During its July 2025 meeting in Washington, D.C., the NSPRA Executive Board approved a new 2025-2028 strategic plan that sets a bold course for the association’s future.

At its heart is an updated mission statement that speaks directly to the work of our members: The National School Public Relations Association advances public education by building understanding and empowering professionals to communicate strategically, earn trust and cultivate relationships. 

To bring that mission to life, the board also updated its values for the association, as recently approved during its September 2025 meeting, to guide NSPRA forward:

• We embrace the diversity of our members and elevate their voices.

• We champion equity, inclusion, and belonging.

• We promote innovation and excellence in school communications.

• We prioritize responsiveness to the evolving needs of public education.

• We uphold the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, and stewardship.

The new strategic plan, which association staff will implement, focuses on four key goals for the next three years:

➢ Membership Growth and Engagement – Expanding outreach, onboarding and retention strategies to serve professionals at every stage.

➢ Financial Sustainability and Resilience – Strengthening revenue streams and ensuring long-term organizational health.

➢ Advocacy and Visibility – Positioning NSPRA as the trusted national voice on school communication and public education.

➢ Support for Chapters and Reciprocal Relationships – Building stronger, mutually beneficial ties between NSPRA and its chapters.

 

Members to Vote on Bylaws Amendments

The association's mission statement is part of NSPRA Bylaws, and updates to it require a vote by eligible members. Other bylaws amendments identified by the Executive Board during their April 2025, July 2025 and September 2025 meetings relate to standing and special committees and to the definition of a student membership. A vote is planned for mid-October, following the required 30-day member notification period.

Proposed bylaws changes are as follows and indicated through strikeouts (removal of current content) and red text (new content added).

 

NSPRA Bylaws Article I – Mission

Section 1.  NSPRA is the leader in developing advances public education by building understanding and empowering professionals to communicate strategically, build earn trust and foster positive cultivate relationships in support of their school communities.
 

NSPRA Bylaws Article II – Membership

Section 1.  Membership in the Association shall be defined as follows:

• Professional Member – A person who has professional responsibilities in educational public relations in a non-profit or not-for-profit capacity (i.e., school district, education agency, government agency) is eligible for NSPRA professional membership. Professional members have the right to vote and to hold office, and to apply to become candidates for Universal Accreditation.
• Associate Member – A person who is interested in and supportive of educational public relations may become a NSPRA associate member. Associate members may not vote, are not eligible to hold office, and are not eligible to become candidates for Universal Accreditation.
• Professional Partner – A person who has professional responsibilities in educational public relations in a for-profit capacity may become a NSPRA professional partner. Professional partners may apply to become candidates for Universal Accreditation but may not vote and are not eligible to hold office.
• Retired Member - A person who has retired from professional responsibilities in educational public relations is eligible for NSPRA retired membership. Retired members may maintain their Universal Accreditation status but may not vote and are not eligible to hold office.
• Student Member - A person who is currently enrolled full time in a secondary school or higher education institution and who does not have professional responsibilities in educational public relations is eligible for NSPRA student membership. Student members may not vote, are not eligible to hold office, and are not eligible to become candidates for Universal Accreditation.
   

NSPRA Bylaws Article VII – Committees

Section 1. Standing Committees engage in activities that are continu­ing in the program of the Association. With the exception of those specifical­ly listed in this Article, they may be created or dissolved as the need indicates by the President, with the approval of the Executive Board. Chairpersons and members of standing committees shall be appointed by the President except as set forth in this Article, Section 1(a), (e), and (f). 

(a) Executive Board Search Committee. There shall be an Executive Board Search Committee composed of seven eight Association members representing each of the seven Association regions, and at least one Association member who is from a historically underrepresented group. Seven committee members will be selected to represent each of the seven Association regions. One committee member will be selected to represent a historically underrepresented group. The Executive Board shall appoint the members of this committee and specify their terms of office. Each year the President-elect shall appoint one member to serve as their chair. The Executive Board Search Committee annually shall seek out and identify a slate of one or more candidates for each elected office that will become vacant the following year. 

Section 2.  Special committees may be appointed for the following purposes: 

(a) Election Campaign & Complaints Committee. The Election Campaign & Complaints Committee shall hear formal complaints registered during the election process and resolve issues in a manner consistent with these bylaws and the Association’s Code of Ethics. The Executive Committee shall select the number of members and membership of the committee. Committee members must be association members in good standing. 

(b) National Judicial Committee.  The National Judicial Committee shall investigate ethics violations as described in Association policy. The committee’s membership shall be selected by the Executive Committee from among Association members in good standing. 

(c) Other.  Other special committees may be created by the President with the approval of the Executive Board, which shall designate their powers and the term of the committee’s appointment. 

Members and terms of service of special committees are determined by policy.
 

Bylaws Amended: December 2001; October 2004; September 2005; September 2006; September 2007; September 2008; September 2010; June 2021; October 2022; February 2024