IACP Bylaws: Current and Proposed
As part of the upcoming IACP Board of Directors election, eligible Professional Members will have the opportunity to vote on proposed changes to the IACP Bylaws.
The proposed bylaws were developed by previous IACP Board of Directors in collaboration with legal counsel. These revisions are intended to address challenges within our current organizational structure while providing greater flexibility to support the IACP’s future growth.
We encourage all eligible Professional Members to review both the current and proposed bylaws before casting their votes. Both documents are available below for your review.
Important Election Dates:
October 5 – Voting Opens for Professional Members
November 19 – Voting Closes
December 19 – Election Results
Important Information About Your Vote
The proposed bylaws will be presented as a single YES or NO vote. Members will vote to either approve or reject the proposed bylaws in their entirety. Individual amendments cannot be made during the voting process.
We recognize that members may have suggestions for additional changes or improvements. While we welcome your feedback, please understand that suggested revisions cannot be incorporated into the proposed bylaws during this election. Eligible Professional Members will receive an email with instructions on how to cast their votes. Your participation helps shape the future of the IACP. We encourage all eligible Professional Members to review both documents and make an informed decision during the upcoming election.
Key Changes in the Proposed IACP Bylaws
1. Board Structure and Elections
The proposed bylaws would reduce the Board’s permitted size from 6–10 Directors to 3–9 Directors. Member-Elected Director positions would decrease from a maximum of four to two, and all Directors would serve one-year terms instead of the current two- or three-year terms.
What this means: Greater flexibility in Board size and more frequent leadership elections or appointments, but fewer designated Member-Elected Director positions.
2. Membership Categories
The proposed bylaws would allow the Board to establish additional membership categories and determine their qualifications, benefits and fees without requiring a bylaws amendment.
What this means: The IACP could introduce new membership opportunities as the organization grows. New categories would generally be non-voting unless otherwise specified.
3. Director Removal
Currently, Directors generally cannot be removed without due cause, and Professional Members can remove Member-Elected Directors through a vote of no confidence.
The proposed bylaws would allow the Board to remove any Director, with or without cause, by majority vote.
What this means: Greater Board authority over leadership changes, while removing the existing explicit member-initiated removal process.
4. Board Meetings and Operations
The proposed bylaws would reduce the minimum number of annual Board meetings from two to one and shorten notice requirements for special meetings. Decisions made in writing without a meeting would require unanimous consent instead of majority consent.
What this means: More flexibility in scheduling Board meetings, with unanimous agreement required for decisions made outside formal meetings.
5. Committees and Financial Oversight
The proposed bylaws would update the committee structure and establish an Independent Compensation Committee responsible for reviewing and approving executive employee compensation.
What this means: A dedicated process for executive compensation oversight and greater flexibility in establishing committees and advisory teams.
6. Organizational Purpose and Advocacy
The proposed bylaws would more clearly define the IACP’s role as a 501(c)(6) professional association and expressly permit lawful advocacy and lobbying activities consistent with its mission.
What this means: Clearer language outlining the IACP’s professional, educational and advocacy activities.