ISHMPR Governing Guidelines

Article I: Name

Section 1

The name of this organization shall be the Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations (ISHMPR).

Section 2

The Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations shall be an affiliate group of the Illinois Hospital Association.

Section 3

ISHMPR’s President shall maintain a liaison with the national Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development (SHSMD) as a Chapter Member.

Article II: Mission

The Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations is committed to advancing healthcare marketing and communications, public relations, and related disciplines by providing networking and knowledge sharing between healthcare marketing and communications professionals.

Article III: Vision

The Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations will provide visionary leadership for healthcare marketing, communications, and public initiatives within the network of healthcare facilities across Illinois.

Article IV: Philosophy

Section 1

ISHMPR will be one statewide organization affiliated with the Illinois Hospital Association for the purpose of furthering the development of healthcare marketing, communications, public relations, and related disciplines.

Section 2

ISHMPR will provide opportunities for professional growth through education, networking, and collaborative initiatives.

Section 3

ISHMPR will sustain an environment and structure to reflect the diversity of geography, community, and membership.

Section 4

ISHMPR will be an evolving organization, which embraces change, vision, creativity, and leadership.

Section 5

ISHMPR will serve as a catalyst to further the positioning of Illinois hospitals and health systems as community leaders by providing its members with resource development and expertise.

Article V: Membership and Dues

Section 1

The Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations will provide equal opportunity for membership and board participation without regard to race, religion, color, creed or national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, or disabilities to all persons otherwise qualified. ISHMPR shall ensure a work and meeting environment free from discrimination.

Section 2

Active membership is open to persons employed or recognized by the administration of a healthcare organization as having continuing responsibilities for marketing, communications, public relations, and related activities within their organization. Active members are entitled to serve on and chair a committee, make motions, and vote on ISHMPR issues, hold office, receive membership mailings and communications, access “for members only” information, and attend educational forums and membership meetings.

Section 3

Associate membership is open to healthcare marketing and public relations industry representatives who play a support role in the delivery of healthcare marketing, communications and public relations services. As examples, but not limited to, allied agencies, public relations and/or advertising agencies with a hospital or health client, and professional organizations related to healthcare. Eligible members are entitled to serve on and chair a committee, make motions and vote on ISHMPR issues, hold office, receive membership mailings and communications, access “for members only” information, attend educational forums and membership meetings.

Section 4

Courtesy membership is open to retired healthcare marketing, communications, and public relations professionals who are no longer active in their positions but retain an interest in the Society’s activities. Courtesy members are entitled to receive ISHMPR mailings and communications, access “for members only” information, and attend educational forums and membership meetings.

Section 5

Student membership is open to current college students at a rate of $25/year.

Section 6

Other membership applications not addressed in this definition will be acted upon by the ISHMPR Board of Directors on an individual basis.

Section 7

Membership dues will be paid before May 1. Dues amounts for each level of membership will be set annually by the Board of Directors and announced each year at the ISHMPR Annual Business Meeting.

Section 8

For membership purposes, a recognized healthcare facility is defined as one offering a continuum of care to Illinois communities. That includes but is not limited to, hospitals, nursing homes, hospice, home care, rehab facilities, and other related healthcare organizations.

Article VI: Appointment of Leaders

Section 1

The Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations shall be governed by one statewide Board of Directors, composed of at least 9 and no more than 13 individuals appointed by the ISHMPR Nominating Committee and confirmed by a two-thirds majority of voting members at the Annual Business Meeting, either in person or by proxy. Also serving on the Board of Directors in a support role shall be an IHA staff liaison, serving Ex-Officio and appointed by the President of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association. Members of the Board must be affiliated with (or employed by) an Illinois Healthcare Organization or supporting vendor organization and will be selected based on their capacity to represent and provide support to the Board and ISHMPR members.

Section 2

The Board of Directors shall include the following offices: President, Vice President, and Immediate Past President. Each will serve one, two-year term, with the Immediate Past President retiring from the Board as the President leaves office. Officers may succeed themselves but may not serve two consecutive terms in the same office.

A board member can serve on the board for no more than 12 consecutive years. Upon reaching this term limit or resignation, ISHMPR members in good standing can rejoin the board if elected by the membership after a 2-year hiatus. If a board member, including executive positions such as President and Vice President are considered inactive for a period of more than three months, the board has the right to remove them from the current ISHMPR board by a majority vote. Inactivity would be defined as a lack of participation in monthly calls and attending conferences.

Section 2.1

Responsibilities of the Board of Director’s offices are as follows:

President – Responsible for the general supervision of the work of ISHMPR, shall preside at all Board of Director and General Membership meetings, provide direction and support for all working committees of ISHMPR, and be the direct liaison to IHA staff in support of ISHMPR business and activities.

Immediate Past President – Responsible for the smooth transition of leadership within the organization; shall support the incoming President on rules of order, recruitment of new board members, and organization policy and programming. Shall accept direction and assignments from the President, including assistance with the Treasurer role responsibilities.

Vice President – Can assume a variety of roles and lead the Board of Directors in organizing general membership meetings and educational forums and serve as a direct liaison to IHA staff in support of planned events. May serve as President-Elect of the organization.

Treasurer – Responsible for the accounting of organization finances and shall keep all financial records for ISHMPR and distribute formal minutes and communications as directed by the President. This role may be outsourced, as a paid position, as deemed by the Board on a year-to-year basis.

Section 3

The Board membership shall include the following Committee Chairs: Education/Program; Membership; Pinnacle Awards; and Web Development. Committee responsibilities and assignments will be directed by the President.

Section 4

The Immediate Past President shall present a slate of officers, Committee Chairs, and new Board members to the general membership for confirmation by a two-thirds majority of voting members at the Annual Business Meeting, either in person or by proxy.

Section 5

The Board of Directors shall meet in person once annually to set the year’s calendar and strategy. Following the strategy session, the Board shall meet monthly via teleconference, coordinated by the President.

Article VII: Membership Meetings and Programs

Section 1

The Annual Meeting shall be held each fall in conjunction with the Annual Pinnacle Awards presentation.

Section 2

An educational forum shall be held each spring.

Section 3

An annual awards program will recognize excellence in project work in healthcare marketing, communications, public relations, and related disciplines.

Section 4

The Board of Directors may call/plan other educational forums and general membership meetings as necessary.

Article VIII: Illinois Hospital Association Liaison

As an affiliate of the Illinois Hospital Association (IHA), the Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations shall maintain a direct relationship with the IHA for the following support services:

• A designated staff liaison from the IHA will serve as a “gatekeeper” for ISHMPR leadership to access IHA resources and information.
• Each member of the ISHMPR Board of Directors will receive the IHA Daily Briefing to keep ISHMPR informed of IHA initiatives and legislative news.
• The ISHMPR President (or his or her designee) will be provided with a copy of the Annual IHA Resource Directory.
• IHA will provide a link from the IHA Web to the ISHMPR Web.
• IHA will provide support services as defined annually.

Article IX: Fiscal Year

The fiscal year shall commence on January 1 and shall end on December 31.

Article X: Amendments

These guidelines may be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the ISHMPR Board of Directors. Such amendments will be included in the Annual Board Meeting presentation at the Fall Conference and posted to the ISHMPR website.

Article XI: Dissolution

Dissolution of the Society shall be by a majority vote of the active members. Distribution of funds upon dissolution will be to a not-for-profit organization selected by the ISHMPR Board of Directors.

Revised: September 2018.
Click here to download a PDF of the ISHMPR Governing Guidelines.