Deb Parm

One of our members was totally against a motion and voted no. However, she said she wanted to exercise her rights through Roberts Rules to have her explicit objection noted in the minutes. I have looked and can't find if/where this is allowed. If this is allowed, can someone point me in the direct direction. Thanks.

Once the nominating committee makes it's report and the floor is opened to further nominations, can the candidates speak to the chapter prior to the vote. A very heated debate occurred at our last election as some said it was allowed, others said it was similar to calling for the vote and no further discussion is allowed. I can't find anything in Roberts Rules that addresses this. As election time is drawing near, what is the correct answer?

A bylaw amendment packet has been sent to all our members for a voting starting in 2 days. One of the items is turning out to be very controversial. Can we pull that one item from the vote at this time?

The bylaws say a simple majority determines the result. Can we use a Special Rule of Order (or some other method) to change that, temporarily, to 2/3? Or must it stay at a majority?

Currently, our bylaws state "Each Officer shall serve a term of one year. No Officer shall serve more than three consecutive terms in the same office." How can we correctly word our bylaws to allow an officer to serve more than three terms? We are specifically thinking the VP Finance should be allowed to stay longer. But we may find a situation where other officers (the ones very good at their position) should be allowed to stay in that role.

How could we word the bylaws to prevent this in the future?

A member of the board was removed from office several years ago. This was done according to our bylaws. We are now hearing rumors this person intends to run for the board again. As our membership doesn't know the entire story for the removal, we are concerned they may win the election. Is there a way we can prevent this person from running?

Correct, our elections take place in the Spring and the newly elected board members take over at the close of the annual meeting. If the President can appoint in advance, would the sitting board or the board elect ratify the appointment?

We have a board member who has resigned effective at the close of our annual meeting. Per our bylaws, vacancies in our board are appointed by the President and ratified by the board. The appointment is until the normal election process in the spring. The question is, when can the President appoint someone? Can this be done at the annual meeting, or should it wait until after the meeting when the vacancy actually exists?

We have a board consisting of members of two countries. The members of one of the countries decided to hold a meeting regarding fund-raising but did not include the International President or the Chair of the Philanthropy Committee or any of the members of that committee. Is this allowable? A similar situation occurred last year, but was not known until recently. We just want to clarify what is and is not allowed in our next Policy update.

A member of our board is saying that a motion, second and vote is required for our minutes to list the names of those voting for, against or abstaining. Is this vote necessary to record the names?

Our bylaws state "no officer shall serve in the same office for more than two consecutive terms, or until her successor is elected". During the pandemic, we are not meeting at all and probably will not be for the foreseeable future (we are a singing group). Our year runs April 1 through March 31. And all members of the board are in their second term. They will not have really served a full term. Does the "or until her successor is elected" allow them to remain in their positions another year?

I guess what my question is, what can be done. The voting has started, but it was actually called too soon. Is there a way to cancel the voting until the board has time to hear the valid points and discuss?

Our board is allowed to vote on issues via email per our bylaws. We have a controversial matter that is being voted on presently. The vote has started. However, two members of the board had expressed concerns but their emails to the board were delayed and arrived after the vote had been called. As they are valid concerns, is there a way to stop the vote to allow more discussion prior to calling for the vote again?

After our minutes were approved, it was discovered that a wrong city was listed. It was not part of a motion, it was just the name and city of a possible new chapter for our organization. Is our only option to amend something previously adopted?

One of our board members (member at large) is taking a leave of absence for 6 months. There is nothing in our bylaws or policies to cover this. Should she be replaced temporarily, leave the position vacant or ask her to resign?

They have recently amended their bylaws that business, including voting, can be conducted by electronic means.

The bylaws of one of our chapters state "REFERENDUM – Chapter membership may exercise its power through the use of the referendum process. Any action may be proposed by circulation of a petition that clearly states the action desired and is signed by 25% or more of the membership in good standing. The President shall be required to present the question to a vote within 30 days of receipt. A quorum must be present to vote, and 2/3 of the quorum will decide the vote. Also, Chapter members must be given 14 days written notice of the question." There is a disagreement between some of the members and the board of directors about a recent decision. 1) The member circulating the petition feels it should be anonymous. I think it must be via email (can't sign as we are prohibited from in person meetings at this time) and therefore, not anonymous. 2) I can't find any reference to referendum (referenda) in Robert's Rules. Are they using this totally incorrectly in the first place? What is the process (for future bylaw amendments)?

Our board is elected by the membership. The board then elects the officers (president, three vp's, and 4 directors). Can the President nominate someone for the other positions?

I just want to have this clear in my mind. I am wrong, and the member making the motion doesn't need to actually vote and it is assumed to be a 'yes' vote?

I have a board member telling me that since she made the motion, her vote is automatically in favor. I am pretty sure that isn't right, but I can't find anything in Robert's Rules to back me up.

The President of a very small board of directors (5 members) is the subject of an upcoming vote. She wants to appoint herself as the co-director of a chorus. The anticipated result is probably going to be a tie. I know that a tie fails and that the President can vote if she wants the motion adopted. However as this is about her, I am not sure she should vote. What should be done?

The new president of a board made one motion and seconded two other motions. All three were voted on and carried. Do they stand as carried or are they invalid?

What should we have used instead of lay on the table? And, what is the proper way to make the motion now?

Our membership can submit agenda items to our board, a board member will then make a motion on their behalf to consider their suggestions. One motion needed further information from the member, so it was laid on the table in order to contact her. We were not able to get clarification from her during that meeting. At the annual meeting, this was totally forgotten. We are now getting ready for our mid-year meeting and need to resolve this old agenda item. Is it proper to take from the table or is it too late for that? How do we deal with this?