Members in attendance at the 2022 ASSE International Annual Meeting voted to approve a series of bylaw revisions that will serve two primary functions in the coming year: redraw the regions from which Regional Directors are elected, and clarify the responsibilities of regional directors and the manufacturers’ representative.
Redrawing Regions and Regional Directors
ASSE Membership currently elects one director from eight regions: seven geographically designated regions numbered 1 through 7, and one for “members at large,” known as Region 8.
Beginning with the 2023 Board of Directors election at the 2023 ASSE International Annual Meeting in San Antonio, ASSE Membership will elect two directors from four geographically designated regions, and the “members at large” region and director will be eliminated. To enhance continuity, and in keeping with the existing three-year election cycle for regional directors, the three-year terms of regional directors will be staggered so that no region will have two new regional directors at the same time. Other, well-functioning aspects of the regional director election and term cycle, such as the election at the Annual Meeting and the requirement of residency in the region, will remain unchanged. Look below to see a map of ASSE’s redrawn regions.
Why Are the Regions Changing?
The eight current regions are limited in size, resulting in limited qualified participants, and, at times, even unfilled seats due to a lack of a candidates. Current trends show that our membership is moving away from chapter participation and toward national participation. Furthermore, “members at large” are left with no local or regional connection, eliminating a sense of community.
How Will These New Regions and Directors Help Our Organization?
Reducing the number of regions — and therefore expanding the size of each region — and electing two directors from each region will create larger pools of qualified members who can join and participate on ASSE’s Board. This will create more opportunities for all members and result in a stronger membership. The goal is to create more opportunities for all current and potential members to participate in ASSE activities, including at-large members and those with little chapter participation.
Clarified Roles of Regional Directors and the Manufacturers’ Representative
While many of the duties of regional directors and the manufacturers’ representative will remain unchanged, their roles have been simplified and shifted to underscore a regional director’s responsibility to the members in their region — not just the chapters. As noted above, current trends show that our membership is moving away from chapter participation and toward national participation, so our focus also needs to shift. These changes clarify the essential responsibilities our regional directors and manufacturers’ representative have in supporting all ASSE International members.
What’s Next?
Next, we need to elect two directors for each of these four new regions, along with a manufacturers’ representative and other officers of the ASSE Board of Directors. This will take place at the 2023 ASSE International Annual Meeting, Sept 24-27 in San Antonio, Texas. Board nominations, including those for directors of ASSE’s new regions, must be received by the ASSE International office on or before Aug. 1, 2023 to be considered by the Election Committee.
For the 2023 election, note the term to be served on the Regional Director seat.
ASSE is accepting nominations for the following positions:
- President
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Western Regional Director A (2 year term)
- Western Regional Director B (1 year term)
- Central Regional Director A (3 year term)
- Central Regional Director B (1 year term)
- Southern Regional Director A (1 year term)
- Southern Regional Director B (3 year term)
- Northeastern Regional Director A (2 year term)
- Northeastern Regional Director B (3 year term)
- Manufacturers’ Representative
To be eligible, nominees must be voting members in good standing for a minimum of three consecutive years. Directors must reside in the region they are nominated to serve.
Click HERE to download the nomination forms.
