ARTICLE 1. - Definitions
Section 1.
The name of the chapter is the Greater Oregon Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (referred to hereafter as “Oregon SPJ” or “the chapter”).

Section 2.
Oregon SPJ encompasses all of Oregon and Southwest Washington as a state chapter of the National Society of Professional Journalists. The chapter is a member of the national organization’s Region 10 - including Oregon, Alaska, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

Section 3.
Oregon SPJ was founded June 22, 1966, as the Willamette Valley Professional Chapter of Sigma Delta Chi.

Section 4.
“Meetings” refers to regularly scheduled meetings of Oregon SPJ’s board of directors.

ARTICLE II. Membership
Section 1.
Membership in Oregon SPJ is open to all individuals engaged in journalism (or the teaching of journalism) as their primary occupation.

Section 2.
Individuals engaged in public relations, advertising and other professions related to journalism but not directly involved in the independent gathering and dissemination of news are not eligible for membership. However, they may support the efforts of Oregon SPJ by becoming associate members of the chapter for annual dues of $10.

Section 3.
Oregon journalists who are members of the national Society of Professional Journalists are automatically members of Oregon SPJ. The chapter will not impose dues beyond those required by the national organization.

ARTICLE III. Organization
Section 1.
Oregon SPJ is governed by a 10-member board of directors.

Section 2.
Vacancies of the board of directors are filled by a majority vote of the existing board members attending an official meeting of the chapter.

Section 3.
The board is governed by four officers - the president, vice president, secretary-treasurer and open records chair.

Section 4.
Board officers are elected to one-year terms during an annual meeting, open to the entire membership of the chapter. The meeting will coincide with the chapter’s annual Excellence in Journalism awards ceremony. All chapter members present are eligible to vote on board officers.

Section 5.
Board members and officers may be voted out of office by a majority vote of the entire board of directors.

Section 6.
There are no limitations on the number of terms a board officer may serve. However, prudence and tradition advise that officers limit their service to two terms.

Section 7.
Chapter bylaws may only be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the entire board of directors.

ARTICLE IV. Meetings
Section 1.
The board of directors of Oregon SPJ meets in quarterly sessions on the third Sunday of February, May, September and November. The exact time and meeting place is determined by a vote of the board.

Section 2.
Other issues concerning the board, as they arise, are addressed with teleconferences, e-mails and other forms of long-distance communication.

Section 3.
The president may call special board meetings, if warranted, by providing board members at least two weeks’ notice of the meeting. The exact time, date and location of the meeting will be decided by a consensus of the board members.

Section 4.
All actions taken by the chapter will be decided by a majority vote of the board members. During scheduled board meetings, the decisions will be made by a majority of the board members present. Decisions made outside board meetings must be approved by a majority of the entire board.

Section 5.
The board of directors will hold an annual membership meeting, open to all chapter members. This meeting will coincide with the chapter’s annual Excellence in Journalism awards ceremony. Any change in this schedule must be communicated to chapter members at least three months in advance.

ARTICLE V. Officer Responsibilities
Section 1.
The president will be primarily responsible for the operation of the
chapter. He or she will:

• Direct chapter meetings.
• Maintain chapter records, including both financial and historic documentation.
• Communicate chapter information with the board of directors, general membership and the public at large.

Section 2.
The vice president shall assist the president with the duties outlined above and serve as president should the president become unable to fulfill his or her duties.

Section 3.
The secretary-treasurer acts as the recording officer for the chapter. The secretary-treasurer will:

• Record and maintain minutes of chapter meetings.
• Maintain similar records of all chapter activities.
• Oversee the finances of the chapter and make regular reports to the board of directors.

Section 4.
The open records chair assumes responsibility for chapter activities designed to promote open government and freedom of the press. The open records chair will coordinate activities to promote open government and freedom of the press among journalists, government officials and the public at large.