No nominee for board position

[dpmiller]

Our bylaws require a board composition that must include an individual who holds a specific professional credential. Oour nominating committee has not be able to find an individual who holds this credential who is willing to accept the nomination to the board. We will ask for nominations from the floor, but what should we do if have no nominee for this position on the board? If we don't fill the position, we will be in violation of our bylaws.

[hmtcastle]

If we don't fill the position, we will be in violation of our bylaws.

Well, vacancies occur all the time (resignation, death, etc.) so it's the sort of "violation" that can be tolerated for a time.

Depending on the language in your bylaws, the current officer may remain in office "until his successor is elected" or you may have a vacancy until you can elect someone who will accept the office.

Or you can amend the bylaws to either relax the requirements or eliminate the position altogether.

[Chris Harrison]

Keep looking until you find someone. Have you tried contacting any Associations, Unions, or whatnot of this particular professional credential to see if they can help you find someone?

[Rob Elsman]

Our bylaws require a board composition that must include an individual who holds a specific professional credential. Oour nominating committee has not be able to find an individual who holds this credential who is willing to accept the nomination to the board. We will ask for nominations from the floor, but what should we do if have no nominee for this position on the board? If we don't fill the position, we will be in violation of our bylaws.

If there are no nominations, the election should proceed at the scheduled time using blank ballots upon which the members should write in their choice. Multiple rounds of balloting will likely be required. There is a winner when one person who is eligible for the office receives a majority vote.

[David A Foulkes]

If there are no nominations, the election should proceed at the scheduled time using blank ballots upon which the members should write in their choice. Multiple rounds of balloting will likely be required. There is a winner when one person who is eligible for the office receives a majority vote.

The problem here being that they do have eligible members but they don't want the job. So if they decline the office, they're back to an incomplete election. It sounds like a bit of a stalemate unless they can convince some qualified candidate to step up and accept.

[hmtcastle]

It sounds like a bit of a stalemate unless they can convince some qualified candidate to step up and accept.

Except that the qualifications are not carved in stone.

If the rules you've adopted aren't working, change the rules. Don't wring your hands.

[Rob Elsman]

The problem here being that they do have eligible members but they don't want the job. So if they decline the office, they're back to an incomplete election. It sounds like a bit of a stalemate unless they can convince some qualified candidate to step up and accept.

Nothing in the facts given prevents the society from electing a non-member who possesses the necessary certification or whatever.

[hmtcastle]

Nothing in the facts given prevents the society from electing a non-member who possesses the necessary certification or whatever.

But no one who's qualified wants the job.

So it's time to change the qualifications.

Or eliminate the job.

[Guest Diane Miller]

Thank you so much for all of your comments. This forum really has helpful responses.