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Greetings!
Throughout the past year, I have highlighted several necessary and suggested Constitution and Bylaws amendments that support the proposed governance change separating certification functions from membership activities. I have also discussed transitioning to a single set of bylaws.
This month, I will focus on proposed updates and additions to the membership section of the bylaws. These revisions facilitate the separation of certification from membership and aim to provide additional operational flexibility in the new governance structure.
Defining membership eligibility
The proposed bylaws will take a simplified approach to defining membership eligibility by directly aligning it with certification status. Under this framework, individuals are eligible for Diplomate membership if they meet the certification requirements for Diplomate status, and eligible for Emeritus Diplomate membership if they meet the certification requirements for Emeritus Diplomate status. This streamlined structure reduces redundancy, improves clarity, and helps ensure the bylaws remain clear, consistent, and easier to maintain over time.
Granting the Board of Regents authority to create non-voting membership categories
A proposed update would grant the Board of Regents (BOR) authority to establish non-voting membership categories, reflecting the separation of certification and membership and allowing ACVS to expand engagement beyond Diplomate members. This change does not create new categories on its own or alter governance or voting rights. It would provide a framework for the BOR to thoughtfully develop non-voting membership options, such as a resident membership, when they align with ACVS’s mission, while preserving Diplomates’ leadership role and governance authority.
Removing the annual dues cap
As part of separating certification from membership, ACVS must also distinguish certification-related fees from membership dues. To support this shift, a proposed amendment would remove the current 3.5 percent annual cap on dues increases. Removing the cap does not reduce transparency; rather, it gives the BOR the flexibility to align dues with actual benefits and operating costs and respond to evolving organizational needs. This change supports responsible, data-informed financial planning and helps ensure the ACVS’s long-term sustainability under the new governance structure.
We have added an article to the ACVS website to provide more detail and clarity on these proposed updates:
Next steps in the process
Next week, ACVS will provide Diplomates with a full copy of the proposed bylaws along with supporting documentation and open a 30-day comment period for members to provide direct feedback on the proposed updates.
ACVS will also host the next governance information session on Tuesday, February 3 at 7 pm (ET) to review the proposed updates and give members the opportunity to ask questions.
We appreciate your continued engagement as we work to strengthen and modernize the College’s governance framework. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at aseery@acvs.org, (301) 916-0200 x106, or in the new Governance Updates and Questions discussion group in ACVS Connect.
Best regards,
Adam Seery, CAE
Membership Director
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