CAS Fellows Approve Constitution and Bylaws Amendments to Expand Associate Rights

CAS Fellows voted to amend the CAS Constitution and Bylaws to allow Associates who have been members at least five years to vote in CAS elections for President-Elect and Board of Directors, with 69.9% of those casting a ballot on the measure voting to approve. This will add around 1,500 additional CAS members to the voter rolls for the 2021 elections, helping ensure that future CAS Boards are better reflective of members’ priorities.

The change comes after recent membership surveys demonstrated growing support for voting rights for CAS Associates. The 2018 Quinquennial Membership Survey results indicated that 68% of Fellows responding were in favor of allowing Associates to vote in CAS elections. This continued an increasing trend from 48% in 2008 and 62% in 2013. A 2019 Member Advisory Panel survey showed similar levels of support.

Voting rights had not changed since the inception of the CAS in 1914, which reflected a period when there was a much clearer distinction between Fellows and Associates. Changes in recent years have significantly narrowed the differences between Associates and Fellows, particularly the differences in practice rights. The CAS now joins the Society of Actuaries and Canadian Institute of Actuaries as North American actuarial organizations that allow Associates the right to vote five full years after becoming Associates.

CAS President Steve Armstrong commented, “This change will allow for expanded diversity of our voting pool which will reflect an expanded diversity of thought in the election of our President-Elect and Board of Directors. As we are continually looking for ways to enhance member engagement, I am very excited about this important step forward for the CAS in engaging our members in our governance process.”