By-Law Amendments to Be Presented to Members at the Annual Meeting

After months of thoughtful discussion and review, the SAVMA Board of Directors is ready to introduce several key amendments to the association’s by-laws. These updates aim to strengthen leadership sustainability, increase transparency, expand access to leadership roles, and improve overall efficiency. They also ensure our by-laws stay aligned with Arizona state law.

At the upcoming Annual Meeting, the Board will bring forward the following motion:


“To accept the Amended and Restated By-laws as presented.”

The redlined version of the document may be reviewed in its entirety here (2020 SAVMA Redlined By-laws for General Membership).

Strengthening Leadership for the Future

To build stronger continuity and reduce leadership gaps, the Board recommends two significant changes.

First, we propose shifting the Vice President role to a President-Elect model. This change gives the President-Elect a whole year to prepare for the presidency. As a result, incoming leaders will have more time to learn, plan, and transition smoothly into the role. This approach also helps prevent future leadership vacancies.

Second, we recommend extending Board terms from one year to two years. With one-year terms, we must recruit 100% of the Board every year. By moving to two-year terms, we recruit only half the Board each year, thereby strengthening continuity and reducing turnover.

Increasing Transparency in SAVMA bylaw changes increased Access to Leadership

To create a more open and inclusive leadership pathway, the Board plans to replace the current nomination process with an open application, recommendation, and election process.

This revised process:

  • Allows members to review position requirements ahead of time

  • Encourages applicants to secure necessary supervisor support

  • Expands access by encouraging self-nomination

  • Broadens leadership opportunities across the membership

By improving transparency and expanding access, we support a stronger and more representative leadership team.

General Updates and Housekeeping Changes

The proposed amendments also include several practical updates that strengthen our administrative processes.

To start, members must now submit proxies at least 24 hours before the meeting. This deadline gives the Secretary time to verify membership and confirm the validity of each proxy. Since we often meet electronically, this additional time improves accuracy and reduces administrative challenges.

Additionally, we removed the “Records and Reporting” section because it repeated information already covered in state law. This update keeps the by-laws concise and prevents conflicts as state law changes. Members can now find minutes, the membership directory, and membership voting records in the Members section of the website. If you need help accessing association records, email SAVMATucson@gmail.com and we will assist you.

Finally, once the membership approves the amended by-laws, designated Board members will sign the document to certify it as the official governing document.

Increased Transparency and Access to Leadership Roles

  • An open application, recommendation, and election process will replace the current process for Officer and Director elections. The purpose is to allow Members an opportunity to review the requirements for positions, to obtain necessary permission from supervisors before nominations, and to ensure broader access to leadership across the membership by offering self-nomination opportunities.

General Update

  • Proxies need to be submitted 24 hours in advance. To verify the validity of a proxy, the member must submit it, and the Secretary must certify current membership before the meeting. This will ease the administrative burden since many of our meetings are electronic, and 24 hours will help.
  • Records and Reporting access is repetitive to state law, and this section was removed so as not to lengthen the bylaws or conflict with state law, as state law changes more frequently than SAVMA bylaws. Minutes are now posted in the Members section of the website, including the Membership Directory and the Membership voting records. If members have additional questions about accessing association records, please email SAVMATucson@gmail.com so we can assist you in accessing those records per the law.
  • Certification of the bylaws for signatures to verify this is the correct document going forward. After the general membership approves the document, several board members will sign as a certification.