ABA Bylaws Amendment to Be Put to a Vote

Starting September 16, the American Booksellers Association will be asking members to vote on an important governance matter: An amendment to the ABA Bylaws that would increase the number of members serving on the Board from 10 to 11. The Board unanimously approved the proposed change at its July meeting in Denver, but now the bylaws amendment must be approved by a majority vote of bookstore members, with at least 10 percent of the members voting.

ABA President Betsy Burton noted that the Board decided to recommend approval of the amendment for two very practical reasons. “As we are in the midst of serious discussions on the subject of diversity, the Board’s belief is that one more Board member would add one more chance to broaden the diversity of the Board,” Burton said. And an 11-member Board offers the “most direct and sensible answer” to the problem of tie votes.

On September 16, ABA main store members will receive an e-mail with a link to the bylaws ballot, and ABA is encouraging all members to vote. Balloting will remain open through October 26.

If the bylaws change is approved by membership, the ABA Nominating Committee will consider an additional candidate for the 2016 Board elections during the nomination process, which begins today. The slate for the elections will be announced approximately 120 days prior to the next ABA Annual Membership Meeting, to be held in May 2016 in conjunction with BookExpo America in Chicago.

Members with questions or comments regarding the proposed bylaws amendment are encouraged to e-mail ABA at [email protected].