From June 26 to July 2, the SPJ Virginia Pro Chapter will hold an election to consider changes to our bylaws as proposed by the SPJVA board of directors. The changes are aimed at improving our financial planning.
Here is a copy of the bylaws with the proposed revisions highlighted. The change would affect these articles in the bylaws:
Article IV: “… Each spring, the treasurer also will be responsible for proposing an annual budget for presentation to the board. …”
Article IV: “Officers will be elected at the last general membership meeting of the spring or via an electronic vote.”
Article V: “Section 7. The board will be responsible for the following basic functions: adoption of an annual budget, membership and attendance, meetings, professional programs, planning, convention representation at national and regional conventions, and cooperation with national headquarters.”
Article V: “… Before a programming event is held, the committee planning the activity must present to the board a budget reflecting the program’s costs and potential revenues.“
Article VII: “The chapter will elect at least one delegate to represent it at each national convention and Region 2 spring conference.”
The election will be held via an online ballot that we will send to all SPJVA members. (That means everyone who is current on their national and local SPJ dues. You can check your membership status at spj.org.)
If you do not receive an email with the ballot but you believe you are eligible to vote in the election, contact us at virginiaprospj@gmail.com. The deadline to vote in the election will be 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 2.
SPJVA Today 
Since there is no plan to hold a general business meeting of the chapter in person, where elections and bylaws would normally be discussed and voted upon, I would like to request a posted rationale for these changes.
Also, I would like to suggest that in-person membership, board and program meetings resume in person. There are many new and old members who have never met each other, and new members with limited or no experience in SPJ, yet are being nominated for chapter leadership positions. SPJVA should not become an impersonal, remote organization.