Elections

Amendment 1: Enabling Prorated Renewal Rates for Members Rejoining ATA

Proposed Amendment to the Bylaws

Article III Membership

Section 4 (b) – Dues

b. Dues are payable annually in advance by December 31 of the preceding year. Membership is considered lapsed when dues are two months in arrears. All rights and privileges are forfeited during the period of the lapse. Upon payment of the full annual dues, a lapsed membership shall be reinstated with all pertinent rights and privileges, except that a voting member who is not reinstated by the Record Date of eligibility to vote with respect for officers and Directors shall not have the right to vote for officers and Directors or the right to be a candidate for office during the calendar year in which the membership has lapsed.

The ATA Board of Directors recommends approval.

Commentary
The purpose of the proposed amendment is to make it possible for members to rejoin ATA mid-year without being forced to pay for a full year when several months of their membership term have already passed. The current wording does not allow reinstatement without paying the full annual membership dues. Deleting “the full annual” from Article III, Section 4 (b) will give ATA the flexibility to charge members a prorated rate based on when they rejoin the Association, which will remove this deterrent to retaining members.