Subcommittees are seeking members and reviewers now; sign up at bylaws@acnm.org
ACNM members resoundingly approved new bylaws in the spring of 2008, clearing the way for improvements in the structure of the College. The bylaws were approved by the membership with a proviso for a two-year implementation (May 2010) for provisions related to the creation of state affiliates and the designation of a student board member.
To guide the implementation of this process, the ACNM Board of Directors has created a Bylaws Implementation Taskforce, chaired by Region V Representative Lynne Himmelreich, Region IV Representative Cathy Collins-Fulea, and ACNM Executive Director Lorrie Kline Kaplan. The Taskforce is being modeled after the Bylaws Revision Workgroup which convened during 2007-2008 to complete the Bylaws revision process. This workgroup was an excellent model of strong volunteer participation and teamwork where all voices came together to produce a final consensus document within established timeframes.
Like the workgroup, the taskforce will include six subcommittees, each representing the major areas within ACNM that are affected by the new bylaws: membership; affiliate development and support; the Board of Directors; volunteer structure; the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME, formerly DOA); and the Fellows. (See diagram below).
Each subcommittee Chair is now seeking volunteers to participate as subcommittee members or as reviewer/advisors to serve in a particular area of interest or expertise. We need diverse qualified subcommittee members who will represent the interests of ACNM members and differing points of view. Relevant factors in considering subcommittee member diversity include each member’s geographic location, race, ethnicity, gender and employment type or specialty. ALL members are welcome to be reviewer/advisors in the areas of their interest and expertise.
To Sign Up Please email bylaws@acnm.org, indicating your area of interest. Stay tuned for regular updates on this webpage for updates and opportunities for input.
Bylaws Implementation Taskforce Subcommittees
Membership Subcommittee (Bylaws Article III)
Chair: Brielle Stoyke, CNM
National Office Staff: George Hamilton, Associate Director of Membership
Board Representative: Dawn Durain, CNM, MPH
AMCB Representative: To be announced
Members at large: Francie Likis, CNM, NP, DrPH
Julia Kessler, CM
Royda Ballard, CNM, FACNM
Issue Areas:
Dues categories for active members
Associate member services
Assist Affiliate Development and Support Subcommittee on membership issues
Affiliate Development and Support Subcommittee (Bylaws Article V)
Chair: Lynne Himmelreich, CNM, MPH
National Office Staff: Joanna King, Esq., State Policy Analyst
Members at large: We need members willing to lead each of the areas below as well as other areas identified as we progress. These members will be responsible for gathering input from reviewers/advisors and presenting this input to the Subcommittee with recommendations. We will also need LOTS of reviewer/advisors for each of the areas below.
Issues Areas:
Partner Organizations
Affiliate Organizations: Development and Support: Regional Representatives to the Board will work with the states in their region to assist in this transition. The Affiliate Support and Development Subcommittee will assist and support the Regional Representatives and state and federal affiliates as needed on the following issues:
• Bylaws: Andrea Christianson, CNM
• Membership (working with Membership Subcommittee)
• Finance
• Communication/IT
• Leadership:
• Policy: Mary Anne Laffin, CNM, FACNM
Board Changes (Bylaws Articles VI-X)
Chair: Ginger Breedlove, CNM, PhD, ARNP, FACNM
National Office Staff: Lorrie Kaplan
Members at Large:
Issue Areas:
President Elect
Student Representative
Executive Committee
Board Committee changes
Volunteer Structure Subcommittee (Bylaws Article XI)
Chair: Jan Kriebs, CNM, FACNM
National Office Staff:
BOD Representative: Melissa Avery, CNM, PhD, FACNM
Members at Large:
Issue Areas:
Divisions, Sections, Committees and Taskforces
Special Interest Groups (will need to propose on a name for these groups)
Review of Standing Rules of Procedures (SROPs) for all of the above
ACME (Bylaws Article XI)
Chair: Laraine Guyette
National Office Staff: Jo Ann Burke
BOD Representative: Melissa Avery, CNM, PhD, FACNM
Members at Large:
Issue Areas: To be determined
Fellows (Bylaws Article XV)
Chair: To be determined
National Office Staff:
BOD Representative: Kitty Ernst, CNM, MPH, DSc(Hon), FACNM
Members at Large: