Dear Theta Phi Alphas,
I hope this message finds you well! I’d like to share information on the continued work of the Future of the Board of Trustees special committee appointed by the Grand Council. If you have not read my August 2025 and October 2025 blogs, I encourage you to read them before this blog, as they provide information about the reasons for the appointment of the special committee, previous work completed, and clarification of why elections for the Board of Trustees must occur at the 2026 Convention.
Tasks completed since my last update about the work of the special committee include:
- Evaluated feedback received on the draft bylaws proposal
- Began developing transition plans that outline the dissolution process and reassignment of responsibilities to specific committees.
Future tasks to be completed by the special committee include:
- Submit the draft bylaws proposal to be considered by the convention delegates at the 2026 Convention
- Engage with legal to review the draft bylaws proposal
- Continue communication and engagement with the membership about the work of this special committee, including the development of a Frequently Asked Questions resource.
There are two frequent questions we are asked as we receive feedback about the proposal.
(1): What committees will be formed? The draft bylaws proposal contains a proviso that, if the motion passes, directs the Grand Council to appoint a Board of Trustees Transition Committee whose membership will consist of:
- The three members of the Board of Trustees who were elected to serve for 2024-2028, and
- The two Board of Trustees members who are elected at the 2026 Convention.
This committee will serve for the 2026-2028 biennium and will chair the standing committees appointed by the Grand Council to develop and enact the transition plans.
We anticipate that the following standing committees (committees that are not bound by the biennium) will need to be in place to develop and enact the transition plans:
- Awards Committee
- Guard of Honor Committee
- Nominations Committee (part of the current Action Without Meeting vote)
- Elections Committee (part of the current Action Without Meeting vote)
(2): How will you determine who serves on each committee?
The Grand Council will follow Theta Phi Alpha’s Establishing Committees and Appointments standard operating procedure to determine who will serve on each standing committee that will develop and enact the transition plans. Following this procedure will ensure that a variety of voices will be included on each committee. This includes:
- Work with the current members of the Board of Trustees to develop draft charges for each standing committee needed to create and enact transition plans prior to the 2026 Convention. If the motion passes, these charges will be approved by the Grand Council following Convention.
- Determine who should serve on each committee due to their role in the Fraternity.
- Identify other knowledge/skills/interests that are needed for the committee.
- Appoint a member of the Board of Trustees Transition Committee as chair of each committee.
- Share an application with the membership to find additional committee members.
- As needed, committee chairs will coordinate interviews to identify additional members.
- Appoint selected members to the committee after the requirements to serve as a committee member are complete.
We anticipate the committee application will be shared with the membership within three weeks following the 2026 Convention.
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
