09/27/2021
Dear Members,
I have two items for your review today.
The first brief item is a public notice of a planned project that came through you may be interested in. The Central Pennsylvania Transportation (CPTA) plans to solicit proposals to provide a network of federally subsidized intercity bus services to operate throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. CPTA expects to advertise the Request for Proposals (RFP) on or about October 1, 2021.
Successful vendors will provide intercity bus service to the Commonwealth using ADA-compliant over-the-road motorcoaches. . Potential vendors, suppliers, and brokers are encouraged to pre-register their contact information with CPTA. Please email contact information to c-wawhite@pa.gov and put “Pennsylvania ICB Network RFP” in the subject line to receive notices related to this RFP.
Summary of Proposed Changes to PBA Bylaws
• Article II, Section 1.A. – clarifying that, where an entity has various affiliates, one of those corporate entities must first become an Operator Member prior to allowing any other affiliated entity to be eligible for Operator, Travel, or Associate membership.
• Article III, Sections 1 and 2 – removing reference to “anniversary month” to adhere to current administrative operations.
• Article III, Section 3 – requiring payment of dues with in 120 days instead of 210 days. Declaring member delinquency at 210 days seemed rather long; dues should be made within 120 days. If a member has hardship, the Executive Committee can decide to give that member an extension.
• Article III, Section 5 – updating the title of this section to clarify it applies to all member types – Operator, Travel Supplier, Associate, Tour Company, or Honorary Member
• Article III, Section 5(E) – added a section to include term limits for Board Members. Many non-profits limit board membership to two three-year terms. This section proposes: A Board of Directors member may not serve more than eight consecutive years as a Board member. After serving the maximum time allowed, a person may again serve as a Board member after being off the Board of Directors for at least one year. (note, the eight-year limit is effective for Board member terms beginning in June 2022. The eight-year limit shall not be applied retroactively to board members serving in 2021.)
• Article V (Duties of Officers) – added the following language regarding term limits for officers: A person may not serve more than two consecutive terms in the role of any single officer position. A person may not serve more than eight consecutive years as an officer in any of the officer positions. After serving the maximum time allowed, a person may again serve in an officer position after being off the Board of Directors for at least one year.
• Article V, Section 5 – added a section to describe the role of the Immediate Past Chairperson.
• Article V, Section 6 – added a section to insert standard language on the replacement of officers in the event of vacancies.
• Article V, Section 7 – added a section to insert standard language on the removal of officers.
• Article VI, Section 3 – revised this Section to delete the ambiguous and confusing sentence referring to the use of a Tallying Committee.
• Article VII, Section 1 – revised this section to clarify the nominating process and the interfacing between the Nominating Committee and the Executive Committee.
• Article VII, Section 2 – revised this section to clarify that voting may occur virtually/electronically and via proxy.
• Article VIII, Section 2 – revised this section to rename the Budget Committee the “Finance Committee.” The Legislative Committee is now the “Legislative & Advocacy Committee.” The Education and Member Services Committees have been deleted, given their functions are incorporated elsewhere and not in separate standing committees. This section proposed new language allowing for new committee creation: The Board of Directors may establish other committees to conduct special activities or functions of the Association. The Chairperson shall have the power to appoint and remove members and chairs of all committees. The Chairperson shall serve for the term of existence of the Committee or until removal or resignation.
• Article IX – revises language to allow the headquarters of PBA to be located anywhere in Pennsylvania and not limited to Harrisburg, consistent with current practice.
• Universal administrative changes include:
- Correcting spelling and formatting in the bylaws
- Making minor non-substantive language changes for flow and clarity.
- Replacing the term “Administrative Board” with the term “Board of Directors” and making the necessary clarifying changes when referring to Board members
Amendments to the Bylaws will be up for approval at the upcoming General Membership Meeting at the Annual Meeting on October 26th. If you will not be in attendance and want your vote counted, please send me your approval ahead of the meeting.
If any questions, please reach out to me.
Thank you!
