May 18, 2004

The Board of Directors and the Constitution and Operating Procedures Committee have endorsed these four proposed amendments to the NABJ Constitution and urge every full member to do so, too—for the good of NABJ.

Amendment Proposal 1:
(If adopted, this proposal would eliminate from the Board and Executive Board the position of the Immediate Past President, and remove the positions of four regional directors from the Board. The Board would specify the new regional boundaries by its October 2004 meeting. The new Board changes would impact the 2005 election and take effect with the 2005-2007 term.)


The Board of Directors shall be 14 in number and include:

Executive Board
President
Vice President Print
Vice President Broadcast
Secretary
Treasurer
Parliamentarian

Plus
Six Regional Directors
Student Representative
Associate Representative

(If adopted, this proposal would eliminate from the Board and Executive Board the position of the Immediate Past President, and remove the positions of four regional directors from the Board. The Board would specify the new regional boundaries by its October 2004 meeting. NABJ’s governing documents specify that the Board decides such boundaries, which are subject to change as needed.)


Amendment Proposal 2:

Shall the Associate Representative remain a voting member of the Board of Directors?

(An affirmative vote means the Associate Representative will retain voting privileges on all matters decided by the Board of Directors.)

Amendment Proposal 3:
Shall the Student Representative remain a voting member of the Board of Directors?

(An affirmative vote means the Student Representative will retain voting privileges on all matters decided by the Board of Directors.)

Amendment Proposal 4:
(If adopted, this proposal establishes the Constitution and Operating Procedures Committee and the Board of Directors as a clearinghouse for proposed amendments to ensure that proposed changes are consistent with existing NABJ policies. Also clarifies the two-thirds requirement for adoption and specifies that proposed changes must be circulated to members.


To amend Chapter 6, Article I, Section 2(a) to read as follows:

Current: The Constitution may be amended as follows:
(a) The Constitution can be amended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting membership. Changes to this Constitution must be submitted in writing to the Parliamentarian at least six (6) months prior to an annual National Convention. At that time, the Parliamentarian will convene and chair the Constitutional Committee to discuss the proposed change. The Committee, through the National Office, will circulate the proposed amendment with a recommendation to all affiliate Chapters and the Board of Directors at least sixty (60) days prior to the annual National Convention. At the next annual National Convention, the membership can approve said amendment with an affirmative two-thirds vote and said amendment shall be considered adopted immediately.

Proposed: The Constitution may be amended as follows:
(a) Changes to this Constitution must be submitted in writing to the Parliamentarian at least six (6) months prior to an annual National Convention. At that time, the Parliamentarian will convene and chair the Constitution and Operating Procedures Committee to discuss or amend any proposed changes. The Committee will forward any proposed amendment(s) to the Board of Directors with a recommendation. If approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, the Committee, through the National Office, will circulate the proposed amendment(s) to members and affiliate Chapters at least sixty (60) days prior to the annual National Convention. The membership can approve the amendment at the annual National Convention. Two-thirds of the total number of votes cast shall be required for adoption, and said amendment shall be considered adopted immediately.

(If adopted, this proposal establishes the Constitution and Operating Procedures Committee and the Board of Directors as a clearinghouse for proposed amendments to ensure that proposed changes are consistent with existing NABJ policies. Also clarifies the two-thirds requirement for adoption and specifies that proposed changes must be circulated to members.)