Term limit debate
One the last measures the conference considered was to add term limits for trustees. This was offered as a bylaw amendment:
“Trustees shall be elected at the annual WorldService Business Conference for a period of three
years. Trustees may be elected at any annual Conference in order to fill the remaining term created by a vacancy except as specified in Section 7.
Trustees shall serve no more thaneightnineconsecutiveyears. A candidate may not run for election at the World Service Business Conference if serving the full term of the proposed office would result in that candidate serving on the Board of Trustees for more thaneightnineconsecutiveyears.”
The measure was debated and then amended three times, which sent the measure to the reference committee. The reference committee returned with two changes. Instead of nine years, it proposed making the limit 10 years.
In addition, following on an amendment made and then withdrawn before the matter was referred to reference, it added this proviso:
Trustees elected at , or prior to, World Service Business Conference 2024 shall retain their current term.
A concern was expressed that, without something like that, Bob F would not be able to take his position, and Region 6 would be assigned a trustee liaison less familiar with the region.
Two broader concerns I heard expressed: a) If younger people choose to serve as trustees, they could potentially be barred from serving again on the board, even, say, 20 or 30 years later, and b) that potential new candidates to the board might be intimidated from running by the prospect of facing “old pros.”
The proposal failed by a raised-hand vote that was neither unanimous or particularly close.