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The Chair of our organization has resigned. Our bylaws call for an election to fill the remainder of the term. The question is: if other officers wish to run for the Chair position, must they resign their seats in order to run? For example, would the Treasurer need to resign to run for Chair, therefor resulting in an election for Chair and Treasurer at the same time? Could the Treasurer then run for both the Chair and the Treasurer seat -- in order to keep the Treasurer seat if he/she lost the election for Chair? An issue is that if an officer wins the Chair seat, then their seat is open and the process has to be done all over again (costing time and money). There is more than a year left on these officers' terms. Our bylaws simply say regarding vacancies: "In the event of any such vacancy in the office of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, or District Co-Chairmen, the Central Committee shall meet within one hundred twenty (120) days after the vacancy occurs, or the next Convention shall meet, whichever is sooner, upon no less than ten (10) days prior notice, for the purpose of electing a successor. In the interim, the Chairman is authorized to fill any such vacancy on a temporary basis, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee."

Our association elects a new Vice President every year in late spring for a one year term. He/She then automatically elevates to the position of President the following year. The current VP is thinking of taking a job beginning Fall 2018 that would preclude his ongoing membership in the Association, which means he would also not be able to serve as President next year. Under our Bylaws, any vacancy in an elected position can be filled by President, with the approval of the Executive Board. There are no provisions for special elections, and we have never had a President who was not Vice-President the year before. Assuming the current VP accepts the new position: 1. If he does not resign before the end of this year, does the membership or President even have the power to replace him before his term ends? 2. If he does resign before spring elections, is it proper for the President to appoint a replacement, given that the new appointee would then become president? (the concern is having an unelected President who would have been VP for just a few weeks before elevating to President). 3. Alternately, can we hold a special election to fill the position of President for next Fall, and can we place any restrictions on who may run (e.g. "only past presidents" since they would not need the training that comes with being VP the previous year). Thanks! Paul

I have a chapter board who will be holding a special election for an executive board position. Another executive board and to run for the position. Questions, does she have to step down in her current position to run? If she runs and loses, can she reclaim her previous position. Should they include both positions in the special election?

Bylaws require directors to be elected to the board by ballot. Bylaws also require plurality vote when there are more candidates than vacancies. Statute requires that meetings be governed by the latest edition of RONR. Thre are three vacancies and three candidates. Fifty ballots are cast. The results are: candidate A, 45 votes; candidate B, 30 votes; candidate C, 20 votes. 1. RONR, 11th ed., pp 404-405 (I believe that is correct, I don't have my book with me) states that any candidate not receiving a majority is not elected to office. A majority of what? A majority of the ballots that were cast? Does this mean that candidates A and B are elected and candidate C is not? 2. Since there are three candidates for three vacancies, is a motion for the secretary to cast one ballot for all three candidates in order? If so, and the motion passes, are all three candidates elected?

We have two board vacancies and only one candidate. What happens if the one is elected but there is a remaining vacancy? Can the board be four until they appoint an additional member?

Our newly elected (July 1st, 2012) Treasure stepped down from being on the board. Our previous treasure wants to be treasure again but she just finished a 3 consecutive term that ended in July 1st, 2012. Is it against the robert rules for her to carry on for another term? I disagree with her doing it again because of the by laws. There is nothing in the by laws that state she is allowed to be put back on but it says that she can only serve 3 consecutive terms at which she just finished. It says in our by laws that we have to follow the "Any vacancies filled shall follow Robert’s Rules of Order in calculating time served as a Director" Please any help would be much appreciated. ARTICLE III DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS SECTION 1. Board of Directors. General management of the club’s affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors. (a) Number and Term of Office. The Board shall be comprised of 9 persons, all of whom shall be members in good standing, who are residents of the United States. They shall be elected for a two-year term as provided in Article IV, and shall serve until their successors are elected. No person may serve as a Director for more than three consecutive terms. The terms of the Directors shall be staggered, with 5 Directors elected in one year and 4 Directors elected in the next succeeding year. The most recent past President shall be permitted to attend and participate in board meetings, for one year, provided that such past President shall not be entitled to vote thereat. The terms of newly elected directors shall commence on July 1 and expire on June 30 of the following year. SECTION 7. Vacancies. Any vacancies occurring on the Board or among the Officers during the year shall be filled until the next annual election by a majority vote of the members of the board; except that a vacancy in the office of President shall be filled automatically by the Vice President and the resulting vacancy in the office of the Vice President shall be filled by the Board. Any vacancies filled shall follow Robert’s Rules of Order in calculating time served as a Director

Trying to help our little local charitable organization get back on track after some upheaval. Since August meeting: President submitted letter of resignation (unsure if resigned from office or board membership entirely) Vice-president was removed from office in August. This member is still on the board. Secretary submitted resignation letter (same issue as president - unsure if resignation from office only, or from board as well). The BOD has 8 positions - I believe there was one vacant position. As of last month. Currently - from what I can tell - there are 5 members - but no one holding offices of president, vice president and secretary. Or no one will be holding offices of president and secretary once the board accepts their resignations. With the office of the vice president vacant, and the resignation of the president, who calls the meeting to order? Then first item - vote on a pro-tem chair? Elect minutes secretary for this meeting? Then accept the resignations of the two individuals who sent letters of resignation? Then - fill the offices with the remaining board members? Technically, these offices are not yet vacant until the meeting, correct? Will dust off my copy of RONR, too. Thank you, in advance, for your help.