The AAO House of Delegates met virtually on May 1, considering numerous proposed resolutions and adopted a proposal designed to diversify the perspectives and expertise of the Board of Trustees.

The HOD approved up to three at-large trustees to be added to the AAO Board of Trustees. The at-large trustees may be selected based on demographic diversity or expertise, and will be voting Board members. The initiative is part of an ongoing effort reflecting the call for inclusivity within the AAO Strategic Plan.

Interviews are already underway and the new trustees will be selected and announced in June.

A separate resolution was adopted expanding the Board’s appointment capabilities to include advisors, at-large members and representatives of the Council on New and Younger Members, with full voting rights on councils and committees for those appointed.

In addition, House of Delegates actions included:

Constituent Merger Policy Updated

● Constituent organizations that initiate the process of merging “will retain the pre-merger constituent’s territorial jurisdiction, powers, duties, rights, or representation under AAO Bylaws, procedures, or policies until the mergers are formally recognized by both the merged entity and the AAO.”

Fee Waiver and Membership Reinstatement Policies Changed

● The membership fee waiver policy, which covers a variety of hardships and full-time humanitarian service, now specifies that “membership dues are to be considered for individual member’s circumstances and may not be granted for events or occurrences that significantly impact the vast majority of the AAO membership.”

● A member’s reinstatement fee following a lapse in membership will be waived for the first two instances of lapse (rather than one instance allowed under the previous policy). Reintstatement following any subsequent instances of lapse will require payment of all of the current year’s dues and assessments, plus a reinstatement fee equal to 25 percent of unpaid dues and assessments from the most recent lapsed year (maximum of one year – reduced from a three-year maximum under the previous policy). Membership is considered to have lapsed if all applicable dues and assessments for the Fiscal Year are not paid by May 31.

Invoicing of 2020-21 Member Dues Will Take Place August 3

● In addition, as previously reported, to help provide financial relief to members during this challenging time, 2020-21 AAO dues invoicing will be delayed until August 3 (vs. the usual June 1 invoicing date). Dues rates* will be the same as those for 2019-20:

– Active (US): $793.00 (unchanged since 2013)
– Active (Canada): $634.40 (80 percent of U.S. active member dues)
– International: $396.50 (50 percent of U.S. active member dues)
– Student: $30

● The assessment** for North American members that funds the Consumer Awareness Program (CAP) will be reduced to $300 for 2020-21 (a $500 savings compared with last year’s assessment).

View the complete 2020 House of Delegates Report

* Regarding the dues amounts listed, discounts are available to active academic and life active members, and to active members in their first four years of practice.

** Regarding the CAP assessment, discounts are also available to life active and active members in their first four years in practice.  Active academic members are exempt, as are international and student members.