11.0. Initiation of Amendments:

The Board may propose an amendment to the Bylaws by a two-thirds vote of the Board voting members. Any Users' Group member may propose an amendment by submitting a petition signed by members numbering at least ten percent (10%) of the number of voters in the last Board election. Such petition will be delivered to the Chairperson of the Users' Group. Within sixty (60) days of the receipt by the Chairperson, the signatures will be validated. The proposal will be submitted to the membership for ratification along with the next Board election ballot.

11.1 Adoption of Amendments:

Ballots for the proposed change(s) shall be distributed to all active members. Returned ballots must be received within thirty (30) days of the date of distribution. Amendments will be approved when passed by a two-thirds affirmative vote of those voting.

11.2 Direct Amendments by the Board:

The Board may, by vote of seven-eighths of the voting directors then in office, directly amend these Bylaws, subject to the Users' Group Membership's ratification pursuant to the procedures provided in this article, provided that the Board shall distribute ballots to the Users' Group Membership within sixty (60) days of the Board's vote adopting the amendment.

11.3 Effective Date:

Amendments shall be effective on the date approved, or on the date specified in the amendment.

11.4 Publication:

Notice of adopted changes in the Bylaws shall be published in a Users' Group publication accessible to all Users' Group Members as soon as practicable but no later than forty-five (45) days after the effective date.