A ballot will soon be sent to the Voting Representatives to seek approval for three types of changes to the By-laws. The first change is proposed in response to suggestions by a number of ABRF participants. This change entails a philosophical shift in the definition of a Member of ABRF. The present By-laws define a Member as a "Laboratory that qualifies as a resource facility or research laboratory and contributes the annual fees determined by the Executive Board". Each Member laboratory selects one designated Voting Representative to participate in voting. Any individual interested in participating in the ABRF may join as an Associate but cannot vote. The proposed By-laws change would make individuals who work in resource facilities or research laboratories the voting members of ABRF. The result of these changes is that any individual who works in a laboratory could join as a voting member. Associate membership would be available for those who do not work in laboratories but are interested in ABRF activities.
The anticipated result of changing the definition of Member is that the total number of voting Members will increase substantially. This could be a hindrance for obtaining the required quorum for transacting business, which is now 40% of the voting Members. Therefore a second set of changes is proposed. These changes would reduce the size of the quorum to 50 people or 10% of the total membership, whichever is smaller. Elected Executive Board members would be those who received the highest vote, provided a total of 50 votes were received. Because changes to the By-laws have long-term effects, greater member approval will be required than for election of Board members or other business items. Under the proposed change, future By-laws amendments will require that at least 25% of the membership vote and that the change be approved by 3/5 of those voting.
The final change will correct a mention of "stockholder" in the By-laws which is not appropriate for the ABRF.
Ballots will be sent soon to the present designated Voting Representatives of ABRF Member Laboratories. It is important that Associates in these laboratories make their views on these changes known to the Voting Representative and urge them to cast their ballot. Because at present 51% of the Voting Representatives must approve the changes, it is extremely important that each Member laboratory vote on these issues.
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