Resignation Provides Opportunity for Members to Test Proposed Bylaws Revisions

The AAFP has announced that AAFP Board Member Julie Wood, M.D., will resign her elected position on the AAFP Board of Directors effective at the end of the 2012 Congress of Delegates in Philadelphia, Oct. 15-17, to accept a position with the AAFP headquarters office in Leawood, Kan. Wood will be assuming the position of vice president for interprofessional activities and health of the public in January 2013 when Daniel Ostergaard, M.D., retires from the Academy.

Although such Board vacancies typically are filled by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, as per the AAFP Bylaws, in light of the timing of Wood's announcement, the Board has decided that it would be more appropriate for the new vacancy to be filled by the Congress of Delegates during its upcoming meeting.

"This process is consistent with the changes called for in the proposed revised Bylaws that the Congress will also be considering in Philadelphia," says a letter from AAFP Speaker John Meigs Jr., M.D., and AAFP Vice Speaker Javette Orgain, M.D., M.P.H. Voting delegates at the Philadelphia meeting will vote for four candidates to the Board of Directors, instead of three candidates, says the letter.

"The three candidates who receive the highest number of votes will be elected to full three-year terms on the Board. The candidate receiving the next highest number of votes will be elected to serve out the remaining two-year term created by the resignation of Dr. Wood. No candidate will be elected without receiving a majority of the legal votes cast," says the letter.

The speakers also note that there are five nominees for the four vacancies on the Board, and that nominations remain open until the third session of the Congress on the afternoon of Tuesday, Oct. 16.

"This will be an interesting and unusual year of transition for the Congress of Delegates," say the speakers. "You will be considering a revision of your Bylaws and your Standing Rules, and if approved, then immediately have the opportunity to put into practice these new documents."