I am so glad to read this. I am going to print it out and bring it to our board meeting. Our treasurer had to resign and our pres was going to appoint someone. It may take longer but I think we at least need to do a flyer or newsletter asking for volunteers.
We ended up having an election for secretary. There were two people interested in the position other than the parent demanding the election. Matter of fact, that parent hasn't been around school since this issue 2 months ago. We officially have a new secretary through the voting process. The secretary position was made public at our September meeting and the election took place during our October meeting. So far so good.
If your bylaws state that your board fills vacancies, them your board will not appoint but will have an election. Only board members vote and its done during a board meeting. Appointments are done by one person- usually the presiding officer.
Board members nominate persons for the office. All nominated candidates are then voted on and unless your bylaws state otherwise, the person with a majority wins.
There is no way I would allow this woman to bully your board into having this vacancy filled by a membership election. (I would not allow a straw poll either!)
Announce to the membership that there is a vacancy and anyone interested should speak to a board member and ask to be nominated for the job. Request that interested persons submit a resume or "letter of interest" listing qualifications.
Your board can discuss the pros and cons of each nominee and pick the best one in the privacy of a board meeting.
If you deviate from your bylaws in filling a vacancy, what other shortcuts will you be asked to make in the future?
Yup, MIDad is correct-- you need to follow your bylaws. Beyond that, appointing a person when there is more than one person interested in the job could be damaging to your group's reputation. When people are appointed it gives the impression that you are exclusive and a
clique.
.. and that reputation works against getting more parents involved. I'm sure that the last thing you want to happen. Before you hold the election, make sure you post the opening in a public forum too. Hope it turns out for the best. Let us know how it goes!
You really don't have an option here, unless your bylaws allow members to call for an election. If the bylaws say that vacancies are filled by appointment, then that's how you have to fill the vacancy.
But here's what I think I would do in your shoes: First, tell the mom who wants the election that it's important to follow the rules established in the bylaws, but that you also value input from the group, and you'll seek it at the next meeting. Before that meeting, brief the board on the plan so someone will at least second the motion you'll make. Then at the meeting, make a motion to seek advice from the membership about how to fill the vacancy. During discussion of the motion, you can explain to everyone present that the bylaws say the board fills vacancies, but you don't want to do that without input. If you want, you can say explicitly that the board won't be bound to follow the advice and could still appoint the person of their choice; I'd probably not say this, myself. If the motion passes, then you can say "OK, who thinks we should appoint Mom A" and get a show of hands, then "Who thinks we should appoint Mom B", then maybe "Is there anyone else you think we should consider?"
The downside of this approach is that the mom you don't want could get more support, and if you then appoint the other mom anyway, now you've made an enemy for sure. You'll probably make her an enemy anyway if you appoint the mom you want without going through this, so probably the downside is no worse either way -- and the upside potential is big: If the mom you want gets more support, you are golden.
