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ASEH Bylaw Revision and Strategic Planning Processes
ASEH is undertaking two major organizational efforts during 2026. One is revising our bylaws to better reflect the structure and activities of the organization. One is a strategic planning process. Bylaws Revisions Process. Over the past decade, ASEH has grown as an organization, made the executive director a full-time position, and expanded our online activities. The goal of the bylaw review process is to modernize the bylaws, not to make substantial changes in how ASEH is organized or functions. This fall, a Council subcommittee began reviewing the bylaws and solicited initial feedback on proposed revisions from the ASEH Council. The next step is to share the draft revisions with the ASEH membership for feedback via a survey and a feedback session — we’ll be sending out an email to members with more information in January. After further revisions, Council will then vote on the bylaws before we bring them to the membership for a vote — likely in late spring. Thanks for your help with this process. Strategic Planning Process. The ASEH Council is leading a strategic planning process which will begin in January 2026 and conclude in November 2026. To kick this process off, you’ll be receiving a survey in January, asking for your thoughts — what are the big challenges and opportunities you foresee as ASEH approaches its fiftieth anniversary in 2027, works to expand its support for the field of environmental history, and helps our members navigate the rapidly changing landscape of higher education and scholarly research? Your input at this early stage of the strategic planning process will be formative, as we organize the agenda for the strategic planning working groups that will focus on topics including Outreach and Public Engagement, Membership and Inclusion, Programming and Sustainability, and Finances, Fundraising, and Governance. These two processes are proceeding parallel, as show in the timelines below. |
Bylaw Revisions Process: Fall 2025 - Bylaw subcommittee reviews bylaws and shares proposed changes with ASEH Council. November 2025 - ASEH Council reviews initial proposed changes to bylaws and offers feedback. December 2025 - Bylaw subcommittee revises bylaws based on initial feedback from ASEH Council. January 2026 - Council's proposed revisions to bylaws shared with ASEH Membership. Comments from membership solicited via survey (open through 1/31/26) and during ASEH Connects Event (1/28/26 330-430pm EST). February 2026 - ASEH bylaws subcommittee revises bylaws based on input from membership. Review proposed changes with attorney. March 2026 - Final proposed revisions to bylaws shared with ASEH Council and membership. Council votes on bylaws at ASEH Kansas City meeting. April 2026 - Proposed revised bylaws submitted to membership for a vote. (Must happen within 30 days of Council meeting, per our current bylaws.) Both Council and Membership must approve revisions to bylaws by a 2/3 majority. | Strategic Planning Process: November 2025 - ASEH Council discussed plan for strategic planning and brainstormed regarding opportunities and challenges ahead. December 2025 - ASEH Council organized into four working groups and chairs of related ASEH committees invited to join those working groups. January 2026 - General input solicited from ASEH membership to help inform the strategic planning process. Feedback needed by 1/22/26. February - April 2026 - Each working group drafts an initial summary of ASEH's activities, challenges and opportunities ahead, and initial recommendations. May 2026 - ASEH Council discusses drafts at spring council meeting. June 2026 - Working group drafts shared with ASEH membership for feedback. July 2026 - Each working group revises its drafts based on input from ASEH membership. August - September 2026 - Council collate drafts from working groups into a draft Strategic Plan. Circulate full strategic plan to membership for feedback. October 2026 - Finalize strategic plan based on input from membership. November 2026 - ASEH Council votes to accept final strategic plan. |