Bylaws Change Introduces New Titles For Association Leadership

The Leadership Council of The Association of Former Students met November 8, 2008 in College Station. During this bi-annual meeting, the Council elected the 2009 Board of Directors and approved an amendment to The Association Bylaws related to the nomenclature of both elected and professional leadership titles.

The proposed changes were recommended by a committee appointed by 2008 Association President General Hal M. Hornburg ’68 (USAF, Ret) and led by 2008 Immediate Past President Bill Flores ’76. The committee consisted of Board members Arno Krebs ’64 and Otway Denny ’71; Past Presidents Weldon Kruger ’53 and Chuck Ellison ’76; Class Agent Amelia Folkes ’96; and Dallas A&M Club President Patrick Williams ’92. After much consideration, the committee recommended changes that would update the nomenclature used for volunteer and professional leadership positions and more clearly articulate specific definitions, roles, responsibilities throughout the Bylaws document.

“These changes in titles are more reflective of current business practices, and will make our nomenclature more consistent with the titles used by Texas A&M University, the Texas A&M Foundation, and the 12th Man Foundation”, said 2008 Association President Hal Hornburg ’68, “I appreciate the time the committee dedicated to this task and the confidence of the Leadership Council in approving the amendment.”

As a part of this approved amendment, the title of the elected volunteer leader of The Association will change from President to Chair of The Board of Directors. Likewise, the President elect is now known as the Chair Elect and the Past President is now recognized as the Past Chair.

The top professional leadership position within the organization, which was known as the Executive Secretary from 1923 until 1968 and Executive Director until 2008, is now changed to President and Chief Executive Officer, with subsequent changes expected for The Association’s management team.

In addition to title changes, the amendment also changed the official name of The Association’s governing body from the Council to the Leadership Council, as it has been referenced since 2002. Other key changes incorporated into the approved amendment include an increase in the number of non-voting Representatives at Large that can be appointed annually by the Chair. Previously the Chair could appoint up to 25 non-voting individuals to serve as honorary ambassadors of The Association for one year terms. Under the amended Bylaws, the Chair may now appoint up to 30 non-voting Representatives at Large to serve three year terms. The amended Bylaws also require that these non-voting members of the Leadership Council be approved by the Executive Committee and communicated to the Board before the first Leadership Council meeting of the calendar year in which they are to serve.