I called the Council President and had a nice conversation with her about what's going on. I told her about my concerns and how things happened last year and what happened with the updating of by-laws this year etc. I told her about how I wanted the position last year and didn't take it because the old president felt that the transition of a new principal would be too traumatic and she should stay on for her 6th term!!!
I bowed out gracefully to not be the bad guy and I told the coucil president that too. I told her about how the nominations went last year and that there was no vote at a meeting.
She's going to call our president and talk to her about it. So now I'm really on the s**t list. I'm sure that she will try to sabotage it all and get me ousted for good if she has her way. I'm hoping the nominating committee won't be biased and not consider me just because I upset the president.
I'll let you know what happens. I'm just glad that I was able to vent to someone like the coucil president who can at least help me.
First of all, you need those by-laws. I was Secretary last year and went almost all year without them. I ended up Pres this year only to find out that 99% of the by laws weren't being followed. We limit our terms just for the reason that we don't want someone being Pres 6 years in a row. I agree that it is crazy that the nominating committee decides who gets the position, that's why the membership is voting!
We have a nominating committee consisting of five people. These people create the "proposed" slate for the following year's officers. After they've created the slate, it MUST be voted on by the General Membership at the meeting in the spring. This allows for an open nomination from the floor. Although it has never happened, in the event of a floor nomination, it would go to a closed ballot vote. **make sure that each of your members is carrying their membership cards--we need to show our card as proof of membership**I hope this helps, and good luck!!!
There are plenty of us who have a problem with the way things are, but all this time no one has had the gutts to speak out or question until I came along and took the bull by the horns.
So now I am looking like the bad guy enemy here to stir the pretty pot. I don't want to make things so dramatic, but in the same token, things need to be done and held accountable to the proper procedures.
There was no Board vote on the by-laws, it was done by the by-laws committee only. Otherwise I would have known about it. If I ask for a copy of the new ones I'll get a run-around. So I am going to contact our Council President and have a discussion...at length...I'm sure to discuss ALL of this.
Last year at nomination time, there were two of us who were nominated for Secretary. I received 14 nominations and the other woman received 6. The nominating committee offered me the position. I was there. I was part of the nominating committee and was told THIS is how it's done. So I went with it. I wasn't on the board at the time, obviously, so I trusted the nominating board member. So I was nominated in, it was never put to the membership that two of us had been nominated. I guess that was totally wrong then huh?
In that case, I was also nominated for VP last year and so was someone else. We both had high numbers of nominations but they gave it to her because she was secretary and got preference. No vote. I guess they thought they were making me happy and shutting me up by giving me the Secretary position and I wouldn't question anything. I didn't and they were happy.
I feel terrible now. I have a knot in my stomach because things like this bother me to no end until it gets fixed properly. No one should have the right to monopolize the organization to fit their wants. Here I Go!!! Thanks again. Keep posting for me. I need this.
unless there are two people nominated for the same position. In that case, THEY have discretion over who gets the position.
There is no election after that. It's the nominating committee and their discretion.
OMG there is no vote by your general membership! That is the craziest thing I ever heard of!!!!
Now I would really want to see the bylaws!
That is putting all the power in the hands of 3 people. If you get to be the prez change that and make it a vote by your general membership.
Was there a vote held on the new bylaws as it was supposed to be done? If not they are in violation of their own bylaws. I would call the president and ask for a copy at once. Is it just you that has a problem with all of this or are there others who also take issue with the way they are doing things?
Serendipity,
Thank you SO SO much for that. I will tell people that I am interested and if they don't have anyone in mind for the position, they can nominate me.
I also do NOT have a copy of the by-laws since I started with this board as Secretary. Even the VP says she doesn't have them and she's been there 2 years. That's just obsurde if you ask me. I would get a copy to each member as soon as they take on a board position.
The President cannot be nominated because she's been the president for 6 years now. I don't know if anyone else is interested in the position because no one has told me so.
As far as our nominating committee. What they do is take the nominations that are sent in, count them up and make the board right then and there unless there are two people nominated for the same position. In that case, THEY have discretion over who gets the position.
There is no election after that. It's the nominating committee and their discretion. And the nominating committee was hand picked ahead of time. That's why I almost feel sabotaged. But I think it's just paranoia! LOL.
I feel better that I can at least express to people that I want the position. I feel confident that I have been in good standing for 3 years now as a member and board member. I'm ready. Bring it on!
Also our By-Laws were up for renewal and there was a committee for that as well. I was told that I'd get a copy of the by-laws because we all had to vote on the updated ones. I never got a copy and it was announced last night that they were done, dated, and sent in. I was hoping to be more involved in that process because there may have been some things on there we could have changed since they are old. Oh well. Thanks again.
