Proposed Bylaw Amendments Ballot and Election of Nominee for Board of Directors
Voting Deadline: April 23, 2021
The Board of Directors of the WateReuse Association (WateReuse) has proposed certain amendments to its current Bylaws. Under Article XI of the Bylaws, proposed amendments are to be presented to the Voting Members of WateReuse either in person, video, telephone conference, or by written ballot distributed by US Postal Service or electronically. The Bylaw amendment must be approved by a simple majority of the Voting Membership. As per the Bylaws, the proposed amendments are being posted on the WateReuse website for thirty (30) days along with distribution of this ballot. Posting of a link to this ballot form shall constitute compliance with the Bylaws.
In addition to the proposed amendments to the Bylaws, this ballot also incorporates the election to the WateReuse Board of Directors of Felicia Marcus, William C. Landreth Visiting Fellow at Stanford University’s Water in the West Program.
Please submit your vote using the online ballot. There is one vote per member organization.
2021 Annual Meeting
The WateReuse Annual Business Meeting was convened on March 22, 2021. The meeting reviewed the 2021 ballot, association successes, and the Board’s vision for the future. View the session below.
DEADLINE: In order for a ballot to be counted, it must be submitted online no later than 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 23, 2021.
To cast a vote on the proposed Bylaw amendment(s) you may vote YES, NO, OR ABSTAIN. A “yes” vote will change the current Bylaws. A “no” vote leaves the Bylaws as is.
Proposed Bylaw Amendments
The following amendments have been proposed for vote of the WateReuse membership:
Amendment No. 1 | Article IV – Section 2
Current Bylaw Language
Section 2: Composition
The Board of Directors will be comprised of fifteen (15) members who are elected by the full membership and eight (8) members who are appointed by the Board of Directors.
A representative from each eligible International Division and State Section will also serve on the Board of Directors.
Proposed Amendment
Section 2: Composition
The Board of Directors will be comprised of fifteen (15) members who are elected by the eligible voting membership, one (1) representative from each Board-approved Section of the WateReuse Association, the Immediate Past President in an ex-officio non-voting capacity, and one (1) non-voting At-Large Representative from a Non-Governmental Organization member elected by the eligible voting membership.
Explanation: The above proposed changes were previously considered and approved by the WRA Board of Directors.
Amendment No. 2 | Article IV – Section 4
Current Bylaw Language
Section 4: Election and Appointment
Voting Members will elect Directors at the Annual Meeting of this corporation. Nominees receiving the highest number of votes for a given seat will be elected. Directors who are elected at the Annual Meeting of the corporation will take office at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors will appoint Directors at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors. A majority vote of the Board of Directors is required to appoint a Director. Directors who are appointed will assume office immediately upon appointment.
Proposed Amendment
Section 4: Election and Appointment
Voting Members will elect Directors at the Annual Meeting of the corporation’s membership. Nominees receiving the highest number of votes for a given seat will be elected. Directors who are elected at the Annual Meeting of the corporation’s membership will take office at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors.
Explanation: The proposed amendment seeks to clarify that the Annual Meeting of the corporation takes place at the annual meeting of the membership held in conjunction with the Annual Symposium and to eliminate the reference to the Board of Directors appointing Directors at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors.
Amendment No. 3 | Article X – Section 1
Current Bylaw Language
Section 1: Eligibility
When there are five (5) or more Members of WateReuse within the boundaries of a country or group of countries, or within a state or group of states in the United States, those Members may form a subsidiary of WateReuse. To establish the subsidiary, the Board of Directors and 2/3rds of the Voting Members within the geographic region must approve bylaws.
Proposed Amendment
Section 1: Eligibility
When there are five (5) or more Members of WateReuse within the boundaries of a country or group of countries, or within a state or group of states in the United States, those Members may form a subsidiary of WateReuse. To establish the subsidiary, the Board of Directors and 2/3rds of the Voting Members within the geographic region must approve a Charter.
Explanation: The change is limited to removal of the reference to “bylaws” and substituting the term “Charter.”
Do you approve the three (3) amendments to the bylaws proposed by the WateReuse Association Board of Directors?
[ ] YES
[ ] NO
[ ] ABSTAIN
Election of Board Nominee
Nomination of Felicia Marcus, William C. Landreth Visiting Fellow, Stanford University Water in the West Program to serve as At-Large NGO Representative on the Board of Directors.
The WateReuse Association Board of Directors has nominated Felicia Marcus, William C. Landreth Visiting Fellow, Stanford University Water in the West Program to serve as At-large NGO Representative. Felicia Marcus is a recognized national water expert and a leader in the water sector having served as Chair of the California State Water Board, EPA Region IX Administrator, and held numerous position positions with various NGOs over her decades-long career. In addition to her appointment as Landreth Fellow at Stanford University’s Water in the West Program, Felicia has also been elected Fellow with the National Academy of Public Administration.
Action – Approve election of Felicia Marcus to Board of Directors:
[ ] YES
[ ] NO
[ ] ABSTAIN
DEADLINE: In order for a ballot to be counted, it must be submitted online no later than 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 23, 2021.