Proposed 2024 bylaws amendments

• 2024 proposed bylaws amendments 

We heard you! During the virtual discussion forum with members on February 29 to review the proposed amendments it was noted that “clinical affiliates” was a term unfamiliar.  The definitions for academic and clinical education faculty were cited from Physical Therapy Clinical Education Glossary.  The Board convened at the conclusion of the virtual discussion forum and made revisions to the proposed amendments to reflect “academic and clinical education faculty”.  You can watch and listen to the recording from the virtual discussion forum here, and be sure to use this passcode when prompted: P&aF$sR1. 

Who can vote

All ACAPT institutional representatives or their designated alternate must notify ACAPT of their intent to vote so information can be provided to ensure your program’s vote is captured.  Only the representative or designated alternate may vote on behalf of the program, and it is the representative’s responsibility to ensure ACAPT has the correct information. 

Representatives or the designated alternate must register no later than one day prior to the meeting in order to establish if a quorum is present. ACAPT staff will not be active on email at least two hours prior to and during the meeting.  

So that we may know who is voting on behalf of your institution, please email acapt@acapt.org with the following information as soon as possible but no later than March 30, 2024:

• The full name of the person serving as the representative or designated alternate for the ACAPT member institution who has permission to vote on behalf of the program.
• The name of the ACAPT member institution to whom the person above is representing with their vote
• The email of this individual
• The daytime phone number of this individual 

Eligibility to speak & vote

All ACAPT Representatives, or their designated alternative, and individual members may speak; attendees who are not members of ACAPT must receive permission of the Representatives to speak.  Only ACAPT Representatives, or their designated alternative, may vote.  

In the event a designated representative is unable to attend the meeting, the institution may designate an alternate for the meeting.  The alternate must be an APTA member within the institution following the guidelines for being a representative established by the ACAPT.

For non-voting members who wish to speak - you must personally contact a member institution's representative and ask permission to get in the queue with a question.  Then, when that Representative is recognized to speak, s/he will say "Is it permissible for ____ from ____ institution to address the body?"  The Vice President, who is presiding over the meeting, will ask, "Is there any objection to having _____ from ____ institution speak?"  If there is no objection, then that individual may speak.  If there is an objection, please raise your hand.  A vote will then be called to determine the decision for the person to speak, which will be based on a simple majority.  The Vice President will recognize the person to speak should the objection not be made by the majority.

• A timekeeper shall be appointed by the Chair.  The timekeeper will mention when you are close to your 3-minute speaking limit and when your time is up.
• No member may speak longer than three minutes at one time on any one question, nor more than once until all who wish to speak have been heard.
• A member may speak for a third time, on any one question, only with the consent of the Chair or upon a majority vote of the members present and voting.
• In debate, members must limit their remarks to the merits of a question.
• All questions of order or appeal shall be decided by a majority voice or standing vote by representatives present and voting.
• The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the Council in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Guidelines, these Standing Rules, or any special rules of order adopted by the Council.

Antitrust compliance

ACAPT has a policy of strict compliance with all applicable antitrust laws which apply, not only to formal meetings and calls, but also to any discussions on breaks, in informal settings, or at any other time.

The antitrust laws prohibit competitors (including ACAPT members) from engaging in actions that could result in an unreasonable restraint of trade. As such, ACAPT members must avoid discussing certain topics when they are together, meeting virtually, or at any other time during which they are participating in a ACAPT-hosted event or forum of any sort. These topics include but are not limited to prices and fees (such as tuition), pricing strategies, discounts and promotions, wages, costs, market allocation, group boycotts, and output reductions.

With respect to output restrictions, any discussion about the need or rationale for reducing the number of current or future PT academic programs is strictly prohibited. All participants are encouraged to remind each other of this policy.

During formal events at the annual meeting, the presiding officer shall rule the member speaking out of order.  Representatives may rise to a point of order if they feel comments or debate are not in compliance with the policy.