AAOS is proposing changes to modernize its governance to ensure that the AAOS is better poised to face the challenges ahead in serving its members, their patients, and the profession.

Enable a well-informed and high-performing Board that has the most complete information to support our mission.

Create an agile, responsive, and efficient volunteer leadership structure that serves our members and the MSK community to provide the highest quality of care.

Help the AAOS remain the voice for all orthopaedic surgeons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Overview of Changes

• Where can I find the full text of the proposed bylaw changes?
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  Q: Where can I find the full text of the proposed bylaw changes?

  A: The full text of the proposed bylaws is available on the AAOS website: Proposed Association Bylaws / Proposed Academy Bylaws

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• Why are changes to the bylaws necessary?
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  Q: Why are changes to the bylaws necessary?

  A: Our current bylaws are cumbersome and do not align with our current needs. The last comprehensive update was approved in 1996! The scope and pace of change in the MSK community and in healthcare has accelerated. In this dynamic environment, governance changes are necessary to break down barriers to thoughtful leadership and efficiency; streamline roles and responsibilities; and provide the Board with a more flexible, rapid and agile, decision-making process.

  The changes will also help us better incorporate feedback from Fellows and make leadership opportunities more broadly accessible. With the changes, we can ensure that AAOS operates in a nimble, adaptable, and flexible way to meet the needs of our members and enhance our ability to take care of patients.

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• How will these changes benefit the organization and its Fellows?
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  Q: How will these changes benefit the organization and its Fellows?

  A: The changes will benefit the entire AAOS membership by creating a more streamlined and effective governance structure, improving transparency and accountability, and ensuring that the AAOS is well-positioned to meet future challenges and opportunities. With potential for better 2-way communication between the Board and Fellows, all voices will be factored into decision making. Fellows will benefit from improved representation and a more responsive and efficient organization.

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• Why are we making bylaws changes now? Aren’t there more important things that need attention?
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  Q: Why are we making bylaws changes now? Aren’t there more important things that need attention?

  A: The bylaws changes are foundational and provide the framework for culture and governance improvements that the AAOS strategic plan calls for. The changes also ensure that the future focus of leadership can remain on critical issues while procedural and operational matters are delegated to the appropriate levels for oversight and management.

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Impact of Proposed Changes

• Will the voting rights for any of our members change?
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  Q: Will the voting rights for any of our members change?

  A: The AAOS is a member driven organization and yes, the goal is to focus on Active Fellows who are practicing orthopaedic surgeons. In the proposed bylaws, only Active Fellows will have voting privileges as only active members pay dues. This is intended to increase engagement and participation of our members that is critical to the success of the AAOS.

  Active Fellows will apply the lens of current challenges in MSK care as they vote. We value the wisdom and experience of Emeritus Fellows and will continue to welcome their contributions through other channels, but they will no longer have voting privileges and pay no dues.

  Additionally, focusing voting rights to Active Fellows encourages them to be more involved and helps AAOS be more strategic. This also helps to overcome stagnation and that could inhibit our progress in supporting active surgeons and care of their patients.

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• Will the composition of the Board of Directors change?
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  Q: Will the composition of the Board of Directors change?

  A: No, The current composition of the Board of Directors will remain the same?

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• How will the Board nominations process work?
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  Q: How will the Board nominations process work?

  A: The Nominating Committee shall be constituted of eight members. Four members will be Active Fellows nominated and elected by the membership and three will be appointed by the Board (three members of the Governance Committee). The Chair of the committee will be a former director. This group will propose a candidate and an alternate to the Board.

  This will allow current Board members who have a deep understanding of the needs of the Board at that time to give their perspective on the skill sets needed based on a board assessment process.

  Additionally, a Fellow may serve on the Nominating Committee only once in the elected capacity which will diminish the influence of a small group and allow better representation. This process should limit the politics of popularity and place Fellows on the Board who have experience in the organization and fill the skill sets needed that year. This will allow a similar process to how the public Board Members are selected, based on filling the needs that year.

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• How will future bylaws and standards of professionalism be brought forward?
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  Q: How will future bylaws and standards of professionalism be brought forward?

  A: The AAOS has grown significantly larger and more complex than it was during our last major bylaws update in 1996. To modernize the process for providing member feedback for change, recommendations for item updates will have two options. An update or amendment will need to assemble support from two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors; or by at least ten percent (10%) of the Active Fellows by December 1 of the year before the Annual Meeting after which it will be considered and voted on.

  This is similar to public state and local government-based referendums to be placed on the ballot where a representative number of people must endorse the update rather than a very small group.

  When a good idea arises, it will have the opportunity to be enacted. Currently we allow a small number of Fellows to submit an idea and only 10% of Active Fellows are required to vote. This update will ensure major changes are supported by a meaningful number of active AAOS Fellows before debating their adoption.

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• How will resolutions be handled?
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  Q: How will resolutions be handled?

  A: The processes that are not included in the streamlined bylaws will be handled in a procedure book accessible to the Fellows, or may be addressed through an enhanced advisory opinion process. As a bylaws change is not needed to make changes to the procedures, future boards will have flexibility to respond to the changing needs of the organization.

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• Does streamlining bylaws and leadership structures mean we are overlooking important issues or that we are restricting decision making to fewer people?
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  Q: Does streamlining bylaws and leadership structures mean we are overlooking important issues or that we are restricting decision making to fewer people?

  A: Not at all. The bylaws changes have been carefully considered to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations and align with the highest standards for professional societies. These changes have factored in all voices and are in the best interest of our members and their patients. By introducing process efficiencies, we will be able to better focus on the critical issues, include all voices, and ensure transparency and communication to make AAOS more nimble, relevant, and effective in meeting Fellow needs.

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Process

• What is the timeline for the approval of the new bylaws?
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  Q: What is the timeline for the approval of the new bylaws?

  A: All eligible AAOS Fellows will have the opportunity to comment on the updated bylaws during the Open Hearing held at the AAOS Annual Meeting. All eligible AAOS Fellows will have the opportunity to vote on the submitted amendments following the 2025 AAOS Annual Meeting. At least 10% of the current Fellowship must vote on each proposed amendment. Of those voting, at least two-thirds must vote in favor of the proposed bylaws amendments to be adopted.

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• How can Fellows provide feedback on the proposed changes?
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  Q: How can Fellows provide feedback on the proposed changes?

  A: Fellows attending the 2025 Annual Meeting can provide comments on the bylaws during the Bylaws Committee’s Open Hearing. Fellows can also provide feedback through a website form as well as through conversations with their BOC or BOS representatives or members of the AAOS Board of Directors. We will ensure that all feedback is considered by the AAOS Board Directors and addressed through appropriate channels.

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• How were the proposed changes to the bylaws developed?
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  Q: How were the proposed changes to the bylaws developed?

  A: The proposed changes were developed through an extensive, collaborative, comprehensive and transparent review process by the Board of Directors that included input from many AAOS Fellows as well as several legal advisors. The changes have been developed, reviewed, and approved by the AAOS Board of Directors, Board of Councilors and Board of Specialty Societies.

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• Who can I contact if I have further questions or need more information?
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  Q: Who can I contact if I have further questions or need more information?

  A: Please contact Donna Malert, Chief Governance Officer, at malert@aaos.org.

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Questions? Contact Donna Malert, Chief Governance Officer, at malert@aaos.org.