Established 1952 (revised April 2001)

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purposes of the Alaska Press Club are:

1.) To promote the advancement of journalism as a profession.
2.) To provide a forum for continuing education and debate, thereby encouraging professional excellence among journalists.
3.) To recognize excellence among Alaska journalists.
4.) To promote open government and preserve freedom of the press as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

ARTICLE I

Membership

Applicants for membership to the Alaska Press Club must be individuals, not organizations. Each application is subject to approval by the Board, which also has the authority to suspend or expel a member for a cause. The Board may also reclassify a member whose status has changed.

A. General Members shall be persons whose primary occupation is journalism in Alaska. This may include owners and employees of newspapers, radio stations, television stations, magazines, news service, cable and Internet companies that disseminate news about Alaska, as well as freelance writers whose main focus is news writing.
B. Associate Members shall be those in media related employment, such as public relations and information, as well as others approved by the board. Non-media persons who support the objectives of Alaska Press Club can also be included in this category with the Board’s approval.
C. Student Members shall by full-time students or part-time students in a journalism program who are considering a career in journalism.
D. Honorary Members shall be designated by the Board.
E. Life Members shall be designated by the Board.

ARTICLE II

Fiscal Year, Dues

A. The fiscal year shall be the calendar year.
B. Dues are set by the board.

ARTICLE III

Alaska Press Club Board

A. All governing power rest in the Board. It shall be composed of an odd number of members, with the total to be determined by the general membership.
B. The Board shall include a president and treasurer elected by the general membership for one year-terms, and such other officers as the Board may decide, to be elected by the Board or the general membership.
C. Should the president resign or be removed during his term of office, a vice president elected by the membership shall succeed to the office if available. Should the vice presidentt not be available or willing, the Board shall choose a new president for the remainder of the term. The Board shall choose a replacement until the next general election.
D. The Board shall set policy.
E. The Board shall meet regularly at such times and places as chosen by the president, or as called by a quorum of the Board. Such a quorum can be obtained through a telephone poll.
F. The president or a Board member designated by the president shall serve as presiding officer at all Board meetings, unless the president has left or been removed without a new president being designated, in which case the Board shall choose a moderator until a new president can be chosen. The presiding officer will be a voting member.
G. The Board has the authority to declare board seats vacant and to appoint members to serve until the next general election.

ARTICLE IV

Membership Meetings

A. The general membership will meet annually to consider such business as may arise. The meeting time and place will be set by the president or the Board.
B. General membership meetings may also be called by the majority of the Board or by petition of 10 (20-25) percent of the members. Such a special meeting shall be available for members to attend by teleconference, as well as at a central location in Anchorage. Actions taken at such a special meeting shall have the same legal standing as actions taken by the Board.

ARTICLE V

Board and Officer Elections At Journalism Week

A. Board members shall serve two-year terms, except that Board members chosen to fill unexpired terms shall serve until the next general election.
B. Any general member of the Alaska Press Club may submit nominations by mail for consideration. In addition, any general member may nominate candidates for the Board from the floor of the general membership meeting. All board candidates must be general members.
C. Board elections will be conducted at-large, with those receiving the most votes seated on the board immediately following the general meeting.

By mail balloting

A. Board members shall serve two-terms, except the Board members chosen to fill unexpired terms shall serve until the next general election.
B. A nominating committee chosen by the president shall be convened by February 1 to solicit candidates for the Board and for Board officers. Nominations will also be solicited from the membership through the Polar Bear or by a separate mailing to the entire membership, prior to February 15.
C. The Board will meet prior to March 10 to approve a list of candidates. That list shall include at least one candidate for each office and open Board seat. Candidates nominated by individual members will be excluded only if…
D. Ballots shall be mailed prior to March 15 to all members, to be returned no later than April 1.
E. Board election will be conducted at-large, with those receiving the most votes seated on the board immediately following the general meeting. The candidates receiving the most votes for offices shall be elected.

ARTICLE VI

Amendment of Bylaws

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the entire Board, followed by a mail ballot of the membership. Amendments must be approved by a two-thirds vote of members voting. If approved, those amendments shall be effective 45 days after ballots are mailed.