A joint state association affiliated with the International Public Management Association-HR and the National Public Employers Labor Relations Association
This association shall be known as the Oklahoma Public Human Resources Association (OPHRA) formerly Oklahoma Public Personnel Association which was founded in 1976 and is the state chapters of the International Public Management Association-HR (IPMA-HR). OPHRA shall maintain a minimum of five (5) IPMA members in order to remain an IPMA chapter
Section 2.
The association is the premier public sector organization representing and serving HR and labor relations professionals in the state of Oklahoma. Through national affiliations, OPHRA offers its Oklahoma members a unique opportunity to share information and resources, gain technical training and expertise inside the state, and have access to information regarding both state and national legal issues and trends related to HR and labor relations management.
Article II—Objectives The objectives of OPHRA include:
Providing professional support and a forum for persons engaged in public human resources (HR) administration and/or employee/labor relations to discuss current issues within member jurisdictions and to provide a medium for mutual self-improvement.
Implementing the objectives and programs of IPMA-HR within the state of Oklahoma.
Explaining and interpreting the objectives and methods of HR administration to the general public, civic groups, government officials and employees.
Encouraging and facilitating cooperative action among public jurisdictions and private employers within the state of Oklahoma on HR issues of mutual concern.
Improving the quality of HR administration in public jurisdictions within the state of Oklahoma.
Analyzing, reviewing, and providing input on legislative matters dealing with HR administration in public organizations.
Disseminating and exchanging information, data, and analysis of policy pertaining to all areas of labor relations, including collective bargaining.
Fostering communication and cooperation among members to promote sound public policies, bargaining practices, and legislation.
Promoting innovative solutions to issues in Oklahoma public sector labor-management relations.
Providing a voice for Oklahoma public sector management and labor relations professionals in the development of state and national policy.
Providing training and continuing education opportunities.
All applications for membership shall include a certification in writing that the applicant qualifies under the conditions for membership specified herein.
No membership shall be transferable (organizational memberships including multiple unnamed participants shall not be considered transferred memberships).
Members changing positions may retain their membership for a reasonable period of time, provided all other obligations of membership are met and the member is not employed in a position contrary to the goals and objectives of OPHRA, and the member is seeking a position which would permit the member to retain membership status.
Eligibility for membership or continuation of membership shall be determined by action of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Types of Membership
Individual Membership is available to any person who is either an official or staff member engaged in HR-related work in a public sector entity solely on behalf of management, or engaged in teaching human resources administration as a faculty member of a college or university. Individual members are eligible to vote and/or hold office.
Affiliate / Sponsor Membership is available to any other person interested in improving HR management and not eligible for individual membership. Members must be involved in working solely for management pursuits related to the fields of HR or employee/labor relations. Affiliate/Sponsor members are not eligible to vote or hold office.
Student Membership is available to any full-time graduate or undergraduate student, or any person participating in a formal public service internship sponsored by a recognized academic institution. Student members are not eligible to vote or hold office.
Organizational Membership is available for a specified number of participants employed by a public entity. For an individual to be considered an OPHRA member by way of an organizational membership, he or she must be named by the organization as a participant. Such members are eligible to vote and/or hold office.
Honorary Membership may be granted in recognition of outstanding support and service on behalf of OPHRA as follows:
Past Presidents ~ upon retirement from HR or employee/labor relations field, or
By a unanimous vote of the OPHRA Board of Directors, to any person who has made significant contributions to the objectives of OPHRA, or who has served OPHRA with distinction.
Honorary members shall not be required to pay membership dues, but shall have all other privileges of membership in OPHRA, except the right to vote or hold office.
Section 3.Dues
The annual OPHRA membership dues shall be established by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Dues may vary for membership categories.
The Board may change the annual dues, subject to confirmation at the next annual conference.
Dues and other income shall be used to pay the expenses of conducting the business of OPHRA.
Article IV—Officers and Board of Directors; Meetings
Section 1.Officers
OPHRA officers shall consist of a President, President-Elect, and two Vice-Presidents.
The President shall be an individual member or a designated agency member representative of IPMA-HR.
The OPHRA Board of Directors may authorize the expenditure of funds to purchase an individual membership of IPMA-HR for the individual serving as President and President Elect.
Each officer shall be a member of OPHRA. Any officer who becomes ineligible for OPHRA membership shall cease to be an officer.
Section 2. Board of Directors
Except as otherwise provided by these Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall consist of the four officers, the Immediate Past President, the Treasurer, and any other Past President appointed by the President and approved by the Board.
Such Past President shall serve until the expiration of the appointing President's term.
A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum of that body. If at any meeting of the Board there is less than a quorum, any member present may adjourn the meeting and no official actions or expenditures may be effected without said quorum. However, any action of the Board may be taken without a meeting if consent in writing, including email, setting forth the action taken, is approved by a quorum of the Board entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof.
The President may appoint, with the approval of the Board, a Secretary who may be a paid staff member of OPHRA
Section 3. Terms of Office
The term of office of OPHRA officers and other members of the Board of Directors shall be for one year, from July 1 through June 30.
Section 4. Succession / Nomination / Election of Officers
The offices of President, President-Elect, and 1st Vice-President shall be filled by succession.
The Board of Directors shall, by majority vote, fill any Board vacancy, except that of the Immediate Past President.
Each year the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of five members representative of the dues-paying membership.
The committee shall receive and prepare nominations for any vacant officer positions and present such nominations for membership vote.
