Dear Theta Phi Alphas,
I hope this message finds you well! This month, I’d like to use my blog to share some updates on the work being done by the Future of the Board of Trustees special committee appointed by the Grand Council. If you have not read my August 2025 President’s Blog, I encourage you to prior to reading this blog, as it provides information about the reasons for the appointment of the special committee.
The Future of The Board of Trustees special committee held their first meeting on August 1, 2025. Since that time, the committee has:
- Reviewed Board of Trustees processes and identified transition plans needed
- Started developing transition plans to transfer Board of Trustees processes to standing committees appointed by the Grand Council if the motion to dissolve the Board of Trustees passes at the 2026 Convention
- Prepared a draft bylaws proposal for delegates to consider at the 2026 Convention
- Begun gathering feedback on draft bylaws proposal from various Theta Phi Alpha groups
Future tasks of the special committee include:
- Evaluating feedback received on the draft bylaws proposal
- Submitting the draft bylaws proposal to be considered by the convention delegates at the 2026 Convention
- Engaging with legal counsel to review the draft bylaws proposal
- Continued communication about the work of this special committee
As conversations are happening about this proposed motion, two questions are frequently being asked. (1) Why do we need to elect members of the Board of Trustees at the 2026 Convention if this motion passes, and (2) how will the current duties of the Board of Trustees be managed if the Board of Trustees is dissolved? I would like to provide clarifying information to answer these questions.
- The election for members of the Board of Trustees must take place at the 2026 Convention as part of the order of business and will occur prior to the vote on this motion.
- If the motion does not pass, the Board of Trustees will be in place for the 2026-2028 biennium.
- If the motion passes, the members who would have comprised the 2026-2028 Board of Trustees will become an integral part of the management of the Board’s current duties.
- The elected 2026-2028 Board of Trustees will be appointed to the Board of Trustees Transition Committee for the 2026-2028 biennium by the Grand Council following the close of Convention.
- The members of the Transition Committee will chair the individual committees charged with the transition planning process of the current duties of the Board of Trustees.
- This model will support the successful implementation of the new committees by utilizing the experience and institutional knowledge of those who were elected to serve on the Board of Trustees for 2026-2028.
- The Grand Council is responsible for developing the charge of the committee, interviewing applicants to serve on the committee, and acting as a resource to the committee, especially the committee chair.
- We believe this process will be effective for transitioning the duties of the Board of Trustees to committees and staff.
We’re grateful for the leadership of those serving on this special committee:
- Kristin Henkenius, National President, Grand Council representative
- Pat Seashore, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Board of Trustees representative
- Amanda Boysun, Trustee of the Board of Trustees, Alternate Board of Trustees representative
- Tracey Liphardt, Constitution and Bylaws Lead, Past National President
- Jenn Klug, National Parliamentarian, Project Management Lead
- Katie Hartmann, Executive Director, Staff representative
The Grand Council understands this is a significant potential change for Theta Phi Alpha, and we are committed to keeping you informed throughout this process. Questions about this special committee and their work may be directed to me at khenkenius@thetaphialpha.org.
Yours In the Bonds of Sisterhood,
Kristin Henkenius
National President
