Congress of Delegates

Official Notice of NYSAFP Congress of Delegates

May 9-10, 2008 - Click Here (Doc)

The 60th annual Congress of Delegates of the NYSAFP will meet May 9-10, 2008 at the Desmond Hotel in Albany, NY. All members are invited and encouraged to attend the Congress, to participate in discussions of current issues and to debate Academy policy. Delegates to the Congress include delegates elected by county chapters, members of the board of directors, past presidents, delegates selected by resident and student members, and delegates selected from counties that do not have a component chapter. County chapters are entitled to two delegates and alternates. Counties with more than 100 members have an additional delegate and alternate for each additional 100 members. In counties where there is no component chapter, any member(s) interested in becoming a delegate must provide written notice to the Speaker of the Congress. If more than one member in a county where there is no component chapter want to be delegates, the Speaker will conduct an election not less than 30 days prior to the Congress and will limit participation in that election to members in good standing of that county. Although all members may participate in the Congress, only delegates may vote.

The Congress is an annual meeting of the membership of the NYSAFP. This is the forum wherein active members voice their opinions on Academy positions and operations and present suggestions for Academy programs and positions.

Resolutions which have been submitted in advance, and reports of commissions and officers are presented
at the Congress. Reference committees meet and hear testimony regarding resolutions and reports. The reference committees make recommendations regarding resolutions and reports. Any member may submit a resolution.

Resolutions should be submitted to NYSAFP no later than 60 days (by March 9, 2008) prior to the Congress to be published in the Delegates Handbook. Resolutions may also be submitted at the Congress, but the Congress may decline to consider resolutions, which were not presented 60 days prior to the opening of the Congress.

Guidelines for writing resolutions are:
1. Staff assigns numbers to resolutions
2. The author of the resolution is responsible for identifying the subject of the resolution
3. The resolution must include name of the member, commission or organization presenting the resolution
4. Each justification for the resolution should be included and should begin with the word "Whereas"
5. After the various "Whereas" paragraphs, the "resolves" paragraphs should clearly establish the purpose of the resolution such as a change in Academy policy, amendment of the bylaws, referral to another organization or individual

The Congress also conducts elections. Elections will be held for the following offices at the Congress: president-elect, vice president, secretary, treasurer, director (3 positions), delegate to the AAFP Congress, alternate delegate to the AAFP Congress, speaker and vice speaker. The three director positions are for 3-year terms. The AAFP delegate and alternate positions are for 2-year terms. All other offices are for 1-year terms. There will be a Dinner and Installation Ceremony (Black Tie Preferred).

Some funding is available to reimburse delegates from counties that do not have an organized chapter for their expenses in attending the Congress. If you are interested in becoming a delegate and you live in a county that does not have an organized county chapter, contact EVP Vito Grasso for information regarding how you can become a delegate and how to apply for reimbursement of your expenses to attend the Congress. You may reach Vito at vito@nysafp.org or 1-800-822-0700.