Our group typically runs with a single slate. There's never been a problem. We find room for anyone wanting to serve. However, should multiple people want the same job, we would certainly hold traditional elections. Our bylaws contain a clause that would prevent a situation like you describe:
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Section 10
Nominations for elected officers may be made from the floor at the election meeting provided each nominee has registered with the chairperson of the nominating committee at least five days prior to the election meeting. His/her name must then be placed in nomination from the floor at the election meeting. No unregistered nominations may be made from the floor at the election meeting.
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So the person would need to at least declare an interest by registering 5 days in advance.
If we had someone back out at the last minute, we'd probably do one of two things. (Assuming we had a person willing to step in at the last minute.)
1) Hold a special election later.
2) Leave it empty, but tell the General Meeting attendees the situation, identify the replacement candidate, say if anyone else wants the office to let the board know, and that the Board will be voting in a replacement at the next meeting.
(We'd most likely take action #2.)
Our bylaws language that applies is:
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Section 11
If an office remains unfilled after the election, it shall be considered a vacant office to be filled by a person elected by a majority vote of the new Executive Board, all members of the new Executive Board having been notified.
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Hi ABC12345,
I'm interested in finding out what kind of officer structure your group has as well as who is on the "Board".
As for not following the bylaws, who is running your meetings, the principal?
As a nonprofit (I take that as being an IRS designated nonprofit group) you're required to operate by your bylaws as well as provide the IRS info on any changes you make to your bylaws in order to KEEP your nonprofit status.
Sounds like far reaching issues for your group.
Jon
Last year - our principal hand picked the PTO Board and it has been a year of no information for parents. Last night I was thinking who as parents do we approach when things are not ran by the BY-LAWS. It was a disaster last year parents were unhappy of the way it was set-up. I look forward to seeing what other PTO'ers have to say on this issue. None of the officers have come through on their board duties hardly at all. It seems that everything has just been thrown together.
A few members of our PTO are concerned about a past election issue and are trying to draft a Bylaw ammendment to avoid a similar situation. I'd like outsiders' perspective. Here is the issue: A group of members had announced their intention to run for each office, almost like a slate. The night of elections, a whole new group of members stepped forward to oppose the slate. The first group was upset because they had not encouraged their friends to come vote, since they thought they were running unopposed. The second group said they had finally decided late in the game to provide an alternative slate, and they weren't purposefully trying to skew the vote. Anyway, the second group won.
Ok, here's the bottom line: some people want to close nominations a week before elections so there won't be any "surprises". But...that means no nominations from the floor, no nominations if the candidate withdraws after the deadline, and no write in candidates the night of the election. The proponents say that people who want to be officers should know a week in advance. If they make up their minds at the last minute, they aren't really committed. Advocates for the other side say we are taking away the right of a member to place herself in nomination if she finally gets up the nerve or encouragement to do so, even if it's the night of the election. And if the slate is frozen one week early, what incentive do members have to come and actually vote?
Have any of you addressed this issue? I'd love some advice since we are entering election season soon.
