ummm no. I wouldn't appoint anyone unless it is stated you can do so in your by-laws. Seriously. Roberts Rules of Order advises a group to ask for nominations then an election at the following meeting. An interim is a great idea but NO I would not go with appointing someone, no matter how desparate you are! Why? It's a great way to have angry and resentful parents at your next meeting and I won't even start with what rumors this could create.
If you still can't find your by-laws and have more questions Roberts Rules of Order has a great website www.robertsrules.com
Even a nice forum!
You don't necessarily have to go through the election process again for a new secretary. Once the annual elections are over, the board should have the right to fill vacant positions as needed. If you find your bylaws, they should include information regarding elections and filling positions.
Anyway, I think according to the IRS, a "corporation" has to have a President, Secretary and Treasurer to be "legal." (I can't remember if it's an IRS thing or if I read it in my states Corporations Code).
Why not just have an interim Secretary so you can do the election properly? Let it be known at the upcoming meeting. Find a nominee or two between now and your next meeting and then vote at that or the following meeting. That might be your temporary secretary anyway. If you read a little bit on this bb, you'll see the problems sometimes created by appointing rather then electing officers.
Our secretary resigned this morning. Our meeting in on Thursday of next week. Should we make it known that we will be needing to elect a secretary before the meeting so that if someone wants to do it they will be sure and come to the meeting?
No one can find the bylaws. I am not even sure if there are any. That is a topic for our next board meeting.