Whereas, NAP currently has three electronic unit that are not affiliated with any association, the Electronic Unit (eNAP), the E-Grant Unit (E-Grant), and the Young Professionals Parliamentary Practice Unit (YP3);

 

Whereas, Article IV, Section 3B of the NAP Bylaws provides, “Electronic associations may be organized when at least three electronic units wish to affiliate, provided that the association’s bylaws have been approved by the NAP Bylaws Committee”;

 

Whereas, chartering of an electronic association would allow electronic units affiliated with that association to better coordinate their efforts to ensure that the unique needs of electronic units are recognized and supported by NAP;

 

Whereas, chartering of an electronic association would allow primary members of affiliated electronic units, including current members-at-large of geographically based associations, to designate the electronic association as their association of primary membership;

 

Resolved, That contingent on concurrence by E-Grant and YP3, a joint committee consisting of one member from each of the thee unaffiliated electronic units be created to plan for and call an electronic convention, using a technology specified by the committee, to consider the question of applying to NAP for the chartering of an electronic association;

 

2. That upon adoption of this resolution, eNAP elect a member to serve on the joint committee;

 

3. That within five days or as soon as reasonable after adoption of this resolution, the eNAP president notify the presidents of E-Grant and YP3 of its adoption, and request that at the earliest opportunity they present to their units the question of creation of a joint committee as specified in this resolution and the designation of a unit member to serve on the joint committee;

 

4. That the eNAP president further request that the presidents of E-Grant and YP3 promptly notify the eNAP president of their units’ actions, including the name and contact information of the unit members designated to serve on the joint committee if the units concur in the creation of the committee;

 

5. That upon receipt of notification from E-Grant and YP3, the eNAP president promptly notify the eNAP member of the joint committee of the names and contact information of the E-Grant and YP3 members, if applicable;

 

6. That within five days or as soon as reasonable after being notified of the names and contact information of the other two members, the eNAP member of the joint committee contact the other two members to schedule an initial electronic meeting of the committee to elect a committee chairman and to plan for such additional meetings as the committee deems appropriate;

 

7. That the convention authorized by this resolution be planned, organized, and conducted in accordance with Section 60 of RONR, with such adaptation as may be necessary to allow for electronic participation, and with the joint committee authorized to appoint such convention committees as may be necessary;

 

8. That the convention authorized by the resolution be convened as soon as possible.

Note added 2017-08-21:

Some additions benefits that Weldon Merritt and Paul McClintock discussed by phone:

a. EAP will get 6 delegates minimum to NAP conventions, plus possibly more based on the number of EAP members at large.

b. EAP gives additional opportunities to serve in some officer positions that earn them points for RP and PRP credentials, which can be especially useful for members living in areas without a geographically based association.

c. EAP provides greater opportunity for collaboration and networking of NAP members dealing with e-meeting issues of rules, technology and logistics.

d. EAP provides additional opportunities in parliamentary education.