Update to Lifesaving Society Bylaws
As part of our commitment to strong governance and transparency, we are proposing a series of updates to our bylaws. These changes will be presented at our upcoming Annual General Meeting for your approval.
Below we have summarized the major changes between the 2017 bylaws and the proposed 2025 updates, as well as the rationale for each update. The full text of the proposed bylaws and a detailed comparison document are available upon request.
| Article/Section | 2017 Bylaws | 2025 Proposed Bylaws | Rationale |
| Article 2: Definitions and Interpretations | Included more definitions, such as Affiliate Delegate and Award. | Reduced number of definitions; removed Affiliate Delegate and Award terms. | Streamlines language and removes unused or outdated terms |
| Terminology (throughout) | Makes specific reference to the "Chief Administrative Officer" | Updated to "highest-ranking officer" | Provides flexibility for future organizational changes. |
| Officer Roles and Titles (Throughout) | "Director of Finance" | Change title to "Treasurer" | Clarifies roles and aligns with standard governance practices. |
| Chief Administrative Officer Role | The CAO is a member of the board | The CAO is no longer a board member; attends meetings in a non-voting capacity. | Clarifies governance structure and board independence. |
| Electronic Meetings | Not formally addressed. | Electronic and telecommunication meetings introduced in Articles 5 and 6. | Modernizes bylaws to allow for virtual participation. |
| Article 4.7: Membership Transmission | Allowed for broader membership transmission. | Simplified; limited to corporate members only. | Streamlines membership processes and clarifies eligibility. |
| Governance Language (Throughout) | Duties and responsibilities are more prescriptive. | Adjusted for flexibility and modernization. | Allows for responsible and adaptable governance practices. |
These updates are not set in stone, and our Members will have the opportunity to discuss and vote on the proposed changes at the 2025 Annual General Meeting. If you have any questions or would like to review the full draft bylaws, please contact us at Experts@Lifesaving.org.
Thank you for your ongoing support!