Page location: Communications
Q & A
Q: Are chapters required to transition to the Rules of Operation for Chapters?
A: Yes. As of January 24, 2006, the Rules of Operations is the document of record.
Q: Is there a deadline for making the transition?
A: Chapters are advised to make the transition by July 1, 2006, to ensure that all chapters are operating under universal guidelines.
Q: Why did we make this change?
A: Upon the organization's incorporation as a 501c3, it was determined that there should be one set of Bylaws and those Bylaws would reside at the corporate level and be recognized as the organization¡¦s authoritative document. The Rules of Operation replace what was formally known as Chapter Constitution and Bylaws.
Q: What differences are there between the Rules of Operation and the old Constitution and Bylaws?
A: The major difference is that membership categories are now detailed only in the corporate Bylaws. Having these categories listed in both documents was deemed redundant. In addition, discrepancies arose in cases in which a chapter did not update changes to member definitions, resulting in the corporate and chapter level definitions being different. Other differences include the following revisions made for the purpose of clarification:
a. Offsetting costs of conducting elections and amendments by providing for electronic voting
b. Definition of good-faith communication efforts
It should be noted that points A and B (above) were often the cause of debate among members contesting chapter, council and club procedures. While electronic communication capabilities had made sharing information more efficient from cost and logistical standpoints, the use of e-mail, web sites, etc. was never documented in the chapter document. Such electronic methods of communication are typically used to share information on elections and amendments. Where once such communication was shared via interoffice or company-sponsored U.S. postal service mailings, neither of those are viable options in today's environment.
Q: How was it determined what changes to make?
A: The document underwent a two-phase review process. It was first reviewed by our legal counsel to determine compliance with the organization¡¦s incorporation. A secondary review was conducted by representative TelecomPioneers managers. These managers then shared their findings with the TelecomPioneers Board of Directors. The Board has the authority to approve changes for the purpose of clarification.
Q: Does this affect our voting rights?
A: No. The only change is in the clarification of the communication and collection of information pertaining to elections and amendments. While it had become a common practice for some, the use of electronic communication as a tool for conducting elections and amendments had not been spelled out previously.
A: Yes. As of January 24, 2006, the Rules of Operations is the document of record.
Q: Is there a deadline for making the transition?
A: Chapters are advised to make the transition by July 1, 2006, to ensure that all chapters are operating under universal guidelines.
Q: Why did we make this change?
A: Upon the organization's incorporation as a 501c3, it was determined that there should be one set of Bylaws and those Bylaws would reside at the corporate level and be recognized as the organization¡¦s authoritative document. The Rules of Operation replace what was formally known as Chapter Constitution and Bylaws.
Q: What differences are there between the Rules of Operation and the old Constitution and Bylaws?
A: The major difference is that membership categories are now detailed only in the corporate Bylaws. Having these categories listed in both documents was deemed redundant. In addition, discrepancies arose in cases in which a chapter did not update changes to member definitions, resulting in the corporate and chapter level definitions being different. Other differences include the following revisions made for the purpose of clarification:
a. Offsetting costs of conducting elections and amendments by providing for electronic voting
b. Definition of good-faith communication efforts
It should be noted that points A and B (above) were often the cause of debate among members contesting chapter, council and club procedures. While electronic communication capabilities had made sharing information more efficient from cost and logistical standpoints, the use of e-mail, web sites, etc. was never documented in the chapter document. Such electronic methods of communication are typically used to share information on elections and amendments. Where once such communication was shared via interoffice or company-sponsored U.S. postal service mailings, neither of those are viable options in today's environment.
Q: How was it determined what changes to make?
A: The document underwent a two-phase review process. It was first reviewed by our legal counsel to determine compliance with the organization¡¦s incorporation. A secondary review was conducted by representative TelecomPioneers managers. These managers then shared their findings with the TelecomPioneers Board of Directors. The Board has the authority to approve changes for the purpose of clarification.
Q: Does this affect our voting rights?
A: No. The only change is in the clarification of the communication and collection of information pertaining to elections and amendments. While it had become a common practice for some, the use of electronic communication as a tool for conducting elections and amendments had not been spelled out previously.
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