Additional nominations for any elected position may be made from the floor, provided that the individual making the nomination has consent of the individual being nominated.
All nominees must be willing to support and comply with OPHRA bylaws if elected.
Voting shall be by voice, sign or by ballot, as the members may determine.
Article V—Duties of Officers and Members of the Board of Directors
Section 1. Office of President
The President shall preside at all conferences and meetings of OPHRA and the Board of Directors, and shall be responsible for the general supervision of the business of OPHRA. The President shall appoint the nominating committee and other committees the Board of Directors may deem necessary or appropriate for carrying on the activities of OPHRA. The President shall assign responsibilities for committee leadership to appropriate officers or members. The President may appoint individuals to positions deemed necessary for assistance in carrying out his or her duties.
Section 2. Office of President Elect
The President-Elect shall consult with and advise the President on OPHRA matters and shall perform other duties as the President may assign. In the absence of the President or by the President's temporary incapacity to serve, the President-Elect shall exercise the duties required by Section 1 of this Article.
Section 3. Office of the Vice-President
The 1st and 2nd Vice-Presidents shall consult with and advise the President and perform other duties as the President may assign.
Section 4. Secretary and/or Treasure
The Secretary and/or Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping the membership records and other records, for notifying members of meetings, and for submitting an annual report to IPMA-HR containing relevant information on OPHRA activities and programs. The Secretary and/or Treasurer shall also be responsible for keeping minutes and other records as well as the receipt, custody, and depositing of OPHRA funds, subject to the control and review of the President or the Board of Directors. Only two designated Board members shall be authorized to disburse association funds. The Secretary and/or Treasurer shall prepare and submit to the OPHRA membership an annual financial report, and shall submit such other reports to the Board of Directors as the Board may require.
Section 5. Board of Directors Meetings and Duties
The Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the President, such meetings to be held at least quarterly. The Board of Directors shall manage the affairs of OPHRA in accordance with these Bylaws and any other policies established by a majority vote of the voting membership of OPHRA at the Annual Conference or any special meeting called by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is authorized to make interim policy decisions in the name of OPHRA. Such policies shall be subject to review and possible revision at the next Annual Conference. Members of the Board of Directors shall review the activities of, develop plans for future activities, and consider other matters brought to the attention of the Board by officers or members.
Section 6. Attendance and participation of Board Members
Board members shall attend all scheduled board meetings, actively assist in the planning and implementation of board and OPHRA initiatives, actively participate in all OPHRA activities, and attend all OPHRA sponsored conferences or training sessions. Failure of a board member to attend two consecutive board meetings or to actively participate in OPHRA activities, conferences and training, shall be cause for a letter of concern issued by the President. Upon further concern, the situation should be discussed by board members to determine any further appropriate action, possibly to include requesting the resignation of the individual from the OPHRA Board.
OPHRA shall conduct training conferences with the program content, costs, location, and dates to be determined by the Board of Directors. Training announcements shall be sent to members at least two weeks before the meeting date.
Section 2. Business Meetings
Annually, a conference shall include a business meeting during which members will conduct business, including but not limited to the election of officers. If business is to be conducted at any training conference, the conference announcement shall include notification of the upcoming business session. At any meeting held for the purpose of transacting OPHRA business, a quorum shall consist of at least fifteen (15) members.
Section 3. Special Business Meetings
The President or the Board of Directors may call special meetings of the general membership at any time. Special meetings may also be called when forty (40) percent of the voting members indicate a desire to have a meeting, such notice to include the general nature of the business to be conducted.
Section 4. Conducting OPHRA Proceedings
Except as otherwise provided by these Bylaws, all OPHRA proceedings shall be governed by the latest revised edition of Roberts' Rules of Order.
Proposed amendments to these Bylaws may be initiated by action of the Board of Directors or upon written petition signed by at least ten (10) OPHRA members. Proposed amendments to the Bylaws must be submitted in writing to the President at least 20 calendar days prior to the date they are to be considered by the Board of Directors. Amendments initiated by petition shall be addressed to the President for submission to the membership.
Section 2.
Proposed amendments shall be transmitted by the Secretary / Treasurer to the members in writing at least 30 calendar days in advance of the date on which they are to be voted on by the members. Proposed amendments initiated by petition shall be accompanied by the recommendation of the Board of Directors.
Section 3.
Before any amendments to these Bylaws are formally presented to the membership for consideration, the Secretary / Treasurer shall submit the proposed amendment(s) to IPMA-HR with a request that the proposed Bylaws change(s) be reviewed for conformity with policies of IPMA. No final action on these proposed amendments will be taken until a response to a request for review has been received by OPHRA.
Section 4. Any amendments to these Bylaws deemed to be in conflict with the objectives or policies of IPMA-HR shall be referred back to the board or submitting parties, as appropriate.
Section 5.
Any provisions of these Bylaws may be amended, subject to IPMA-HR concurrence, by a majority of votes cast by OPHRA membership at a meeting of the association. Any provision of these Bylaws may also be amended by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors, subject to IPMA-HR concurrence; however, any such amendment shall be considered temporary and shall also be subject to required approval of the membership by majority vote in order to remain in force and effect.
These Bylaws shall become effective upon final approval by IPMA-HR and the voting membership of OPHRA. However, all sections and articles of these Bylaws unrelated to the relationship between OPHRA and IPMA-HR shall become effective upon adoption by the OPHRA membership.
