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Members will vote on 2007–2008 officers and directors and on bylaws amendments by online ballots or paper ballots that will be posted on the website and mailed on Monday, April 9.
Nominations for officers and directors are made by the Nominating Committee from a list recommended by individual members and by the Chapters Regional Committees.
Additionally, any voting member of the Society may write in the name of an individual for any office.
Amendments to the Bylaws are being proposed for TWO separate votes:
1. Amendments proposed by the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors approved the proposed amendments by the required 2/3 vote and hereby submits them to the membership for vote. Key points include the following:
• Amending Article III, Meetings of Members, to clarify specifics of giving members notice of annual and winter meetings and to add a paragraph defining “Record Date” as required by New York State not-for-profit law.
• Consolidating the titles “executive vice president,” “secretary” and “chief staff officer” under the title “executive vice president.”
• Providing for electronic meetings of the Board of Directors and designated committees.
• Clarifying the purpose of a petition/referendum and how such a document can be used.
• Giving the Board of Directors authority to determine the number of members on the Finance Committee.
• Amending the scope of other standing committees to clarify and reflect current operations.
• Allowing the Board to delegate the chartering of chapters, branches and sections.
• Increasing the minimum number of members required to initiate a bylaws amendment from 50 to 300.
Recommendation
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the amendments proposed by the Board of Directors.
2. Amendments proposed by the Membership
In accordance with the bylaws, a group of members, through the petition process, hereby submits proposed amendments to the bylaws.
The amendments would give the Board of Directors authority to determine the makeup of the Board of Directors, whereas the present bylaws give the ASHRAE membership the authority to determine the makeup of the Board.
Recommendation
The Board of Directors does not support the amendments proposed by the membership. These changes would allow the composition of the ASHRAE Board of Directors to be determined by the Board of Directors rather than by the ASHRAE membership.
The Board of Directors believes it is important that the membership approve the composition of the Board of Directors. The Board recommends a vote AGAINST the amendments proposed by the membership.
Ballots for 2007–2008 officers and directors must be returned to ASHRAE Headquarters by Friday, June 1. After that date, members can mail their ballots to: (hotel guest) Jeff H. Littleton, secretary, Hyatt Regency Long Beach, 200 South Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802.
Members may also cast their ballots on line at https://eballot3.votenet.com/ashrae OR in person at the 2007 Annual Meeting in Long Beach on Friday–Sunday, June 22–24 during registration hours in the ASHRAE Registration area at the Hyatt Regency.
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