when newly elected officers take up their duties

[wwdslovene]

In our organization a slate of officers is drawn up by the nominations committee and is presented at

the June board meeting. Additions to the slate are permissable until the end of that June meeting.

The final slate is voted upon at the board's July meeting.

By tradition the new officers take up their duties on October 1, the beginning of our fiscal year. Our bylaws, however require that the annual meeting be held in mid-September. Our outgoing president would prefer that the new officers be announced at that meeting and commence to serve at the end

of that day. This is common practice in many organizations.

Is there any place in RONR which addresses this issue, or is this one of those "Whatever your organization states in its bylaws?" Our bylaws state nothing. The October 1 date is tradition.

[Chris Harrison]

If the bylaws don't impose a later date for taking office the elected takes office upon the election becoming final (RONR p. 444).

[Guest Edgar]

In our organization a slate of officers is drawn up by the nominations committee . . .

Additions to the slate are permissible . . .

The final slate is voted upon at the board's July meeting.

Note that what the nominating committee prepares is a report, not a "slate" and that what you add are additional nominees and that what you vote on is a ballot not a "final slate". It may sound like semantics, even nit-picking, but the use of the word "slate" can often lead to the misunderstanding that members must vote on an "all or none" basis when, in fact, they're free to vote for some or all or none of the nominees, as well as (unless your rules say otherwise) for those not nominated at all (i.e. by "write-in" votes).

[Trina]

...

Our bylaws, however require that the annual meeting be held in mid-September. Our outgoing president would prefer that the new officers be announced at that meeting and commence to serve

...

No electing going on at your annual meeting, eh?

I understand that you said the board takes care of all of that ahead of time; just double-checking that the board is doing so in accordance with bylaws.

[Rev Ed]

Trina makes a point, do the the By-laws state when the election occurs? This would normally be at the annual meeting unless the By-laws specify a different time. Also, if the By-laws do not state when the new terms begin, they begin as soon as the "successful candidate" accepts election. Of course, the term could begin right after the annual meeting if the organization makes the decision to change the tradition/custom.

[wwdslovene]

Many thanks for your replies. It looks like our organization has opened a can of worms here. Our bylaws require that our nominations committee present its choices to the board at its June (monthly) meeting. Additional nominations may be made at that time and added to a ballot which will be voted on at the July meeting. By tradition the newly elected officers take up their posts on October 1, the beginning of the new fiscal year. Nowhere is this date specificed in our bylaws.

We are an arts organization with well over 300 members. There is an annual meeting in mid-September at which the newly elected (by the board) officers are announced. I note that the general membership has no vote whatsoever in this matter. [!!!] They are simply informed that the following persons have been elected and they will begin their duties on October 1.

[Gary c Tesser]

I don't see anything resembling a can of worms here. As long as it's clear and explicit and unambiguous (I forget which is which) in the bylaws that the board elects the officers, then that's your done deal. Try rewriting post #6, deleting references to nominations and to tradition, which are of no consequence (notwithstanding p. 19), and what have you got? The board elects the officers. Then see what Chris H says, which is always a good idea, even if he charges you his usual rapacious $4.50 an hour.

Is it?

[sMargaret]

I would suggest that you take the opportunity, at your upcoming annual meeting, to amend the bylaws to state when the incoming board takes their positions, to better align with your custom.

As stated, do verify that your bylaws allow for the board to elect the board. Check your bylaws, as well, to see who amends the bylaws - is it your board, or is it your general membership?

If it is your general membership, that's another little can of worms - is your annual meeting a board meeting, or a general meeting? What is the quorum at a general meeting, or is that left undefined as well? If left undefined, then it would be a majority of your well over 300 members - possibly hard to reach.