This topic contains 11 replies, has 10 voices, and was last updated by 
HamFam 7 years, 9 months ago.
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The Wisconsin Geocaching Association Board of Directors is proposing a change to the existing bylaws to clarify the method of filling seats on the Board of Directors that are vacated in the middle of a term. The current bylaws do not spell out how we should handle these situations except for a special election as the Board sees necessary. In the past, the Board has not seen a need to have a special election, and has either left these seats open, or has filled them in other ways. The current Board has decided that there should be a straight forward method established to fill the vacant seat as quickly and easily as possible. Therefore, the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Geocaching Association proposes that the current bylaws stating:
“Special elections to fill vacancies in the Board of Directors will be held as necessary. If a vacancy exists in the Board, an election process identical to the standard election process described above will be initiated.”
To:
In the event that a board member cannot complete their elected term, a replacement shall be found through means relevant to the amount of time remaining in the vacated term. All positions filled through these means shall be for the remainder of the term that was vacated.
If the board member resigns within the first nine months of their term, the position shall be offered to the candidates from the prior election who did not win a seat on the board, starting with the highest votes received. If none of the candidates accepts the position, a special election will be held to fill the vacated seat in the same manner as a general election.
If a board member resigns after nine months, and before the next general election, the board may operate, at its discretion, with only the remaining eight members until the position can be filled in the next general election. The vacated position will be filled by the candidate with the next highest votes after all positions are filled for the regularly ending two year terms. If the remaining board feels that they cannot operate efficiently with only eight members, the vacated position may be filled in the same manner as if the resignation happened within the first nine months of the term.
Vacated seats in the second year of the term will be addressed in the same manner as a resignation in the first year of the term with the exception that the board may operate with one vacant seat for up to six months prior to the general election, in so much as it does not affect business as usual.
All vacancies affecting the officers must be addressed immediately. If the President resigns, the position will be assumed by the Vice President for the remainder of the officer’s term. The Vice President position will then be filled by an at large board member through a majority vote by the board. If the Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer resigns, the position will be filled by an at large board member through a majority vote by the board for the remainder of the officer’s term. Replacement of an officer may be delayed until the board returns to nine members as long as the duties of the vacant officer are maintained by other officers and does not affect business as usual.This posting is notice to the membership that the Board is proposing a change to the current bylaws, and will remain open for comment for a period of no less than seven days. After this comment period, the Board will hold a vote as to whether or not to adopt this amendment.
My posts should in no way be considered as the views or opinions of the WGA or its Board of Directors. All posts made under my name are my personal opinions only.
I had to read it a few times…slowly. Turns out that the proposed bylaw is very well written and you had completely until the very last sentence. This one just baffled me. Assuming that an officer has resigned, how does the board get back to nine members if the replacement of the officer is delayed? Are you meaning to say that the “Replacement of an officer and returning the board to nine members may be delayed until the general election as long as the duties…” Steve
Looks complicated but makes sense. Keep in mind that any part of the By-Laws can be temporarily suspended by majority vote of the BODs, thus eliminating the need for amendments under special circumstances. Example: If there are 4 positions open for BOD seats and only 4 members are nominated, the rules can be suspended and the nominees elected by unanimous ballot. The same goes for any of the By-Laws as long as a majority vote by the elected BODs is reached. The BODs are elected to represent the best interests of the members. Personally, I trust you all with your duties!
Looks complicated but makes sense. Keep in mind that any part of the By-Laws can be temporarily suspended by majority vote of the BODs, thus eliminating the need for amendments under special circumstances. Example: If there are 4 positions open for BOD seats and only 4 members are nominated, the rules can be suspended and the nominees elected by unanimous ballot. The same goes for any of the By-Laws as long as a majority vote by the elected BODs is reached. The BODs are elected to represent the best interests of the members. Personally, I trust you all with your duties!
This version is less complicated than the previous that has not been made public. The best interests of the membership is always first. I have to give kudos to zeeman_clan for taking on this task. This wasn’t easy by any means and a lot of thought and discussion went into this. The BOD are not just glorified event planners as many of the past BOD know. We really want and need your input. This is all of our organization and want to do what’s best for the majority.
I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.
-Henry David Thoreau
I’m just curious about how the current vacancy will be filled. Will it be filled under the current bylaws/rules? Or will it be filled under whatever is put into place after the comment period? Again, just curious, and I think this will work just fine.
The buck stops here. . .and gets entered into Where's George.
Where's George? Stimulating the economy one EMS'ed dollar at a time.
I’m just curious about how the current vacancy will be filled. Will it be filled under the current bylaws/rules? Or will it be filled under whatever is put into place after the comment period? Again, just curious, and I think this will work just fine.
The current open vacancy will be filled under the new bylaw.
I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.
-Henry David Thoreau
I had to read it a few times…slowly. Turns out that the proposed bylaw is very well written and you had completely until the very last sentence. This one just baffled me. Assuming that an officer has resigned, how does the board get back to nine members if the replacement of the officer is delayed? Are you meaning to say that the “Replacement of an officer and returning the board to nine members may be delayed until the general election as long as the duties…” Steve
The officers are elected from the board, therefore immediately addressing the officer position would only provide the opportunity for the remaining five at large board members to serve in the officer position. The last sentence gives the board the option to delay selecting an officer so that the newly selected board member can be considered for the position.
My posts should in no way be considered as the views or opinions of the WGA or its Board of Directors. All posts made under my name are my personal opinions only.
Very well written, the last line did also confuse me until it was explained
The proposed amendment looks good to me. Addressing how to proceed with officer vacancies is a good addition, since it is not part of the current bylaws. Thanks for putting this together.
Once I took the time to read it carefully, the proposal seemed straightforward and covered various circumstances. It has if/then covered, and allows some board discretion as well. Thank you for clarifying this issue and opening it for member comments.
Looks good to me. Thanks for all you do 🙂
Oconto...the birthplace of western civilization:)
Sounds good to me.
The views expressed here are that of myself only and do not necessarily represent that of the WGA board.
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