EA 2022 BYLAWS
Approved by Board of Trustees May 9, 2022
Ratified by EA groups September 11, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article I.
Terms & Abbreviations
Article II.
Organization Name
Article III. Organization Purpose
Article IV. Guiding Principles
Article V.
Membership
Article VI. EA Membership Business Meeting
Article VII. Administration
Article VIII. Amendments
Article IX. Conflicts of Interest
Article I. TERMS & ABBREVIATIONS
Emotions Anonymous (EA): A worldwide fellowship of people who share theirexperience, strength, and hope with each other so they may seek emotional health,and to help others recover from their emotional problems.
EA Fellowship: See Emotions Anonymous.
Emotions Anonymous International (EAI): A not-for-profit corporation which serves
Emotions Anonymous by handling the financial, legal, and administrative needsof the Fellowship.
EA Member: Per Tradition 3, any person who desires to become well emotionally, andidentifies as a member of EA, is a member of EA.
EA Board of Trustees: A committee of trusted servants who have responsibility for EAI
administration and serve as stewards of the EA Fellowship as a whole. They are
directly responsible to those they serve.
Trustees: Members of the Board of Trustees shall be referred to as Trustees.
International Service Center (ISC): The primary place of business operations for EA. The
special workers there are responsible for carrying out the office work necessary tosupport EAI and the fellowship.
EA Group: Any group of two or more EA Members that meets regularly to share theirrecovery through following EA’s Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Helpful
Concepts and other EAI literature.

Registered EA Group: An EA Group which is currently registered with EAI.
Intergroup: A service committee established by two or more EA Groups to coordinate
shared tasks in support of their common EA purpose.
Membership Business Meeting: A gathering of Delegates and Trustees who discuss andvote on matters affecting EA as a whole.
Article II. ORGANIZATION NAME
The not-for-profit corporation which these bylaws define shall be known as Emotions
Anonymous International.
Article III. ORGANIZATION PURPOSE
Section 1. Nonprofit Purpose.
EAI is a not-for-profit, public benefit corporation organized exclusively forcharitable, religious, educational, or scientific purposes, and not for the private
gain of any person or group. EAI shall be maintained as a nonprofit public charity
in corporate form as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code,and is not a private foundation within the meaning of Sections 509(a)(1) and170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the same Code, or the corresponding section of any future
federal tax code.
Section 2. Specific Purpose.
The purpose of EAI shall be to:
1. Support EA in its mission to aid persons who suffer from emotional
problems by offering them a twelve-step program of recovery.
2. Assist EA Groups and individuals in any area of the world who follow the
EA program.
3. Provide EA program information as requested.
4. Publish approved EA literature.
5. Conduct international affairs in support of EA.
6. Encourage the development of Intergroups or similar structures to support
the mission of EA in all countries.
a. EA International endorses the concept of World Service Meetings
to be held at intervals as determined by the EA Board of Trustees.

Article IV. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Section 1. The Guiding Principles.

The fellowship of EA is based on the Twelve Steps, the Twelve Traditions, theHelpful Concepts of the EA program, and the Twelve Administrative Concepts
for Emotions Anonymous.
Section 2. The Twelve Suggested Steps of Emotions Anonymous:
1. We admitted we were powerless over our emotions, that our lives had become
unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as weunderstood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of ourwrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends tothem all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do sowould injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly
admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God
as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and thepower to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry thismessage and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
(Permission to use the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous for adaptation
granted by A.A. World Services, Inc.)
Section 3. The Twelve Traditions of Emotions Anonymous:
1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on EA unity.
2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority: a loving God as He may
express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants;
they do not govern.
3. The only requirement for EA membership is a desire to become well emotionally.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or EA
as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose: to carry its message to the person who
still suffers from emotional problems.

