Today's topic: The bylaws were passed, what's next?

PATH Intl. held a bylaws vote at the 2016 Annual Meeting in Williamsburg, VA.

At 8:16 a.m., votes were cast for changes and an addition to the bylaws. Ballots were collected by five PATH Intl. staff members and five membership volunteers from those in attendance. Ballots were counted by PATH Intl. staff member Cher Smith and membership volunteer from the audience Samantha Bannock.

The results were as follows:

Bylaws changes - 345 yes votes (86.7%), 53 no votes (13.3%). Changes were approved by two-thirds (2/3) majority.

Bylaws addition of credentialing council - 286 yes votes (72%), 112 no votes (28%). Addition of credentialing council was approved by two-thirds (2/3) majority.

Teresa Morris and Mary Jo Beckman hand out voting ballots at the 2016 PATH Intl. Annual Meeting

For a refresher on the bylaws changes and addition decided on with this vote, details can be found here. 

With this passing result, PATH Intl. will continue to implement the changes necessary to help meet the most often communicated desire of the membership-to elevate the professionalism of the equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) industry as a whole, while also differentiating PATH Intl. Certified Instructors from other service providers.

What's next?
The next step is completing the final stage of reviewing the applications submitted by members for the Credentialing Council Development Workgroup. The roster for this workgroup will be finalized by December 9, 2016 and published along with member bios in the PATH Intl. eNews and the next Trek eNews.

The PATH Intl. Credentialing Council Development Workgroup will:

* Create the policies and procedures for the credentialing council, whose members will be voted on later, as well as set the criteria and nomination procedures for the election of members to the council. We look forward to the involvement of PATH Intl. membership in the credentialing council nomination process and electing individuals who represent the membership's diverse voices and views.

* Investigate and recommend potential prerequisites for the PATH Intl. Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification to the credentialing council.

The association is also in the process of reviewing proposals to select a third-party contractor to work with the credentialing council to guide them through the process of choosing a test delivery model that serves our industry and meets the requirements for NCCA accreditation. This independent contractor will also lead the credentialing council through the process to finalize the test blueprint and procedures, including the certification prerequisites.

PATH Intl. is excited to be taking these next steps and further engaging the membership in the trek to accrediting the PATH Intl. Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification.