Number of Voting Members

[Guest *Craigsr]

Are there any requirements that Boards must be constituted with an odd number of members or at least what mechanism will be used to break a tie vote if that occurs? We are wanting to add a 12th voting member to our current 11-member board and all members are equal so we do not have a ready way to break a tie vote if we add a 12th member. Any suggestions?

[hmtcastle]

Are there any requirements that Boards must be constituted with an odd number of members or at least what mechanism will be used to break a tie vote if that occurs? We are wanting to add a 12th voting member to our current 11-member board and all members are equal so we do not have a ready way to break a tie vote if we add a 12th member. Any suggestions?

It matters not whether there's an odd or even number of members. Even with an odd number, one member might be absent, or might abstain, and you could still end up with a tie vote. And a tie vote simply means that the motion is defeated. No big deal. And no "tie-breaker".

And, in the case of an election, a tie-vote simply means you vote again.

Many organizations have a board with an odd-number of members and staggered terms. For example, a nine-member board with three members elected to three-year terms each year.

[George Mervosh]

Nope, no requirement. Odd numbers of members have an advantage as far as a quorum is concerned, but that's about it.

[Guest dan]

<<Odd numbers of members have an advantage as far as a quorum is concerned>>

Just to elaborate, if a quorum is a majority of board members, then a quorum of 10 is six and a quorum of 11 is also six.