Officer Vacancy

[ajwcnw]

We elected an officer in March and she accepted the position.  Prior to her installation, she resigned.  Our elections were complete and we don't have an officer. Under what authority can we disregard the fact that our Bylaws clearly state nominations take place in January and elections in March?  We are also part of a national organization and our National Bylaws speak as to how to handle vacancies on the National level. Can we rely on the National Bylaws to handle our vacancy?   Our local Bylaw don't reference our National Bylaws, but reference Robert's Rules of Order as deciding all Parliamentary procedure.  A member has already questioned under what authority can we reopen nominations to fulfill the position.  Any advice?

 

 

[Chris Harrison]

Depending on the circumstances you might have a vacancy or an incomplete election which are handled in different ways.  Do the bylaws specifically state that the person doesn't take office until they have been installed?  Or is the installation merely ceremonial and she actually took office upon being elected?

[Guest Edgar]

Isn't this already under discussion here?

[ajwcnw]

Are Bylaws are silent about when she actually took office. Our practice has been you don't take office until installed in June. 

[Josh Martin]

Under what authority can we disregard the fact that our Bylaws clearly state nominations take place in January and elections in March?

 

You don't need to disregard them (which is good, because you can't). When nominations and elections take place for regular elections has no effect on filling vacancies.

 

We are also part of a national organization and our National Bylaws speak as to how to handle vacancies. Can we rely on the National Bylaws to handle our vacancy?

 

Maybe, maybe not. You'll have to look closely at those bylaws to see if those provisions are meant to apply to constituent units or only to vacancies at the national level.

 

Our local Bylaw don't reference our National Bylaws, but reference Robert's Rules of Order as deciding all Parliamentary procedure.  

 

If your local bylaws are silent and the provision in the national bylaws doesn't apply, the vacancy may be filled at a meeting of the society, so long as previous notice is provided.

 

A member has already questioned under what authority can we reopen nominations to fulfill the position.

 

You're not reopening nominations. This is a new election to fill a vacancy.

 

Are Bylaws are silent about when she actually took office. Our practice has been you don't take office until installed in June. 

 

In this case, your officers take office immediately upon election. Your practice is in error and you should start following the correct practice. If you want officers to take office at a later date, that would need to be specifically stated in your bylaws.