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Plan to Vote

Your SOA, Your Vote

Voting for the SOA Bylaws changes is coming soon! Get ready to help shape the future by planning to take part in the upcoming vote this October 13–24. The Bylaw changes will be voted on as one package by FSAs. The proposed updates are interconnected and work together to support the governance process. For example, to create a more representative Board, there needs to be an objective and transparent candidate evaluation process that aligns Board needs with candidate skills and experiences.

Voting Process

All eligible FSAs will be sent a notice of the upcoming election at least 30 days before voting opens. The SOA will use the same process as Board elections today. Eligible FSAs will receive an electronic ballot via email from an independent vendor, and they will be asked to vote for or against the Bylaws changes. Two-thirds of voters must vote for the Bylaws change, or at least 10% of eligible Fellows, whichever is greater. Voting is confidential and anonymous, and votes are counted by an independent vendor.

Results

Certified results will be available several days after the voting period closes. Voting results are sent to a team of SOA leaders to review and verify. The results will be communicated to members through an email announcement and other SOA communications, including the SOA website and on social media.

Bylaws Change and Implementation FAQs

 

FSAs are voting on all changes to the SOA Bylaws that affect their substantive rights. The changes that must be approved include:

  • Changing the Board size
  • Separating the role of President and Chair
  • Making ASAs who have been members for five or more years eligible to sit on the Board (limit of two)
  • Making ASAs who have been members for five years or more eligible to vote for Bylaws amendments
  • Adding non-actuaries to the Board (limit of two)
  • Setting a minimum of two seats for members outside the U.S. and Canada
  • Changing the number of nominated candidates for a regular Board seat to one
  • Changing the member voting process for before regular Board seat to a “for/against” vote

 

Some of the changes, such as the creation of a Member Leadership Advisory Council and International liaison role as well as the shift from the Nominating Committee to the Board Recruiting and Selection Committee, do not require member approval.

Eligible FSAs received an email notice on September 10 from an independent vendor regarding information on the upcoming SOA Bylaws vote, which included the red-lined SOA Bylaws and effective dates. This email came from “SOA Election Coordinator” at noreply@directvote.net. If you are  an FSA and did not receive this notice, please contact govreview@soa.org.

The SOA Board recommends that Fellows vote YES on the proposed SOA Bylaws amendments.

No. ASAs who have been members for five years or more do not have the authority to vote on the Bylaws amendments.

All Board members elected in 2025, including the President-Elect, will complete their full terms. Changes such as the reduction in Board size will be phased in over time, ensuring stability and continuity.

There will be several phases of implementation:

  • October 13-24, 2025: Members will vote on Bylaws changes.
  • 2026 Election Cycle: The Member Leadership Advisory Council will be created, and there will be expanded Board eligibility. Starting with the call for nominations, the updated candidate evaluation process, and “for/against” voting will be incorporated, along with the International Liaison role.
  • 2027: The Board will select a Chair for the first time, separating the roles of President and Chair, as recommended.

No. The timing of the Board elections will not change.

The vote will be for the entire package of changes. The changes were designed to work together as a cohesive whole. Enacting some changes and not others would not effectively address the governance challenges or meet the goals of the Task Force.

An affirmative vote from two-thirds of the Fellows voting for the SOA Bylaws change or at least 10% of all SOA Fellows, whichever is greater, is needed for the changes to be approved. For example, as of September 2025, there were 20,809 FSAs. Therefore, in order for the SOA Bylaws amendment to pass, an affirmative vote is needed from two-thirds of the Fellows who vote or 10% of all Fellows, which would be 2,081.

The SOA Board recommends that Fellows vote YES on the proposed SOA Bylaws amendments.

The Board wanted members to fully understand how the SOA Bylaws changes fit into a larger plan to improve Board governance.  

The Board will implement a number of changes that do not require bylaw approval, including improvements in the Board recruiting process and providing information on candidate skills and experiences.

View all FAQs