Dear Members,

As noted in my recent article in Grape Press, our Association faces a crisis. Most of the current officers on the VVA Board of Directors will finish their final term this year. I will have reached my two-term limit as President, but will be staying on in the Past President seat. Every other seat on the board comes up for re-election in 2016, and two of the folks currently filling those seats – the Treasurer and Vice President – have also reached the two-term limit and will not be eligible for re-election.

This raises an important issue regarding the future of our Association. With so much of our current leadership stepping down, we risk losing the institutional knowledge that’s necessary to run an organization. If this Association is to thrive – or even survive – in the ever-changing environment of a growing industry, it needs strong, fresh leadership, as well as a way to protect and pass on the knowledge and culture that was developed by generations of leaders that came before us.

The Board is considering several ways to address the potential loss of so much institutional knowledge, while also encouraging the development of fresh new talent to take the reins of the association in 2016 and in the years to come. Many of these ideas would require a change to the Association bylaws, which requires an affirmative vote of a majority of the at-large membership.

To that end, I would like to present four possible motions for your consideration:

Motion #1:

To Amend Article IV, Section 4 and Article 6, Section 1 of the VVA Bylaws to add language to allow for staggered terms for board officers. In other words, two officers would be elected each year. As an example, the President and Secretary could come up for re-election in odd years, and the Vice-President and Treasurer could be voted on in even years. In the event that this amendment was to be enacted, two of the current Directors might be asked two serve a one year continuation of their current term.

Motion #2:

To Amend Article IV, Section 3 and Article 6, Section 2 of the VVA Bylaws to extend the terms of Directors from two (2) years to three (3) years.

Motion #3

To Amend Article 6, Section 1 of the VVA Bylaws to remove the language that restricts winery owners from serving as President. The language reads: Specifically reads: Specifically: “No President may hold a controlling interest in a bonded winery.  For purposes of this restriction, ‘control”’ means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of an entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities or other membership interests, by trust, management agreement, contract or otherwise.”

Motion #4

To Amend Article 6, Section 1 of the VVA Bylaws to remove the language that restricts Directors to two (2) consecutive terms.

The amendments listed above would be enacted by the current standing Board of Directors but would be applicable only to those nominated, elected, or re-elected in the 2016 round of elections.

During our upcoming 2016 Annual Business Meeting, which will be held during the 2016 Annual Winter Technical Meeting, these motions will be presented to member in attendance, and a call for a Second for each motion will be requested. At that point, those in attendance will have an opportunity to comment on each motion. A written copy of these motions will be included in the handouts at the Winter Meeting for review as well. An official vote will be taken shortly after the conclusion of the winter meeting by mail-in ballot, and the results of that polling will be published in an email to members and will be included the next issue of Grape Press.

I urge you to give careful consideration to each of these motions as any one of them, if enacted, has the potential to substantially affect the culture and direction of our Association. Bear in mind that we are not limited to enacting just one of the proposed motions. One or more of these motions could be enacted simultaneously, which could have even more significant ramifications.

I also urge you also to consider serving your industry by taking an active role in the Association. There are always seats available on our many Standing Committees, as well as regular opportunities to join the leadership team that guides the Association. If you think you or someone you know has what it takes to be an industry leader, I hope you will throw your name (or theirs) in the hat for nomination for election to the Board of Directors.

The future for Virginia wine is truly exciting, and serving on the VVA Board of Directors is an opportunity not only to be part of that future, but also to help shape it.

Best wishes,

Thomas Kelly, President