Election of New Officers

[tomhedden]

There was some question during the June meeting about the process of filling offices for the remainder of the year. I am happy to report that all stipulations of our bylaws were followed and that the election of myself to the position of Chair and Greg O'Brien to the position of Vice Chair will stand up to procedural scrutiny.

From the bylaws:

"G. Decision-making
1. The Governing Committee will work for consensus concerning all matters that require a decision on behalf of the organization.
2. In the event that consensus is not being reached on any matter requiring a decision by the Governing Committee, any member of the Governing Committee may make a motion for a vote by the Governing Committee to decide that matter.
3. Any matter voted upon by the Governing Committee is to be resolved by a simple majority vote.
H. In the event of a vacancy in any office, the Governing Committee shall appoint a member to fill the un-expired term until the next general election.
I. In the case of a Governing Committee member taking an extended leave of absence, it is at the discretion of the Governing Committee to appoint a temporary replacement either to fill the unexpired term or to serve until the return of the elected Governing Committee member on leave."

While no mention of the exact size of a quorum is made in the bylaws, we did have seven members of the GC present and the vote was unanimous. That constitutes a majority of the GC in any case. Perhaps we should clarify the word "majority" at the next meeting. The question being: majority of members of the GC in attendance or a majority of the total number of members of the GC? We're covered either way but we should define this more clearly.

We tabled the decisions on naming a treasurer and the two assistant secretaries.

[tneigel]

Voting thoughts (its a two part thing):
1) One-third of the Board of Governers shall constitute a quorum. Its very important to have that list of active GC members to obtain the count. %50 is too high for the club at this time.

2) Once the meeting is officially started, its a majority of the GC vote of attending GC members that wins the vote.

Policy suggestion: The By-laws may be amended by a majority vote of all members of the GC present at any meeting of the Club, provided that a notice of the proposed amendment has been given in writing to GC one month in advance of the meeting.

Note from the bylaws:
I. In the case of a Governing Committee member taking an extended leave of absence, it is at the discretion of the Governing Committee to appoint a temporary replacement either to fill the unexpired term or to serve until the return of the elected Governing Committee member on leave."

---- The GC can pull from the membership to fill empty or void positions and should be doing so.
.

[tomhedden]

Good ideas, Tom. I suggest we officially present these at the July meeting for a vote in August. Thanks.

Regarding the filling of vacancies: I have spoken to Russ about this but I guess it should be common knowledge...

I very much want to fill his spot on the GC, but it's important that we don't just pick someone at hand who doesn't have the right credentials. I want to find a person with a strong conservation background. We will be only as strong as we are diverse and Russ' spot on the GC should be filled by a person who will fairly represent that community. All ideas and suggestions for whom that might be are STRONGLY encouraged.