2023 Bylaw Changes

The following is a summary of the significant changes that are being proposed to the organization's governing Bylaws which require approval by a majority vote of the membership. These amendments are being proposed in response to feedback provided by the organization’s members, and with the support of the Directors and Officers for your consideration. 

A vote in favor (Yes) will result in the proposed changes taking immediate effect. A vote not in favor (No) will result in no changes to the current by laws. 

1) Membership 

The membership structure was amended to;

a. Add Utility Membership, which are water resource entities such as water and clean water service providers. Utility members are provided with five (5) individual memberships, plus all employees of the entity are provided discounted rates on programs and training. 

b. Removal of Student Membership due to the historically low participation in this category. 

c. Change Regulatory Agency Membership to Partner Agency Membership to allow for those organizations which do not fit into the Utility or Corporate Membership category such as Non-Profit Organizations. 

2) Officer Terms

The current term for the Treasurer, Secretary, Second Vice President, Vice President, President, and Past President is 2 years. This term period was identified as a potential barrier to participation because of the progressive track from Second Vice President through Past President, which as it currently stands would be 8 years. 

The Proposed change is to reduce the terms for the Second Vice President, Vice President, President, and Past President terms to 1 year each. The Secretary and Treasurer would be increased to 3 years and would not require advancement into presidential roles, but would remain Officers of the Organization.  

3) Attending Meetings Remotely

Currently Board Members are not permitted to attend Board meetings remotely more than 5 times annually. While Covid-19 restrictions were in place, this requirement was waived to comply with local Health and Safety regulations and to remain operational as an organization. 

The proposed change is to remove the limited number of meetings that can be attended remotely.

To review all of the proposed edits in the bylaws, see the below document.