Policies and Resolutions

Decision Process for Establishing Policies and Resolutions

Background

The NAA Board of Directors must at times make decisions regarding controversial issues. These decisions could have significant impact on the aquaculture industry’s the NAA represents or on individual aquaculture enterprises. Differences of opinion within the aquaculture community and within the NAA Board of Directors may occur.

Several different decision making processes might be selected. Consensus and majority vote are most commonly used and each has advantages. Consensus, while not necessarily making all parties happy because of compromises that must be made, prevents rejection of minority views thus preventing fractionation of the association. Consensus however requires considerable time and effort. Majority vote allows more forceful, timely decisions but can alienate minority views.

Policy

The NAA:

  1. Will strive for consensus. Consensus will be defined by a 100% agreement of the NAA Board of Directors.
  2. Will attempt to obtain consensus by careful wording of resolutions or motions.
  3. Will resort to a majority vote if, the presiding officer determines consensus cannot be reached in a timely fashion.
  4. If majority vote is used, both majority and minority positions will be identified and communicated to membership, regulatory bodies and others as appropriate.
  5. If a super majority is not achieved, the NAA Board of Directors will not take a position.

Approved 8.19.01