We have both elected and appointed positions.
The board is elected, committee chairs are appointed. Only those that were elected by the general membership have voting rights at the board meetings.
My thoughts on this are...The board is a representative group chosen by the general membership to make decisions. Appointed positions were NOT chosen by the general membership and should not have the opportunity to "represent" the general membership by voting at board meetings.
All members have the right to vote at a general meeting whether they hold an office or not.
Let me add, that per the bylaws the Board includes chairs of the standing committees and gives the Board the power to add additional positions. At the first meeting of the year, we also add chairs of the ad hoc committees. (And the grade reps may not be in our bylaws. If not, they are in that vote also.)
Our Executive Board is a large one with everyone having a vote (except maybe Past President). It consists of the 5 elected officers, 4 school reps, all committee chairs, and a parent rep from each grade.
We count everything as a committee (i.e., volunteer coordinator). It may usually be a "committee" of one, but some years they have other people also. That position/chair would have a vote.
Since virtually all decisions are made by the Board, we deliberately want to have a large, representative group.
We hold general meetings twice a year (beginning to approve the budget, April/May to elect officers) and the monthly Board (or "business") meetings are open if anyone wants to attend.
My own opinion is that the more power the Board has, the larger it needs to be. No matter how well intended, you shouldn't have 3 or 4 people making all the decisions.
Our officers are elected by nomination committee. The chairpersons are appointed or volunteer. All are board members and have voting rights unless their are co-chairs then only one of the co-chairs can vote.
Our Executives are elected. They consist of 2 Co Presidents, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary. The other committee members are appointed by the Co Presidents. All dues paying members of our membership are allowed voting rights.
