Wow! You all are very helpful! Thanks so much! Most of us feel the intent of the quoted "Special Email Meeting" by-law is to "Vote" on a single unexpected expense, not have a full blown meeting/motion/discussion.etc.
The special meeting email vote has only on occasion & been used in this general manner with an email to all members in good standing from the President:
"The expense for XYZ, with postage, handling and shipping will be $180 over the budgeted approved purchase amount. . . . $ 30 greater than the $ 150 limit that the bylaws allow for executive committee approval to pay without a general membership vote. Please vote yes or no to place this order given this new information. The exec. supports this additional expense. ( Estimated invoice attached)
OR
"The Facilities manager has brought to our attention that the commercial vacuum must be immediately replaced at a cost of $ 680. There is no money in the facilities budget for this. Please vote Yes or No for the purchase of a new vacuum at $ 680 with funds coming from our reserve balance of $ 4,875. The Executive committee supports this purchase. (Estimated invoice attached)
In addition to the bylaws I previously quoted, the section further says, "One fourth of the number of members responding within four days constitutes a quorum."
Chuckle DuJour! - You have likely guessed the bylaws are followed willy - nilly at best! The Spring general membership meeting where the original budget proposal was postponed (with a quorum physically present )was held on MARCH 16. Article VII, Section 1 states: " The Spring General Meeting shall be held between March 20 and April 7." :< )) Thankfully, as treasurer, I was across the Country for two months, had prepared a proposed budget approved by the Exec Com. before I left. I have just come home to this growing snowball of a mess. My experience with Parliamentary Procedure & RR is with a Governor's appointment serving on a county school board for two consecutive 5 year terms with 3 years as President and 3 years as Vice President with an attorney present for any public session. This current organization is a ladies golf group. (Imagine that! ) I resigned my treasurer post yesterday citing the work required for leading a $ 1M capital campaign that I am chairing. . . .and letting them know I just wanna play golf! :< )
Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and assistance! You provide a great service here!