Bylaws & Constitution Update

1/5/2021

The AVAA Board is reviewing the bylaws and constitution to ensure relevance and structure of governance that will not adversely impact the organization. Bylaws should be reviewed regularly and it's our responsibility to ensure our members are kept informed.

Below are the changes proposed. This will be submitted to the members for review and then for voting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office at vaanesthesiologist@gmail.com or call 206-794-9124.

During the National Meeting on October 8, 2020, a number of changes to the Bylaws and Constitution were proposed. Please vote on the proposed updates for the following:

Officers
Dues
Membership
Vacancies
Amendments
Terms of Office

Officers:

The constitution does not include the role of vice president or separate roles for the treasurer and secretary.

Recommendation: update constitution to include vice president and to delineate that the secretary and treasurer are separate positions.

Dues:

The constitution and bylaws differ in the following ways:

The bylaws specify a date January 1st of each year as the date that annual dues are to be paid. The constitution does not specify a date.

Recommendation: Update constitution to include dates of payment listed in bylaws.

Membership Application:

The constitution states that applications for membership will be submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer, whereas the bylaws states applications are to be submitted to the secretary.

Recommendation: Update constitution to reflect that member applications are to be submitted to the secretary.

Amendments:

The Bylaws state that proposed amendments should be mailed to each member, after review by the executive committee, at least fifteen days prior to the annual session. If urgent changes in the Bylaws are indicated, an amendment to the Bylaws may be introduced at any meeting of this Association or may be recommended by the Executive Committee and mailed to each member. It must be approved at a subsequent meeting held at least thirty days after the previous meeting or notification.

The Constitution states proposed amendments should be received ninety days before the next meeting and should be reviewed by the Bylaws Committee and the Executive Committee and sent to the membership with its recommendations thirty days before the next meeting. Amendments proposed from the floor at an annual meeting and those received by the Bylaws Committee through the mail less than ninety days before an annual meeting may undergo discussion only.

Recommendation: Update the constitution to reflect that Bylaws may be introduced at any meeting of this Association or may be recommended by the Executive Committee and mailed to each member. It must be approved at a subsequent meeting held at least thirty days after the previous meeting or notification.

Terms of Office:

Serving in the role of President Elect, President and Immediate Past President requires a two-year commitment to each of these roles.

Recommendation: Amend the bylaws/constitution to limit the role of President Elect to 1 year, President to 1 year, and Immediate Past President to 1 year.