Consolidated balloting begins for AAOS Nominating Committee, Resolutions, Bylaws

It’s that time again—time to cast your ballots for individuals to serve on the AAOS Nominating Committee and to decide whether to adopt or retain certain AAOS resolutions or bylaw amendments. This year, two changes in the process will make voting easier.

This year, for the first time, voting will be conducted primarily online. The voting process is designed to be quick, secure and confidential. Also for the first time, you will be able to vote both for nominees to serve on the AAOS Nominating Committee and on proposed resolutions and bylaw amendments—on one ballot at the same time.

Online voting process
To cast ballots, you must first log into the AAOS Web site, using your unique username and password. Here’s how it will work:

• All AAOS Fellows who are eligible to vote and who have provided the AAOS with an e-mail address should already have received an e-mail with a link to the voting site (www.aaos.org/aaosvote). Clicking on the link will take you directly to the balloting information (if you have already logged in to the AAOS Web site) or to the login page (if you aren’t already logged in; once you login, you’ll go directly to the balloting information).
• Fellows who have not provided AAOS with an e-mail address but have provided a fax number should have received a ballot and balloting information by fax. Additional background information is available at www.aaos.org/aaosvote
• The relatively small remaining group of orthopaedic surgeons who have not provided AAOS with an e-mail address or with a fax number should have received a written ballot and background information in the mail.

The online voting site will have information on each of the Fellows nominated to serve on the Nominating Committee, as well as information on each of the resolutions and bylaw amendments, including the recommendations of the Board of Councilors, Board of Specialty Societies, Board of Directors, and AAOS Resolutions or Bylaws Committees.

For resolutions and bylaw amendments, the same quorum requirements apply as before. Adoption of a resolution or bylaw amendment requires that at least 20 percent of the total Fellowship (around 4,700 Active, Inactive, or Emeritus Fellows) must cast ballots. In addition, at least 50 percent of those voting must vote in favor of a resolution and at least two thirds of those voting must vote in favor of a proposed bylaw amendment for adoption.

A valid election for the Nominating Committee does not require a minimum number or percentage of Fellows to cast ballots. Those individuals who receive the highest number of votes will be elected to the Nominating Committee, provided no more than two are in practice in the same state.

Cast your ballot today
Several important resolutions and bylaw amendments are being considered this year. Eight AAOS resolutions have been reviewed and, with some modifications, are being recommended to be retained or rescinded. Three bylaw amendments, covering certain aspects of the AAOS professional compliance program, the AAOS balloting process, and the creation of a new membership category of Associate Resident Member–International, are also being recommended for adoption.

In addition, 22 orthopaedic surgeons who were nominated during the Business Meeting held at the 2011 Annual Meeting are standing for election to the AAOS 2012 Nominating Committee. Those six who are elected will serve alongside E. Anthony Rankin, MD, former AAOS president, who has been appointed by the Board of Directors to chair the 2012 Nominating Committee.

Ballots must be submitted to the AAOS by May 6, 2011, to be counted. As a Fellow, you help shape the future direction and work of the AAOS through your votes on resolutions and bylaw amendments and for members of the Nominating Committee. Take this opportunity to vote online and be an involved member of the AAOS.

Richard N. Peterson, JD, is general counsel for the AAOS. He can be reached at peterson@aaos.org