Proposed Bylaw Change

In accordance with AATE practices and bylaws please note that on Saturday, July 30 at 12:00PM (ET), the AATE Annual Member Meeting will take place at the National Conference in Providence, Rhode Island. All members are invited to attend.

The business to be conducted will include a review of AATE’s organizational status including the following: membership, financials, committee and network updates, a review of the organiztion's Anti-Racist/Race Equity Action Plan, bylaw amendment voting, introduction of new board members and AATE citations. 

In order to further clarify and streamline the functioning of the organization, AATE members will be asked to vote on the following Bylaw changes. Proposed changes along with the rationale for the changes were proposed by the Governance and Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression, Equity, & Justice Committees to the Board. The Board has moved to bring these changes before the members as outlined below. Should you have any questions, please contact Alexis Truitt, AATE’s Executive Director, at [email protected]. Click here to view the current AATE Bylaws.

Proposed resolutions regarding bylaw amendments:

AMENDMENT #1

Whereas: Consistency of titles and roles in an important trait of any formal document

Whereas: The term Vice Chair and Chair-Elect are used interchangeably throughout the bylaws.

Therefore let it be resolved: That an editorial amendment be made throughout the bylaws that replace any use of “Vice Chair” with “Chair-Elect”. Changes to be made in sections: 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.5.2, 5.8, 7.1, 7.4, and 7.6

AMENDMENT #2

Whereas: Our organization aims to encourage membership from across our field and industry.

Whereas: The term "professional" has been used to exclude people within our field.

Whereas: No Professional Code of Standards currently exists within the organization’s paperwork or website.

Therefore let it be resolved: The the following amendment be made to the first sentence of Section 2.2 of the bylaws:

“Members shall agree to all terms and conditions of these By-Laws and shall be governed by the AATE Professional Code of Standards” shall now read, “Members shall agree to all terms and conditions of these bylaws.”

AMENDMENT #3

Whereas: The needs and abilities of our national organization have adapted with 21st Century technology and video conferencing has enabled communication in a consistent and secure manner that reflects the former needs of in-person meetings.

Whereas: Emergency situations have presented themselves in the past where virtual meetings have been necessary and may be again in the future.

Whereas: The state of Maryland has waived a former in-person necessity for member meetings of community associations and board lead organizations.

Whereas: AATE has demonstrated successful use of virtual meetings for the membership during the past two national conferences.

Therefore let it be resolved: That Section 2.12 be deleted from the AATE Bylaws in its entirety.

“Section 2.12. Attendance through Electronic Communications Equipment Prohibited. Meetings of the members through any electronic communications equipment are prohibited. Participation through electronic communications equipment shall not constitute presence at such meeting.”

AMENDMENT #4

Whereas: The work of the Elections committee is to encourage members to run for office through communications and advocacy.

Whereas: AATE has made clear the need for global majority representation in leadership roles throughout the organization via the 2021 Race Equity Action Plan.

Whereas: Language is ever shifting to best capture intent and create inclusion.

Therefore let it be resolved: That the third sentence of Section 7.2 [The role of the Election Committee is to ensure that a sufficient number of candidates are recruited to run for office, and to specifically invite candidates who might diversify the Board (in all respects).] be amended to read, “The role of the Election Committee is to ensure that a sufficient number of candidates are recruited to run for office, and to specifically invite candidates who might diversify the Board and reflect the communities we aim to serve.”

The annual meeting and its proceedings will be held in-person and live streamed via the AATE Facebook page. We hope to see you at the Annual Meeting and throughout the national conference Arriba el Telón (Raise the Curtain) in Providence.

Sincerely,

Alexis Truitt                    Mitch Mattson
Executive Director         AATE Board Chair