Changes and New Board Structure ADOPTED AT THE August TGWA CONVENTION
Last year, TGWA staff reported to the TGWA Boards of Directors that the lack of proper overarching governing board bylaws presented significant organizational, insurance, and legal risks to the Association. In response, the Division presidents created a Bylaws Committee, chaired by Bob Hill, to propose new bylaws and a new TGWA Board structure that would ensure compliance with the Association’s Articles of Incorporation and insurance policies. The TGWA Division Boards adopted the Bylaws Committee’s recommendations at their March 9th meeting and the membership voted to adopt the new Bylaws at the 2021 TGWA Annual Convention.
Highlights of the Proposed Bylaws, Including the TGWA Board. The proposed bylaws simplify governance and provide flexibility by merging the three existing division boards and maintaining current participation. The strong divisions that make up the backbone of the Association (C&D, M&S, and GWS) still exist. An executive committee will assist with governance in between board meetings only as needed, and TGWA’s current operations will change very little. The board will still meet quarterly, and division-specific business can still be conducted.
Currently, TGWA has three separate boards of directors rather than one comprehensive board charged with managing the business affairs of the association, such as the annual budget, financial review, contractual obligations, and the convention. Board actions could be conflicting and might not be covered by the Association’s insurance policies, putting board members at risk. This effort merely aligns board decisions with legal and insurance requirements, while leaving the greatest amount of flexibility for the divisions to be active and continue discussing matters unique to each membership group. In practice, the only visible change will be the addition of a fourth quarterly meeting to conduct the Association’s business with all board members in attendance. The committee drafted the new bylaws with flexibility in mind, and the Association can make changes in the future as members determine what works best moving forward.
How will the proposed board differ from the current board?
The proposed board includes the same number of positions from each division as the division boards have now. In many ways, the proposed board simply consolidates all three division boards, which ensures the same opportunities for board membership as exists now.
How will the changes impact divisions?
Divisions will be led by a chair and vice-chair, instead of a full board. Each division will elect representatives to the TGWA board. Divisions will still meet, provide updates, and discuss issues specific to their division membership.
How can I participate in TGWA?
Members of TGWA can participate by serving on a committee or running for a leadership position in a committee, division, or the association board. All of the same responsibilities and activities that TGWA engages in now will continue. TGWA welcomes active, motivated members to engage with TGWA to keep the association going strong.
