Rocky Mountain Section AWWA Bylaws Revisions

The Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA will be voting on proposed changes to our bylaws. Here is where we need your help! As a member of RMSAWWA, it’s your right and responsibility to approve any changes to our bylaws. Below we have provided a brief overview of why there are changes being made and what those changes are. As required by our bylaws, we are also providing you with a chance to review the full bylaws revisions. Please see below for more information and the link to the documents.

Why are the bylaws being revised?
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) requires Section bylaws be consistent with the AWWA Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and the Affiliation Agreement (the document that defines the relationship between AWWA and its Sections). Since Rocky Mountain’s bylaws were last updated in 2014, AWWA’s primary governing document, the Board Policy Manual, has been updated. As a result, AWWA has asked Sections to review their bylaws.  The proposed changes would bring Rocky Mountain’s bylaws into line with AWWA governance requirements, as well as recognized legal standards and nonprofit best practices.

What changes are being made?
Here is an overview of some of the major changes addressed in the revisions:

• In Article II, the addition of the full objectives from the AWWA Articles of Incorporation (instead of simply a reference to them)
• Several items in Article V, which articulate members’ right to call a meeting and details the number of members needed to take action on any matter put to a member vote
• Updates to the dues assessment increase process and further definitions regarding independent auditors in Article VI.
• Revisions to Article VII, clarifications on board composition, basic duties of officers, and other edits to bring the bylaws into compliance with AWWA requirements
• Details about meeting quorums and the annual business meeting in Article VIII
• Updates to bylaws amendment in Article XI process to reflect updated process with AWWA

• Click here for the clean version of the bylaws (what the document will look like if all changes are approved)
• Click here for the redline version of the bylaws (all changes are reflected in a different color to show the current language compared to the proposed language).

Questions?
Questions about the RMSAWWA bylaws revisions can be directed to: Ann Guiberson, RMSAWWA Executive Director.  Email: aguiberson@rmsawwa.org or 720-404-0818.