<h3>What is VSBA’s Delegate Assembly?</h3>
During VSBA’s Annual Convention in November, school board members have the opportunity to shape VSBA’s message and provide direction for the Association through the Delegate Assembly. The Delegate Assembly plays a vital role in the governance of VSBA. Delegates are appointed by individual school boards and share the following responsibilities:
<ul>
 	<li>electing VSBA officers;</li>
 	<li>adopting amendments to VSBA’s Bylaws; and</li>
 	<li>taking action on submitted Legislative Positions, which will serve as the framework in developing VSBA’s legislative agenda.</li>
</ul>
<h3>VSBA Officers</h3>
The Delegate Assembly elects the President-Elect and At-Large members of the VSBA Board of Directors. The VSBA Board of Directors consists of a president, immediate past president, president-elect, two committee chairs, nine regional chairs, and two At- Large members. The 16-member Board carries out the mandates of the Delegate Assembly and acts as a liaison between the Association and local school boards.
<h3>VSBA’s Bylaws</h3>
VSBA’s Bylaws outline the structure of the Association while detailing its purpose, meetings, and officers.
<h3>How may proposed legislative positions be submitted to the Delegate Assembly?</h3>
Each spring the Legislative Positions Committee contacts each school board and asks for recommendations on new and/or revised legislative positions that should be considered by the Association. The Legislative Positions Committee reviews all suggestions and recommends proposed changes to the Board of Directors, which considers the proposals and forwards approved proposals to members of the Delegate Assembly.

During the Delegate Assembly, proposed new positions and amendments may be submitted from the floor without prior approval of the Board of Directors after a two-thirds vote by the Delegate Assembly to suspend the rules. If the rules are suspended, motions and amendments must be presented to the President and delegates, in writing, prior to discussion of the proposed new positions and/or amendments.

VSBA encourages boards to discuss the proposed Legislative Positions and review the Bylaws changes, if any.
<h3>Who is eligible to vote at the Delegate Assembly?</h3>
Each local school board that is a member in good standing of VSBA may elect one delegate to attend the Delegate Assembly and serve as the voting member. Each local board must submit the names of the delegate and alternate to the VSBA, otherwise the chair and vice-chair will be listed as the delegate and alternative, respectively.
<h3>What are the powers and responsibilities of the Delegate Assembly?</h3>
The Delegate Assembly plays a vital role in the governance of VSBA. Each delegate shares in this responsibility by electing VSBA officers; adopting amendments to VSBA’s Bylaws; and approving the VSBA Legislative Positions which will serve as the framework in developing VSBA’s legislative agenda for the upcoming year. Authorized by the Delegate Assembly, the VSBA Board of Directors serves as the policy making body of the Association and must act in accordance with the actions of the Delegate Assembly.
<h3>How is the business of the Delegate Assembly conducted?</h3>
The Delegate Assembly meeting room is arranged much like a legislature. Delegates' seats are designated by signs having the names of their school boards. The President, VSBA officers, VSBA committee chairs, Executive Director, Parliamentarian, and other needed staff sit at the front of the Assembly. The At-Large members and Regional Chairs of the VSBA Board of Directors are typically also seated at the front. Decorum is preserved by member school board sergeants-at-arms positioned around the hall. Roll call votes are counted by two school board members of the Tellers Committee. It is the Tellers Committee's responsibility to certify to the President of the Assembly that only official delegates or alternates are seated in the official business/voting section.

The Delegate Assembly operates under Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised. Additional rules may apply as adopted by the Delegate Assembly.
<h3>How can delegates prepare for the meeting?</h3>
Each school board member is emailed an electronic copy of the Delegate Assembly Handbook 45 days in advance of the VSBA Delegate Assembly meeting in the fall. The Handbook contains the recommended agenda, the minutes of the previous Delegate Assembly meeting, and the reports of all VSBA standing and special committees or task forces, copies of proposed new and amended Legislative Positions and copies of proposed changes to the VSBA Bylaws, if any. Delegates and alternates are requested to discuss the information in the Handbook with their local school boards prior to the Annual Convention meeting in Williamsburg. Thus, all member boards of the Association have time to meet and discuss legislative positions before coming to the Delegate Assembly.

For more information about the Delegate Assembly, contact J.T. Kessler, VSBA Government Relations Specialist at (800) 446-8722 or <a href="mailto:jason@vsba.org">jason@vsba.org</a>