NSFRC 2025 Membership Ballot Guide
for:
Proposed Changes to the Constitution
and Bylaws
Proposed Constitutional
Changes:
#1 Amendment
to Article IV – Membership, Section 3
Current
Wording of Article IV, Section 3:
"Section 3.
Membership shall commence from the date of application and shall be
acknowledged by a receipt or membership card by the secretary. All members over
the age of 14 are entitled to vote."
Proposed
Wording:
"Section 3. Membership shall
commence from the date of application and shall be acknowledged by a receipt or
membership card by the secretary. All
members in good standing over the age of 14 (fourteen) are
eligible to vote."
Rationale:
This proposed amendment clarifies that only members "in good
standing" are eligible to vote, aligning this section with standard
nonprofit governance practice and other references throughout the NSFRC
Constitution and Bylaws. Although the original phrasing is often interpreted to
mean that voting is limited to members in good standing, this is not explicitly
stated. Changing this phrase ensures consistency and avoids ambiguity in future
interpretation as is intended to be a constitutional correction.
Voting
Options:
☑ YES – I approve the amendment
Article IV, Section 3.
☑ NO – I do not approve the amendment
to
Article IV,
Section 3.
#2
Addition of Article IV, Section 7 – Definition of Member in Good Standing
Current
Wording:
There is currently no definition of "member in good standing" in the
NSFRC Constitution and Bylaws.
Proposed
Wording – New Section 7:
"Section 7. A
member in good standing is the status assigned to a Member of the NSFRC when he
or she has remained current on Club dues (or applications for due waivers)
which cover a 12-month period. Being a member in good standing affirms the
member’s commitment to the vision of the NSFRC, reflected in its
Constitution and By-laws, to which all members are bound. It is expected that
members in good standing will work collaboratively with honesty, integrity and
respect for other members to strengthen the Club and will not engage in any activities that will
bring discredit to the NSFRC. Members in good standing are eligible to reap all benefits of membership,
including participation in all club meetings, committee appointments, sweeps,
elections, proposing C&BL revisions, acquiring the newsletter and other
club correspondence, and the ability to run for office."
Rationale:
This amendment formally defines the term "member in good standing,"
which is referenced multiple times throughout the NSFRC Constitution and Bylaws
but not currently defined. Clarifying this status supports transparency in
governance, eligibility for participation, and consistency in applying rules
for member rights and responsibilities.
Voting
Options:
☑ YES – I approve the addition of
Article IV, Section 7.
☑ NO – I do not approve the addition
of Article IV, Section 7.
#3
Addition of Article VI, Section 9 – Term Limits for Board of Directors
Current
Wording:
There is currently no language in the NSFRC Constitution and Bylaws regarding
term limits for Board of Directors service.
Proposed
Wording – New Section 9:
"Section 9. A
member may serve up to six consecutive years on the Board of Directors (BOD).
Upon completion of the sixth year of service, the member cannot serve on the
BOD for one full year. If an appointed officer serves for more than half a year
in office, it shall qualify as a full year in office."
Rationale:
This amendment introduces term limits to promote rotation in leadership and
prevent long-term consolidation of power. It ensures opportunities for broader
member involvement in governance, encourages leadership development, and
supports a healthy cycle of institutional knowledge renewal. The clause
recognizing appointments longer than six months as a full year aligns with
standard nonprofit practices and preserves fairness in calculating service
duration.
Voting
Options:
☑ YES – I approve the addition of
Article VI, Section 9.
☑ NO – I do not approve the addition
of Article VI, Section 9.
#4
Addition of Article VI, Section 10 – Board of Directors and Immediate Family
Members
Current
Wording:
There is currently no language in the NSFRC Constitution and Bylaws regarding
service of immediate family members on the Board of Directors.
Proposed
Wording – New Section 10:
"Section 10.
Immediate family members cannot serve on the Board of Directors at the same
time."
Rationale:
This amendment is intended to promote fairness, transparency, and independence
in Board decision-making by preventing potential conflicts of interest or undue
influence. It helps ensure that the Board reflects a diversity of voices and
maintains the appearance and reality of impartial governance. Limiting
simultaneous service by close family members aligns with common nonprofit
practices and avoids perceptions of favoritism or consolidated influence.