6. An EA group ought never endorse, finance or lend the EA name to any related
facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert
us from our primary purpose.
7. Every EA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. Emotions Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service
centers may employ special workers.
9. EA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards orcommittees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Emotions Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence, the EA nameought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we needalways maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of our traditions, ever reminding us to placeprinciples before personalities.
(Permission to use the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous for adaptation
granted by A.A. World Services, Inc.)
Section 4. Helpful Concepts of the EA Program:
1. We come to EA to learn how to live a new way of life through the twelve-step
program of Emotions Anonymous which consists of Twelve Steps, Twelve
Traditions, concepts, the Serenity Prayer, slogans, Just for Todays, EA literature,
weekly meetings, telephone and personal contacts, and living the program one
day at a time. We do not come for another person—we come to help ourselves
and to share our experiences, strength, and hope with others.
2. We are experts only on our own stories, how we try to live the program, how the
program works for us, and what EA has done for us. No one speaks for Emotions
Anonymous as a whole.
3. We respect anonymity—no questions are asked. We aim for an atmosphere oflove and acceptance. We do not care who you are or what you have done. You arewelcome.
4. We do not judge—we do not criticize—we do not argue. We do not give advice
regarding personal or family affairs.
5. EA is not a sounding board for continually reviewing our miseries, but a way tolearn to detach ourselves from them. Part of our serenity comes from being able tolive at peace with unsolved problems.
6. We never discuss religion, politics, national or international issues, or other belief
systems or policies. EA has no opinion on outside issues.
7. Emotions Anonymous is a spiritual program, not a religious program. We do not
advocate any particular belief system.

8. The steps suggest a belief in a Power greater than ourselves. This can be human
love, a force for good, the group, nature, the universe, God, or any entity amember chooses as a personal Higher Power.
9. We utilize the program—we do not analyze it. Understanding comes withexperience. Each day we apply some part of the program to our personal lives.
10. We have not found it helpful to place labels on any degree of illness or health. We
may have different symptoms, but the underlying emotions are the same orsimilar. We discover we are not unique in our difficulties and illnesses.
11. Each person is entitled to his or her own opinions and may express them at a
meeting within the guidelines of EA. We are all equal—no one is more important
than another.
12. Part of the beauty and wonder of the EA program is that at meetings we can say
anything and know it stays there. Anything we hear at a meeting, on thetelephone, or from another member is confidential and is not to be repeated toanyone—EA members, mates, families, relatives or friends.
Section 5. The Twelve Administrative Concepts for Emotions Anonymous:
1. Final responsibility and ultimate authority for Emotions Anonymous International(EAI) shall always reside in the collective conscience of our whole Emotions
Anonymous (EA) Fellowship.
2. The EA Membership Business Meeting shall be, for nearly every practical
purpose, the active voice and the effective conscience of our whole Fellowship in
its world affairs.
3. To ensure effective leadership, we should endow each element of EA—including
the EA Membership Business Meeting, the EA Board of Trustees, theInternational Service Center (ISC), its staff, committees, and executives—with a
traditional “Right of Decision.” This means that each trusted servant has theability to decide how they will interpret and apply their own authority andresponsibility to each particular problem or situation as it arises, which problems
they will dispose of themselves, and upon which matters they will report, consult,or ask specific directions.
4. At all responsible levels, we shall maintain a traditional “Right of Participation.”
This means that each of EA’s trusted servants—including Trustees, ISC staff, andmember delegates—are allowed a voting representation in reasonable proportion
to the responsibility that each must discharge.
5. Throughout our Fellowship, a traditional ‘Right of Appeal’ ought to prevail, sothat minority opinion will be heard and grievances receive careful consideration.
This permits any person in the Fellowship, whether paid or volunteer, to petition
for redress of a grievance by appealing directly to the Board of Trustees, without
prejudice or fear of reprisal.

6. The Fellowship recognizes that the chief initiative and active responsibility inmost EAI matters should be exercised by the EA Board of Trustees as guided by
the EA Membership Business Meeting.
7. The Bylaws of EA are a legal instrument, empowering the Trustees to manage
and conduct EAI affairs world-wide.
8. The Trustees are planners and administrators of EAI policy and finance. They
have custodial oversight of active services.
9. Good service leadership at all levels is indispensable for our future functioning
and safety. Primary EAI leadership, once exercised by the founders, mustnecessarily be assumed by the Trustees.
10. Every service responsibility should be matched by an equal service authority, withthe scope of such authority well defined.
11. EAI should always have the best possible Trustees, committees, service directors,
executives, staff, and consultants. Composition, qualifications, induction
procedures, and rights and duties will always be matters of serious concern.
12. All levels of EA organization shall observe the spirit of EA Traditions, taking carethat they never become the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficient
operating funds and reserve be their prudent financial principle; that they placenone of their members in a position of unqualified authority over others; that theyreach all important decisions by discussion, vote, and whenever possible,
substantial unanimity; that their actions never be personally punitive nor anincitement to public controversy; that they never perform acts of government;
that, like the Fellowship they serve, they will always remain democratic inthought and action.
Article V. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Requirement for Membership.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to become wellemotionally.
Section 2. Registered Groups.
5.2.1

EAI shall maintain a list of Registered EA Groups.

