Election Decorum

[Guest mgw]

In our organization the current procedure for elections is the standing board elects new officers annually and to have a nominating chair run's it. If two or more people are running for the same seat, they send those individuals out of the room so that open disucssion about the candidates can take place before the vote. My question is, should this nominating chair speak out in favor or against a candidate? Should the organizations president? Just wondering if anyone has some insight to this issue.

Thanks so much

[Chris Harrison]

In our organization the current procedure for elections is the standing board elects new officers annually and to have a nominating chair run's it. If two or more people are running for the same seat, they send those individuals out of the room so that open disucssion about the candidates can take place before the vote. My question is, should this nominating chair speak out in favor or against a candidate? Should the organizations president? Just wondering if anyone has some insight to this issue.

Thanks so much

First, you should not have the nomination committee chair presiding over the election because it "violates numerous principles of parliamentary law relating to the chair's appearance of impartiality and the inappropriateness of his entering into debate, not to speak of the regular presiding officer's duty to preside (see pp. 432-36)." (RONR p. 437). Next, you cannot force a member to leave the room unless they are subject to disciplinary action (RONR p. 625). Finally, the President (who should be the proper person presiding not the nominating committee chair) should remain impartial unless the Board has about a dozen members or less present in which case the President can participate fully (RONR p. 471).

[Guest mgw]

First, you should not have the nomination committee chair presiding over the election because it "violates numerous principles of parliamentary law relating to the chair's appearance of impartiality and the inappropriateness of his entering into debate, not to speak of the regular presiding officer's duty to preside (see pp. 432-36)." (RONR p. 437). Next, you cannot force a member to leave the room unless they are subject to disciplinary action (RONR p. 625). Finally, the President (who should be the proper person presiding not the nominating committee chair) should remain impartial unless the Board has about a dozen members or less present in which case the President can participate fully (RONR p. 471).

[Guest mgw]

Thank you so much for your quick reply. Many of us concerend about many aspects of our procedure. Again, thanks

[Guest mgw]

This is along the lines of what some of us thought. Its great ot get your input.