Updated October 2020
ARTICLE I – Name
1.1 Name. The name of the organization shall be the Wisconsin Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing Society, Inc. (WHPRMS).
ARTICLE II – Objectives
2.1 Objective. The objective of the corporation shall be to initiate and foster programs and activities to fulfill the purpose of the corporation by:
- Providing for the exchange of public relations and marketing information, techniques and ideas.
- Stimulating communications among persons engaged in health-related public relations and marketing activities.
- Assisting in the development and continuing improvement of health-related public relations and marketing programs by encouraging and assisting members; upholding public relations and marketing standards; enhancing member knowledge; and increasing their competence in the field of hospital and other health-related public relations and marketing practices.
- Fostering educational opportunities and programs on public relations and marketing.
- Making itself, through its Board of Directors and members, available to assist and advise the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) whenever called upon, and other health care organizations, when appropriate.
ARTICLE III – Membership
3.1 Eligibility. Individuals eligible for regular membership shall be employed (or retained) full- or part-time with responsibility for the marketing, public relations, planning or development programs of health care related organizations. Student membership includes all full- or part-time students studying areas related to public relations and marketing. The student membership and conference rate apply to students who are actively seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree who are without full-time paid employment. Associate membership applies to all individuals active in allied agencies, media outlets, public relations and/or advertising agencies with a hospital or health care focus, professional organizations related to health (example: WNA, WISHNET), health system agencies, health guidance clinics, counseling clinics and those interested in developing or maintaining expertise in health care. Other membership applications not addressed in this definition will be acted upon by the WHPRMS membership chair on an individual basis.
3.2 Application and Approval. The membership chair shall review all applications for membership. If the criteria for eligibility are met, the chairperson shall approve the application. Membership shall take effect immediately. No one shall be considered until he or she has submitted a membership application form accompanied by the dues for one year.
3.3 Membership Rights and Privileges. Members shall be eligible to vote on corporation business, to serve on the Board of Directors, and as committee members and/or chairpersons.
3.4 Termination. Membership shall be terminated by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors for noncompliance with the provisions of the corporation’s bylaws or Code of Ethics, if such is determined by the Board of Directors after an investigation of any alleged noncompliance. Failure to pay dues within 30 days after the member’s annual renewal date will result in membership termination.
ARTICLE IV – Leadership Recognition Program
4.1 Eligibility. All members are eligible to participate in the WHPRMS Leadership Recognition Program.
4.2 Classifications. Upon meeting the criteria, members may advance in sequence to the following classifications:
- Certified
- Accredited
- Fellow
4.3 Criteria. Criteria to attain these classifications and advancements are developed and published by the WHPRMS Board of Directors and may be changed from time to time.
ARTICLE V – Meeting
5.1 Annual Meeting. An annual meeting for the transaction of the affairs of the corporation shall be held in conjunction with a statewide education meeting as sponsored by the corporation at an appropriate time. The secretary of the corporation shall send a notice of the annual meeting to all voting members of the corporation at least two weeks in advance of such meeting.
ARTICLE VI – Board of Directors
6.1 Eligibility to Serve. Any member of WHPRMS is eligible to serve as an elected member of the board of directors for the Society.
6.2 Criteria. All candidates for the Board of Directors must be a current member of WHPRMS. In the event a vacancy exists, length of service will be reviewed by the board on a case-by-case basis. All candidates for president must have served on the board for at least one year prior to taking office in order to ensure an understanding of the Society’s history and future direction. The one year of board service requirement prior to officer candidacy need not be immediately preceding the candidacy. Committee chairpersons must be current members of WHPRMS.
6.3 Board Election. The executive council shall be comprised of the president, treasurer, secretary and membership chair. The board of directors shall consist of nine positions: president, secretary, treasurer, membership chair, education chair, awards chair, events chair, social media representative, and website representative. All board members shall be elected at the annual meeting of the corporation by a majority of the members present and shall take office in December, following the board orientation meeting. All board members will be elected for a two-year term, except the president, who shall serve for one year. The Board of Directors will present a slate of candidates for open board positions prior to each annual meeting.