5.2.2

EAI shall maintain a directory which allows the public to search for local
and online meetings.

5.2.3

In order to be eligible to be a Registered EA Group, an EA Group must
hold regular meetings, at least monthly. Meetings may take place inperson or virtually via teleconference or phone, where members can beseen or heard in real-time. A text-only group, conducted through means
such as email, instant message, or online message board, is not eligible tobe a Registered Group, but may be included in the online directory.

5.2.4Each EA Group that wishes to become registered must elect or choose one
or more Contact Person(s) who agrees to inform the ISC of any meeting
information changes. These persons are the main point of communication
between EAI and the Registered EA Group, relaying information orrequests to or from their group.

5.2.5

To register, an EA Group Contact Person must provide EA Internationalwith contact and meeting information.

5.2.6

EAI may remove information for Registered Groups which are no longer
active. EAI may remove information for any Registered Group which does
not meet the definition of an EA Group set forth in these Bylaws, as
determined by a majority vote of all current Trustees. No RegisteredGroup shall be delisted without notice and an opportunity to be heard.

Section 3. Appeals.
Each EA Member and Registered EA Group has a right to appeal any decision
made by the Board of Trustees.
Section 4. Appeals Process.
Procedures for appeal are as follows:
1. Must be submitted in writing to the current President of the Board ofTrustees.
2. Must include contact information for the member(s) or group(s) making
the appeal.
3. Working with the member(s) or group(s) making the appeal, the Board ofTrustees will address the appeal in a timely manner.
4. If the member(s) or group(s) making the appeal are not satisfied with an
appeal outcome, they may place their appeal issue onto a Membership
Business Meeting agenda by following the process described in Article
VI.

Article VI. EA MEMBERSHIP BUSINESS MEETING
Section 1. The Membership Business Meeting.
6.1.1

A Membership Business Meeting shall take place at least once annually,organized by the Board of Trustees or Membership.

6.1.2

At least annually, the Board of Trustees shall give a report to theMembership Business Meeting on the activities and financial condition ofEAI.

6.1.4The Board of Trustees shall notify the Fellowship of a Membership
Business Meeting at least forty-five (45) days in advance via RegisteredGroup contacts and by notification on the EA website.

6.1.5

A Membership Business Meeting may have a physical location, but
accommodations shall be made to ensure that participants may also attend
virtually via teleconference.

6.1.7

The Delegates at a Membership Business Meeting may not vote without aquorum. A valid quorum consists of one more Delegate than the total
number of Trustees. To make a quorum, Delegates may be present
physically or virtually via live teleconference.

6.1.8

A Membership Business Meeting may be called by the Board of Trustees
OR by a minimum of fifty (50) EA members OR by ten percent (10%) of
the Group Delegates.

Section 2. Delegates to the Membership Business Meeting.
6.2.1

One Delegate is selected by each Registered EA Group to represent themat the Membership Business Meeting.

6.2.2

Each Delegate is allowed one vote either for or against each action item at
a Membership Business Meeting.

6.2.3

No Delegate may represent more than one Registered Group.

6.2.4

Each Registered EA Group must provide EAI with the name of its
Delegate at least seven (7) days before the Membership Business Meeting.

6.2.5

Each Registered Group may also designate an Alternate Delegate.

6.2.6

No proxy votes are allowed.

6.2.7

At the Membership Business Meeting, Trustees and Delegates may vote
before the call of the question by email, mail, in person, via
teleconference, or other electronic means.

6.2.8

In order to be eligible to vote, a Delegate’s EA Group must be registeredwith EAI at least forty-five (45) days before the Membership BusinessMeeting.

Section 3. Trustee votes.
6.3.1

Each member of the Board of Trustees is allowed one vote per action item
at a Membership Business Meeting.

6.3.2

A member of the Board of Trustees may not also vote as a Delegate.

