NAMI Welcomes New Member to National Board, Adopts New Mission Statement and Other Bylaws Revisions at Annual Meeting in Orlando

Polls were busy all day on Sunday, June 8, in Orlando, Florida as delegates voted for candidates for the 2008- 2009 NAMI National board of directors and considered four proposed bylaws amendments. Nine candidates sought one of five open seats. The four proposed amendments to the NAMI bylaws also generated much discussion among conventioneers at NAMI’s annual meeting. In announcing the election results, election chair Dave Lushbaugh congratulated delegates for their thoughtful engagement in shaping NAMI’s future. Jim Dailey (Louisville, Ky.) departed the board after two terms of service.

In bidding him farewell at the NAMI annual business meeting, board president Anand Pandya described Dailey as a “friend and mentor whom we will dearly miss.” Dailey served as board treasurer for several years and most recently sat as chair of the board’s Education and Information committee.

Keris Jän Myrick (Pasadena, CA) was elected to the board. She joins four incumbents who were re-elected for a second term: Sheila Amdur (West Hartford, CT), Carol Caruso (Collegeville, PA), Guyla Daley (Hilton Head, SC) and H. Richard Lamb, M.D. (San Marino, CA).

The board met for its traditional early-morning meeting following the general election to select its officers. Anand Pandya, M.D. (Los Angeles, CA) will continue as president; Stephen Feinstein, Ph.D. (Louisburg, KS) has moved from his role as second vice president to first vice president; Frederick Frese (Hudson, OH) was newly elected as second vice president; Guyla Daley will continue as treasurer; and Carol Caruso will continue to serve as secretary.

Continuing their service on the board are also Nancy Carter (Los Angeles, CA), Suzanne Clifford (Indianapolis, IN), Clarence Jordan (Nashville, TN), David Lushbaugh (Atlanta, GA), Joseph Mucenski (Tucson, AZ), Clarice Raichel (Lake Charles, LA), Marty Raaymakers (Port Huron, MI), and Kevin Sullivan (West Hartford, CT).

Each year, NAMI members have an opportunity to propose and vote upon resolutions and bylaws amendments. This year, no resolutions were offered for consideration. Four bylaws amendments were up for consideration. A proposal to amend the preamble with more recovery-oriented language and to recast the NAMI mission statement passed with 78% of the vote. NAMI’s revised mission statement is now: NAMI recognizes that the key concepts of recovery, resiliency and support are essential to improving the wellness and quality of life of all persons affected by mental illness. Mental illnesses should not be an obstacle to a full and meaningful life for persons who live with them.

NAMI will advocate at all levels to ensure that all persons affected by mental illness receive the services that they need and deserve, in a timely fashion. An amendment to convert the NAMI fiscal year to a calendar year passed handily with 92% of the vote. The proposed amendment to exclude NAMI National employees from serving on the NAMI National board was approved with 93% of the vote. A fourth proposal, to require arbitration in dispute resolution, received 17% support and did not pass.

Bylaws amendments require a two thirds majority for passage; resolutions require a simple majority. NAMI’s member-approved 2008 bylaws are available online at www.nami.org/bylaws.

Nominations for the NAMI National board, proposed bylaws amendments, and resolutions are due by April 9, 2009 for consideration at the 2009 convention in San Francisco, California. For more information, contact Governance@nami.org

Read more information about the candidates and bylaws proposals considered in the NAMI 2008 election.

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