By-laws of the Maine Press Association
(Revised 9/17/05)

Article One – Name
This association shall be known as the Maine Press Association.

Article Two – Goals
The goals of this association shall be:
(a)To promote and foster high ethical standards and the best interests of the newspapers of the state of Maine that constitute its membership.
(b) To encourage improved business and editorial practices and better publications within the state.
(c) To improve the conditions of the newspaper business and the press generally by promoting the principles of freedom of speech and of the press and the public right to know.

Article 3 – Membership
1. Active members shall be those newspapers that hold a periodical (second class mail) permit and are qualified by the laws of Maine for the publication of legal advertising. Each active member shall have one vote.

2. Associate members shall be those persons, representing firms, organizations and corporations engaged in furnishing supplies, equipment or services to newspapers published in Maine or otherwise having a place of business or occupational interest in the purposes of this association. Associate members shall have no voting privileges.

3. Emeritus members shall be those retired and semi-retired persons formerly engaged in journalism or a related occupation, who formerly were active in affairs of the association. Emeritus members shall have no voting privileges.

4. Individual members shall include those who have a strong personal interest in the newspaper business or press issues. Individual members shall have no voting privileges.

5. Active members shall become such upon the full board finding, by majority vote, that the prerequisite conditions exist and upon tendering annual dues for the first year of membership to the treasurer. Associate, individual and emeritus members shall become such upon approval for membership by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.

6. Membership shall automatically terminate for non-payment of dues by April 1 of the year following the calendar year in which the dues are assessed. Membership can be reinstated retroactively by majority vote of the Executive Committee upon payment of back dues.

Article Four – Dues
There shall be four classes of dues.
(a) Active members shall pay dues according to the current dues structure.
(b) Associate members shall pay dues according to the current dues structure.
(c) Individual members shall pay dues according to the current dues structure.
(d) Emeritus members shall pay dues according to the current dues structure and they membership will include free registration for all association functions.
(e) The amount of dues to be paid by both active, associate and individual members shall be reassessed from time to time by the Executive Committee, and recommendations for changes shall be presented for adoption or rejection by vote of the active members at the annual Fall Conference.

Article Five – Fiscal year
The fiscal year shall begin on the first day of October and end the 30th day of September.

Article Six – Officers
The officers of the association shall include a President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Treasurer and seven Directors. One Director shall be an associate member, one Director shall be a representative of the University of Maine Department of Communication and Journalism in the department's news editorial sequence, nominated by the department chairperson, both of whom shall have voting privileges as directors. An Executive Director may be employed on terms acceptable to the officers and Directors, and be an ex-officio member of all committees.
Any voting board member who misses three board meetings in a fiscal year during his or her term without an excuse deemed justifiable by the President may be removed from the board by a majority vote of the Board. The member shall be notified of the impending vote and be allowed to speak to the board prior to the vote.

Article Seven – Committees
Committees of the association shall include an Executive Committee and a Legislative Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers and Directors. The Legislative Committee shall be appointed by the President at each annual Fall Conference. Other committees, as deemed necessary by the President, must be appointed annually.

Article Eight – Election of officers
Nominees for officers and Directors of the association, all of whom must be active members with the exception of two Directors, shall be made by the President. Additional nominations may be made from the floor. All officers and Directors, except one Director representing the UM journalism department, shall be elected by vote of the active members.

Article Nine – Duties of officers
It shall be the duty of the President to take active administrative charge of all affairs of the association during his or her term in office. The President shall preside at all regular and special meetings of the association, appoint all necessary committees, arrange (with the assistance of the Executive Director) all details for the programs of regular and special meetings and conferences, select the date and place of such meetings with the concurrence of the Executive Committee, and in general be responsible for the orderly conduct of the affairs of the association. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all standing and special committees.

It shall be the duty of the First Vice President to preside at all regular and special meetings in the absence of the President and to assist him or her whenever requested.

It shall be the duty of the Second Vice President to assist the President.
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to audit the accounts of the associa
tion and make a complete financial report of the affairs of the association at each annual Fall Conference.

It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to assist the President in all matters in which he or she may desire cooperation or advice. The committee shall hold meetings at the call of the President or at the call of any four members submitted in writing.

It shall be the duty of the Legislative Committee to monitor pending legislation coming before the sessions of the state Legislature in Augusta which may affect the welfare of members and take whatever action the Executive Committee may deem appropriate.

Article Ten – Terms of office
The President, First Vice President, Second Vice President and Treasurer shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors have been duly nominated and elected, but this article shall not be construed as restricting the term of office of any officer to one year. The term of office of all officers shall start with the annual meeting (Fall Conference).
Directors shall serve for a term of two years. The retiring President shall serve as a Director for one term immediately following the conclusion of his or her term as President. The term of an associate member as a Director shall not exceed two years.
The Board of Directors, in the event of a vacancy on the board, will name a member to serve until the next annual meeting.

Article Eleven – Salaries of officers
The President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Treasurer and Directors and all committees shall serve the association during their terms in office without remuneration. The Executive Committee may approve funds to defray officers' expenses.

Article Twelve – Meetings
The association shall meet at least twice annually at a time and place to be selected by the President, with the concurrence of the Executive Committee. One meeting shall be held in the late summer or early fall, to be known as the annual Fall Conference, at which officers are to be elected and committees appointed. A program shall be presented at this meeting for the benefit of the members. A second meeting shall be held in the spring of each year, to be known as the Spring Conference, with an appropriate program being arranged. Other meetings may be scheduled by the President with the concurrence of the Executive Committee.

Article Thirteen – Affiliation
The Maine Press Association shall affiliate each year with the National Newspaper Association by payment from the association treasury of the required amount prescribed for such affiliation.

Article Fourteen – Handling of funds
The Executive Director is authorized to collect and disburse association funds under general principles set by the President and the Executive Committee. The MPA Treasurer is charged with auditing these accounts and making the annual financial report.

Article Fifteen – Quorum
A quorum for the transaction of business at any annual meeting shall consist of 25 percent of the active members.

Article Sixteen – Procedure
The Maine Press Association shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order in matters of organization and procedure.

Article Seventeen – By-law amendments
Amendments to the association by-laws shall be made only at the Fall Conference. Notice of such amendments must be given in the association's Bulletin 30 days prior to the conference. In order for an active amendment to be considered, there must be a quorum of active members present. Adoption of an amendment shall require a two-thirds vote of the members present.

Maine Press Association • 26 Elmwood Road • Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 1-800-799-6008 (phone or fax)