**ARCHIVED POST **
The State Board recommended one amendment to the Bylaws at the April quarterly meeting and signaled that additional changes to the Bylaws and to the Standing Rules were likely to be presented at the upcoming July meeting.
All changes to the Bylaws must be approved by the membership. Current rules allow voting either by mail ballot or in person at the annual meeting. The proposed change recommended at the April meeting would also allow voting to be conducted by “electronic means” — either email ballots or voting through special software for that purpose. Rationale for the change is that it would be less expensive than mail ballots.
A new committee called the President’s Advisory Committee is developing additional proposals. The committee is chaired by Dennis Perz of the Williamson County Chapter and reports directly to the President.
Among the Bylaw changes being considered are a change to the term length for elected officers and a change in the voting method.
Currently all elected officers serve a term of one year which begins immediately after the close of the annual meeting in October. A report presented at the meeting suggested that a two-year term would be more in line with what other non-profit boards are doing. Several board members stressed that a one-year term is not long enough to learn the job and accomplish their goals. Terms could be staggered so that half the Executive Board is elected one year and half the next. Another suggestion made is that elected officers begin their terms in January instead of October.
Method for electing officers
Another amendment would change the method of voting for officers. Currently elections are held at the annual meeting. However in many years less than five percent of the membership attends the annual meeting. Moreover it is held during the symposium when there are many events and attractions competing for time and attention. Voting by mail ballot or by electronic means could allow wider involvement and attract more interest.
Details and actual wording of all the proposed changes are still being developed. Amendments to the Bylaws must be approved by the membership. Input and involvement from all members is encouraged.
Changes to responsibilities
In addition to Bylaw changes the Board is considering changes to the Standing Rules under the heading of Responsibilities of officers. Cynthia Maguire suggested shifting the responsibilities for symposium planning and awards to committees and relieving the President-elect and the Past President of those tasks respectively.
Membership fees
Dell Hood, Vice-President of Administration, stated that his committee was developing a proposal to increase membership dues. He said that his studies showed that current membership dues were well below those of similar organizations and that it had been a long time since the last increase. He also pointed out that operational expenses have recently increased without any corresponding increase in income.
**ARCHIVED POST**
**ARCHIVED POST LINKS & PICTURES MAY NOT WORK**
**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: Bill Hopkins
