want my dissenting vote on record

[Guest Mary Wiebe]

On the church board I sit on, we usually vote by raised hand, and record the motion as carried (or not carried).  On a particularly large expenditure motion, I voted no and I would like my name to be recorded as such.  Is there any rule that would allow my name and vote to be recorded by the secretary in the minutes of that meeting?  Yes, the minutes get published.  If anyone of the parishioners question why the board approved such a large expense, I would like my dissent to be on record.

[Edgar Guest]

Is there any rule that would allow my name and vote to be recorded by the secretary in the minutes of that meeting?

 

The rule is that it's up to the assembly whether to grant your request. You could have requested a roll-call vote (which would record how every member voted) but that's up to the assembly as well.

[Richard Brown]

You don't have the right to have your vote recorded, but you can ask that it be.  You can do that at the time of the vote or when the minutes are up for approval at the next meeting.  Having one member's vote recorded is not customary, but there are legitimate reasons for doing it on occasion.  I suggest you do it like this:  "If there is no objection, I ask that my no vote (or my dissenting vote) be noted in the minutes".   If there is objection, you would have to actually make a motion that your vote be noted in the minutes.  It takes a majority vote to approve the request. 

 

If you wait until the minutes are up for approval, you would do it the same way:  State, "I would like for the minutes to reflect that I voted no (or dissented....your choice) on the motion to xxxxxxx."   If there is objection, then make a formal motion that the minutes reflect your vote.  Again, it takes a majority vote.

 

Next time this happens, you can also do as Mr. Guest suggested and move for a roll call vote.  That can be done by unanimous consent without objection, or, if there is an objection, by a motion to take the vote by roll call.  Again, it takes a majority vote to approve that request (motion). 

 

Edited to add:  If you ever ask for a roll call vote, your might explain your reason by stating that as a board of directors, your are representatives of the general membership and that as such, they have a right to know how you voted on controversial issues.  But, saying that could also hurt your case, depending on the circumstances! 

[Rev Ed]

From a parliamentary standpoint, you have no right no request that your dissenting vote be recorded unless the vote is by roll call. 

 

However, there is no practical reason to deny your request.  But if it is, you can always write a letter, addressed to the Board, that states that you voted no and why.

[Richard Brown]

I think she has a right to request that her vote be recorded.  Whether the board wants to grant it is a different matter and it's up to the board.   Louisiana corporation law even specifies at least one instance where a director may have his dissenting vote noted in the minutes.  I believe the laws of several other states do the same.  I have found that such a request is not that unusual. 

 

I do agree that if the board denies her request, she can write a letter to the board and ask that it be made a part of the records.

[J. J.]

I agree with Richard.  The member may make a Request of the body to have how she voted recorded in the minutes (p. 299).  Such a request may, in some cases, be made as a Question of Privilege (pp. 224 ff.).

 

There was an article written on this very issue in the 4th Quarter 2000 National Parliamentarian, titled "On the Record." 

[Guest Mary Wiebe]

Thank you all for your wisdom.  I will request to have how I voted recorded in the minutes, and if need be, I will write a letter to the board.  Thank you one and all.

 

[Guest Nancy N.]

Thank you all for your wisdom.  I will request to have how I voted recorded in the minutes, and if need be, I will write a letter to the board.  Thank you one and all.

 

Mind you, Ms. Wiebe, this request gets voted on (or granted by unanimous consent) by the assembly.  And my two cents, what writing a letter accomplishes is your practicing neat handwriting, or typing.  If anything is to result from your writing your letter, it would be action by the board -- the same as if the board granted your request in the first place.