State President Lied to Membership

[Guest Eddie]

At our recent annual meeting, one of the topics of our association involved hiring a company versus hiring from within our association (we are all volunteers).  One of the applicants, a member who is fully qualified, has held state officer and chair positions, was not hired in favor of this company.  At the end of the meeting, many questions were asked about why the member was not hired and the president said that member was not available.  That is simply not the truth as the member that applied is retired with a home office.  The president wanted to hire the company because her friend works there.  After much discussion, a vote was taken (a very close vote) and the president accepted the voice vote rather than doing a standing count because the company was hired.  How do we address the lies told by the president?  Thanks.

[Edgar Guest]

How do we address the lies told by the president?  Thanks.

 

See FAQ #20.

 

Depending on whether a contract was signed, you may be able to fire the company and hire the member. But that's a legal question.

[Josh Martin]

At our recent annual meeting, one of the topics of our association involved hiring a company versus hiring from within our association (we are all volunteers). One of the applicants, a member who is fully qualified, has held state officer and chair positions, was not hired in favor of this company. At the end of the meeting, many questions were asked about why the member was not hired and the president said that member was not available. That is simply not the truth as the member that applied is retired with a home office. The president wanted to hire the company because her friend works there. After much discussion, a vote was taken (a very close vote) and the president accepted the voice vote rather than doing a standing count because the company was hired. How do we address the lies told by the president? Thanks.

This is a very delicate situation and these are very serious accusations. If you wish to pursue this, see FAQ #20 and Ch. XX of RONR. Review those rules and any rules in your bylaws pertaining to discipline very carefully before proceeding.

For future reference, if a voice vote is close and the chair fails to take a rising vote on his own initiative, any member may demand a rising vote by calling for a Division of the Assembly.

[Gary Novosielski]

Well, you could have demanded a Division of the Assembly if you doubted the result of the voice vote.  Since you didn't, the vote stands as announced by the chair.

 

"Whenever a member doubts the result of a voice (viva-voce) vote or a vote by show of hands—either because the result appears close or because he doubts that a representative number of the members present have voted—he can call for a Division of the Assembly, thereby requiring the vote to be taken again by rising."  [RONR §29]

 

Too late to do anything about it now.  Next time, keep that in mind.  

 

As for calling people liars, or claiming to know their inner motivation for their position, you need to calm down a notch, or you will find yourself on the wrong side of the rules.  Since "much discussion was held" there was presumably ample opportunity to correct the mistaken belief of the president.  If debate wasn't enough to sway the majority of voters, then there's nothing left to address.

 

Democracy does not mean we always get our way.