NAGC Regulations Proposed Revisions

2026

Executive Summary

The proposed revisions to the NAGC Regulations are intended to modernize governance practices, clarify organizational structure and authority, improve operational flexibility, and better align the Regulations with current organizational needs. These amendments were developed by the NAGC Governance Committee with guidance from legal counsel to ensure compliance and alignment with best practices for nonprofit associations.

The Revisions Aim To:

Clarify membership categories and voting rights
Strengthen governance structures and procedures
Improve alignment between Regulations and organizational policy
Increase flexibility for committees, elections, and meetings
Clarify the roles of Networks, SIGs, and Board leadership

Guiding Principles of the Process:

Governance clarity
Operational flexibility
Compliance with nonprofit best practices
Transparency and accountability
Alignment between Regulations and policy
Support for hybrid/modern governance operations

In many cases, operational procedures have been intentionally moved from the Regulations into policy documents so that the organization can adapt processes more efficiently without requiring formal bylaw amendments. This work originated with a broad review conducted by the NAGC Board of Directors, which identified the need for updates to better align governance documents with current organizational practice.

Following this initial review, responsibility for drafting and refining the revisions was delegated to the Governance Committee, which has led this work over the past year. Throughout this process, NAGC has engaged legal counsel on an ongoing basis to ensure the proposed revisions are consistent with applicable requirements and reflect best practices for association governance.

NAGC voting members are invited to vote on these proposed revisions. Eligible members will receive a ballot via SurveyMonkey and may vote between September 23 and October 26.

Read the Full Proposed Revisions

Membership Structure & Participation

These revisions clarify membership categories and voting rights, provide flexibility to adapt membership models through policy, and establish a clear governance mechanism for addressing conduct that is inconsistent with NAGC policies.

Officer Roles, Succession, and Accountability

These updates strengthen governance continuity, improve transparency around leadership transitions, and establish clearer accountability processes consistent with nonprofit governance best practices.

Board Governance Modernization

These revisions modernize Board operations, support hybrid and virtual governance practices, and ensure the Board can maintain effective operations while incorporating broader expertise and stakeholder perspectives.

Committees, Networks, and Special Interest Groups

These revisions clarify governance authority, improve organizational alignment, and create more structured oversight of member engagement groups while preserving flexibility for evolving organizational needs.

Election & Voting Process Updates

These updates improve transparency, accessibility, and operational efficiency in elections and member voting processes.

Legal & Compliance Revisions

These changes ensure the Regulations remain aligned with Ohio nonprofit law, reflect legal counsel's recommendations, clarify the Association's legal authority and members' statutory rights, and support current nonprofit governance standards.