by Deb Cook Lewis
I’m so excited about this year’s ACB Conference and Convention, and I really hope you are planning to join us in person, virtually, or both.
Once again, there will be a few format tweaks to accommodate constitutional requirements and other logistics associated with our convention programming. More details will come as we get closer to opening night, but here’s a sneak peek!
Affiliate Roll Call
We have received a lot of questions regarding the affiliate roll call during the hybrid opening session of the convention. This helped us realize that we must change the roll call so that it conforms with constitutional requirements to establish the number of affiliates present before any voting occurs. To accomplish this, we will now hold the affiliate roll call during the virtual session on convention opening night, June 23.
Opening Night Format
The format for the opening session will be:
- Adoption of the Standing Rules
- Adoption of the Convention Program
- First Reading of Credentials Report
- Affiliate Roll Call
As we did last year, the nominating committee will meet immediately following convention opening session.
Tuesday Night Format
There are also minor changes to the format for Tuesday evening, June 24, which are as follows:
- Presentation and adoption of Credentials Report
- Nominating Committee Report
- First reading of Constitution and Bylaws Amendments
- Resolutions
The remaining virtual general sessions will be similar to last year, with resolutions presented on Wednesday and Thursday, and constitution and bylaws amendments debated on Friday.
We know that our decision to change the affiliate roll call has an impact on the pageantry we’ve come to expect during our opening hybrid ceremonies. Affiliates will still be given an opportunity to present special contributions or make important announcements during the first hybrid session on Saturday, July 5.
We are making one additional important change to the general session format during the hybrid convention. The affiliate roll call will occur each morning close to 9 a.m. and will be immediately followed by the next election process. When this is completed, the guests for that day will be introduced. We hope that things will flow more easily by having all election activities happen back-to-back early each day.
The convention steering committee conducts a survey each year following convention. All of the changes being implemented this year are as a direct result of consistent feedback received on the survey.
As I said, I’m really excited about this year’s convention programming. I hope you’re planning to join us in Dallas.