Phil B - All your insights are fantastic, keep up the good work. Here is a joke for you about s/he :
"A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any invention in human history - with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila. "(Mitch Ratliffe)
I am sorry - I have been off line the last week and didn't see your post until now.
Whatever happened, I hope it works out for your PTO.
I agree with what Critter said - the requirements for the position seem restrictive. Better that a person be eligible to be on the board if they have served on a committee first (any committee - any capacity - this allows volunters to participate but keeps newbies out). But changing the rules is another fight on another day.
A vote does not need to be by secret written ballot. If the position in unopposed the chair could ask for a voice vote or a show of hands. (Or a motion for unanimous consent with any objecting means a vote anyway.) By the rules you described, if more than 1/3 object to the person serving in the position then the person is not elected. It then gets squirrily (sp?) about how to proceed if your by-laws are silent. I suppose you could ask for niminations again - maybe someone would change their mind. If not, it seems a waste to keep voting where the one nominee can't reach the threshold. Critter knows RRO well - I take him at his word that the next officer in line take the position (assuming they are willing) and the vacant position is voted.
Obviously if you can draft an eligible person to run then the most votes would win.
Your note said you were meeting last week for "pre-election planning". Does that mean the election is still to be held in a few more days/weeks? What did you end up deciding last week?
I ran unopposed as President of our PTO. I still had to be put on the ballot and voted in just like anyone else. "Vote" into office means just that. You MUST be voted in.
If your bylaws state that all officers must be voted in then they must be put on the ballot and presented at the general meeting wheter they have an opponent or not. The members have the right to vote yes or no.
