Printer-friendly versionSend to friendCONSTITUTION Article One- Name Section 1: The name ofthis organization shall be the Washington, D.C., Chapter ofthe Society of Professional Journalists. Article Two- Purpose Section 1: The purpose of this Chapter shall be to associate journalists possessing the qualities symbolized by the Society-talent, energy and truth-into an organization of professional camaraderie; to assist the members in upholding the noblest principles of journalism, and to cooperate with them in this field; and to advance the highest ethical standards. Article Three- Membership Section 1: Any national member of the Society ofProfp,,~i('\,"!2.! :;0urnalists is eligible for membership in this Chapter. Section 2: New members may be admitted provided they fulfill the requirements set forth in the national By-Laws of the Society of Professional Journalists. Article Four- Officers Section 1: The officers of this Chapter shall be a president, a vice president, a recording secretary, a corresponding secretary and a treasurer. Section 2: The officers shall be elected for one-year terms, which shall begin at the next annual installation of officers and shall end at the following installation. Article Five- Directors Section 1: There shall be elected from the membership of this Chapter six directors who shall meet at least nine times per year with the officers of the Chapter to formulate plans and procedures. These directors together with the officers of the chapter and the immediate past president shall constitute the Executive Board. Section 2: Three directors shall be elected each year for a term commencing at the next annual installation of officers and expiring at the installation two years thereafter. Section 3: If the Region 2 Director or an elected national officer is a member of this Chapter, that person shall be a voting member of the Executive Board. Article Six- Meetings Section 1: Meetings ofthis Chapter will be called by the President, with the approval of the Executive Board. Section 2: An annual business meeting may be held at least once each year, to hear reports from all officers and committee chairpersons. Article Seven- Amendments Section 1: An amendment to this Constitution may be proposed in writing at any regular meeting of the Chapter. Such proposed amendment must be signed by 5 percent of the Chapter membership before being submitted and shall be read to the meeting by the presiding officer. After such notice, the proposed amendment and a ballot for voting on its adoption shall be sent to all members. The amendment shall be effective if approved by a majority of the chapter members voting. Section 2: An amendment to the Constitution may be proposed in writing by two-thirds of the Executive Board membership and shall be enacted if approved by a two-thirds vote of those Chapter members attending the next regular meeting of the Chapter, providing that notice of said meeting and the full wording of the proposed amendment will have been mailed to all Chapter members not less than 15 working days prior to the meeting. Section 3: Amendments to this Constitution shall become effective immediately unless otherwise specified in the written proposal for amendment.