AAOS fellows casting ballots were overwhelmingly supportive of the recommendations on all AAOS resolutions and bylaw amendments in 2014. Fellows were asked to vote on three AAOS resolutions being considered under the 5-year review process. They also considered three Association bylaw amendments.

At the time of the 2014 balloting, the AAOS had 23,676 active, emeritus, and inactive fellows eligible to vote. Ballots and information on voting were delivered by email, fax, and U.S. Postal Service, and fellows were also able to review the issues and vote on the AAOS website.

During the initial balloting period, which ended on May 24, 12 percent of eligible fellows voted. However, for resolutions to be adopted, the bylaws require that at least 20 percent of the fellowship cast ballots. As a result, the AAOS Board of Directors authorized reopening the ballot process for up to two additional 30-day periods. With the reopening of the balloting, a total of 5,218 valid ballots were received by July 24, for a 22 percent response rate.

All recommendations on AAOS resolutions and bylaw amendments were adopted, and no measure received less than an 81 percent approval rate (Table 1).

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