Section 4. Agenda.
6.4.1

The Board of Trustees sets agenda items for a Membership BusinessMeeting.

6.4.2

Additional agenda items must be proposed by at least two (2) Registered
EA Groups for inclusion in the Membership Business Meeting. Proposed
agenda items must be submitted by the Groups’ Delegates to the EAI
Board of Trustees at least sixty (60) days in advance of the Membership
Business Meeting.

6.4.3

The Board of Trustees shall inform the Fellowship of the Membership
Business Meeting agenda, along with any action items submitted for avote, at least thirty (30) days before the Membership Business Meeting.
This allows sufficient time for group members to discuss action items, andprovide guidance to their Delegate before the vote.

Section 5. Remote Voting.
6.5.1

Whenever there is insufficient attendance at a Membership BusinessMeeting to make a quorum, all action items which would normally appear
at the Membership Business Meeting shall be submitted to a remote voteof all Group Delegates and Trustees.

6.5.2

The Board of Trustees shall notify all Registered Groups and Trustees
within ten (10) days after the Membership Business Meeting that aquorum was not present, and give notice of the action items requiring a
remote vote and the voting deadline.

6.5.3

Group Delegates and Trustees shall have up to four (4) weeks after such
notice is given to lodge their votes on each action item with EAI.

6.5.4

At the conclusion of the remote voting period, all valid votes shall betallied. Each action item shall be decided by a simple majority of votes
received, unless a greater majority is required by other provisions of these
Bylaws.

6.5.5

EAI shall notify all Registered Groups and Trustees of the results withinten (10) days after the conclusion of the remote voting period.

Article VII. ADMINISTRATION
Section 1. Board of Trustees.
7.1.1

Responsibilities. The Board of Trustees is responsible for effecting theorganizational purpose set forth in Article III of these Bylaws by: (a)overseeing the financial, legal, and administrative affairs of EAI
worldwide; and (b) serving as stewards of the EA Fellowship as a whole.

7.1.2

Authority. The Board of Trustees shall have all necessary powers to carryout their responsibilities as guided by: (a) the EA principles set forth in
Article IV of these Bylaws; and (b) the conscience of the EA Fellowship.

7.1.3

Number. The total number of Trustees serving on the Board of Trustees
shall consist of no fewer than three (3) nor more than twelve (12). NonMember Trustees shall not exceed two (2) Trustees at any time. The
number of Member Trustees shall always exceed the number of NonMember Trustees.

7.1.4

Member Trustee Qualifications. Member Trustees shall: (a) have aminimum of two (2) years’ participation in one or more twelve-step
programs, with at least the most recent year in EA; (b) regularly attend one
or more EA group meetings; (c) practice the EA program in their daily
lives; (d) have an understanding of and experience with EA’s groupconscience process, and (e) experienced working each of the 12 Steps.

7.1.5

Non-Member Trustee Qualifications. Non-Member Trustees shall: (a)possess one or more identifiable skill, talent, knowledge, background, or
experience which will help EAI achieve its goals; (b) demonstrate theirawareness of and willingness to be guided by the EA principles set forth in
Article IV of these Bylaws; and (c) have an understanding of EA’s groupconscience process.

7.1.6

Restriction. No two Trustees related by blood, marriage, or domestic
partnership within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity may
serve on the Board of Trustees at the same time.

7.1.7

Application. Candidates to become Trustees shall apply in writing to theBoard of Trustees.

7.1.8

Election by Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall review each application
with appropriate due diligence before voting to accept or deny it. A
majority vote of all current Trustees is required to elect a new Trustee.

7.1.9

Confirmation by Membership. The election of a new Trustee by the Boardof Trustees is provisional until confirmed at the next Membership
Business Meeting. The Membership Business Meeting shall hold a vote on
the confirmation of the provisional Trustee. The provisional Trustee may
be confirmed by a simple majority using the procedures outlined in Article
VI of these Bylaws. Provisional Trustees may not vote in their own
confirmation.

7.1.10 Alternate Trustees. Either the Board of Trustees or the Delegates at a
Membership Business Meeting may elect Alternate Trustees to fill futurevacancies with unexpired terms on the Board of Trustees, using theprocedures for election of Trustees set forth in this Section. Each bodymay elect up to three (3) Alternate Trustees to serve for a term of one (1)year, and shall designate the order in which their Alternate Trustees would
fill such vacancies for the remaining unexpired term.
7.1.11 Terms of Office. Trustees may serve up to two (2) consecutive three (3)year terms. To the extent possible, Trustees’ terms should be staggered sothat approximately one-third (1/3) shall expire each calendar year.

