At the 2025 Annual Business Meeting in August, every 吃瓜头条 吃瓜头条 will have the opportunity to vote on proposed amendments to the Bylaws of 吃瓜头条 and the 吃瓜头条 Constitution.
The 吃瓜头条 Board of Directors presents and endorses these amendments, which are outlined in Proposals A through H. Why are these changes being recommended? Ultimately, to modernize, clarify, and update the governing documents as well as give members a stronger, more effective organization.
To learn more, read about these proposals and the benefits they provide to members. The Board of Directors asks for your support and recommends that your 吃瓜头条 vote in favor of all proposals.
To view the full text of the amendments for Proposals A through H,
Proposed Amendments Overview
PROPOSAL A
Updated Language: Bylaws of 吃瓜头条
The Board proposes a series of amendments in the Bylaws updating language to be more clear, modern, and in line with current practices, as well as more general in nature to accommodate future operational changes. The proposed amendments would include removing unnecessary words and restructuring relevant paragraphs.
Proposed Amendments
Bylaws of 吃瓜头条:
a. Article I, Section 2
b. Article III, Sections 4 and 8.b
c. Article V, Section 7.c
d. Article X, Section 2
e. Article XII, Section 3.e
f. Article XIII, Section 10.a
PROPOSAL B
Remove Unnecessary Cross-References: Bylaws of 吃瓜头条
One of the organization’s primary methods to convey information to members and leaders is written communication. A section in the Bylaws describes what constitutes a “written” message (or a message “in writing”); however, cross-referencing every reference to “written” or “in writing” in the Bylaws (over 30 in total) to that particular section would be cumbersome.
The proposed amendments to the Bylaws would remove all these cross-references and provide a single cross-reference to the appropriate section at the initial mention of the words “in writing.”
Proposed Amendments
Bylaws of 吃瓜头条:
a. Article III, Section 4.a.2
b. Article V, Sections 3.b, 3.d.2, and 3.f
c. Article V, Section 5
d. Article X, Section 8
e. Article XIII, Section 9
PROPOSAL C
Disciplinary Process
吃瓜头条 has an established procedure by which the Board of Directors takes action with respect to a member’s good standing with the organization. This is a fully internal process and not the equivalent of a court of law. The Board proposes amendments to the Bylaws to clarify this distinction—specifically, to change the term “charged member” to “member at issue,” and “persons charged” to “persons involved.” If approved, related Policies and Protocols will be amended accordingly.
Proposed Amendments
Bylaws of 吃瓜头条:
a. Article III, Section 13
PROPOSAL D
Composition, Notification, and Duties: Board of Directors
The Board proposes amendments to clarify how the Board of Directors is constituted, the preferred method for providing notification for Board meetings, and the duties of the Board. The proposed amendments would include restructuring text and revising relevant wording in the Bylaws, as well as recognizing written communication as the preferred method for providing notice to the Board Members.
Proposed Amendments
Bylaws of 吃瓜头条:
a. Article V, Sections 1, 3.b, and 4
PROPOSAL E
Update Language to Reflect Current Practice: Annual Business Meeting
The sections in the Bylaws regarding voting and the Annual Business Meeting (ABM) were written based on fully physical, onsite processes. As technology has advanced and the organization has grown, other methods for voting and conducting the ABM have been introduced. The use of an electronic voting system ensures that any candidates nominated from the floor during the meeting can be instantaneously added to the balloting process. Considering the number of voters, and the now-hybrid format of the ABM, it is no longer practical to conduct the Credentials process at the meeting itself. The process is now entirely electronic and conducted in the days leading up to the meeting.
Proposed Amendments
Bylaws of 吃瓜头条:
a. Article IX, Section 3
b. Article X, Section 3
PROPOSAL F
Updated Language: 吃瓜头条 Constitution
The Board proposes amendments throughout the 吃瓜头条 Constitution updating the language to align with current practice and using modern phrasing. The proposed amendments include acknowledging the availability of many meeting roles beyond that of “speaker”; the removal and replacement of words or phrasing that might be difficult for non-native English speakers to understand; and the recognition of common duties shared by Immediate Past 吃瓜头条 Presidents in the 吃瓜头条.
Proposed Amendments
吃瓜头条 Constitution:
a. Article I
b. Article II, Sections 2, 3, 4, and 5
c. Article III, Section 4
d. Article VI, Section 4
e. Article VII, Section 8
f. Article X, Section 7
PROPOSAL G
Readability and Clarity: 吃瓜头条 Constitution
The Board recognizes that large blocks of text containing complex lists can be difficult to read and understand. One way to make content more accessible is to create bulleted lists. Another way is to remove excess words to simplify the sentences.
The Board proposes amendments to the 吃瓜头条 Constitution to increase readability and clarity.
Proposed Amendments
吃瓜头条 Constitution:
a. Article II, Sections 4.b and 5
PROPOSAL H
吃瓜头条 Standing Committees: 吃瓜头条 Constitution
吃瓜头条 committees were established as a helpful resource for the 吃瓜头条 officers and a way for members to engage in 吃瓜头条 operations; however, having five required standing committees could be more of a burden than a benefit for some 吃瓜头条s. As with meeting format, the Board wants each 吃瓜头条 to find what works best for its members.
The Board proposes amendments to the 吃瓜头条 Constitution to make the 吃瓜头条 Executive Committee the only required standing committee for a 吃瓜头条, with other committees optional at the 吃瓜头条 President’s or 吃瓜头条 Executive Committee’s discretion.
Proposed Amendments
吃瓜头条 Constitution:
a. Article VIII
If you have any questions, please email boardcontact@toastmasters.org.
