2023 Proposed Bylaw Changes
Purpose and Key Issue Pros and Cons

The full text of the Bylaws, both with changes shown and the final version for approval can be viewed in the links below.

Current Bylaws with in-line edits (comparison)

Proposed Bylaws for member approval

Purpose

Bylaw changes should occur, from time to time, to keep pace with changes in policies and procedures implemented by the Board and changes in the social environment. The last time the Bylaws were changed was January 2017. Several Club policies have been implemented since then and there are certain aspects of Membership/Board behavior which have evolved (organically) since that time as well. Some new policies must be incorporated into the Bylaws as well as other changes which facilitate normal opera on of the Club.

A committee was formed to evaluate and recommend amendments. That committee consists 4 Board members, 3 of whom are Officers, including: Joe Pirozzoli (President); Duane Gall (Safety Officer); Jerry Higgins (Secretary); and, Dan Underkofler (Events Coordinator). The following amendments were unanimously approved by the Board of Directors at the August BOD meeting.

Absentee Voting

Description

The recent pandemic and other social factors have highlighted the need for the Club to allow absentee voting. Restrictions on “in‐person” meetings as well as a notable decline in Member attendance (for any number of reasons) has made reliance on physical attendance problematic. Absentee voting, with proper assurances, allows for continued, routine business without the need for physical attendance at Business meetings.

Pros

• Encourages greater Member participation
• Makes meeting a quorum much easier (and almost guaranteed)
• Provides more flexibility in case “in‐person” voting is inconvenient or unavailable (e.g. COVID pandemic, lack of venue availability, weather events, etc.)
• Gives folks that are unable to a end a means of participating in Club business (i.e. due to illness, lack of transportation, bad weather, etc.)
• Many, many other clubs successfully utilize absentee voting

Cons

• Requires extra work by certain Board members (i.e. Webmaster, etc.)
• Requires specific provisions:
  • Must make voting accessible to all Members
  • Must provide security (i.e. no double counting, etc.)
  • Must be able to provide confidentiality (e.g. for voting that requires a secret ballot)
• Means that results may not be available immediately, or at the conclusion of a Business meeting 

Reducing Number of Board Members by 2

Description

It has become readily apparent, within the last decade, that the Board may reduce its number by at least 2. A reduction of 2 (from 13 to 11) is desired in order to maintain an odd number of voting Board positions. It is virtually impossible to expect that all 13 members will attend a meeting, particularly when the Past President (PP) rarely participates, even immediately following his/her term in office. Eliminating the reliance on the PP to participate, and dropping another position is not significantly impactful nor will it be punitive to Board efficiency and function. The other position selected for removal, under this measure, is the Public Relations Director.

Pros for Removing Past President

• Historically, over the past 2 decades, the Past President (PP) has not served for more than 1 year following his/her term in office – in the majority of cases the PP does not serve at all, which compromises the ability to maintain an odd number of Board attendees
• Reduces the number of participants for each meeting (i.e. 13 is a very large number and not needed)
• Increases probability of having a full compliment of Board members at meetings
• Easier to recruit a new President because that person is no longer obligated beyond their term in office (i.e. for additional years as the PP)
• Incoming President can call upon anyone to assist with transition and advisement (including any PP’s or other former Board members)
• The incoming President can install non‐voting Board members if needed (including the PP or others)

Cons for Removing Past President

• The Past President provides some continuity for transition of power, however, this is true whether the PP is on Board or not – also, other returning Board members provide similar continuity
• The Past President is a good advisory resource, however, (again) the PP can be utilized whether officially on the Board or not

Pros for Removing Public Relations Director

• PR reports are rarely needed or even provided at every Board meeting (i.e. there are relative few PR issues that crop up throughout the year)
• This position is not critical to day‐to‐day Club operations or routine Board business
• Reduces the number of participants for each meeting (i.e. 13 is a very large number and not needed)
• Increases probability of having a full compliment of Board members at meetings
• Historically there have not been many PR Directors – IOW… the Club has previously gone without a PR Director for extended per periods of me, although not recently
• Incoming President can appoint a PR committee Chairperson or install a non‐voting PR Board member
• The City is less concerned about the “title”, than the person – IOW… the City seeks to have a reliable and responsible point of contact from the Club, and is often oblivious to their title or Board status
• It will be easier to recruit this position because it will require a lesser time commitment

Cons for Removing Public Relations Director

• If the PR Director in involved in City negotiations, having “Director” status is beneficial, however, that can be accomplished by appointing PR as a non‐voting Board member

Recent Policies or Changes to be Included in Bylaws

The following are policies which have been adopted by the Board and are proposed to be incorporated in the Bylaws:

• The Member information “Privacy Policy” (i.e. personal information will be protected and not shared)
• Formal exclusion of AMA “Park Pilot” membership for Club Members (i.e. Club Members must have “Full” or “Youth” AMA membership to meet Lease‐required liability coverage obligations)
• The policies and procedures for applying Membership Dues and Fees, to new and existing members, will be managed by the Membership Chairperson