7.1.12 Renewal. Upon a Trustee’s request, the Board of Trustees may, by asimple majority of all current Trustees, vote to renew that Trustee foranother consecutive term. However no Trustee may serve more than six(6) consecutive years. Trustees who have served the maximum term must
wait at least one (1) year before again serving as a Trustee.
7.1.13 Vacancies. Vacancies with unexpired terms shall be filled wheneverpossible by Alternate Trustees in the order designated under Section
7.1.10, alternating between those elected by the Trustees and theMembership. If no Alternate Trustee is available, able, or willing to serve
as a Trustee for the remaining unexpired term, the Board of Trustees may
fill such vacancies by a majority vote of all current Trustees, subject toconfirmation at the next Membership Business Meeting, as set forth in
Section 7.1.9.
7.1.14 Meetings. The Board of Trustees shall meet in person or virtually, or somecombination thereof, at least twice each calendar year. Attendance at a
Membership Business Meeting shall not count toward this requirement.
7.1.15 Quorum. A quorum to conduct business at a meeting of the Board ofTrustees shall be half (50%) of the current Trustees plus one additional
Trustee. Except in genuine emergencies, the Board of Trustees may not
vote without a quorum.
7.1.16 Voting. Each Trustee shall have one (1) vote on all matters before theBoard of Trustees. There shall be no voting by proxy. Each matter shall bedecided by a simple majority of those Trustees present for the vote, unlessa greater majority is required by other provisions of these Bylaws.
7.1.17 Actions without a Meeting. Any action which may be taken at a Board ofTrustees meeting may be taken without a meeting using electronic
communication technology so long as every Trustee is provided advancenotice, possesses the means to participate, and has a reasonable
opportunity to participate, including proposing, discussing, objecting, andvoting on any such action. Unless exigent circumstances require a shorter
period, Trustees shall have seven (7) days to vote on such an action oncethe chair shall call for the final vote. All such actions must be ratified in
the next Board of Trustees meeting minutes.
7.1.18 Removal. A Trustee may be removed at any time by a two-thirds (2/3)
vote of either (a) all current Trustees or (b) the Membership BusinessMeeting, if in the judgment of either body the best interests of EAI or the
EA Fellowship would be served thereby. A Trustee whose removal issought must receive written notice of the proposed removal at least ten(10) days in advance of the vote and be given a reasonable opportunity topresent a defense or justification to the voting body before the removal
vote is taken.
7.1.19 Liability & Indemnification. To the extent authorized by law, Trustees
shall be personally immune from civil liability for actions taken oromissions made in good faith within the scope of their duties as Trustees.

EAI shall indemnify Trustees or former Trustees against expenses actuallyand necessarily incurred to defend against any action, suit, proceeding, orappeal by reason of their service as Trustees. EAI shall purchase andmaintain insurance to effect such indemnification.
7.1.20 Compensation. Trustees shall not receive any compensation for theirservice as a Trustee, but may be reimbursed for expenses actually andnecessarily incurred by reason of their service as Trustees.
Section 2. Officers of the Board of Trustees.
7.2.1

The officers shall be: a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a
Treasurer.

7.2.2

The term of office shall be one (1) year unless vacated sooner. Vacancies
shall be filled at the next Trustees’ meeting.

7.2.3

After Trustees have been elected, the Board shall elect its Officers fromamong its own members. A majority vote of all current Trustees isrequired to elect an Officer.

7.2.4

A person may hold no more than one office concurrently.

7.2.5

President. The President shall supervise all of the day-to-day businessaffairs of EAI, as mandated by the laws governing Minnesota Not forProfit Organizations. In consultation with the Board of Trustees (“theBoard”), the President may sign any legal document which the Trustees
have been authorized to execute. The President serves as the chairperson
for Board of Trustees meetings and Membership Business Meetings,
unless they choose to delegate this duty to the Vice President, or other
Trustee. The President or the Board may also designate a Non-Trustee
Presider, as laid out in these Bylaws. The President shall perform suchother duties as assigned by the Board.

