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<< back to the 1999 archive listing << Dairy, Food and Environmental Sanitation Commentary From The Executive Director VOTE at the Annual Business Meeting Soon you will be receiving a mailing from IAMFES regarding the proposed Association name change. We are now in the last year of a three-year process to update IAMFES' name. In this column, my goal is to inform you about where we are, where we've been and where we are going! The mailing mentioned above contains a letter from the Executive Board outlining the upcoming process of changing IAMFES' name to the International Association for Food Protection. We will get to this in a moment, but first, where we have been. We began a process early in 1997 to solicit suggestions for a new Association name that fit with our mission and our Members' interests. Many names were discussed, with the International Association for Food Protection being selected as the best, all-encompassing name for IAMFES. A timeline was developed to allow for additional Member input and discussion. The proposed name was brought to the attention of attendees at both the 1997 and 1998 Annual Meetings. Overwhelmingly, comments received have been in support of the new name. During the fall and winter of 1998, legal issues were addressed including necessary changes to the Constitution and Bylaws. All legal issues are in place to allow for a smooth transition to the new name, pending Membership approval. The Constitution and Bylaws Task Force made changes to nearly every section of the Constitution and Bylaws (C&B). The proposed C&B was distributed to our Past Presidents for their comments and individual sections were sent to Committee, Professional Development Group, and Task Force Chairpersons for their review. At the April 1999 Executive Board meeting, the Board voted to accept the amended and restated C&B and present the document to all IAMFES Members for their vote at the IAMFES Annual Business Meeting. That brings us to where we are now. The amended and restated C&B for the Association will be mailed to each IAMFES Member with a letter from the Executive Board. This provides notification of the upcoming vote. A report from the Constitution and Bylaw's Task Force is included with the mailing and explains the many changes that were made. We have allowed plenty of time for your review and comparison to the current C&B. So, I believe we have covered where we've been and where we are, now let's look at where we are going. On August 3, at the Annual Business Meeting, a vote will be taken to accept the amended and restated Constitution and Bylaws. Pending acceptance by a simple majority of Members voting at the Business Meeting, a written ballot will be sent to all Members. Members will need to return the ballot in a timely manner to register their vote. Thus, every IAMFES Member will have an opportunity to vote in support of the new name and C&B. Let us for a moment assume that both the vote at the Annual Business Meeting and the full Membership vote pass, what then is next? The completion of legal filings to change the Association name with government entities will be processed. Beginning January 1, 2000 the new name, International Association for Food Protection will become the name for the Association. Over a period of months, you will notice the new name entering our publications, mailings, Web site, Annual Meeting information and everywhere you now see IAMFES. What an exciting and challenging time for IAMFES! We have the opportunity to shape the future growth of the Association! It is my hope that I fulfilled my goal of informing you about where we began, where we are now, and where we are going as it relates to changing the Association name. Now you may ask, "what can I do to see the successful completion of this three-year project?" VOTE! Vote at the Annual Business Meeting and return your mail ballot this fall! Also, take the opportunity to talk with colleagues about this very important vote. Tell them you support changing the name to the International Association for Food Protection and encourage them to vote yes! |