PUG Corner

May 28, 2024

The last PUG Corner was titled “Agents of Change”, that was my not-so-subtle way of announcing this year’s PUG Conference theme. I also mentioned an upcoming vote on an updated Bylaws and Constitution, which were approved by the Agency User Reps on March 7, 2024. The updated document can be found on aashtowareproject.org (APO) here. Some key changes that were made include:

• Updates to the members of the Board: remove Treasurer position and add 4 Advisor positions
• Updates to the terms of the Board Members: each position is able to volunteer for 2 two-year terms
• Updates to how the host states are selected
• Allows for electronic vote of the Agency User Reps
• Updates to the nominations process for PUG Board positions

With these changes, comes new opportunity for the user community members to volunteer on the PUG Board and affect change. This coming PUG Conference, we will be asking for volunteers for the following positions: Vice Chair, Secretary, and 4 Advisors. Some examples of the roles and responsibilities of these agents of change include:

• Vice Chair: attend PUG Board Meetings, representative in all functions related to the balloting process, and coordinate with the advisors in support of the TAGs
• Secretary: attend PUG Board meetings, coordinate and maintain meeting minutes related to any board meetings, annual PUG Business Meeting Minutes, roll call PowerPoint for the PUG Conference
• Advisors: attend PUG Board Meeting, attend monthly TAG meetings, complete quarterly TAG reports, TAG membership recruitment, assist with cross functional TMRs, assist with subgroups of the TAG, assist with ranking TMRs for the ballot

As mentioned, the nomination process has been updated to state that “Nominations for Board positions may be made by any Member and nominees must be from a Member agency. The Board will accept ongoing nominations prior to the elections at the annual Users Group Meeting.” Therefore, nominations are now open for the positions listed above. If you are interested, please reach out to a PUG Board Member for more information. The election process will be completed at the PUG Conference through a vote of the Agency User Reps.

Speaking of PUG Conferences, registration is now open for the 2024 PUG Conference in Oklahoma City, OK from September 29, 2024 – October 3, 2024. You can find the PUG Conference website here. The PUG Board is diligently working on your agenda for the conference and is excited to see you there!

I’ll leave you with the encouraging words of our friend Dory, just keep swimming.

Amy Sullivan, PUG Board Chair