Voting
Options:
☑ YES – I approve the addition of
Article VI, Section 10.
☑ NO – I do not approve the addition
of Article VI, Section 10.
#5
Amendment to Article V – Meetings, Section 9 & Addition of Section 10 Live
Streaming of Board and Membership Meetings
Current
Wording of Article V,
Section 9:
"Section 9. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of
the Board of Directors or of any committee may be taken without a meeting if
all members of the Board or committee consent in writing to taking the action
without a meeting and to approving the action. Such consents shall have the
same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Board or of the committee as
the case may be."
For this ballot change there are 3
options. Select One:
Option
A – Keep Section 9 as
written and add Section 10 as follows:
Section 10. Board of Directors meetings will be live streamed
whenever possible and available for viewing by members in good standing. All
general membership meetings will be live-streamed and available for members in
good standing to participate electronically.
Rationale
For Option A:
· Balances transparency with
flexibility, acknowledging that live-streaming may not
always be technically feasible.
· Prevents potential privacy or legal
concerns from being unintentionally aired to the public or broader membership.
(Continue to page 3)
Limitations
for Option C:
· Lack of live-streaming
may contribute to member disengagement or perceived secrecy in decision-making.
· Excludes remote members from
participating or observing important club activities.
Voting
Options: Please
select one of the following three options:
☑ Option A – Keep Section 9 as written
and add Section 10
☑ Option B – Replace current Section 9
☑Option C– I do not approve either change.
Keep original language
#6 Amendment to Article VII
– Amendments Comprehensive Revision of Article VII – Amendment Changes or Minor
Revision to Section 2
Current
Wording:
ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendments to this
Constitution may be proposed by any member in good standing or by majority vote
of the Board of Directors. The proposal shall be reviewed by the Constitution
Committee for inconsistencies or conflicts with the American Rabbit Breeders
Association or the Constitution & By-Laws of the National Silver Fox Rabbit
Club. If none be found, the proposal shall be presented to the membership for a
vote.
Section 2. The entire membership
shall be polled via mail or electronic ballot. A 2/3 majority of ballots
received shall constitute acceptance of the proposed amendment, which shall
become effective immediately upon passage.
Option
A – Comprehensive
Revision of Article VII:
Proposed
Wording:
ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS -
NOTE: Complete rewrite to Article VII
Section 1: Any member in good standing may propose an amendment to the
Constitution and Bylaws by submitting the proposal in writing to the
Chairperson of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee by March 31st. The
proposal must include:
· The exact wording of
the proposed amendment.
· The current bylaw
provision, if applicable.
· A rationale for the
proposed change.
· Signatures of at least
five (5) adult members in good standing supporting the proposal.
Section 2: The
Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall review all submitted proposals for
clarity, consistency, and alignment with the American Rabbit Breeders
Association (ARBA) Constitution and Bylaws. If any inconsistencies or conflicts
with ARBA’s governing documents are identified, the proposal will be
returned to the submitter for revision and resubmission. If corrections are not
submitted by May 1st, the proposal must wait for the next election cycle. Once
a proposal has completed review and is deemed acceptable, it shall be forwarded
to the Election Committee no later than June 1st. Approved proposals will be
compiled and made available to the membership at least 30 days prior to the
ballot release date (no later than July 15th). Copies of the proposed changes
will be distributed to all voting members electronically unless the member has
requested a printed version.
Section 3: A period of
discussion for proposed amendments shall begin once the proposed changes are
distributed to voting members and will continue until the close of the election
on August 31st. During this time:
Members may submit
questions or comments regarding the proposed amendments to the Chair of the
Constitution and Bylaws Committee or the Election Chair.
The Election Chair will
post all submitted comments and responses to questions on the NSFRC Facebook
page and the NSFRC website to ensure open access to all members.
Section 4: Proposed
amendments will be included on the general election ballot distributed to the
membership. Voting will occur concurrently with the general election. An
amendment shall be adopted if it receives a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the
votes cast.
