Voting and Quorum
Counting a vote wrong is dangerous
Counting a vote wrong can land you in big trouble.
Read MoreTie vote fails
What happens when a vote is tied? Here are a few angles to this question.
Read MoreDon’t take a two-thirds vote by voice
When you have to take a two-thirds vote, take it by a show of hands. Don’t use voice, as in this video from Amherst, Massachusetts!
Read MoreUnanimous consent will slash your meeting time
Unanimous consent is one of the most useful tools in Robert’s Rules of order. Yet this method of voting is little known. Use it well, and your meetings will be much more efficient. Your members will also be grateful!
Read MoreDon’t try to count a voice vote
Sometimes after a voice vote that is not unanimous, we see an odd scenario. The chair or the clerk starts trying to figure out who voted for and who voted against.
Read MoreYou can’t vote by email
Several of our clients have been startled recently to learn that they can’t vote by email. Email is so ubiquitous and useful that it seems like a natural way to make decisions. For boards, it is not. The essential nature of a board of directors is to meet, discuss and decide affairs as a body.…
Read MoreRecording votes in meeting minutes
When deciding about recording votes in meeting minutes, first review any legal requirements in your state of incorporation. For instance, in California, public bodies must record how each board member cast her vote by name in the minutes. Those requirements may settle the matter for you. If your state doesn’t specify how to record the…
Read MorePublish your numbers when electing nonprofit officers
When it comes time for electing nonprofit officers, far too often we see announcements like this: “The election for president was held and Director Black was elected to the office.” This is a mistake! When you hold an election for office, BE SURE to include the numbers of votes cast for each individual in your…
Read MoreHow to call the vote at meetings
It’s interesting to see the many different ways people can call the vote at meetings. This is what Jurassic Parliament recommends: Call for those in favor: All those in favor, please say “aye.” [pause] Call for those against: All those opposed, please say “no.” [pause] Announce the result: The “ayes” have it, the motion…
Read MoreWhat is a quorum and why does it matter?
A friend recently described a board meeting when 20 members, who had driven or flown in from distant parts, sat around waiting because they couldn’t take action – they didn’t have a quorum. Eventually one straggler arrived and the meeting could begin. What is a quorum? A quorum is the minimum number of voting members…
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