Error by Voting Secretary --

[NWOHIO]

We recently had a Chorus Board meeting, chaired by me.  There were 8 voting members, plus me, the President.

 

I understand that I vote only in a tie - right?

 

anyhow, on 2 issues the vote was 4 yes,  3 no,  the secretary did not vote, in both cases, thinking that he did not want to cause a tie ( not knowing that I was the tie breaker )

 

so     in other words, the secretary did not know the voting rules, and influenced his non vote in both cases

 

if he had voted, it would have been 4 to 4 in both cases, after which I would have decided the tie

 

 

if an error like this is made in the voting, what can be done  -  if anything ?

 

none of us knew the secretary's reason for abstaining - but learned later ----

 

HELP ???

[Edgar Guest]

if an error like this is made in the voting, what can be done  -  if anything ?

 

There was no parliamentary error.

 

And, in such a small board, the chair is free to participate fully. See FAQ #1.

 

So all members could have voted. The fact that some didn't, for whatever reason (e.g. ignorance), is immaterial.

[Richard Brown]

We recently had a Chorus Board meeting, chaired by me.  There were 8 voting members, plus me, the President.

 

I understand that I vote only in a tie - right?

 

 

No, your understanding of when the chair can vote is not correct.

 

As Mr. Guest pointed out, under the "small board rules" in RONR, the chair participates just like all the other members.  He can make motions, participate in debate, and vote.

 

However, in a larger assembly of many members, using the "standard" rules in RONR. the chair may vote when the vote is by ballot or whenever his vote may affect the outcome.  So, the chair not only gets to vote to break a tie, he can vote to create a tie, since a tie vote causes a motion to fail.  He can also vote to make or break a two-thirds vote.

[NWOHIO]

I feel that I made an error in not guiding the meeting properly, and knowing the rules.

 

We had nine voting members, and the issue passed with a 4 vote.   How do I bring up

 

my error and have the issue reconsidered and voted on properly?

[Edgar Guest]

I feel that I made an error in not guiding the meeting properly, and knowing the rules.

 

Well, all members, and especially board members, should have a basic familiarity with the rules 

 

Get yourself a copy of RONR In Brief (and maybe "The Right Book" too, if you're so inclined).

 

You could make a motion to rescind the previously adopted motion. It's adoption will take a two-thirds vote, the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire membership (of the board), or, with previous notice, just a majority vote.

[Gary Novosielski]

I feel that I made an error in not guiding the meeting properly, and knowing the rules.

 

We had nine voting members, and the issue passed with a 4 vote.   How do I bring up

 

my error and have the issue reconsidered and voted on properly?

 

You did make an error, but nothing that was done rises to the level of a continuing breach, so your best bet is to learn from the experience and move on.  You would certainly be allowed to apologize, if you feel that's necessary.

 

If the members wish to change what was done, point out the correct motions (Rescind or Amend Something Previously Adopted) that they could use to accomplish that.