Section 5: Adopted
amendments shall take effect at the annual NSFRC meeting held during the ARBA
Convention.
Rationale: This proposal
replaces the existing Article VII with a fully detailed, transparent, and
member-accessible process for proposing and voting on changes to the
Constitution and Bylaws. It establishes clear deadlines, formal submission
requirements, a defined review and comment period, and electronic distribution
of information to ensure equitable participation across the entire membership.
This promotes accountability, clarity, and procedural fairness, while aligning
with ARBA standards.
Option
B – Minor Update to
Current Article VII:
Proposed
Wording:
ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendments to this
Constitution may be proposed by any member in good standing or by majority vote
of the Board of Directors. The proposal shall be reviewed by the Constitution
Committee for inconsistencies or conflicts with the ARBA or the Constitution
& By-Laws of the National Silver Fox Rabbit Club. If none be found, the
proposal shall be presented to the membership for a vote.
Section 2. The entire membership in good standing shall be polled via mail or
electronic ballot. A 2/3 majority of ballots received shall constitute
acceptance of the proposed amendment, which shall become effective immediately
upon passage.
Rationale: This option
makes a small but important clarification to Section 2 by specifying that only
members in good standing may participate in the amendment vote, ensuring
consistency with voting rights language in other parts of the bylaws.
Voting
Options:
☑ Option A – Approve the comprehensive
revision to
Article VII.
☑ Option B – Approve the minor update
(add good standing)
to Article VII
☑ Neither – I do not approve either
change.
#7
Amendment to Article II – Elections, Section 2 Addition of Voter Eligibility
Cut-Off Date
Current
Wording of Article II,
Section 2:
"Petitioner(s) for offices of President, Vice-President, and
Secretary-Treasurer must have been a continuous member of the NSFRC for two
years previous to petition. Petitioners for office of
Director must have been a continuous member of the NSFRC for one year previous to petition. All petitioners must be over the age
of 14 years old and a member, in good standing with the NSFRC and the ARBA at
the time of petition."
Proposed
Wording:
"Petitioner(s) for offices of President, Vice-President, and
Secretary-Treasurer must have been a continuous member of the NSFRC for two
years previous to petition. Petitioners for office of
Director must have been a continuous member of the NSFRC for one year previous to petition. All petitioners must be over the age
of 14 years old and a member, in good standing with the NSFRC and the ARBA at
the time of petition. Members must have held membership with the
NSFRC as of June 30 of
the election year in order to vote in
that year’s election."
Rationale:
This amendment adds a clear eligibility cut-off date for voter participation in
NSFRC elections. By requiring that voters be members as of June 30 of the
election year, the club ensures a fair and stable voter roll while preserving
the integrity of the election process. This standard also aligns with commonly
used practices in membership-based organizations to establish eligibility
before ballots are issued.
Voting
Options:
☑ YES – I approve the amendment to
Article II,
Section 2 regarding cut-off date for
voter eligibility.
☑NO – I do not approve the amendment to
Article II, Section 2.
Proposed Bylaw Changes:
#8
Amendment to Bylaw Article II – Elections, Section 3 Clarification of Eligible
Voting Status and Constitutional Reference
Current
Wording of Article II,
Section 3:
"On July 15th, or as soon after petitions have been received, an official
ballot will be issued to all members in good standing."
Proposed
Wording Option A:
"On July 15th, or as soon after petitions have been received, an official
ballot will be issued to all eligible voting members in good standing. Eligible voting members are those in good
standing over the age of 14 (fourteen) per Article IV of the Constitution."
Proposed
Wording Option B:
"On July 15th, or as soon after
petitions have been received, an official ballot will be issued to all eligible voting members in good standing,
per Article IV.
Rationale:
Both Options are fairly similar. This amendment improves clarity by specifying
that ballots are issued only to "eligible voting" members and
explicitly ties the criteria to Article IV of the Constitution. This ensures
internal consistency across governing documents and reinforces that only
members meeting the eligibility requirements outlined in Article IV may vote.
The update also protects the integrity of the election process by helping to
avoid misinterpretation or unqualified voting.
Voting
Options:
☑ Option A – I approve the amendment
to Article II, Section 3 Clarification of Voting Status and Reference.
