BOARD ELECTIONS

[Guest Nicole]

Our PTO is rather small and our bylaws are very short and simple. It simply states that we must hold elections in April and Officers shall be elected by ballot. However, if there is but one nominee for an office, election for that office shall be by voice vote. #1 what are the rules for having a ballot vote, #2 can we allow non-members to vote? Another side questions...what happens if there is a fully vacant board? We might not have anyone run for office next year.

[Kim Goldsworthy]

It simply states that we must hold elections in April and Officers shall be elected by ballot.

However, if there is but one nominee for an office, election for that office shall be by voice vote.

#1. what are the rules for having a ballot vote?

#2. can we allow non-members to vote?

#3. what happens if there is a fully vacant board?

We might not have anyone run for office next year.

1.) The rules for a ballot vote are so simple, there is not much to say.

• It must be secret.

• The voter writes down the name the voter wants elected.

• Collect ballots. Count ballots.

• Announce results.

Congratulate the winners.

Buy them a drink/dinner.

2.) No, nonmembers of the body which is meeting cannot vote.

3.) "No board"? -- It depends.

I have no 50 word answer for all occasions.

It will depend on the defined term of office.

It will depend on whether the general membership can handle all the business of the organization.

[Larry Cisar]

We might not have anyone run for office next year.

It may be time to end the organization. Nothing lives forever.

[hmtcastle]

Another side questions...what happens if there is a fully vacant board? We might not have anyone run for office next year.

You may not need a board at all and as for officers, all you really need is a president (to preside at meetings) and a secretary (to prepare the minutes). If no one is willing to fill those minimal roles then it might be time to heed Mr. Cisar's advice.

[Chris Harrison]

1.) The rules for a ballot vote are so simple, there is not much to say.

• It must be secret.

• The voter writes down the name the voter wants elected.

• Collect ballots. Count ballots.

• Announce results.

...And don't forget to record the teller's report in the minutes.

[Gary Novosielski]

We might not have anyone run for office next year.

If nobody "runs" you still need elections. Pass out blank paper and have people write down the name of the person they want for president. If nobody gets a majority of the votes, vote again. Vote again. Vote again. Vote again. Vote again. Vote again. If someone is elected but declines, vote again. Vote again. Vote again. Vote again.

If your bylaws require you to elect a board in April, that's what you have to do.

[Josh Martin]

If your bylaws require you to elect a board in April, that's what you have to do.

The election(s) may be postponed to an adjourned meeting, or to the next regular meeting if it is within a quarterly interval, and that may buy time for the organization to drum up candidates, amend the rules regarding eligibility or the duties of office, or such other tasks to increase the likelihood of electing officers. In the interim, the current officers will continue to serve if the Bylaws include the "or until their successors are elected" language, or if the Bylaws do not have that language, the positions will be empty until the elections are completed. While elections cannot be abandoned, they can certainly be delayed, and it may be beneficial to do so.

[Gary Novosielski]

The election(s) may be postponed to an adjourned meeting, or to the next regular meeting if it is within a quarterly interval, and that may buy time for the organization to drum up candidates, amend the rules regarding eligibility or the duties of office, or such other tasks to increase the likelihood of electing officers. In the interim, the current officers will continue to serve if the Bylaws include the "or until their successors are elected" language, or if the Bylaws do not have that language, the positions will be empty until the elections are completed. While elections cannot be abandoned, they can certainly be delayed, and it may be beneficial to do so.

Yes, I was inexact. If the bylaws say you have to get down to the business of electing in April then that's what you have to do. And you can't just give up. But if things go badly, you can gather your wits and do things right at a later time.