Update on APOMA Bylaws revision and upcoming election from Mike Mandina (APOMA President)
APOMA members,
The board hopes that all of you are weathering our collective situation stoically. We have been working to better position APOMA for the future during this pause of sorts and hope that you will find our work to your liking.
Bylaws
The board has been working to update the Bylaws to better reflect our membership needs. Key changes are:
1. Affiliate classification removed.
2. Corporate and Associate members have same voting rights.
3. All positions (other than Academic) can be held by either a Corporate or Associate member.
4. Board must consist of at least 3 Corporate members.
5. Nomination for Board membership now requires only 3 sponsoring members.
6. Past Treasurer position created to maintain oversight of new Treasurer for 2 years.
7. Email voting added.
Another change that is not a Bylaws change, but will impact many members, is the dues structure for Corporate and Associate members that is scheduled to take place for 2021.
Copies of the old and proposed/revised APOMA Bylaws can be found at these links:
We will begin operating to the proposed Bylaws immediately, and will look to vote and ratify at our 2021 annual meeting. Anyone who has questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the Board at apoma.org@gmail.com. Barring any adverse responses, we will proceed assuming the changes will be ratified.
Officer Nominations/Elections
The Board is recommending to the APOMA membership that the current officers stay in their respective positions throughout 2020. The significant changes to the Bylaws combined with the COVID-19 pandemic have slowed our processes to a point where we have missed the historical nomination and election window.
It is the Board’s intent to seek nominations for 3 Board positions this fall. Secretary, Treasurer and At-Large members are currently open for nomination. The following year (2022) 4 more positions will open up: President Elect, 2 At-Large members and Academic member.
The Board is most interested in broadening industry participation on the Board. We would like to see numerous applicants for each position from across the USA. For many years the Board make-up has been relatively narrow given the limited number of nominees that have been put forth. Going forward, it is our intent that a much more diverse and numerous panel of candidates be offered to our membership for election.
We ask that you consider throwing your hat into the nomination ring by submitting yourself or convincing a colleague to apply. The nomination process is currently open and will close February 16, 2021. Nominations can be sent to Jim Sydor, APOMA Secretary, at email: jim@sydor.com
At this point we are proposing that elections take place at our upcoming annual meeting at Photonics West (approx. 8:30am, Wed. March 10, 2021).
General Comment
Your Board has been meeting via ZOOM regularly in an effort to keep us all moving forward in the face of unusual headwinds. It is our belief that the work that has been going on during this time of isolation will pay dividends to our membership in the long run. We are making progress in areas of grant funding for optics manufacturing research and workforce training. We will be providing more information on these initiatives as advances warrant. Outreach to us is encouraged at apoma.org@gmail.com and we look forward to your enthusiastic engagement in 2021.
