Appointed chair running for elected position

[Guest bryanblunt]

I am currently the appointed chair for a group that will be running an election soon. The position is intended to be one of a neutral arbiter, which I have been. I would like to run for one of the executive positions in our group. There are nothing in our by-laws that says I as chair can not do so. I can't find anything in Robert's Rules, which we follow to the extent that it does not conflict with our by-laws, that says I can not run for an elected position. I believe I can run, I just want to make sure that everything is above board.

[Josh Martin]

1 minute ago, Guest bryanblunt said:

I am currently the appointed chair for a group that will be running an election soon. The position is intended to be one of a neutral arbiter, which I have been. I would like to run for one of the executive positions in our group. There are nothing in our by-laws that says I as chair can not do so. I can't find anything in Robert's Rules, which we follow to the extent that it does not conflict with our by-laws, that says I can not run for an elected position. I believe I can run, I just want to make sure that everything is above board.

Nothing in RONR would prevent it.

[Guest Zev]

Members of the nominating committee are not barred from becoming nominees for office themselves. To make such a requirement would mean, first, that service on the nominating committee carried a penalty by depriving its members of one of their privileges; and second, that appointment or election to the nominating committee could be used to prevent a member from becoming a nominee. (RONR 12th ed., 46:12)

The question is a similar situation to the one in the text. Besides, individuals run for reelection all the time. So what is the problem? If you have something to contribute to this group then throw your hat in the ring and at election time in debate state your vision for the future with confidence. Good luck.