Search the Community

The organization has 6 elected officers, each elected in April for 2 year terms (staggered - 3 in even years, 3 in odd years. A nominating committee presents a slate for vote by the entire membership. Sadly, our Membership VP just died at the end of April, with one year remaining in her term. She was a member of the 3 person nominating committee for the current year. The organization is inactive June through August. We have one more general meeting in May (next week) and a final board meeting in June, but no general membership meeting until September. Our current president is barely able to call a meeting to order (keeps "forgetting" to bring the president's gavel to board or general meetings) and has to be regularly reminded to ask for motions and seconds and votes. She laughingly refers to her management style as "loosey-goosey." This untimely death has left her more disorganized than ever. I am concerned she will announce to the board & general membership, as a fait accompli, that she has arbitrarily named a replacement. My read on this situation is that the president should first appoint a replacement on the 3 person nominating committee. Next said committee identifies a nominee (and they always get nominee's agreement beforehand). Then at the next general meeting (September), that nominee is presented and the question is put whether there are any further nominees from the floor. And only then is a vote taken and the vacant office filled. My questions: (1) Does Roberts' provide either specific guidance in such a situation , or a general principle which can be applied? (2) Can or must this be a one year replacement to fill the term of office? If it is a 2 year term, it will throw off the 3/3 balance in replacement of officers. Hope I have provided enough, but not too much information. I am the only lawyer on the board (but am retired and not retained as official legal counsel), and I feel an obligation to give accurate advice on the proper way to proceed. Thank you in advance for any response.