BYLAWS OF THE PSHRA- SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER (PSHRA-SC)

ARTICLE I – NAME AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA

Section 1. This association shall be known as the “PSHRA-Southern California Chapter" Public Sector Human Resources Association, hereinafter called the Association.

Section 2. The jurisdictional area of the Association shall be the region which is known as Southern California. The principal office of the Association shall be at the address of the President of the Association, which shall be noted in the margin next to this Article, this shall not be considered as an Amendment of the Bylaws.

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this Association shall be:

1. To provide a forum for persons engaged in public human resources administration to discuss subjects of mutual interest.

2. To provide opportunities for professional development. 

3. To encourage and facilitate cooperative action among public agencies on human resources problems and issues. 

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Kinds of Membership. There shall be four kinds of membership in the Association: Full, Affiliate, Honorary Life, and Student.

Section 2.  Election of Members. All applications for membership shall be reviewed by the Vice President for Membership, or in that Officer's absence, a person appointed by the President, and those approved shall be forwarded with recommendations to the Board of Directors. Final decisions regarding the credentials of all applicants shall be made by majority vote of the Board of Directors present at the meeting during which membership applications are reviewed.

In extenuating circumstances (such as the ability to enjoy membership rates for PSHRA-SC events), the Vice-President of Membership is authorized to approve membership and so notify the Board of Directors at the subsequent meeting immediately following such action.

Section 3. Interpretation. Requests for interpretations of credential requirements and election requirements shall be referred to the Board of Directors whose decision shall be final. It is understood that all personal pronouns, and words containing the prefix or suffix "them/they", used in these By-laws are  generic, applying equally to all genders and identities.

ARTICLE IV – DUES

Section 1.  Association dues for members shall be established annually by the Board of Directors. Honorary Life members shall be exempt from payment of  dues. 

Section 2.  The membership year for dues and all other purposes shall be from January 1^st through December 31^st of the same year.  Effective July 1, 2025, the membership year for dues and all other purposes shall be from July 1^st through June 30^th. All active memberships in effect as of December 31, 2024, shall automatically extend to June 30, 2025, to allow for this transition.

Section 3. Nonpayment of dues by August 1^st shall be considered as equivalent to resignation from the Association. To reestablish membership, it shall be  necessary to submit a new application and pay the required dues.

ARTICLE V – OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. The governing body of the Association shall be a Board of Directors consisting of the seven officers of the Association and four (4) other Board members, and the past President.

Section 2. The officers of the Association shall be:

1. President. The President shall represent the membership in all Association matters. The President, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, shall create committees and make committee appointments whenever it appears appropriate to do so. The President may assign duties to officers, other members of the Board of Directors, and other members, and shall schedule, convene, and preside at all meetings of the members and those of the Board of Directors. 
2. President-Elect. The President-Elect shall act for the President in the President's absence, and shall be an ex-officio member of, and act as liaison agent for the President of all standing committees. This officer shall act as the coordinator and director of the Association's Annual Workshop, and shall chair workshop committee meetings, prepare schedules and timetables, and make periodic reports to the Board.
3. Vice President-Programs. The Vice President-Programs shall, subject to the approval of the President, make the necessary arrangements for all regular meetings of the Association and shall create programming for the development of members.
4. Vice President-Membership. The Vice President-Membership shall be responsible for promoting active membership in the Association, receiving all membership applications and renewals, and maintaining a directory of membership.
5. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all Board meetings and shall forward to each member of the Board a copy of the minutes of such meetings. The Secretary shall maintain current records of the Association, other than financial and, under the direction of the President, may correspond for the Association.
6. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive and hold all funds, make all disbursements, and maintain necessary and appropriate records of all Association financial transactions, and shall make a financial report at each regular meeting of the Board of Directors. At the close of the fiscal year (June 30^th), the Treasurer shall submit a financial report within 60 days.  This report is to be audited by someone selected by the Board of Directors. If the auditor is unable to resolve any discrepancy which may occur, it shall be brought to the attention of the Board of Directors for final resolution. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the filing of the appropriate tax returns.
7. Communications Director. The Communications Director shall maintain the Association’s website, maintain the Association’s social media accounts, and coordinate publicity for Association activities. 

