Bylaws and Elections

[Quietstorm]

Good day.  Our bylaws have three classes of membership: Regular, Associate, and Honorary. Initially under "Regular" this included "active" and "retired" individuals.  There was an amendment added to the bylaws to include another class "Retired".  Under this new class of member the bylaws stated that "one member shall be elected from the "Retired Membership" to the Board of Directors". This new class stemmed from members of our "sister organization" that was made up of "Retired members" (who are still considered members of our main organization) and the purpose was for the retired members to have proper representation. Now some of our members (who have split, or been ejected, from our sister organization) have decided to reinterpret the bylaws by now saying that "Retired Members" now includes them; they are seeking to try and hold a special election, for "retired members only", to have a seat on the Board. The only accommodation for special elections in our bylaws is if, after appointment to a vacant Board seat, and if the vacancy (office) is longer than six months, a special election may be called to fill that seat. I realize that it's confusing, but my main question is: Can a special election be called for a "specific population" of an organization? Wherein our bylaws state that all members must be notified of the position available and must submit their intention in writing within a specific time-frame.  Sorry for the confusion.

[Transpower]

If, in fact, your bylaws do specify a class of "Retired Members" and if, in fact, it specifies that members of this class are to elect a member to the Board, then I see no reason for not calling a Special Election to fill the seat.  But your issue seems to be with the definition of "Retired Members" in your Bylaws as compared with the people who have split or been ejected from your sister organization.  Here, it's up to your assembly to interpret your bylaws.