Important Information Regarding Delegate's Election, Term and Term Limit

via email from Gail Friedman on 11/13/2009 at 10:57 AM

Dear Chapter Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Secretaries,

In June 2009, the National Board of Directors approved a Bylaw change that affects delegates’ terms and the number of consecutive terms allowed. This change takes full effect in 2012 but there are steps that need to be taken over the next couple of years as we work towards full implementation.  We’ve compiled the following summary to help clarify some things since the new process is very different from the previous process:

• Delegates will now serve a two-year term

• Delegates will be elected at the same annual meeting in which chapters hold their annual elections  

• Delegates will have a limit of three-terms, meaning that a delegate can serve up to six consecutive years and then have to sit out a year before running again

• Delegates’ terms will now run concurrently with other chapter officer’s terms

• All delegates begin serving at the same time newly-elected chapter officers do, in accordance with AMTA Bylaws

• 2010: No delegates elected (with the exception of a Special Election allowed in February for the Georgia Chapter per separate email from Gail*)

• 2010-2011: Delegate(s) who were elected in 2009 and serving in 2010, will serve until chapters elect new delegate(s) in 2011. 

• 2011: 

• If your chapter has one delegate, elect one delegate to a two-year term. 

• If your chapter has an even number of delegates (2, 4):

• elect half of the delegate positions to a two-year term and

• elect half of the delegate positions to a one-year term.

• If your chapter has an odd number of delegates (3, 5):

• elect the larger amount of delegate positions to a two-year term and

• elect the smaller amount of delegate positions to a one-year term.

• 2012 and beyond: Elect delegates to two-year terms.  Delegates will have a three-term (consecutive) limit.

The staggered elections outlined above will help chapters retain an experienced delegate who can mentor a “first-time” delegate.

To help facilitate the shift in Delegate terms and when Delegates take office, chapters have been provided an opportunity to change the date of their 2010 or 2011 Annual Meeting if they wish.  Article XIV. Chapters, Section 7.B. Annual Meeting has the following Proviso: Effective immediately, the date of either the 2010 Annual Meeting or the 2011 Annual Meeting may be more than sixty (60) days before or after the date of the 2009 or 2010 Annual Meeting (respectively).

We understand that this process may seem daunting at first; however, please be aware that we will continue to communicate with you about this, and we are available for any questions or concerns you have.  FAQ’s will be posted on the HOD section of AMTA’s website (http://www.amtamassage.org/member/house_delegates.html) as well as distributed to chapter presidents, vice presidents, and secretaries.  Email Gail Friedman (gfriedman@amtamassage.org) or call 877-905-2700, ext. 168.

House of Delegates Operations Committee

Sent by:

*added by 2^nd Vice President, Linda Christie, on 11/15/09