National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) members voted overwhelmingly in favor of new bylaws that will change the way the Association is governed and organized.

Close to 20 percent of eligible NAEMT members – 1,006 people – voted in the August election, representing the largest number of NAEMT members ever to cast their votes in an NAEMT election. This election also was the first NAEMT has held electronically.

Of the 1,006 votes cast, 942 (94 percent) were in favor of the bylaws changes. “The members have spoken,” said NAEMT President Jerry Johnston. “I’m proud to have presided over the largest vote in NAEMT’s history. These bylaws changes will make it possible for NAEMT members to have true representation in their Association.”

With the approval of the new bylaws, NAEMT members will vote directly for NAEMT officers and directors. In the past, NAEMT leaders were elected by a Board of Governors, representing affiliated state EMS associations. The Board of Governors was eliminated with the approval of the new bylaws.

“The Board of Governors will meet for the last time in that capacity at our annual meeting in Orlando in October,” Johnston explained. “Even with the bylaws change, it’s critical to keep the states engaged in NAEMT, and I am hopeful that all of the Governors will remain active in the Association.”

Johnston went on to explain that, per the old bylaws, the Board of Governors will vote in Orlando for three open positions on the Board of Directors. The new bylaws call for an increase in Directors from the current number of 11 to 15; however, those additional Directors will be chosen by a vote of the membership. No date has been set for that election.

“We have our work cut out for us to transition to the new bylaws,” Johnston said, noting that he will form an ad hoc committee to write a policy to implement the bylaws changes. He said that he is hopeful that a transition plan will be approved by the Board of Directors by the end of this year, and the transition will be complete within six months.

The NAEMT Board of Directors manages the affairs of the Association, including supervising all funds and approving budgets of the Association and the appointment of staff as is necessary to carry out the business of the Association. The Board of Directors has the authority to establish committees and divisions to carry on the work of the Association.

Committees and divisions that will be assessed by the Board include the following: Bylaws, Membership and Credentialing, Finance, Nominating, Programs and Awards, National EMS Chiefs, Officers and Administrators, AMLS, Industrial, Instructor/Coordinator, International, Military, Paramedic, PHTLS, Pediatrics and Special Operations.

“I look forward to working with the leadership and membership in moving this Association forward,” Johnston said. “Toward that end, I will meet with each of the divisions and committees at the annual meeting in Orlando to give them an opportunity to work with the Board on creating operational plans for the future.”

NAEMT conducted its vote through Votenet Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of electronic voting services. Active, dues-paying NAEMT members were eligible to vote, and NAEMT headquarters reported that the voting process went smoothly, making it likely that future NAEMT elections also will be conducted electronically.

“Electronic voting gives everyone an opportunity to participate in the Association,” Johnston stressed. “That’s what this election was all about – giving NAEMT members a voice in their future.”