Each month I strive to deliver a message to all of you on some EWI topic that is meaningful and significant to our membership. I make every effort to bring to your attention some subject that correlates to the business at hand.

This month I thought I would address the proposed bylaw amendments that are sent out to all chapters on an annual basis. The process is pretty simple whereby all chapters have the right to submit proposed bylaw amendments to corporate who then submits the amendments to all EWI chapters. Each chapter then takes a vote on each proposed amendment and the delegate(s) of each chapter are sent to the Annual Conference (1) “instructed,” (2) “uninstructed” or (3) “uninstructed and informed.” I know that this sounds pretty complicated but in reality it is a very simple explanation as noted below.

(1) “instructed” – The delegate(s) votes as directed by the membership.

(2) “uninstructed” – The delegate(s) has the authority to vote in accordance with the best interest of the chapter.

(3) “uninstructed and informed” – The delegate(s) has the authority to vote in accordance with the best interest of the chapter; however, the membership has informed the delegate(s) on whether or not they agree or disagree with the proposed amendment.

It should be noted that Robert’s Rules recommends that you send the delegates “uninstructed and informed.”

For the past two years, the Memphis Chapter has sent its delegates to the Annual Conference as “instructed.” Having been a delegate at the last two conferences, I have found that once you hear the rationale for some of the proposed bylaw amendments from the submitting chapters, you may be inclined to vote in opposition to how your membership feels. After hearing the personal struggles of some of our sister chapters, you begin to develop a different point of view on the subject but you are restricted to vote in accordance with your membership’s directive. From a personal aspect, I have found these moments to be extremely challenging and difficult. Your delegate(s) are usually the President and Vice President of each chapter and I can’t think of any two people who would better represent you and the interest of the chapter with the business of EWI. It is my hope that our chapter will consider making a change this year and send our delegate(s) “uninstructed and informed.” I look forward to our discussion at the July meeting.