Suspending bylaws

[Guest beverly]

In our policies and procedures it says that we should vote on the amendments in March...We did not get the changes to the body in time so we didn't vote in March and the chair moved the voting to May. In spite of the reason why we didn't review the changes, if the bylaws say we should vote in March and we can't---what are our options? There has not been a 2/3 vote of the body to move the voting time--it was an executive board decision. There is some debate on if that can be done without a motion, since you can't vote to change your bylaws unless an amendment is submitted. Hope this is clear. Thank you

[Kim Goldsworthy]

In our policies and procedures

it says that we should vote on the amendments in March.

Ah!

So it isn't a bylaw.

It is a standing rule.

We did not get the changes to the body in time so we didn't vote in March

and the chair moved the voting to May.

Chair's don't do that.

You've been hosed. And you let it happen. Sad.

In spite of the reason why we didn't review the changes,

if the bylaws say we should vote in March and we can't,

what are our options?

"Bylaws"?

Impossible. -- You said "Policies and Procedures."

You've added a new ambiguity.

Do you know what document holds the actual rule?

Do you know the exact wording of the actual rule?

There has not been a 2/3 vote of the body to move the voting time --

it was an executive board decision.

Another ambiguity!

First you said, "The chair done it!"

Now you say, "The executive board done it!"

Q. WHO DONE IT?

There is some debate on if that can be done without a motion, since you can't vote to change your bylaws unless an amendment is submitted.

Well, no one can vote unless a motion of some kind is pending.

You cannot change dates by sheer will of one's telepathic brain capacity.

The solution to your overall problem will depend on what the rule in your bylaws actually says, not on your paraphrase of the rule.

And, it may depend on whether it is a policy or whether it is a bylaw.

[Josh Martin]

In our policies and procedures it says that we should vote on the amendments in March...We did not get the changes to the body in time so we didn't vote in March and the chair moved the voting to May. In spite of the reason why we didn't review the changes, if the bylaws say we should vote in March and we can't---what are our options?

Like Mr. Goldsworthy, I'm a bit confused on this point. In which document is the rule that you must vote on amendments to the Bylaws in March? Either way, though, I don't think you have any options except to wait until next March.

There has not been a 2/3 vote of the body to move the voting time--it was an executive board decision. There is some debate on if that can be done without a motion, since you can't vote to change your bylaws unless an amendment is submitted.

Neither the chair nor the Executive Board has any authority to decide anything about a vote to be held by the general membership, with or without a formal motion. Someone should have raised a Point of Order at the March meeting, but it's too late for that now.

Ah!

So it isn't a bylaw.

It is a standing rule.

A rule determining when amendments to the Bylaws may be voted on doesn't sound like a standing rule to me. It seems to be in the nature of a Special Rule of Order, and not a suspendable one, in my opinion.