National Convention | 2025 Resolutions
Resolution 1: Amendment to Article V, Section 5 – Appointed Directors
Current Language: “A maximum of three (3) directors may be appointed annually by the Chair of the Board, with the approval of the Board of Directors, who will serve until the adjournment of the next National Convention.”
Proposed Amendment: Replace the reference to “three (3)” with “five (5)”.
Revised Language: A maximum of five (5) directors may be appointed annually by the Chair of the Board, with the approval of the Board of Directors, who will serve until the adjournment of the next Annual Convention. These appointed directors will provide expertise in matters of particular and current concern to the Association.
Rationale and Justification: This amendment expands the Chair’s ability to appoint qualified directors with specialized knowledge or experience critical to AFA’s mission and evolving strategic priorities. It supports the Board’s agility to address complex challenges and opportunities—such as technology integration, advocacy, business partnerships, and membership growth—by enabling a broader mix of perspectives and professional expertise. This change reinforces AFA’s commitment to strong, flexible governance responsive to today’s dynamic environment.
Resolution 2: Amendment to Article V, Section 7B – Self-Nomination Process
Current Language: “In lieu of nominations from the floor, no later than 14 days after the list of nominees is announced, members who wish to nominate themselves for a position shall give notice of their intent to do so and provide the requisite candidacy information to the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee shall confirm the self-nominee’s willingness to serve if elected and ensure the self-nominee is aware of the responsibilities of the position.”
Proposed Amendment: Replace existing language with a new process aligned with Section 7A for Committee-nominated candidates.
Revised Language: Members who wish to nominate themselves for a position shall give notice of their intent to do so and provide the requisite candidacy information to the Nominating and Governance Committee within the prescribed time period between February 1 and March 15 of the year for the position to be ratified at the annual convention. The Nominating and Governance Committee shall confirm the self-nominee’s willingness to serve if elected and ensure the self-nominee is aware of the responsibilities of the position, following the same procedures stated above in Section 7.A.
Rationale and Justification: Aligning self-nomination with the standard nomination period ensures a fair, transparent, and orderly candidate vetting process. This change eliminates inconsistencies between nomination methods and enables all candidates, self-nominated or otherwise, to be considered under the same timeline and criteria. It promotes greater integrity and professionalism in Board and officer elections while preserving inclusive access to leadership opportunities.
Resolution 3: Amendment to Article IV, Section 6 – Membership in State Organizations and Chapters
Current Language: “No member may hold office, elected, or appointed, or vote in any State Organization unless the member belongs to a Chapter located within such state.”
Proposed Amendment: Replace the reference to “a Chapter” with “an AFA Organization”.
Revised Language: No member may hold office, elected, or appointed, or vote in any State Organization unless the member belongs to an AFA Organization located within such state.”
Rationale and Justification: This amendment provides the AFA Field organizations the latitude to adopt a single-state AFA Organization where the AFA State Organization is the single “Chapter” for the state. Example being the single-state “pilot” organization in Michigan, also referred to as the “Michigan Model.” The proposed language maintains the original intent that AFA members holding an office or voting in a specific state must have their membership anchored in an AFA Organization in that state; to eliminate possible cross-state offices or voting at the state-level. The proposed language maintains this concept without the binding language of “Chapter” as the AFA Field organization in the state.