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AOPA has released seven potential changes to the association's bylaws and is now seeking feedback from members.
The association states these governance changes were based, in part, on member requests. Current and potential bylaws were posted online with explanatory notes, as well as a feedback form. Chairman Luke Wippler and AOPA Acting Co-President Katie Pribyl will also detail the bylaw changes at AOPA's annual Pilot Town Hall at SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo on April 15, at 11:30 a.m. in the AOPA Tent.
"As you know, AOPA has a long history of protecting GA and providing our members with essential benefits, such as Pilot Protection Services and the You Can Fly program," said AOPA Trustee Jim Hauslein in a letter in March. "To safeguard this legacy, the board must continually innovate and integrate fresh perspectives."
If the changes are approved, the board of trustees would be required to have at least three members and would be limited to a maximum of 13 members. The qualifications to become a trustee would also be codified. It would require the potential trustee to be an active or recently active general aviation pilot, be a current or past aircraft owner or have leased an aircraft and commit to participating in committees and public aviation events. They would also be expected to have expertise in one or more of AOPA's core missions or functions, such as marketing, finance, government affairs or aviation safety.
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Members and trustees may also be nominated during a 30-day open nomination period. The period would be decided by the nominating committee and would have to be at least 120 days before the annual meeting. Candidates would be required to submit a resume, a letter of interest, and a minimum of 25 signatures of members who support them. They would then be presented to the full membership at least 30 days before the annual meeting.
The Chairman of the Board would be required to serve at least three years as a trustee with at least one year as leader of a board committee. The chairman would be limited to six consecutive years in that position, barring extraordinary circumstances and majority support for any extension.
Members will be able to provide feedback through the online form or at the annual meeting on May 12. The board will review all member input before finalizing the bylaw changes that will be voted on in fall 2026.