The following amendments have been proposed to the ISA by-laws and will be on the ballot for a vote at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 7th and via absentee ballot; the changes will go into effect with a two-thirds or more approval.
Proposed Amendment #1:
Convert the following Board positions to Director At-Large roles: Director of Marketing, Director of Fundraising, Director of Communications, Director of Operations, and Director of Events. Additionally, eliminate a maximum of two (2) vacant Board positions. [Section 3.2 and Section 3.5]
Rationale: Overhauling the structure of the Board will allow members the flexibility to streamline the issues important to Fire supporters. The board has had at least one vacant position for several years and reducing the number of positions will allow the current board members to focus on initiatives, outreach, and other matters. And converting the positions noted above to At-Large roles will increase flexibility for members, increase inclusivity, and reduce implied barriers to supporters who are considering a Board position. If enacted, at least three Director At-Large positions will remain in addition to the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Director of Finance.
Proposed Amendment #2:
Add to the eligibility criteria for candidates declaring to run for Chairperson that they must be a current Board member having served for at least nine (9) consecutive months prior to the date of the AGM. [Section 3.2(B)]
Rationale: The intent is to provide a degree of continuity of the Board as well as guarantee that the Chairperson will have experience on the ISA Board that should reduce the learning curve of leadership for the organization.
Proposed Amendment #3:
Clarify that the AGM shall be held during each Chicago Fire offseason between December 1 and January 30. [Section 4.1]
Rationale: The current verbiage in the ISA by-laws does not include a start date, so this proposed change will provide a specific timeframe for which the AGM shall occur.
