Delegates and Resolutions are Key to WAFP's House of Delegates.

The House of Delegates is comprised of individual delegates (members) who represent one of WAFP's chapters. The House of Delegates elects new leadership for the coming year and debates policy proposals (called resolutions) brought by WAFP members.

What does it mean to be a delegate? A delegate is a WAFP member who attends the meeting to represent their chapter in matters that come before the House. The delegate votes for leadership and votes for or against resolutions.

What does it mean to be an alternate delegate? An alternate delegate participates in discussions about resolutions but does not vote. If a delegate is unable to perform their duties, an alternate delegate may step in for votes.

Alternate delegates may also be asked to help administer the House of Delegates by counting votes, verifying credentials, or other tasks necessary to the smooth operation of the House.

What are resolutions? Resolutions are proposals drafted by members to be considered by the House of Delegates. Resolutions might request modification of current Academy policy or direct Academy action to accomplish a particular goal. Often, they direct WAFP to submit a resolution to the AAFP's Congress of Delegates to change AAFP policy or request AAFP action.

The format for each resolution is similar to that of the governor's executive orders: a series of paragraphs starting with "WHEREAS" followed by a series of paragraphs starting with "RESOLVED". (You'll hear these paragraphs referred to as "clauses".) The whereas clauses make the case for policy or action, while the resolved clause(s) explain the action to be taken or how policy should be modified. Resolved clauses may be treated independently, so it is possible to approve of one resolved clause while rejecting another one.

There is a process to determine the outcome for each resolution. First, the WAFP Speaker and Vice Speaker assign resolutions to a reference committees, which listen to members discussion and recommend an action to the full House of Delegates. The House then has the opportunity to accept, reject, or modify those recommendations, or it may send a resolution to the WAFP Board of Directors for further study.

What is a reference committee? Reference committees make recommendations on how resolutions should be handled. To arrive at those recommendations, reference committees hear testimony on resolutions and consider how well resolutions align to established WAFP policy. Those recommendations are ultimately voted on, and may be modified, by the entire House of Delegates.

What are late resolutions? Resolutions must be submitted at least 60 days before the House of Delegates will automatically be considered by the House. Resolutions submitted within 60 days are considered late and are subject to a 2/3 vote of approval. Only with House approval will late resolutions be referred to a reference committee. Late resolutions are discouraged, but may be accepted if 1) the issue is of such importance that the House must act this year (as opposed to waiting for the next HOD or for the Board of Directors to take action) or 2) the issue was not knowable prior to the deadline.