☑ Option B – I approve the amendment
without defining “good standing” status with reference.
☑ NO – I do not approve the amendment
to
Article II,
Section 3.
#9
Amendment to Article II, Section 6: Unopposed Candidate Vote Threshold
Current
Wording:
“Section 6. Candidates receiving the largest number of votes shall be
declared elected. If any (continue to page 5) candidate is running unopposed, they shall be
declared elected, and no votes need be rendered.”
Proposed
Wording:
“Section 6. Candidates receiving the largest number of votes shall be
declared elected. If any candidate is running unopposed, they must be on the official
ballot and receive 50 (fifty) percent plus 1 (one) votes
based on the number of all the eligible voting members. If the votes fall
short, the office will be considered vacated and may be filled by presidential
appointment per Article 3, Section 6 in the Constitution.”
Rationale:
This amendment ensures that unopposed
candidates demonstrate a basic level of support from the membership before
taking office. Requiring a majority of all eligible voting members (50% + 1) to
affirm a candidate strengthens democratic legitimacy and reinforces the
principle of consent by the governed.
However, this threshold may be
difficult to meet under current NSFRC voting participation rates. The club
rarely receives ballots from a majority of eligible voters, which could result
in more vacancies being filled by presidential appointment. Voters should weigh
whether this additional safeguard justifies the practical risk of leaving
offices unfilled through election.
Voting
Options:
☑ YES – I approve of creating an
Unopposed Threshold to Amendment to Article II, Section 6
☑ NO – I do not approve this change
Article II, Section 6.
#10
Amendment to Article III, Section 3 Duties of the Secretary – Clarification of
Reports and Notifications
Current
Wording of Article III,
Section 3:
"The Secretary shall receive and act upon membership applications in a
timely manner. Notify all members of meetings and elections. Keep an accurate
record of minutes at all meetings. Such minutes shall be sent to all Board
Members via mail or email and shall be posted at the official NSFRC webpage
and/or included in the NSFRC Newsletter. The Secretary shall act promptly on
all correspondence directed to his/her office and shall consult the Board of
Directors on such matters. Submit an annual report of the condition of the
club. Consult and advise the Board of Directors of all matters of policy he/she
deems unusual or advisable. The secretarial records may be reviewed annually upon
notification by the President or through the President by the
majority of the Board of Directors. He/she shall perform any such duties
as directed by the Board of Directors or the President. The Secretary is to
receive a monthly stipend from the club as reimbursement for club duties. The
amount of reimbursement is subject to approval by the Board of Directors and
should be approved by a two-thirds majority vote."
Proposed
Wordings (several options): Please select one of the following three options:
☑ Option
A – Proposed
Revision Including Member Privacy Clause:
"The Secretary shall receive and act upon membership applications in a
timely manner. Notify all members of all meetings
and elections,
including all BOD
meetings and special meetings. Keep an accurate record of minutes at all meetings. Such
minutes shall be sent to all Board Members via mail or email and shall be
posted at the official NSFRC webpage and/or included in the NSFRC Newsletter.
The Secretary shall act promptly on all correspondence directed to his/her
office and shall consult the Board of Directors on such matters. Submit an
annual report of the condition of the club. Submit a written report of the condition of
the club, including the current number of members, at each regular meeting of
the Board of Directors, though this report may not be included in the BOD
meeting minutes to protect member privacy. Consult and advise the Board of Directors of all matters of
policy he/she deems unusual or advisable. The secretarial records may be
reviewed annually upon notification by the President or through the President
by the majority of the Board of Directors. He/she
shall perform any such duties as directed by the Board of Directors or the
President. The Secretary is to receive a monthly stipend from the club as
reimbursement for club duties. The amount of reimbursement is subject to
approval by the Board of Directors and should be approved by a two-thirds
majority vote."
☑ Option
B – Alternate
Revision With Additional Notification Details:
"The Secretary shall receive and act upon membership applications in a
timely manner. Notify all members of elections and all meetings, including all BOD meetings and
special meetings.