6.4 Quorum. A majority of the members of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum to transact business of the board.
6.5 Duties of the Executive Council. The president shall preside at all meetings of the corporation except that, in his or her absence, the secretary may preside. The president shall present a report at the annual meeting. The president shall perform other duties as authorized by the Board of Directors. The president and awards chair shall oversee the professional excellence award. The president shall lead the annual planning meeting. The Executive Council shall collaborate to achieve the goals/objectives of the society. The secretary shall prepare and maintain minutes of the corporation and board meetings and perform other duties as may be assigned by the president. The treasurer is responsible for the safekeeping of all dues and any other assets of the corporation and shall disburse funds for the payment of corporation bills, upon authorization of the president and/or Board of Directors. The treasurer shall make a financial report of the status of the corporation at the annual meeting and shall arrange for an external audit at the end of his or her term. The corporation does not need to maintain a minimum or maximum in any bank accounts. However, because of the corporation’s non-profit status, their requirement is to spend the majority of their income on their stated purpose, not on salaries. The treasurer is responsible for making sure all taxes and insurance premiums are paid annually.
6.6 Duties of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have authority to: (A) make policy decisions for the corporation via an in-person and/or electronic voting process to be recorded and stored with board meeting minutes; and (B) approve, modify, or disapprove programs and projects submitted by members of committees of the corporation.
6.7 Vacancies. The president shall fill any vacancies among the Board of Directors by appointment. Such appointees shall serve until the appointed term expires. In the event that the president shall be unable to fulfill the tenure of the office, the secretary shall act as president until the next annual meeting and may continue, based on the decision of the board, for another full term.
6.8 Succession. A board member is allowed to succeed him or herself in the same position for up to two consecutive terms. When a term is completed, the position will be opened up to the membership. A communication will be sent to the membership notifying of the open positions. In the event a qualified candidate is not available for a particular position, the individual whose term is up can continue in their current position. Should any officer or director be unable to complete a term, the president will appoint a member to fill the remainder of the term. That person can then run for election for another full term or step down once the term is completed.
6.9 Attendance. The Board of Directors will meet six times per year, every other month. All board members are required to attend at least four board meetings, in person or by teleconference. Up to two excused absences are allowed. If a board member is unable to attend a meeting, for whatever reason, they must contact the president prior to the meeting and make sure any duties associated with their role are completed or covered. If the board determines that a board member is not keeping this attendance commitment or fulfilling their duties, that board member can be voted off the board.
ARTICLE VII – Committees
7.1 Committees. The president, with the concurrence of the Board of Directors, shall appoint necessary committees to help conduct the business of the corporation.
ARTICLE VIII – Dues
8.1 Annual Dues. Annual membership dues shall be recommended by the Board of Directors. Dues are payable annually on January 1.
8.2 Control of Dues. All dues paid to the corporation become the property of WHPRMS.
ARTICLE IX – Relationship with WHA and the Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development (SHSMD)
9.1 Relationship with WHA (Wisconsin Hospital Association). The president may appoint any members to serve as advisors to any WHA committee upon the invitation of WHA.
9.2 Relationship with SHSMD (Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development). WHPRMS is an affiliated chapter of SHSMD. This collaboration provides additional resources to WHPRMS members. WHPRMS will financially support a SHSMD membership for the president. The president may attend the annual SHSMD conference and provide receipts for the conference expenses that will be reimbursed up to a budgeted amount. The president may appoint another board member to attend if he/she cannot attend.
ARTICLE X – Amendments
10.1 Amendments. The constitution and bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members of the society present and voting at a regular meeting or at a special meeting called for the purpose of amending the constitution and bylaws. A notice of the proposed changes shall be sent to all members of the society by the secretary at least two weeks prior to the meeting.
