The Athens Cultural Center (ACC) in Athens, NY, uses a structured, expertise-driven board governance model. Its management includes dedicated committees for building, development, education, finance, governance, marketing, and programming.  Board members bring deep nonprofit, financial, and creative backgrounds.

The Governance Committee is chaired by a board vice president with an MBA and more than 35 years of nonprofit board experience, while fiscal oversight is led by a retired U.S. Treasury auditor. The founder remains actively engaged as a board member, ensuring mission continuity. This committee-based structure reflects a commitment to transparency, community accountability, and sustainable stewardship of both its cultural programming and its historic building. 

Over the past twenty-plus years, ACC has evolved and grown. Thanks to the strong support of our community, we no longer have members repairing and painting walls or being required to sit in the gallery on weekends when we’re open. Over the past five years, the board has grown from six to sixteen, and we now have three dedicated staff members. ACC is supported through membership dues, grants, donations, and events like our annual gala.  

It's time for our bylaws to catch up!

We need to update our bylaws to reflect our growth from a member-governed to a board-governed organization and to comply with current New York State nonprofit regulations. This change requires a vote by our membership at our Annual Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 6 pm at the ACC. We hope you will join us for this important vote, review what we accomplished in 2025, and learn what we are planning for 2026 and beyond. 

Can't make it? Why not use a proxy ballot? Please review the eligibility requirements listed below. We need at least 10% of our membership to vote on this important issue, so every vote counts — even if you can't attend in person.

A proxy ballot is available for download below. Please cast your vote and sign, scan, and email to: vote@athensculturalcenter.org

Or return via US Mail to:

Athens Cultural Center – Proxy Vote
PO Box 12
Athens, NY 12015

ELIGIBILITY & VOTING DETAILS
-Anyone who is a member as of May 1, 2026, is eligible to vote. You can check your membership status by writing vote@athensculturalcenter.org and renew here. 
-Family memberships ($90/year or above) receive two votes per family.
-Proxy votes must be received by Monday, May 25, 2026, at 5:00 pm.

Thank you for being part of the ACC community.  Your participation helps shape our future!