Keep an accurate record of minutes at all meetings. Such minutes shall be sent
to all Board Members via mail or email and shall be posted on the official
NSFRC website and/or included in the NSFRC Newsletter. The Secretary shall act
promptly on all correspondence directed to his/her office and shall consult the
Board of Directors on such matters. Submit an annual a written report of the condition of the club, including the current
number of members, at each regular meeting of the Board of Directors. Consult and advise the Board of
Directors of all matters of policy he/she deems unusual or advisable. The
secretarial records may be reviewed annually upon notification by the President
or through the President by (continue to page 6) the majority
of the Board of Directors. He/she shall perform any such duties as
directed by the Board of Directors or the President. The Secretary is to
receive a monthly stipend from the club as reimbursement for club duties. The
amount of reimbursement is subject to approval by the Board of Directors and
should be approved by a two-thirds majority vote."
☑ Option
C Neither – I do
not approve either revision to Article III, Section 3.
Rationale:
Both versions of the amendment aim to clarify the Secretary's duties regarding
the frequency and content of reports to the Board of Directors, and to ensure
consistent notification of all types of meetings.
Option A introduces a clause allowing
membership reports to be excluded from public minutes to protect member
privacy.
Option B emphasizes comprehensive
notification language but does not include a privacy exclusion for membership
numbers. This vote allows members to select their preferred wording or maintain
the current language.
Voting
Options:
☑ Option A –Clarifies wording of
Secretary’s reporting
duties with privacy exclusions.
☑ Option B – Clarifies wording of
Secretary’s duties
without privacy exclusions.
☑ Option C-Neither – I do not approve
either change to Article III,
Section 3 Duties of the Secretary.
# 11
Amendment to Article IV – Committees, Section 1
Current
Wording:
“Section 1. Standing
Committees of the NSFRC shall be: Constitution
Committee, Standards Committee, Auditing Committee, Election Committee, and
Youth Committee. The President will appoint Standing Committees and designate a
Committee Chair subject to the approval by simple majority of the Board of
Directors. The term of all Standing Committee Chairs and members shall be two
years and shall be the same as the NSFRC Board of Directors term year.”
Proposed
Wording:
“Section 1. Standing
Committees of the NSFRC shall be: Constitution
Committee, Standards Committee, Auditing Committee, Election Committee, and Youth Committee, and Awards Committee. The President will appoint Standing
Committees and designate a Committee Chair subject to the approval by simple
majority of the Board of Directors. The term of all Standing Committee Chairs
and members shall be two years and shall be the same as the NSFRC President’s term.”
Rationale:
This amendment adds the Awards Committee as a formal Standing Committee of the
NSFRC to support consistent planning and oversight of show-related awards. It
also clarifies that committee terms are aligned with the President’s term, promoting continuity in
appointments and leadership across administrative cycles. These updates reflect
current practice and streamline governance language.
Voting
Options:
☑ YES – I approve the amendment to add
the
Awards Committee to Article IV,
Section 1.
☑ NO – I do not approve the amendment
to
Article IV,
Section 1.
#12
Addition to ARTICLE IV Section 1. Add “Advisory
Youth Member on Standing Committees.”
Current
Wording:
There is currently no “advisory youth member on Standing Committees in the NSFRC Constitution
and Bylaws.
Proposed
Addition to Article IV, Section 1:
“When feasible, one youth
member may be appointed to serve in an advisory, non-voting capacity on NSFRC
Standing Committees. The youth advisory member must be in good standing and
under the age of 18 at the time of appointment. Advisory members do not count
toward quorum and are not considered voting members of the committee.”
Rationale:
This amendment encourages youth involvement in NSFRC governance in a way that is meaningful, educational, and
age-appropriate. By assigning advisory roles rather than full committee
membership, the club ensures adult oversight, avoids structural conflicts on
size-limited or voting-sensitive committees (such as Elections and Auditing),
and allows youth a platform without unintentionally violating ARBA or NSFRC
governance norms. This also respects the varying levels of access youth may
have to club communications or online tools.
Voting
Options:
☑ YES – I approve the addition of an
advisory youth member to Article IV, Section 1.
☑ NO – I do not approve this addition.
