Proposals submitted and accepted by the Steering Committee is posted below. You can download the PDF here.
Author: Ben Hollingsworth
Seconded by: Beth Overland
Article and Section: V. 1. 5. i.
Section Exactly as Worded in 2014 Bylaws:
- 1. 5. i. State Association Representatives.
Proportionate Council of Representatives representation by State Association Affiliates shall be determined as follows:
20-199 members—up to two (2) delegates
200-399 members—up to three (3) delegates
400-599 members—up to four (4) delegates
600-799 members—up to five (5) delegates
At least 800 members—up to six (6) delegates
Proposed Amendment: (to begin at the end of the section, after the listed ratio of number of delegates to membership count) For the purpose of determining State Association Affiliate representation at the Council of Representatives, State Association Affiliates shall provide the Association a membership count comprised of members directly registered with said state association affiliate. Individuals identified or listed on State Association Affiliate membership rolls through association with partner organizations or affiliates of said State Association Affiliate, yet not directly registered with said association, will not be included in the official membership count to be submitted to the Association.
Revised Proposed Amendment: Membership count should show only directly-registered members of State Association.
Rationale: This amendment is to encourage full disclosure between each state association affiliate represented at the Council of Representatives; such disclosure can encourage each state association affiliate to work with each other in better improving membership counts and reaching out to new members through new ideas and avenues for contact. Numbers that are inflated through affiliation with other organizations gives a misleading idea as to an organization’s strength, and can give the Association (NAD) misleading information regarding numbers of Deaf/HH nationwide in terms of support for the Association’s mission. Numbers that are inflated are good for talking points with local State politicians; not among ourselves. Honest numbers help us in better recognizing our future needs with our communities.
Bylaws Committee Input: We agree with this amendment. Our concern is that the proposed revision is too long for the bylaws. We recommend that the intent be developed through written rules in three different guidelines (Board Policy Manual, State Association and Affiliates Handbook and Delegate Manual). We agree with the revised proposed amendment.
Board of Directors Input: The Board of Directors supports this proposed amendment with By-Laws Committee and Headquarters recommendations.
Headquarters Input: The NAD HQ supports this proposed amendment, and recommends that the bylaws be amended to read “Proportionate Council of Representatives representation by State Association Affiliates shall be determined based on appropriate proof and documentation of direct membership as follows:”
Fiscal Impact: Proof of direct membership would facilitate quick assessment of the number of representatives, and reduce time and resources from staff and board to track the necessary information.
Author: Ben Hollingsworth
Seconded by: Beth Overland
Article and Section: V. 1. 5. i.
Section Exactly as Worded in 2014 Bylaws:
- 1. 5. i. State Association Representatives.
Proportionate Council of Representatives representation by State Association Affiliates shall be determined as follows:
20-199 members—up to two (2) delegates
200-399 members—up to three (3) delegates
400-599 members—up to four (4) delegates
600-799 members—up to five (5) delegates
At least 800 members—up to six (6) delegates
Proposed Amendment:
(to begin at the end of the current article and section, after the list showing ratio of delegates and membership count.) State Association affiliates shall provide a membership count for purposes of determining number of delegates; Said membership count will be conducted through a tally of members registered with State Association Affiliates during the following time period between Biennial National Conference(s):
1) starting on the first Sunday occurring immediately after the end of the Biennial National Conference.
2) ending on December 31st of the odd-numbered year prior to the following Biennial National Conference.
Revised Proposed Amendment: Membership count should cover the time period starting on the first Sunday after conference to ending on December 31st of the odd-numbered year between Conferences.
Rationale: State Associations sometimes experience an increase in new memberships after the conclusion of a Biennial National Conference, especially with social media showing what happens during Conference; each state association gets renewed interest locally within their state from old and new members. Limiting membership counts to the one odd-numbered year between conferences does not allow State Associations to properly credit themselves for the new members they have gained in the period prior to the start of the odd-numbered year. This proposal adds roughly 6 months (short one week) to the time period for counting membership numbers. State Associations could use this to bolster their delegate counts in a fair manner.
Bylaws Committee Input: We agree with this amendment. Our concern is that the proposed revision is too long for the bylaws. We recommend the intent be developed through written rules in three different guidelines (Board Policy Manual, State Association and Affiliates Handbook and Delegate Manual). We agree with the revised proposed amendment.
Board of Directors Input: The Board of Directors supports this proposed amendment with By-Laws Committee and Headquarters recommendations.
Headquarters Input: The NAD HQ supports this proposed amendment.
Fiscal Impact: Proof of direct membership would facilitate quick assessment of the number of representatives, and reduce time and resources from staff and board to track the necessary information.
Author: Bylaws Committee
Seconded by: No second required.
Article and Section: IV. 3. 1. to IV. 3. 4.
Section Exactly as Worded in 2014 Bylaws:
- 3. 1. Region I
- 3. 2. Region II
- 3. 3. Region III
- 3. 4. Region IV
Proposed Amendment:
- 3. 1. Region I/Affiliates
- 3. 2. Region II/Affiliates
- 3. 3. Region III/Affiliates
- 3. 4. Region IV/Affiliates
Rationale: To add Affiliates to each region reflecting the home office location of each affiliate. Affiliates with home offices in a specific region will benefit from enhanced regional board member assistance and collaboration that is currently not available as well as promoting networking between State Associations and Affiliates.
Board of Directors Input: The Board supports this proposed amendment, but it should be understood that this amendment will impact the regional board representatives’ responsibilities given that they will need to work with an increased number of representatives from both state associations and affiliates in their respective regions.
Headquarters Input: The NAD HQ supports this proposed amendment.
Fiscal Impact: None
Author: Bylaws Committee
Seconded by: No second required.
Article and Section: VII. 1. Amendments
Section Exactly as Worded in 2014 Bylaws:
VIII. 1. Amendments.
These bylaws may be amended by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the Council of Representatives present and voting at the biennial national conference, provided that amendments are submitted to the Law Committee sixty (60) days prior to the conference, that copies are sent to conference delegates thirty (30) days prior to the conference, and that amendments are read during the conference and acted upon immediately thereafter. Amendments may be enacted only by the Council of Representatives.
Proposed Amendment:
VIII. 1. Amendments.
These bylaws may be amended by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the Council of Representatives present and voting at the biennial national conference, provided that amendments are submitted to the Law Committee ninety (90) days prior to the conference, that copies are sent to conference delegates thirty (30) days prior to the conference, and that amendments are read during the conference and acted upon immediately thereafter. Amendments may be enacted only by the Council of Representatives.
Rationale: To have one more month to ensure a smooth amendments proposal process including time to develop more materials such as ASL version and to revise some context information before sharing with delegates prior to the conference.
Board of Directors Input: The Board does not support this proposed amendment. 60 days is the usual standard and should be enough time as it already stands. By-Laws committee should be ready and committed to having 30 days within this period to review. Better efforts in outreach might have more impact than giving 90 days time.
Headquarters Input: The NAD HQ takes no position on this proposed amendment.
Fiscal Impact: None