Creating an Inclusive Culture at ACCP: Membership Votes to Approve Amendment to Bylaws

October 17, 2022

Through a special vote by the ACCP membership, the ACCP Bylaws have been revised to better reflect the organization’s commitment to creating an inclusive culture. The 2022 Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) was charged to provide input to the Board of Regents (BOR) on implementation of the ACCP DEI plan. Among their recommendations, the task force proposed revisions to the ACCP Bylaws.

Original verbiage: "Membership shall be open to all qualified individuals regardless of race, creed, gender, or national origin."

Revised verbiage:

"There shall be no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, national origin (ancestry), age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, socioeconomic status, military status, or other protected classifications in any of ACCP's activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, eligibility for membership; committee assignments; nominations for elected or appointed office; hiring or firing of staff; selection of volunteers, speakers, award recipients, or vendors; and provision of services. ACCP is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment where diversity is celebrated and valued for all members, staff, volunteers, speakers, and/or vendors."

The revised language was approved by the 2022 Organizational Affairs Committee and endorsed by the BOR in July 2022. Pursuant to Article II, Section 1 of the ACCP Bylaws, following recommendation by the Organizational Affairs Committee and endorsement of the BOR, amendments to the Bylaws shall be placed before the voting membership for approval. On October 7, 2022, the amendment was approved by more than two-thirds of the votes cast.

ACCP’s DEI plan includes a goal to create and sustain an inclusive culture within the organization. Through this substantial update to a permanent guiding document, the organization underscores the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion and recognizes that cultivating an inclusive organization will require the effort of everyone associated with the College.

Read the updated bylaws here.