In December of 2023, the National Association of Enrolled Agents proposed three changes to its bylaws and held a vote of its members. The changes were adopted.
The adopted changes were (1) to eliminate the additional continuing education requirement for membership of 30 hours per year, (2) to eliminate the dual requirement that NAEA members must also be members of their state affiliate society and vice versa, and (3) to allow the creation of chapters.
Members of the Oklahoma Society of Enrolled Agents must now decide whether we wish to remain an affiliate, like we are now and as we have been, or become a chapter of the NAEA.
In simple terms, the difference is that as an affiliate we would retain our corporate nonprofit existence along with our bank account, IRS continuing education provider registration, and officers and directors, while if we became a chapter we would give up those things and be operated by the NAEA with a committee of local volunteers.
The decision of the OSEA members will take effect on September 1, 2024. There are other details.
For background information, please log in to your NAEA account, navigate to "About NAEA" then to "NAEA Governance Changes," where you can review an abundance of information, including PowerPoint presentations of the chapter structure and the affiliate structure in the future, frequently asked questions, and a link to discussion threads on the NAEA Member Web Board.
Or, you can link directly to the NAEA web page at https://www.naea.org/naea-governance-changes-2023/ (Web Board requires login).
OSEA will hold a town hall via Zoom in the first part of August to discuss the vote, answer questions, and hear from the members. Watch for an announcement by email when the date is set, and check the OSEA website at https://www.eaok.org for updates.
A special meeting will be called in mid-August to vote on whether OSEA will become a chapter of the National Association of Enrolled Agents or will remain an affiliate. We hope all members will participate. Watch for an announcement by email when the special meeting date is set, and check the OSEA website at https://www.eaok.org for updates.
