Exactly! This has been a long time coming. In the last three bienniums we’ve watched successful bids die from Executive Committee delays, hosts get stuck with surprise costs, and members priced out of meetings. SHINE is the fix we’ve needed for years.

It’s not a complete overhaul; it’s a practical, buildable reform we can strengthen and codify later. But we need to act now before another meeting collapses and another host chapter is left holding the bag.

Austin Christoffersen & Chloe Fowler are the ones orchastrating this Special Rule of Order.

Austin is President of the Young Democrats of Washington, Secratary of ACUP, and the Western Regional Appointee to the Site Selection and Meetings Committee. In the last binnium Austin served as the Chair of the Site Selection and Meetings Committee, relizing first hand some of the reform that needs to take place. You probably saw him running around YDAPhilly as he served on the Management Committee for YDA Philly.

Chloe Fowler is the President of the Nebraska Young Democrats, and just hosted our last meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. That experience not only left NEYD with some charges left, but her persepective from a site host is pinnical to the success of the sister resolution and the rules package as a whole. NEYD hosted an amazing meeting and If you went to Omaha you probably saw her running around the meeting.

No. The Executive Committee still has the final say on location and date. SHINE simply adds guardrails: they must act within 30 days, give written reasons if they override the decision of the Site Selection and Meetings Committee, and mandates virtual participation if they bypass the committee. This protects the organization as a whole without stripping authority.

The cap only applies to registration fees, which are meant to offset direct meeting costs, this is not and should not be seen as general fundraising. Sponsorships and external donations are untouched and still go to YDA or the host after costs are paid.

Hardship waivers ensure no one is priced out. This actually makes meetings more accessible, which increases attendance and long-term engagement.

The Meetings & Site Selection Committee already does site research. SHINE simply standardizes it so every bid is judged fairly and transparently.

The Treasurer already has historical data; adding two more quotes is quick and protects smaller or more remote units from being overlooked.

The written-appeal process and virtual-fallback option prevent endless fights. If the Executive Committee overrides without a proper appeal, the meeting automatically allows virtual participation, giving the full body a say. This encourages collaboration, not conflict.

No. The Nebraska situation was the latest example, but the problems (delays, hidden costs, overrides) have happened across multiple states and bienniums. SHINE is a systemic fix, not a one-off punishment.

Actually the opposite. Clear deadlines and transparent rules reduce last-minute panic and virtual conversions. Hosts can plan confidently months in advance instead of scrambling after the Executive Committee finally votes.