#13
Amendment to Article V, Section 4: Weighing at National Shows
Current
Wording:
Section 4. At all National shows, all
rabbits should be weighed to confirm compliance with the SOP for breed minimum
and maximum weights. (Continue to page 7)
Proposed
Options
Option
A – NSFRC Oversight
(Expanded Procedure)
Section 4. At all National shows, all
rabbits should be weighed to confirm compliance with the Standard of Perfection
for breed minimum and maximum weights. The top fifteen rabbits in each class must be weighed by the
judge or under the judge’s supervision. Additional rabbits may be weighed as the judge
deems necessary or upon agreement with the NSFRC. Only the judge has the
authority to disqualify rabbits for not meeting the ARBA’s Standard of
Perfection. Exhibitors have the right to receive comments on every rabbit
entered, including those disqualified by the judge.
Option
B – Show Committee
Oversight (Expanded Procedure)
Section 4. At all National shows, all
rabbits should be weighed to confirm compliance with the Standard of Perfection
for breed minimum and maximum weights. The top fifteen rabbits in each class must be weighed by the
judge or under the judge’s supervision. Additional rabbits may be weighed as the judge
deems necessary or upon agreement with the NSFRC Show Committee. Only the judge
has the authority to disqualify rabbits for not meeting the ARBA’s Standard of
Perfection. Exhibitors have the right to receive comments on every rabbit
entered, including those disqualified by the judge.
Option
C – Clarified for ARBA
Compatibility (Preserves Judge Discretion)
Section 4. At all National shows,
rabbits should be weighed to confirm compliance with the Standard of Perfection
for breed minimum and maximum weights. The judge is encouraged to weigh the top fifteen rabbits in each
class or may do so under their supervision. Additional rabbits may be weighed
as the judge deems necessary or in agreement with the NSFRC Show Committee.
Only the judge has the authority to disqualify rabbits for not meeting the ARBA’s Standard of
Perfection. Exhibitors have the right to receive comments on every rabbit
entered, including any rabbits disqualified by the judge.
Rationale (applies to all options):
These proposals expand and clarify
weighing expectations at National Shows. They affirm that the judge has
exclusive authority to disqualify rabbits per ARBA Show Rules, while
introducing structured guidance for weighing procedures to promote fairness and
transparency. All options preserve exhibitor rights to receive judge comments
and ensure weighing supports breed compliance, not disciplinary action.
- Option A emphasizes NSFRC’s general oversight authority.
- Option B assigns that coordination specifically to the Show Committee.
- Option C is softened to ensure full alignment with ARBA by preserving maximum
judge discretion.
Voting Options:
☑ Option A – I approve the amendment as described
in Option A (NSFRC Oversight).
☑ Option B – I approve the amendment as described
in Option B (Show Committee
Oversight).
☑ Option C – I approve the amendment as described
in Option C (Preserves Judge
Discretion).
☑ Neither – I do not approve any version of the
proposed amendment.
#14
Amendment to Article VI, Section 1 – Discipline
Current
Wording: “Section 1. Any member against whom
charges of misconduct have been filed shall be furnished a written statement of
said charges and allowed a minimum of 30 days to reply. The reply shall be sent
to the Secretary who shall send a copy of the reply, along with the written
charges to each of the Board of Directors for review. Upon review by the Board
of Directors, a simple majority vote by the Board may elect to expel, suspend
or reprimand said member against whom the charges were brought.”
Proposed
Wording:
“Section 1. Any member
against whom charges of misconduct have been filed shall be furnished a written
statement of said charges and allowed a minimum of thirty (30) days to reply.
The reply shall be sent to the Secretary, who shall send a copy of the reply,
along with the written charges, to each member of the
Board of Directors for review. Upon review by the Board of Directors, a simple
majority vote by the Board may elect to expel, suspend, or reprimand the member
against whom the charges were brought. There is a six-month (6-month) limit from the time of grievance
to the time the complaint is filed for any formal complaints filed with the
Board.”
Rationale: This amendment
establishes a clear six-month time limit for filing complaints to encourage
prompt resolution and reduce vulnerability to old grievances. It enhances due
process by clarifying timelines and reinforces structured, transparent steps
consistent with Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.
