The Board of the Archivists of the Houston Area (AHA!) proposes to amend the organization’s by-laws by appending Article X: Administration and Governance and its subsequent sections.
In accordance with Article VII of the by-laws, the by-laws may be amended only at the End-of-Year member meeting by a two-thirds majority vote of those members present, provided that the membership is notified of the proposed amendment(s) at least three weeks prior to the End-of-Year member meeting.
This notice, being shared with the general membership via newsletter, email, and website on September 1, 2026, serves as the official notification of the proposed amendment. All AHA! members are invited to vote on the proposed amendment during the End-of-Year member meeting, which is scheduled on Wednesday, December 9, 2026.
START OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT
Article X: Administration and Governance
Section 1: Professional Standards and Continuity Planning
A. Authority to Establish Rules and Regulations.
The Board of the Archivists of the Houston Area (the “Board”) shall have the authority to establish, maintain, and amend a set of supplemental Rules and Regulations. These rules shall govern the professional operations of the Organization, ensuring the long-term sustainability of its mission. The purpose of the Rules and Regulations is to enable the AHA Board to make governance decisions on an expedited timeline.
B. Continuity and Succession Planning.
The Board shall develop and execute a comprehensive Continuity and Succession Plan to be included in the Rules and Regulations. This plan must address, at a minimum:
• Emergency Succession: Procedures for the immediate appointment of interim leadership in the event of a vacancy in any elected or appointed position.
• Planned Transition: A formal process for identifying, recruiting, and onboarding successors for any elected or appointed position.
• Operational Continuity: Protocols to ensure the uninterrupted programming and maintenance of administrative, legal, and financial obligations during periods of transition.
C. Review and Execution.
The Continuity and Succession Plan shall be reviewed and updated by the Board as needed to ensure it reflects current organizational needs. The Board is authorized to delegate the development of these standards to a standing or ad hoc committee, or a sole individual, provided the final execution is approved by a majority vote of the Board.
END OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT
The following document is a review copy of the Rules and Regulations document that the proposed by-law amendment would authorize, if passed.
