a living document and may need amending from time-to-time to meet the changing needs of the organization. Amendments may be drafted and proposed at any time by the Executive Committee, Board or any COSPRA member. They move forward with the consent of at least 2/3 of  Board members.

SECTION B. NSPRA PRE-APPROVAL

All proposed amendments shall be submitted to the Executive Board of the National School Public Relations Association for approval before adoption by the Chapter, in alignment with NSPRA Policy 260.1.

SECTION C. NOTICE

After receiving approval from NSPRA, the COSPRA Board shall schedule a vote on any proposed amendments with at least 14 days’ notice, in writing. A copy of the proposed amendment shall accompany the notice.

SECTION D. APPROVAL

Bylaws may be amended by 2/3 vote of the membership present either at an official state meeting or received via electronic mail.
 



LAST ADOPTION: March 21, 1986
AMENDED: November 17, 1989
AMENDED: September 21, 1990
AMENDED: April 21, 1995
AMENDED: October 27, 1995
AMENDED: September 22, 1998
AMENDED: May 17, 2002
AMENDED: August 27, 2004
AMENDED: May 5, 2006
AMENDED: February 15, 2008
AMENDED: June 4, 2019
AMENDED: July 17, 2024