To address existing obstacles and increase opportunities for future success, APTA's Board of Directors (Board) proposed changes to and clarifications of the association’s governance structure at its April 20-22, 2012, meeting in Washington, DC. The Board’s proposals, which are outlined in detail in a background report (.pdf) for the House of Delegates that's available to all members, marked yet another step forward in a formal governance review process that began in 2009.
This governance review is intended to strengthen an association that hasn't made significant changes to its governance practices in decades—updating a sometimes rigid pre-Internet system to better embrace the opportunities of these increasingly collaborative times. Governance review seeks to better align the governance structure with the association's strategic plan, to clarify the roles and responsibilities of decision-making entities, to encourage fruitful participation by association membership, and to increase efficiency for both the association and the individual. The Board's proposals are designed to achieve those goals.
At this point, no changes to APTA's governance have been made, and there are no formal recommendations up for adoption. The same thoughtful, collaborative spirit that will epitomize APTA governance moving forward is being embraced now, to make careful, well-considered decisions. The Board's proposals will next be forwarded to the House of Delegates so that delegates can provide feedback at the association's annual meeting in June. Additionally, over the coming months, chapter and section leadership and members in general will be encouraged to provide comments on the proposals, joining the more than 3,300 individuals who have contributed to the governance review thus far. Implementation of these or future proposals will most likely occur in 2013, or later if more research is necessary.
What's New on Governance Review
The following resources are provided to help delegates and other members get up to speed on the current state of governance review.
Update on Governance Review: Proposals for a Brighter Future (.pdf) 
This 14-page illustrated brief highlights the most significant elements of the Board's proposals, which are based on significant research by and the recommendations of the Governance Review Task Force and its subgroups. For a quick overview, start here.
Podcast: A Conversation on Governance Review, Part 1 (Chapters & Sections)
This 14-minute podcast (transcript provided) covers proposals related to chapters and sections.
Podcast: A Conversation on Governance Review, Part 2 (BOD & HOD)
This 20-minute podcast (transcript provided) covers proposals related to the Board of Directors and House of Delegates.
Background Report: Proposal and Background Material on Governance Review for the House of Delegates (.pdf)
This 60-page document summarizes the Board's proposals.
Background Information
Vision for the Future of APTA Governance
Vision Scenarios
Responding to Survey Results
Governance Review FAQ (.pdf)
Governance Review Subgroups Appointments Listing (.pdf)
Governance Review Resources
More detailed information can be found on the APTA Communities site on the Governance Review Community, available to APTA members (login to access).