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Your Voice Matters: 2026 AHIMA House of Delegates

OrHIMA delegates will represent Oregon members at the 2026 AHIMA House of Delegates (HOD) meeting in October. The House is made up of delegates from AHIMA’s Component Associations and serves as a forum for membership and professional issues, with authority that includes amending AHIMA’s Bylaws and collaborating on the Association’s mission and vision.

Several motions will come before the House this year. Before OrHIMA delegates vote, we would like to hear from our members. Please provide your feedback by October 1, 2026, so your perspectives can help inform Oregon’s representation at HOD.

Previously Referred Bylaw Amendments

Sections 4.3, 4.3.1, and 4.3.3 — Types of Members, Professional Members, and Members at Large

These amendments were referred to the Bylaws Task Force by the House in October 2025. The proposals would have changed AHIMA from at least two membership types to three and revised the definition of Professional membership to specify an AHIMA-credentialed or certified professional. They also proposed a new 4.3.3 Members at Large category for individuals interested in health information, related fields, and/or AHIMA initiatives who meet the qualifications established in the Bylaws.

After further consideration, the Bylaws Task Force recommends postponing these amendments indefinitely. A “yes” vote to postpone would retain the existing bylaw language; a “no” vote would return the amendments to pending status for a vote or further referral.

Section 5.3 — Qualifications

This previously referred amendment concerns qualifications for the AHIMA Board of Directors. The proposed change would have required Directors to be AHIMA-approved certificants rather than requiring a majority of Board members to hold an AHIMA-approved certification.

The Bylaws Task Force also recommends postponing this amendment indefinitely. A “yes” vote to postpone retains the existing language requiring Directors to be Professional Members in good standing and a majority of the Board to be AHIMA-approved certificants. A “no” vote returns the amendment to pending status for a vote or further referral.

Mission Statement Proposal

Section 3.1 — Purposes and Mission

The House voted in October 2025 to recommit discussion of AHIMA’s mission statement to the Mission Statement Task Force. After considering additional input, the Task Force is bringing forward a proposed new mission statement:

“Lead the health information profession in advancing trusted, usable data and championing innovation to improve healthcare.”

The House will vote on whether to adopt this language into Article III, Section 3.1, Purposes and Mission. The current mission referenced in AHIMA materials is “Empowering People to Impact Health®.”

New Bylaw Proposals

Section 4.3.1 — Professional Membership

A separate new motion would add AHIMA’s existing Professional membership categories directly to the Bylaws:

Professional; Professional Premier; Professional Global; and Professional Emeritus.

The rationale presented during the hearing is that formally including these categories in the Bylaws would align the governing document with the membership categories already used by AHIMA. The proposal is expected to have no financial impact.

Section 6.2 — Election and Term of Office

A proposed amendment to Section 6.2 would remove the requirement that the AHIMA Secretary and Treasurer be elected annually by the Board of Directors “following receipt of the results of the election of Directors.”

According to the rationale presented during the hearing, removing this timing requirement would give the Board greater flexibility in planning for leadership of the Finance and Audit Committee. Because the Treasurer serves as Chair of that committee, an earlier election could provide more time for the incoming Treasurer to become familiar with AHIMA’s financial operations, strategic priorities, and committee work before assuming office in January. The proposal is expected to have no financial impact.

We Want to Hear From You

These proposals address AHIMA’s mission, membership structure, Board qualifications, and governance processes. OrHIMA delegates want to represent the voices of Oregon’s HIM professionals when these matters come before the House.

Please share your feedback with us by October 1, 2026. In particular, we welcome member perspectives on:

  1. Sections 4.3, 4.3.1 & 4.3.3: Should the previously proposed membership amendments be postponed indefinitely?
  2. Section 5.3: Should the previously proposed Board qualification amendment be postponed indefinitely?
  3. Section 3.1: What are your thoughts on the proposed AHIMA mission statement?
  4. Section 4.3.1: What are your thoughts on formally adding the four Professional membership categories to the Bylaws?
  5. Section 6.2: What are your thoughts on removing the specified timing requirement for electing the Secretary and Treasurer?

Please submit your feedback to centraloffice@orhima.org by October 1 so OrHIMA delegates have an opportunity to review member input before the House of Delegates meeting.