The reason for the proposal is to change the method of voting when electing board members on an annual basis. Currently, the bylaws state that voting will take during the annual convention or via absentee ballot. To reflect today’s technology and encourage more members to participate in the election process, the AEA Board of Directors’ proposes the current language be amended to state that members will vote electronically via broadcast e-mail and the AEA website several weeks prior to the annual spring convention.

BENEFITS TO THIS PROPOSED CHANGE:

1. All members have the opportunity to vote—not just those attending convention. (In the past, absentee ballot participation has been dismal at best.)
2. The new board members are notified prior to the convention, giving them time to make arrangements to attend the convention and the annual spring board meeting scheduled during each convention.
3. Online voting will save the Association hundreds of dollars on an annual basis in printing costs for the paper ballots, labor to produce and oversee on-site voting booth, and shipping costs to the convention site.

 Therefore, the AEA Board of Directors recommends the following amendment to the AEA Bylaws:

CURRENT LANGUAGE FOR ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
Sec. 5.03. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. Election announcements will be made to the membership via Avionics News and other communications vehicles. The Trusteeship Committee will encourage members to submit their names and qualifications for possible inclusion on the slate of nominees. The Trusteeship Committee assembles the final slate of nominees, which is then presented to the board of directors for approval and then to the full membership for the final vote. Whenever possible, the Trusteeship Committee will submit more than one qualified candidate for each opening. Voting will take place at the annual convention. Members not in attendance may request an absentee ballot. A quorum of 10 percent of the membership will be required for the vote. The votes will be counted by the Election Committee, which is made up of the past Chairmen of the Board. Generally, the Membership shall elect six Directors each year for terms of three years, so that up to 18 elected Directors are re-elected over a three-year cycle. The actual number elected may vary if there are additional vacancies that must be filled.

PROPOSED ADMENDMENT LANGUAGE CHANGES (IN RED):

Sec. 5.03. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. Election of directors for open seats takes place on an annual basis. Several weeks prior to the annual election, announcements and notification of open seats on the board will be made to the membership via the AEA website, broadcast e-mails to members, in  Avionics News and other communications vehicles. The Trusteeship Committee will encourage members to submit their names and qualifications for possible inclusion on the slate of nominees. The Trusteeship Committee assembles the final slate of nominees, which is then presented to the board of directors for approval and then to the full membership for the final vote. Whenever possible, the Trusteeship Committee will submit more than one qualified candidate for each opening. Members receive the slate of nominees via e-mail and cast their ballot and submit it electronically a few weeks prior to the annual convention & trade show. A quorum of 10 percent of the membership will be required for the vote. Prior to the convention, the votes will be tallied and verified by the Election Committee, which is made up of the past Chairmen of the Board. Generally, the Membership shall elect six Directors each year for terms of three years, so that up to 18 elected Directors are re-elected over a three-year cycle. The actual number elected may vary if there are additional vacancies that must be filled.