AFS Executive Board Proposes Amendments to Bylaws

The American Folklore Society proposes five amendments to the AFS Bylaws for your consideration. Together, these proposed amendments aim to make AFS more inclusive, adaptable, agile, and sustainable for the long term. The Board urges you to review these proposals carefully and thoughtfully with the needs of all members in mind, and cast your vote on these measures in the Bylaws Vote Ballot as part of the 2022 Election. Learn more about the proposed bylaws amendments.
Some of the proposals are related: Proposal 1 and Proposal 4 overlap, and Proposal 4 and Proposal 5 are offered separately but in tandem. Vote for each proposal individually. This structure allows for the possibility that one or more will not pass, giving you the most power to decide the makeup of the Executive Board for the future.
Voting opens December 15 and closes January 31. All current members will receive an email with an individualized link to the secure ballot when the election opens on December 15.
A virtual town hall took place on Tuesday, November 22 at 12 pm EST where members learned more, asked questions, and shared their views.
In response to a request for more time for public discussion of the proposed amendments before voting begins, the first ballot members receive is limited to the candidates for office, and voting on the bylaws amendments will take place on a separate ballot. Voting on the bylaws will run from December 15 to January 31.
Additional Town Halls for discussion of the proposed amendments are scheduled for: November 29 at 4 pm EST (register here to receive the Zoom link) and December 5 at 7 pm EST (register here to receive the Zoom link).
After the Thanksgiving break, AFS staff will work to support the public discussion by sharing them, with the commenter’s approval, with the general membership.
Update:
Additional Town Halls for discussion of the proposed amendments are scheduled for:
- January 10 at 5:00 pm (EST) for students and early career professionals Register in advance for this meeting to receive the Zoom invitation.
- January 18 at 3:00 pm (EST) Register in advance for this meeting to receive the Zoom invitation.
See Proposed Bylaws Amendments for all up-to-date information.
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