7.2.6

Vice President. In the event the President is absent or unable to act, theVice President shall perform the duties of the President. When so acting,
the Vice President shall have all the powers of the President. The Vice
President shall perform such other duties as assigned by the President or
the Board.

7.2.7

Secretary. The Secretary is responsible for keeping the minutes of all
meetings of the Board of Trustees and Membership Business Meetings.
They are responsible for ensuring good communication and transparency
between the Board and the Fellowship. The Secretary shall perform otherduties as assigned by the President or the Board.

7.2.8

Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for general financial
oversight, budgeting, and reporting for EAI. They will work with staff andoutside auditors to ensure timely, accurate record-keeping and compliancewith government regulations. They will regularly report EAI’s financial
condition to the Membership and Board of Trustees. They will offer
guidance for responsible fiscal planning and decision-making. The

Treasurer shall chair the Finance Committee, and perform other duties asassigned by the President or the Board.
7.2.9

Written approval by the President or Vice President will be required forchecks, money transfers, or purchase or sales of investments exceeding ten
percent (10%) of EAI’s annual budget.

7.2.10 Removal of Officers. An officer may be removed from office when, in the
Board’s judgment, the officer is not serving the Fellowship’s or EAI’s bestinterests. Removal from office requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of
all Trustees present and voting at a meeting of the Board.
7.2.11 Non-Trustee Presider. A majority of Trustees voting at a meeting may
elect a Non-Trustee Presider to serve as the chairperson of that meeting.
The Non-Trustee Presider need not be a member of EA. The Non-Trustee
Presider may not make motions, debate, or vote in matters before theBoard.
Section 3. Committees.
7.3.1

Formation. The Board may form standing or ad hoc committees to conduct
the business of EAI in keeping with these Bylaws.

7.3.2

Executive Committee. The Board shall form a standing Executive
Committee from among its members.
7.3.1.1

The Executive Committee may conduct the business of EAI
between the board’s regular meetings, subject to approval by avote of the Board at its next meeting.

7.3.1.2

The Executive Director is a non-voting member of the Executive
Committee.

Section 4. Staff.
7.4.1

The Board of Trustees may hire an Executive Director to manage the dayto-day operations of EAI and the ISC consistent with the goals andpolicies established by the Board. The Executive Director shall serve at
the pleasure of the Board of Trustees.

7.4.2

The Executive Director’s duties shall include, but not be limited to: (a)responsibility for EAI receipts and expenditures of funds under the
direction of the Treasurer, consistent with EAI’s approved budget andstandard accounting practices; (b) authority to hire, supervise, and dismiss
additional EAI staff, contractors, consultants, and volunteers toaccomplish EAI’s goals; (c) attending all Board and assigned Committee
meetings to report on the status of the organization and to answer
Trustees’ questions; and, (d) other duties as assigned by the Board.

Section 5. Parliamentary Authority.
Any question concerning parliamentary procedure at meetings governed by thesebylaws shall be determined by the presider according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article VIII. AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendment Proposals.
The EA Board of Trustees and EA Registered Groups may submit proposed
amendments to these bylaws using the procedures outlined in Section 6.4.
Section 2. Notification.
The Board shall notify the Fellowship of the language and any rationale submitted
by the authors of the proposed amendment as set forth in Section 6.4.
Section 3. Approval.
A proposed amendment may be approved by a three-fifths (3/5) majority of votes
using the procedures outlined in Article VI.
Section 4. Amendments to the Guiding Principles.
However, Article IV, “Guiding Principles,” may only be amended when ratified
by a three-fourths (3/4) majority of votes using the procedures in Article VI. To
amend the voting thresholds in this section (8.4) will likewise require a threefourths (3/4) majority of votes using the procedures in Article VI.
Section 5. Effective Date of Amendments.
Amendments become effective immediately upon approval by the Membership
Business Meeting, unless otherwise provided.
Section 6. Emergency Amendments.
In cases of natural disaster or legal emergency, the Board of Trustees may enact aprovisional amendment to these Bylaws with a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote.
The provisional amendment shall expire at the conclusion of the next Membership
Business Meeting, unless ratified by the Membership Business Meeting using theprocedures outlined above.

Article IX. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Trustees shall exercise their authority for the good of the Fellowship, EAI, and all
Members, but not for personal benefit.