05/23/2026
Dear NAHA Members and Regional/International Directors,
I am writing to you personally because you deserve to hear honestly and clearly from your Board of Directors.
It has come to our attention that some of you have received materials circulated publicly by a potential election candidate raising concerns about member voting rights and NAHA’s election procedures. We understand questions like these can be unsettling.
What Our Bylaws Do & Say
NAHA’s Bylaws have always been the governing foundation of our association. They establish authority, direct Board activities, and define member rights. Article 3, Section 2(B)(2)(a) of our Bylaws defines Professional Member eligibility as follows: completion of a minimum 200-hour aromatherapy training program, 4 years of direct experience and education in the theory and practice of aromatherapy, or passing the ARC examination. Article 5, Section 2(C) further specifies that eligible voters are Professional and Business members in good standing who have been current members for two consecutive years prior to the date set for elections. Article 5, Section 5(A) establishes that any candidate for elected office must be a Professional/Business member in good standing with the association for a minimum of two consecutive years. These provisions have been in place throughout NAHA’s history and have been consistently applied.
NAHA’s Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 membership tiers were introduced in subsequent years as a way to expand access to NAHA and welcome a broader community of aromatherapy students and practitioners into our organization. However, the introduction of tiered membership categories did not amend the eligibility provisions established in Articles 3 and 5 of the Bylaws.
Importantly, Article 3, Section 1(B) states clearly that the Board of Directors holds final authority on issues regarding membership eligibility. The Board has exercised that authority consistently and in good faith.
The claim that the current election materials represent a departure from our Bylaws is, in our Board’s and legal counsel’s judgment, a misreading of those documents. This misinterpretation conflates marketing terminology with the eligibility standards NAHA’s Bylaws establish.
NAHA’s Election History
The circulating materials assert that 2012 represents the last documented election communication from NAHA. The implication that the Board has failed to conduct or communicate subsequent election processes is factually inaccurate. NAHA’s records document election announcements sent to members in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, and 2026.
Our elections have been conducted consistently, communicated to members, and carried out in accordance with our governing documents, including the notice and election procedures outlined in Article 5 of the Bylaws. We stand behind the integrity of each election cycle throughout NAHA’s current Board tenure.
Legal Counsel & Member Engagement
Because some of the statements in the circulating materials are materially inaccurate and harmful to the organization and its leadership, NAHA has engaged legal counsel in connection with this matter.
We want to acknowledge that members can hold differing views about governance, and your Board welcomes that type of thoughtful engagement. What our Board cannot accept is the public presentation of disputed interpretations as established misconduct, particularly when those characterizations cause confusion among members and undermine trust in NAHA’s Board and the election that is actively underway.
Should any member wish to formally propose changes to our Bylaws, Article 8, Section 1 provides a clear and proper process for doing so. A written proposal stating the current wording, the proposed new wording, and the rationale for the change is necessary, followed by a majority vote of both the Board of Directors and the Professional and Business membership, as outlined in Article 8, Sections 1(B) and 1(C).
Current Election
This election matters. It is one of the most direct ways our members participate in shaping the future of NAHA. Our Board is committed to conducting it with integrity, transparency, and fairness for every member.
As a reminder, any eligible member is invited to run for office. Applications are due June 1, 2026, by 11:59 pm MST. NAHA will publish platform statements for each candidate in the order they are received. Click here to access the application:https://naha.org/assets/uploads/NAHAElectionApplication2026Fillable.pdf
If you have questions about your membership status, voting eligibility, or any aspect of the election process, please reach out to us at info@naha.org and we will respond promptly.
NAHA exists because of our members and community. Your dedication, expertise, and shared belief in the value of holistic aromatherapy is the cornerstone of our association. That is what guides every decision this Board makes and is what will carry us forward from here.
It has been my honor to serve as your President! I look forward to welcoming in our new team of leaders in January.
With gratitude and respect for each of you,
Annette Davis
NAHA President
NAHA Bylaws:https://naha.org/assets/uploads/NAHA-Bylaws-2015.pdf
NAHA Code of Ethics: https://naha.org/membership/code-of-ethics/
