AOPA members unanimously approve bylaw changes

The changes come after six months of work to revise the bylaws and gather member feedback. AOPA published a list of potential changes in April and opened a comment period that closed in June. In total, 154 members submitted written comments, and hundreds more weighed in at AOPA’s annual member meeting in May, the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, and other aviation events.

“We reviewed all of those suggestions,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Luke Wippler. “We also took time to vet similar organizations, both in aviation and outside of aviation, to ensure we had the best practices and the best modernization of our governance framework.”

As a result, AOPA published the proposed changes in August ahead of the September 19 meeting, where 40,282 members voted in favor in person or by proxy. The changes took effect immediately and include:

• New trustee term limits.
• An open trustee nomination process for members.
• New qualifications to serve as a trustee or board chair.
• Electronic voting ahead of member meetings.

A side-by-side comparison of the bylaw changes can be found here.

“This is a big step forward for the association, the organization, and GA,” said Wippler.

At the meeting, acting Co-President Katie Pribyl updated members on AOPA's programs, initiatives, and advocacy efforts, including the push to prohibit the use of ADS-B to collect fees across the country.

Wippler also updated members on the search for AOPA’s next CEO.

“I have been incredibly impressed with the number of résumés and folks who have expressed interest in the role,” said Wippler. “We have narrowed this to a very short list of candidates, and I do look forward to providing an update shortly.”