Adopted October 31, 1969 at organizational meeting in Gainesville, Florida.
Revised 1970, 1973, 1978, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999.
ARTICLE I
Name
1. This society shall be known as the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors.
ARTICLE II
Purpose
1. The object of this society is to advance the cause of responsible journalism.
ARTICLE III
Membership
1. Daily newspapers and wire services in the State of Florida qualify for membership in the society, subject to the approval of the board of directors. Editors in charge of news or editorial policies of newspapers or wire services, and whose organizations are society members, are eligible for membership, subject to approval of the board of directors.
2. Anyone who shall have distinguished himself by notable contributions to the profession of journalism may be elected to full membership in the society by a two-thirds vote of the board of directors.
3. The board of directors, by a majority vote, shall have authority to set the annual dues.
4. All candidates for membership shall make written application to the secretary.
5. The names of applicants for membership shall be presented to the board of directors for election or rejection. Election of an applicant to membership shall require an affirmative vote of the majority of the directors present.
6. At each regular meeting of the society, the secretary shall read the names of all candidates elected by the board of directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Directors
1. Officers of the society shall be a president, vice president and secretary-treasurer, who shall perform the duties of their offices for one-year terms.
2. The government of the society shall be vested in the board of directors, which shall have full direction of its affairs.
3. The board of directors shall be composed of 11 members, including the three officers, the immediate past president, the former immediate past president, who is called the veteran member, an Associated Press member, a Freedom of Information member who serves on the First Amendment Foundation Board and four other members.
There are no term limits for the Associated Press member and the Freedom of Information board member. Terms for other board members shall be three years. No board member can serve more than two consecutive three-year terms. Terms begin at the annual spring meeting of the society. If a board member begins a term before the annual spring meeting, that time does not count against the member’s three-year term.
4. When a board member becomes an officer, the member will start as secretary-treasurer. At that point, the member’s three-year term ends and a five-year term begins. The member will serve on year in each of these positions: secretary-treasurer, vice president, president, past president, veteran officer. At the end of the five years, the member retires from the board. So, at least one person will be leaving the board each year.
5. If an officer leaves the board before his term expires, the remaining officers will nominate a replacement, who will be voted on by the entire board.
6. The directors shall have full power to fill all vacancies on the board or among officers until the next regular meeting of the society, at which time a successor or successors shall be elected.
7. The directors may adopt rules and regulations for the government and proper business conduct of teh society, and shall have the power to amend the same.
8. The directors shall submit at the annual meeting a full report of the condition and finances of the society, together with a review of its acts for the preceding year.
ARTICLE V
Committees
1. The president shall appoint such standing and special committees as shall be determined by the society or by the board of directors.
2. The past president will chair the committee that nominates new board members, the veteran member also will serve on this committee. The chairman will determine the size of the committee and appoint other members to it.
ARTICLE VI
Meetings
1. The semi-annual meeting of the society shall be held at a place and time decided upon by the board of directors.
2. Special meetings of the society shall be held on call of the president, confirmed by the board of directors, or on written request of 10 members.
3. Business of the society may properly be transacted by a majority of the members present at any regular or special meeting of the society.
4. The board of directors may, at any time, order a change in time of holding regular or special meetings of the society or board of directors.
ARTICLE VII
Elections
1. The election of officers and directors shall be a part of the order of business at the regular fall meeting of the society.
2. The new officers and directors shall be installed at the close of the regular fall meeting.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendments
1. This constitution may be amended or altered by a two-thirds vote of those present at any regular or special meeting.