Foundation Governance Modernization - AAE Foundation for Endodontics

As outlined in the January 2026 Communiqué, the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) Constitution and Bylaws Committee presents proposed revisions to the AAE Constitution and Bylaws. Several of these revisions are necessary to align with recent governance updates adopted by the Foundation for Endodontics.

Process

The proposed revisions have been reviewed by the AAE Constitution and Bylaws Committee, AAE Legal Counsel, and the AAE Board of Directors.

The AAE General Assembly will vote on these proposed changes at its meeting on April 17, 2026, in Salt Lake City.

The Foundation undertook a multi-year governance modernization initiative to strengthen its structure and ensure compliance with Illinois law and 501(c)(3) best practices. The Foundation’s Special Committee worked in collaboration with the Board of Trustees, the AAE Board of Directors, legal counsel, and a Parliamentarian throughout this process.

Alignment with AAE Governing Documents

Certain Foundation governance changes require corresponding updates to the AAE governing documents.

The AAE Board has reviewed and approved these proposed revisions, including removal of the requirement that Foundation bylaw amendments receive AAE Board approval—except when such amendments directly affect the AAE Bylaws.

Key Proposed Updates Requiring General Assembly Approval

The following changes require amendment of the AAE Bylaws and approval by the General Assembly:

1. Mission Statement

• Remove the Foundation mission statement from the AAE Bylaws to prevent future misalignment.

• Retain the mission statement within the Foundation’s governing documents.

2. Board of Trustees Composition

Changes would occur gradually through attrition, reducing Board size from twenty (20) to seventeen (17) trustees:

• Add the Foundation Immediate Past President (two-year term).

• Remove the AAE Vice President as an ex officio trustee.

• Set public sector trustees at two (2) (previously “up to three”).

• Reduce AAE member trustees from ten (10) to eight (8).

• Continue the Executive Director as a trustee but without a vote.

• This results in seventeen (17) trustees, sixteen (16) of whom are voting trustees.

3. Trustee and Officer Terms

• Revise term-length references to align with the Foundation’s updated service structure.

• Remove eligibility for a successive term for the New Practitioner Trustee.

• Permit immediate nomination of a former New Practitioner Trustee to the AAE Member Trustee role.

• Allow non-consecutive four (4)-year terms for AAE Member Trustees, with a minimum two (2)-year interval between terms.

4. Nomination and Approval Processes

• Update language governing nomination, election, and approval of Foundation trustees and officers by the AAE General Assembly.

• Require AAE Nominating Committee review and acknowledgment of new Foundation trustee and officer appointments.

The Foundation appreciates every member—past and present—of the Special Committee on Governance and the Special Joint Committee (Foundation and AAE) for Foundation Bylaws Updates, for their diligence and dedication. The work has strengthened the Foundation’s governance and will benefit the mission for years. Members of one or both committees included:

Dr. Anthony Borgia
Dr. Mark Desrosiers
Dr. Bruce Justman
Dr. Steven Katz
Dr. Margot Kusienski

Dr. Ryan McMahan
Dr. Craig Noblett
Dr. Elizabeth Perry
Dr. Mary Pettiette
Dr. Fiza Singh

Dr. Clara Spatafore
Dr. Patricia Tordik
Mr. Ken Widelka
Dr. Stefan Zweig