New Rule Change Proposal Process

NEW RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL

Why, oh why would you want to change our competition rules? Sounds like a good place to start when writing about AHRMA’s Rules Proposal process, which begins in a few weeks. Actually, the best question to answer first is, “Why?” “Making the competition in the class better overall,” is a good answer. “It will make my bike faster so I don’t get beat so badly,” not so much.

We’ve worked over the past four years, with the help of some spectacularly talented AHRMA folk, to improve the process of revising the AHRMA Handbook. This year, we introduce our latest improvements to the process making actions more streamlined and allowing us to realistically get the Handbook printed and in your hands before Thanksgiving.

Two important changes from last year include a set of instructions to ease the pain some felt with the online form, and having the Handbook readily available on the website so you can copy and paste the part of the rule you wish to change. You can also paste the rule into the revision box making strikethroughs and underlining easier than ever.

Go do your homework, and if you can address either the competition or authenticity of the rule, fill out the form, include some documentation and/or a strong rationale, and get it submitted by May 15. And remember, we’re all in this together. - Kevin Burns

Steps to Creating a Rule Change Proposal

Rule Change Proposal Process Developed by Cindy McLean & Kevin Burns

Step 1 - Fully complete all of your personal information including your membership number. Only submissions made by active members with Full Memberships will be accepted for consideration.

Step 2 - Select Discipline/Category that is affected by this Rule Change Proposal from the dropdown field and whether it is a new rule or an existing rule in in the AHRMA Handbook. If it is an existing rule, please provide the rule number as it appears in the 2021 AHRMA Handbook.

Step 3 - For New Rule submission, you may either provide the complete rule in the New Rule Text edit area, or upload a pdf file through the Supporting Documentation Upload tool. New rules will not be accepted without complete and comprehensive rules.

Proceed to Step 6.

Step 4 - If this is a rule which currently exists in the 2021 AHRMA Handbook, copy the rule to be changed from the Handbook and include it in the “Original Rule Text” edit area.

RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL PROCESS

Step 5 - Include the rule change proposal verbiage in the “Proposed Rule Change Text” edit area. Strike through verbiage to be removed and underline verbiage to be added. NOTE: COMPLETE revised text must be included in the “Proposed Rule Change Text” space. Committees are not responsible for rewriting the rule.

Step 6 - If your proposed rule change affects other rules, include them in the “Rules Affected by this Rule Change Proposal.” Strike through verbiage to be removed and underline verbiage to be added.

Step 7 - The Rule Change Rationale field is optional, but you may certainly include any text that you feel may better explain why you are requesting the Rule Change.

Step 8 - Before submitting your Rule Change Proposal, you have the opportunity to upload supporting documentation (articles, illustrations or other materials). Max file size allowed: 5MB. File types accepted: jpg, png, pdf

Other Requirements & Information

• Submissions not following the instructions provided here will be returned to the submitter to be corrected. • Only Rule Change Proposals submitted using the form on this page will be accepted. • Each form must be completed in full. • Submit a separate form for each rule change proposal unless one rule change affects others. Forms with multiple rule change proposals will be rejected. • You will receive email confirmation of your submission. • You may contact AHRMA at any time to ask that your proposal be withdrawn. • If you have questions about this process, contact Kevin Burns, Eastern Trustee at kevin.burns@ahrma.org.

Rules Proposal Process schedule

1. May 1, 2021 – Rule Change Proposal submission opens – as Rule Change Proposals come in they will be forwarded to the appropriate Rules & Eligibility (R&E) committees. (2 weeks) 2. May 15, 2021 – Rule Change Proposal submission closes – R&E continues to review (2 weeks) 3. May 31, 2021 – R&E review period closes, Trustee review period begins (1 week+) 4. June 9, 2021 – Preliminary vote (Zoom Meeting) 5. June 15, 2021 – Member Comments commence (4 weeks) 6. July 15, 2021 – Member Comments close 7. July 26, 2021 – Final vote. (Zoom Meeting) (this can change according to everyone’s schedule but should take place before August)

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