A Message from the Co-Presidents:
Dear RBFAA Members,
We write to you today with both honesty and optimism about the future of the Robert Bosch Fellowship Alumni Association (RBFAA). We want to share what we have learned this year prior to our annual Business Meeting in DC so we can have informed conversations leading up to and at that event. (Friendly reminder: please secure your Annual Event Weekend tickets now!)
Where We Are Today
The RBFAA is a remarkable community of accomplished alumni, united by shared experiences and a commitment to transatlantic dialogue. We also face real challenges. We are operating with a structural deficit, declining membership, and an overstretched all-volunteer model.
Without change, our ability to serve this community will continue to diminish.
Since learning of the end of the Bosch Fellowship and the Stiftung’s support, many members of this community have worked to find a new way forward, such as producing the SRC Report and the RBFAA Strategic Plan. This year, the Board explored three pathways for the organization, while also assuming full operational responsibility and associated costs of a nonprofit as we transitioned from the decades-long support of Cultural Vistas.
The lesson of 2025: Our current model is utterly unsustainable as a volunteer organization.
Where We Are Headed
The Board sees three possible options:
- Fundraise annually for paid staff + operational budget
- Operationally partner with a like-minded organization
- Sunset the RBFAA when the money runs out
Why Your Participation & Vote Matter
As RBFAA is an independent nonprofit exploring options, we must amend our governing bylaws to reflect this new reality. These amendments will strengthen our ability to operate effectively and sustainably, and require a member vote at the annual Business Meeting to implement.
What’s Changing: The proposed amendments fall into two main areas:
- Modernization & Professionalization, such as:
- Allowing electronic voting; clarifying election procedures
- Adding insurance, indemnification and dissolution provisions
- Clarifying governance practices
- Strengthening Leadership & Governance, such as:
- Shifting from two Co-Presidents to President + Vice President for clearer roles
- Extending Officer terms from one to two years for leadership continuity
- Maintaining free membership to all alumni, and supporting sustainability through designating voting privileges to dues-paying members.
These amendments have been approved by the RBFAA Board and reviewed by legal counsel.
Next Steps
- Please review the bylaws with highlighted changes and explanatory comments HERE.
- Bring any questions to an upcoming virtual Q&A session; click the link to register:
We strongly encourage members to attend a session as there will be limited time for discussion during the Business Meeting on October 18 at 12:30pm ET (hybrid), where a vote to ratify the amended bylaws will be held. Register here to attend the Business Meeting virtually if you will not be in DC.
If you cannot attend a Q&A, you can email your questions to .
We are grateful for your engagement and support as we take this important step together.
With appreciation,
Michelle Fanzo & Brittany Ford
2025 RBFAA Co-Presidents