Order of election in relation to resolution to abolish it

[Guest Robert Martin]

If your by-laws call for election of officers first, later followed with new business / resolutions, please answer this question. We have a resolution that will come up to abolish a particular office we feel is no longer needed. However, the election of that office is before the resolution is entertained. It would be awkward to fill the office by election one day then abolish it the next. Is there a way to hold off on voting for that office until the resolution is dealt with? Would the resolution be moved up before that election, or would the vote for the office be moved to after the resolution is dealt with? Thanks for your assistance.

[Robert B Fish]

The rule in your bylaws to set an agenda for the meeting is in the nature of a rule of order. Therefore, it could be suspended by a 2/3 vote (or unanimous consent.)

Alternatively, if the amendment changing that office is pretty sure to pass, you could hold the elections and just not elect anyone to that office (since it will be abolished in just a few minutes). Then, if the amendment were to fail, leaving the office in place, the chairman could note that you had an incomplete election for that office, reopen the nominations, and revote.

I recommend the first choice since it creates less difficult issues that need to be explained.

-Bob

[Kim Goldsworthy]

If your by-laws call for election of officers first, later followed with new business / resolutions,...

We have a resolution that will come up to abolish a particular office we feel is no longer needed.

However, the election of that office is before the resolution is entertained.

It would be awkward to fill the office by election one day then abolish it the next.

Is there a way to hold off on voting for that office until the resolution is dealt with?

Would the resolution be moved up before that election,

or would the vote for the office be moved to after the resolution is dealt with?

Either way.

You are free to:

(a.) postpone the election to later in the meeting (like, after "new business", i.e., after the resolution).

(b.) suspend the rules and move up the resolution to a place prior to the election.

Since the vote requirement (viz., majority vote) is easier for #a, then do #a, since #b requires a two thirds vote.

[tctheatc]

OTOH, think about the economy of getting your congratulatory sheet cake and Thanks-4-your-service pen & pencil set all in one day...

[Kim Goldsworthy]

OTOH, think about the economy of getting your congratulatory sheet cake and Thanks-4-your-service pen & pencil set all in one day...

Short work day?

Like the Emerald City workers in Wizard of Oz:

We get up at twelve and start to work at one.

Take an hour for lunch, and then at two we're done.

Jolly good fun.