AAPI ELECTIONS 2026 - CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

II. BOARD OF TRUSTEES (3 positions)
Qualification for Board of Trustees Position: (As per AAPI Bylaws Section 5.5)

Besides being active members of AAPI for at least 5 years, the candidates must have served for three years on the Governing Body, of which one [1] year as a Regional Director.

IMPORTANT SECTIONS OF AAPI BYLAWS

1. AAPI Bylaws Section 5.5C: A Trustee term shall be for 3 years and cannot serve for more than two consecutive terms which is a total of six (6) years. Terms of no more than three (3) trustees shall expire in one year except for the year 2024.
2. AAPI Bylaws Section 5.5F: F. Board of Trustee is a commitment for three consecutive year term and only those members who have successfully completed or about to complete the three-year term at the time assuming office, are eligible to run for executive committee positions if they meet other eligibility criteria.
3. AAPI Bylaws Section 5.4.D. For each year on the Governing Body, the candidate must have attended at least one Governing Body meeting as a primary voter or proxy voter in the last 5 years to be counted towards Governing Body experience to contest for elections, at the time of submitting nomination.
4. AAPI Bylaws Section 10.2.d: Voters must select three Board of Trustee candidates out of the total number of contestants for BOT election. The ballot will be valid only if three candidates are chosen. If one or two candidates are chosen, the Board of Trustees portion of the ballot will be disqualified.
5. AAPI Bylaws Section 5.3.A: The Governing Body shall be composed of the Executive Committee, Members of the Board of Trustees, Chairs of all the Standing Committees, Chair of the Convention Committee as defined in Section 4.3 and the Presidents of all dues paid/paying member organizations.
6. AAPI Bylaws Section 10.2.A.I: If the spouse or parent or children of an Office bearer inclusive of Executive committee or Board of Trustee is running for any election, that particular office bearer shall mandatorily recuse himself/ herself from the nomination committee, election committee and any other decision-making procedures during the Election period.

NOMINATION PROCEDURE

• Any current dues paying member of the AAPI can make nominations on behalf of a candidate to the Chair of the Nomination Committee.
• Nominations must be seconded by another member.
• Members are prohibited from nominating more than one candidate for any given position.
• Candidates shall include a written statement of acceptance and also to serve the office if elected, along with a signed disclosure form.
• A candidate may file nomination and contest for only one position in any given election.
• Members are prohibited from nominating more than one candidate for any given position.

Nomination committee will also evaluate candidate based on following criteria:

• Good standing in the community and the AAPI.
• Commitment to the goals of the AAPI.
• Willingness of the candidate to devote time and effort to the work of the AAPI

A short summary of the service of each candidate to the AAPI and AAPI meetings attended in last 5 years should also be included as part of the application.

FEES
A non-refundable nomination filing fee must accompany the filing papers before the deadline from each of the candidates as follows:

• Vice President & Board of Trustee position: $5,000
• Secretary & Treasurer: $2,500
• Regional Director: $1,000

CODE OF CONDUCT FEE: $1,000 (Section 10.3)

Each Candidate will have to deposit $1,000.00 with his/her application, in addition to the Application Fee, for compliance with the Code of Conduct. In the event of a member’s complaint that can be verified, or a demonstrated breach of the above code, the Candidate will forfeit the deposit else the deposit will be returned to the Candidate within two weeks of the Election.

• Nomination fee (Check or written/signed credit card information) along with completed application should reach AAPI office on or before the deadline of January 29^th before 4:00 PM (CST).
• No new nominations will be accepted after January 29^th. However, if there are any discrepancies or legitimate corrections, in the already received nominations, will be entertained until January 31^st before 4 pm CST.

ELECTION SCHEDULE AND DEADLINES

All the candidates are required to have valid unrestricted license either presently or in the past to practice in USA and Sign following:

• Attestation of questions & nominations papers
• Authorization & Consent for verification & release of information
• Statement of acceptance
• Candidates’ agreement for binding arbitration of election disputes as approved by the Governing Body
• AAPI Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest as formatted modified from time to time by the Governing body

It is recommended to send the nominations early so AAPI Office has ample time to check for completion. Application received on the last date has higher chance of disqualification by nominating committee because of missing and unverifiable information in application.

ELECTION SCHEDULE
According to AAPI Bylaws, the following are the deadlines.