Here are the bylaws changes voted by members this year (summary below links).

2007-08 bylaws (MS Word doc)

2007-08 bylaws (Adobe Acrobat pdf)

2007-08 policies and guidelines (MS Word doc)

2007-08 policies and guidelines (Adobe Acrobat pdf)

Officer responsibilities (MS Word doc)

Officer responsibilities (Adobe Acrobat pdf)

Regarding the Bylaws, the intent and purpose are still the same, but we added new language and spelled out the rules so there's no room for doubt. We added a requirement for a quorum at board meetings, outlined board member duties, addressed absences by board members, explained the process for removing chapter members, stated that the treasurer must present a financial report at each membership meeting, and detailed the nomination and election processes.

The FPRA chapter also incorporated required language from the state board, particularly regarding the vice president of finance. This board member can serve no more than two consecutive terms, and the president and treasurer must both sign checks over $250. Other board members may serve no more than three consecutive terms.

Major changes to the Policies and Procedures include:

• Scholarship: Each year when budgeting allows, the Volusia/Flagler Chapter will award at least one $500 scholarship to a qualifying college student from Volusia or Flagler county. It is recommended this scholarship be tied to an event that allows for independent financing.

• Quarterly State Board Meetings and Annual Conference:
  It is the intention of the Volusia/Flagler Chapter to provide funding for the president and president-elect to attend all quarterly state board meetings. Expenses covered include mileage, hotel, and up to a $40 allowance for food. Original receipts and a Mapquest travel sheet must be provided for reimbursement. When the treasury has a balance of less than $3,000 at the beginning of the chapter year, the priority for budgeting travel will be placed on providing representation at the quarterly meetings. In regards to attending the annual conference, it is recommended that attendance not be funded if the cost of sending a representative will cost more than 25 percent of the treasury balance.

Furthermore, if it is only financially viable to send one representative to conference,
that representative should be the incoming president.
- Pat Kuehn, APR