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Proposed National Bylaw Changes for 2015-2016 PRSA National Assembly

Voting on two important national bylaw changes related to member dues will take place at PRSA International Conference this November. PRSA Rochester will be represented at the event and is seeking input from members about the proposals, to better represent the chapter in this decision-making process.

Information about the proposals is included below, and comments can be directed to PRSA Rochester Assembly representatives, Bobbi Lonobile and Michelle Cometa, or PRSA Rochester chapter president, Rich Pulvino. [Email: [email protected]]

Proposal One: Associate Member Dues

The first relates to extending the timing of associate members’ incremental dues payments. Our PRSSA student members and new professionals can join PRSA National up to five months before or two years after graduation, and pay a $60 membership fee. It is a substantial savings at the start of their careers; however, young professionals transitioning to full membership after a two-year period has been a challenge. National would like to encourage membership, proposing a longer transition period over four years (versus two years) with dues changes, for example:

• PRSSA current dues, $60
• Associate I, $115
• Associate II, $155
• NEW Proposed: Associate III $155 at year three and at year four $200
• By year 4, the individual would be paying regular member dues rates, currently at $255

 
These seem to be reasonable options, and after much study and discussion, the current PRSA National Board and financial committee leaders are confident that the newly proposed measures will enable both potential increases in membership retention, as well as revenue increases with this extension.

Proposal Two: Regular Members’ Dues

The second amendment pertained to the increase in regular member dues and detailing several options the National group considered; the one proposed seems to be the best balanced. It is called SMART: Strategic Management of Association Resources in Tandem. The proposal states that, ‘dues cannot be increased by more than 5% in any 5-year period.’ Considering that the last major national dues increase was in 2011, and that came after NO increases for more than 10 years prior, this is being presented as a way to manage increases and again, retain membership. 

We look forward to hearing from members on these proposals as a way to keep our own chapter healthy, and to participate fully as part of the national initiatives. Your input is valued, as we represent the chapter at the annual PRSA International conference this year.