[ Please excuse the duplicate posts of this important announcement. ]

TDWG Executive Committee proposes a new Constitution. In 2015, the TDWG Executive Committee commissioned a team to assess TDWG's structure and effectiveness, and to propose changes to the TDWG Constitution as needed. That work is now complete, and the Executive Committee has advanced the proposal to the membership for review. The revised Constitution aims to engage more people in the ongoing activities of TDWG, and to promote continuity in governance across years. If the proposed Constitution is adopted, new committees will be created and charged with ongoing responsibilities, and new officers will be elected to lead those committees. Read more about the motivation and the detailed changes here http://www.tdwg.org/about-tdwg/new-constitution/ and in the Review Package http://www.tdwg.org/fileadmin/tdwg/about-tdwg/tdwg-constitution-2016__package-for-review.pdf .

The 90-day review period began on 06-Sep-2016, with publication of theReview Package http://www.tdwg.org/fileadmin/tdwg/about-tdwg/tdwg-constitution-2016__package-for-review.pdf on the TDWG website. It will end with with the close of electronic voting on 06-Dec-2016. Each member is encouraged to read the proposal and assess the changes against the rationale presented in the package. Comments can be sent to the TDWG secretary (secretary [at] tdwg [dot] org) until 30 days prior to the close of the vote. (Additional information about comments and the comment period will be posted on the proposal page of TDWG website http://www.tdwg.org/about-tdwg/new-constitution/ before 30 Sep.)

Voting will be electronic. Each member in good standing[1] will receive an electronic ballot, and will be entitled to one vote (approve/disapprove). A majority of votes cast in each membership category, individual and institutional, will be required to adopt the new Constitution.

On behalf of the Executive Committee,

Dimitrios Koureas, TDWG Secretary Stan Blum, TDWG Coordinator

[1] To be a member in good standing, at least one of the following must be true: 1) you paid TDWG membership dues in either 2015 or 2016; 2) you attended the annual meeting in 2015; or 3) you have paid registration fees to attend the annual meeting in 2016. Please inquire with the TDWG Treasurer (treasurer [at] tdwg.org), if you would like to confirm your membership status.