Section 3. The presence of at least seven (7) members of the Board of Directors shall be required at a meeting of the Board of Directors in order to transact  business for the Association.

Section 4. The Board of Directors may, by a majority vote of those present, remove any Officer or Director for: 1) misfeasance or nonfeasance in the performance o f the duties of the officer; or 2) who fails to attend three (3) consecutive Board meetings without excuse.

ARTICLE VI – ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1. The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of no fewer than three Full or Honorary Life members and communicate the Nominating Committee to the members in the most expeditious manner. Full or Honorary Life members may make nominations in writing to the Nominating   Committee during the nominating season. Nominations must state that the nominee would accept the nomination.

Section 2.  The Nominating Committee shall report all nominations, including those made by the Nominating Committee, at a regular meeting of the members at the Annual Workshop. At this time, the President shall call for additional nominations from the floor. Such nominations must be accepted by the  nominees.

Section 3. Officers and other members of the Board of Directors shall be elected by a vote of Full and Honorary Life members. Voting shall be by ballot by means of mail, electronic mail, or any other method approved by majority vote of the Board of Directors. To be elected to an office, a candidate must receive a simple majority of the votes cast for that office. Voting shall take place within 30 days of the Annual Workshop and the results announced via the website and email.

Officers and other members of the Board of Directors who are elected shall be installed at a regular meeting in June. 

Section 4.  The term of office for Officers shall be two (2) years. The term of office for other elected Board members shall be two (2) years. 

Section 5. The President shall make an appointment, subject to confirmation by the Board of Directors, to an office of an elected Board member which has been vacated before the incumbent's term has expired. Appointments will be to fill the unexpired term.

Section 6. The President, President-Elect, and Treasurer shall be elected in even numbered years. Vice President-Programs, Vice President-Membership, Secretary, and Communications Director shall be elected in odd numbered years. Two elected Board members shall be elected on even numbered  years and two on odd numbered years.

ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS

Section 1.  Regular meetings of the members shall be scheduled as determined by the Board of Directors. One of these shall be the annual meeting of the   members in June, at which the Officers for the coming year shall be installed.

Section 2. The President shall call, at the request of the Board of Directors, or any ten or more members, special meetings of the members to discuss matters which are unusual or critical in character. The subjects to be discussed at such meetings shall be specifically set forth in the announcements of the  respective meetings.

Section 3. The presence of fifteen (15) Full or Honorary Life members shall be required to transact business at any regular or specially called meeting of the  members.

ARTICLE VIII – RULES OF ORDER

Section1. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of business in the Association, except where such rules are in conflict or inconsistent with the Bylaws or Special Rules of Order of the Association (See Section 2).

Section 2. The Board of Directors may adopt special rules for the conduct of meetings of the members, the regular business of the Association, or the  performance of duties by the members of the Board of Directors and the Association committees, Special Rules of Order shall become standing rules  upon an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Full and Honorary Life members present at a regular meeting of the members.

ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Proposed amendments to these Bylaws may be initiated by action of the Board of Directors or upon written petition signed by at least ten (10)  members of the Association. Amendments initiated by petition shall be addressed to the President for submission to the membership.

Section 2. Proposed amendments shall then be submitted to the members in writing at least thirty days in advance of the date on which they are to be voted on by the members. In the case of proposed amendments initiated by petition, the text of the amendments may be accompanied by the recommendation of the Board of Directors.

Section 3. The affirmative vote by email ballot of a simple majority of the full and honorary voting shall be necessary for the adoption of any amendment.

Section 4. An adopted amendment shall become effective immediately upon adoption unless otherwise specified. 

Amended: April 26, 1979, January 12, 1983, May 2, 1984, June 1, 1987, July 16, 1993, May 16, 2003, June 20, 2005, June 7, 2010, April 11, 2019, and February 16, 2024.