But if they show up and pay their dues, then they are members, even if only for 20 minutes before they vote. (Your group went out and recruited them, and they became members.)

IMO, that is what should be addressed in your bylaws. Perhaps you should have to be a member for a short time (10 days) in order to vote. Or maybe you print a list of eligible voters at noon on the meeting date (or some other 'closing time'), and anyone not on the list is not eligible until the next meeting. This would prevent a 'hostile takeover' of any issue that you need to vote on, at least at the last minute.


Any member-driven organization is subject to this sort of thing. That is what the votes are for. If there is something that a lot of the members want, they are supposed to use the meetings to convey that and try and get the group to act.

Again, I wish my group could get that interested in anything, especially our elections.

BTW, we take nominations from the floor the month before the election. Nominations are not allowed after that meeting. My feeling is that if you want to be an officer, you should be organized enough to follow the process.

We had already welcomed 5th grade parents at the elementary schools to come to our May meeting. We have been attending parent meetings, and graduation events of children who will be attending our school next year. We also asked if any would be interested in and office or committee position. It was also thought that new members would sign up and pay dues on the night of the vote; therefore, they would be members after they signed on. The person who would be stacking the vote would just show up, pay dues, and bring an entourage to do the same and vote them in as Pres. We would like to avoid this type of scenario. Guess I need more feedback on what works in preventing this type of action. Thanks CapeDad but I don't think I was clear enough as the members are not a part of this and are not unseating anyone. It consists mostly of soon to be members.

Originally posted by <PTOpatriot>:
How do you all handle nominees that are parents of students that will attend your school next year? Do you send announcements to the elementary schools about the election and office positions? Also, with the scenario about the candidate who was nominated from the floor at and brought a bunch of people to ensure winning the vote...how do you prevent that from happening?

On the first question, at our school, someone not already a registered member can't run, so someone who was planning on coming to our school next year would have to really be into jump in as an officer. They'd have to register with our PTO and then make it to the nomination meeting abd get someone to nominate or second their nomination. Not impossible, but not something were likely to ever see. (The info needed is all in our bylaws, which is public information.)

As far as someone coming in and stacking the vote, if they are members, no matter what the procedures are, if there is a vote, they can do it. I wish there was enough organization among members at my school to rally to unseat me.

I'd love to just chair something.

How do you all handle nominees that are parents of students that will attend your school next year? Do you send announcements to the elementary schools about the election and office positions? Also, with the scenario about the candidate who was nominated from the floor at and brought a bunch of people to ensure winning the vote...how do you prevent that from happening? Is the only way by amending your bylaws to state that nominations from the floor will not be taken and a deadline prior to the election must be made? I hate to see elections manipulated in this way but guess we better be safe that sorry and want to protect our integrity. Thanks.
PTOpatriot

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm going ahead as planned this year and not accepting nominations after our cut-off date in order to get the slate of candidates out in time. If we do run into any problems, we can ammend our bylaws with the new PTO board. Maybe it would be best to be more specific about nominations from the floor but I say we only ammend bylaws if this election gets ugly. So far it's going OK but I just wanted to be ready, just in case!
We really need to get the elections done right and on time. The current board wasn't elected until after school started so we were off to a very late start and already behind! The year before (our 1st at this school) was the same way. I have been Pres. both years and was VP at my old school (we combined 2 schools) so the last 2 years, I kind of played all positions until elections. Don't wanna do that again!!!
I'm stepping down next year, but only to be VP again. Every year I say that's it but I get sucked back in.
Oh well, I gotta admit I love everything that I do. It's really addictive. We need a PTO annoymous for those of us who need a break but can't handle the seperation!!

It seems like anyone with a copy of Robert's Rules declares themselves a 'parliamentary authority'. Bylaws can't possibly list all of the things you're NOT supposed to do. Your bylaws are clearly specific about what you ARE supposed to do. So, unless they're ammended, you follow them as is. Like Serendipity says,

You need to go by your bylaws and if you are not happy with the wording in this area then you can ammend it for next year. You are a new school and PTO so you will live and learn as to what works best and what if any changes you need.

I agree with Sandbagged. Allowing nominations up to the vote leaves the door wide open for just the kind of thing that happened at her school.