Limitation: The six-month filing limit may
prevent consideration of older but potentially serious complaints. The
continued use of a simple majority vote as the threshold for disciplinary
action might be seen as low, potentially raising concerns regarding fairness.
There is no explicit mention of an appeals process beyond the Board’s decision, which might limit further
recourse for disciplined members.
Voting
Options:
☑ YES – I approve the amendment to
Article VI, Section 1.
☑ NO – I do not approve the amendment
to
Article VI,
Section 1.
#15
Addition of Article VII, Section 2 Financial Approval Requirement for C&BL
Amendments
Current
Wording: There is
currently no wording requiring proposed C&BL revisions or amendments with
financial considerations to be approved by the Board of Directors before
submission to the Constitution Committee.
Proposed
Wording: “Section 2. Any proposed C&BL revisions or amendments with
financial considerations must be approved by the Board of Directors prior to
being submitted to the Constitution Committee for review and vote by the
membership.”
Rationale: This amendment
ensures financial feasibility and club sustainability by requiring that any
proposed changes impacting the club’s finances be vetted by the Board of
Directors first. It helps prevent the membership from being asked to vote on
proposals that might create financial obligations the club cannot responsibly
meet. Involving the Board early supports fiscal responsibility and sound
governance practices.
Limitation: This change centralizes control and
may reduce members' rights to propose amendments directly. “Financial considerations” is not
clearly defined, which could lead to inconsistent interpretation and
application. It could also delay or discourage proposals that may benefit the
club but are initially opposed by the Board.
Voting
Options:
☑ YES – I approve the addition of
Article VII, Section 2.
☑ NO – I do not approve the addition
of Article VII, Section 2.
#16
Addition of Article VII, Section 3 — Authority to Revise or Refuse Proposed
Amendments
Current
wording: There is
currently no language in the NSFRC Constitution and Bylaws regarding that the Board and C&BL having the authority to revise or refuse
proposed amendments by members.
Proposed
Wording: “Section 3. The NSFRC Board of Directors (BOD), in conjunction
with the Constitution & Bylaws (C&BL) Committee, have the
right to revise or refuse proposed revisions that are deemed unreasonable or
impossible by unanimous vote from both the BOD and C&BL Committee.”
Rationale: This addition
provides a procedural safeguard to prevent the advancement of proposed
amendments that may conflict with existing governing documents, be
operationally impossible to implement, or be unreasonable in scope or impact.
Involving both the BOD and the C&BL Committee ensures checks and balances,
requiring unanimous agreement before refusing or revising a member proposal.
Limitation: This change centralizes amendment control, potentially limiting
member-led governance and transparency. It may conflict with the principle
under Robert’s Rules of Order that the membership
has final authority over amendments, and it does not define what constitutes “unreasonable” or “impossible,” leading to possible subjective
interpretation. It could also conflict with ARBA practices, which generally
allow members to vote on all properly submitted proposals.
Voting
Options:
☑ YES – I approve the addition of
Article VII, Section 3 giving
amendment authority to the BOD and
C&BL
☑ NO – I do not approve the addition
of Article VII, Section 3.
#17 Addition of ARTICLE IX,
Section 4—FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
Current
Wording: There is
currently no wording specifying a time limit for submitting reimbursement
requests to the Treasurer.
Proposed
Wording: “Section 4. Submissions for reimbursement have a
time period of six (6) months after initial purchase for submittal to
the Treasurer for payment. Any submissions received after the six-month period
may not be reimbursed.”
Rationale: This amendment
encourages prompt and organized financial practices by requiring timely
submission of reimbursement requests. It helps ensure accurate budgeting and
financial reporting, reduces administrative burdens from delayed claims, and
provides clear, fair guidance for all members and officers seeking
reimbursement.
Limitation: This requirement may disadvantage
members who, due to extenuating circumstances, cannot submit within the
six-month period. It does not specify whether exceptions can be approved, which
may limit flexibility in special cases.
Voting
Options:
☑ YES – I approve the addition of
Article IX, Section 4.
☑ NO – I do not approve the addition
of Article IX, Section 4.