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My organization only meets twice a year. To accommodate the unique needs of each biannual meeting, the by-laws state that "the Secretary must propose special rules of order for each biannual meeting." Adopting special rules of order normally requires a 2/3 vote and notice. However, since the by-laws require that he or she propose special rules of order, need the Secretary give notice? Additionally, can notice for special rules of order merely summarize the proposed special rules of order, rather than include their exact text?

I just wanted to check because it's in the by-laws. However, that makes sense.

Say the officers of an organization are a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer, listed in that order in the by-laws and, per RONR, elected in that order. However, following several rounds of balloting for vice-president, it becomes clear that the vice-presidential election will take much longer than expected, posing the risk that quorum will be lost (as members leave as the night drags on) before the last two elections can take place. Would it be in order to suspend the rules and elect the secretary and treasurer before the vice-president?

Mention what?

I meant why does RONR simply require another round of voting, rather than removing the candidate receiving the fewest votes?

Why did the authors of RONR choose this method?

The bylaws address this. I've added the relevant sections of the meeting article for your reading. Outside of this article, the executive board has the power to "adjust the hour and place of meetings." Annotations are bolded and in brackets ARTICLE VI — Meetings Section 1. Regular Meetings. The regular meetings of the Council shall be held at least once per month, excluding the months of June and July, as scheduled by resolution at least 21 days in advance. Upon the passage of such a resolution, the Secretary shall immediately distribute it to as much of the membership as is possible. A Rotarian shall be present at all regular meetings of the Council [requirement by higher organization]. If no future meetings are scheduled by resolution, the Council shall meet at the call of the Governor [equivalent to president] or highest-ranking officer. Section 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Council, Governor, or Executive Board and shall be called upon the written request of 10% of the membership. The purpose of the meeting shall be included in the call, which shall be sent to as much of the membership as is possible at least three days before the meeting. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting except that mentioned in the call.

Yeah I get it. Thanks!

So essentially, the chair should encourage dissenting opinions, clarify the exact text of what we're agreeing to, and take formal votes to establish when a decision is truly being made?

I'm on a committee of 4 people that has been tasked with planning the program for an event. Since the committee is so small and we almost always agree on things, is it okay to just run on unanimous consent until someone disagrees with something and raises an objection? The parliamentary authority is RONR and no bylaws provision contradicts my plan.

It would depend on what your constitution and bylaws specifically say, but the constitution prevails over the by-laws in every organization I'm familiar with.

Found in section 8 of this official document of Rotary International (the parent organization) policy https://my.rotary.org/en/document/rotaract-statement-policy "There shall be a “Standard Rotaract Club Constitution” prescribed by Rotary International and subject to amendment only by the Board of Directors of Rotary International. As a prerequisite of its organization and certification, each Rotaract club shall adopt the "Standard Rotaract Club Constitution" and shall automatically adopt all amendments thereto subsequently made." By-laws are definitely amendable by local affiliate. My issue is that our constitution doesn't line up with the standard constitution (our constitution can be found here http://ufrotaract.wixsite.com/service/constitution).

Our custom constitution: http://ufrotaract.wixsite.com/service/constitution The standard constitution: https://my.rotary.org/en/document/rotaract-constitution-and-bylaws By-Laws vary by club, but the aforementioned PDF with the standard constitution includes starter by-laws.

Our custom constitution: http://ufrotaract.wixsite.com/service/constitution The standard constitution: https://my.rotary.org/en/document/rotaract-constitution-and-bylaws By-Laws vary by club, but the aforementioned PDF with the standard constitution includes starter by-laws.

I've looked and no such grandfather clause exists for a club of our age. Every club must use the same standard constitution; it's a requirement, not a guideline. I think you're right. The standard constitution is the one truly in effect, but at some point in the past someone ignored the part of the standard constitution that says only the larger organization can amend it. This led to our current custom constitution.

I've checked the larger organization's database and we're in there as a chartered member. The larger organization's policy is that every club adopts the standard constitution upon being chartered and that only the larger organization can amend the standard constitution. That's why I think the standard constitution is in effect, but we're just ignoring it.

I belong to a club that is part of a larger organization. Whenever a club of this type is chartered, it adopts the organization's standard club constitution. However, my club has been using its own custom constitution. I believe that our custom constitution is null and void, and that the standard constitution is and always has been in effect. How would you suggest I go about transitioning to the standard constitution? I am just a member in the club. Our custom constitution: http://ufrotaract.wixsite.com/service/constitution The standard constitution: https://my.rotary.org/en/document/rotaract-constitution-and-bylaws By-Laws vary by club, but the aforementioned PDF with the standard constitution includes starter by-laws.

Thank you!

If so, how would this come about? Can one make a second primary amendment while another primary amendment is being considered?

I suppose I'll find out

We decided in the first org meeting to meet again at the call of the chair pro tem. I'm the chair pro tem and he hasn't replied to any of my calls.

He is the secretary pro tem. We haven't passed bylaws yet. Could we elect another secretary pro tem?

Good point. I think I'll do that.

Our second organizational meeting is just a few days away, but sadly our secretary has completely stopped replying to all of our attempts to contact him. As such, no one can retrieve the minutes of the first organizational meeting to approve at the second. Can we skip approving the minutes and just approve them at the meeting following the second organizational meeting?

That's what I was thinking. I just wasn't sure if there were some clause in RONR stating that exceptions can be made when an organization is first founded. Thanks for both replies!