Tips For Crafting the Perfect Rule Change Proposal- APHA’s Due Aug. 1st
Image courtesy of APHA
PHJ press release by: Jessica Hein
With little more than one week left to submit a rule change proposal, there’s still time to make your voice heard. All APHA members are invited to participate in the official rule change proposal process, which might include crafting a new rule or suggesting a modification to an existing one.
Rule change proposals must be postmarked by August 1, and received at the APHA office no later than August 15. All proposals will be reviewed by the Rules Committee followed by the Executive Committee, who considers the overall impact of the proposal and decides to advance or cancel the proposal. Advancing proposals are forwarded to the applicable standing committees for consideration at the 2015 APHA Convention; there, rules that are passed out of their respective committees are presented to and voted on by the APHA Board of Directors for possible inclusion in the 2016 Official APHA Rule Book.
To submit a proposal, download the Rule Change Proposal form and most current copy of the Official APHA Rule Book from apha.com/forms, or request a physical copy from the APHA Office at (817) 834-2742. You’ll need to explain the new rule or change to an existing rule, including how it should read in the rule book, and include your justification for the change.
Ready to make your voice heard? Increase your changes for success by following these four tips:
* Consider how the new rule or rule change will affect other existing rules—this might include related rules governing the Open, Amateur and Youth programs. Reference all related rules and explain how they might need to be revised.
* Be thoughtful and clear in your justification. The Rules Committee uses this statement to make sure the rule change proposal correctly addresses the intent of the author.
* Use positive wording on the rule change proposal form.
* Consider how awards/recognition requirements might be affected. If suggesting a new class, for instance, include in which event category the class will be grouped and which awards its points will count toward.
Have questions about the process? Contact Jan Anderson at (817) 222-6414 or by email. Completed Rule Change Proposals should be mailed to APHA at Jan Anderson, PO Box 961023, Fort Worth, TX 76161-0023.
