House of Delegates 2026
Date: October 17, 2026 from 2 pm to 5 pm
Location: Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Campus
Table of Contents
House of Delegates FAQ
The 2026 MW House of Delegates is only a couple months away! Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
What is House of Delegates (HOD)? Chapter delegates are the primary decision-making body of LMSA MW. House of Delegates convenes chapter delegates across the Midwest Region to amend LMSA MW procedures.
Who must attend HOD? Two delegates per school must attend HOD. Chapters that can only send a single delegate must communicate this to the LMSA MW team (@director.midwest(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)lmsa.net and cc @cdo.midwest(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)lmsa.net) to receive approval, granted on a case-by-case basis. All LMSA MW members are welcome to attend HOD. Only delegates will have votes.
Where is HOD? 2026 HOD is in person only. The meeting will take place in Maywood, at the Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Campus (2160 S First Ave Maywood, IL 60153), during the 2026 Annual MOLA Conference National Conference. Virtual attendance will not be available, and is not acceptable for chapter delegates.
Is there funding provided to help attend HOD? LMSA Midwest will provide travel funding for two delegates per chapter, as well as a small stipend for breakfast on the day of HOD. Please see the section “Key Information for Delegates”. Reimbursement requires itemized receipts (gas receipts, airfare, etc.).
- Funding directly from LMSA MW is limited – you are encouraged to seek funding at your institutions as well.
Is there anything I have to do before HOD? Yes! Please see “Key Information for Delegates”.
What happens at HOD? Any proposals brought up at (“on the floor of”) or submitted 21 days in advance of HOD can be discussed at HOD. Any LMSA MW member can submit a proposal. Proposals are any changes to the LMSA Constitution. See section “Submit a Constitutional Amendment”.
What if only one delegate can attend HOD?Chapters may request approval for only 1 delegate attendance due to extenuating circumstances. Approval is determined by the Midwest Executive Board. Please email co-directors @director.midwest(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)lmsa.net and cc @cdo.midwest(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)lmsa.net
If you need a Letter of Support for your school to provide the excused absence no later than September 18th, 2026.
Example Business Agenda
Submit a Constitutional Amendment
Interested in changing the LMSA Midwest Constitution? You can!
Who can submit a proposal? Any LMSA Midwest member may propose an amendment to the LMSA Midwest Constitution.
When are proposals due? Proposed amendments should be submitted at least 21 days before the House of Delegates meeting. For the October 17, 2026 meeting, the submission deadline is September 26, 2026.
Amendments that are not submitted by the deadline may still be proposed from the floor during the House of Delegates meeting.
How do I prepare a proposal? Proposed amendments must be clearly stated and forwarded in writing to the LMSA Midwest Board. Review this example constitutional-amendment proposal when preparing your submission.
How do I submit a proposal? Submit your proposed amendment using the constitutional-amendment submission form.
What happens after submission? The Board will distribute a copy of each proposed amendment to the Delegate Council for review. Voting will take place at the next Delegate Council meeting. A proposed amendment requires a two-thirds vote of the Delegate Council to be approved.
Example past proposals:
2023 Proposal to Amend President’s Quarterly Meeting Verbiage
2023 Proposal to Amend Delegate Options during Scheduling Conflicts
2021 Proposal to Amend Elections Structure
For additional information, see Article IX in the LMSA Midwest Constitution.
Key Information for Delegates
Pre-HOD Delegate Survey: All chapter delegates should complete the 2026 Pre-HOD Delegate Survey before the House of Delegates meeting. This is the only delegate survey; there is no separate attendance form.
Travel funding: LMSA Midwest will provide travel funding for up to two delegates per chapter. Funding may be used for expenses such as mileage, food, and lodging. Anticipated funding is tiered according to the chapter’s distance from Chicago:
$75 for chapters located in or near Chicago
$250 for chapters located within 200 miles of Chicago
$400 for chapters located more than 200 miles from Chicago
Food: Each delegate may be reimbursed up to $18 for lunch on the day of the House of Delegates meeting. This is separate from the travel funding described above. For example, a Chicago-area chapter sending two delegates may receive up to $111: $75 for travel and $36 for lunch.
A reimbursement form will be provided closer to the event. Reimbursement requests must be submitted within 30 days after the event concludes.