voting

Significant Changes to Washington Nonprofit Corporation Law

By Ann Macfarlane / May 12, 2022 /

Guest article by Matthew J. Schafer, PRP Many organizations are incorporated in Washington State under the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act. (This article will refer to this law as “the Act”.) During the 2021 session, the legislature repealed the existing Act and replaced it with a new one. These are some of the most important changes…

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When asked to vote, director does nothing

By Ann Macfarlane / August 23, 2021 / Comments Off on When asked to vote, director does nothing

Dear Dinosaur:  When calling for the vote with our 3-person county board, two directors vote “aye” and the third director does not vote. The director doesn’t vote aye, nay or with an abstention when asked. Just simply, no action. How is that vote then recorded? Answer: Under Robert’s Rules of Order, “to abstain” is to…

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Can director take back his vote?

By Ann Macfarlane / July 8, 2021 / Comments Off on Can director take back his vote?

Dear Dinosaur: Our board voted to eject a member from our social club. The next week, one of the directors changed his mind and said he wanted to take back his vote. Can he do this? Answer: No, once a vote has been taken, the chair has announced the result, and the board has gone…

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Unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting

By Ann Macfarlane / June 23, 2021 /

One of the useful techniques to add to your voting toolkit is “unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting.” If allowed by state law, you can use this approach when it’s not feasible to hold a live board meeting. In order to do this, prepare a written motion proposing the action that you would…

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Mischievous troublemaker vs. pedantic stickler

By Ann Macfarlane / June 18, 2021 / Comments Off on Mischievous troublemaker vs. pedantic stickler

Dear Dinosaur: At our church council meetings, the chair calls for the vote by saying, “All those in favor, please raise your right hand.” One of our members raises his left hand, upon which the chair refuses to count his vote. Is this correct? Answer: It seems as if your chair is a pedantic stickler…

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Can committees take official votes? Is a “straw poll” allowed?

By Ann Macfarlane / June 4, 2021 /

Dear Dinosaur: A secretary forwarded a board member’s question: “I have always been told that we could not take an official vote in committee. Can you find anything about this?” This came up in a governance committee where members were “voting” to move a policy change to the whole board for vote. Is this straw…

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Can member explain vote against consent agenda?

By Ann Macfarlane / March 29, 2021 / Comments Off on Can member explain vote against consent agenda?

Dear Dinosaur:  During our consent agenda vote, we have a board member who often votes nay. After their vote, they always feel the need to interrupt our process to give an explanation as to why they voted against the agenda Item. My question is, does a board member have a right to explain their vote…

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When and how can you change your vote?

By Ann Macfarlane / March 16, 2021 / Comments Off on When and how can you change your vote?

A reader contacted us with some concern because a member of her local government body had changed their vote in order to be able to move reconsideration at the next meeting. Was this legitimate? A note about “reconsideration” First off, readers should know that ordinarily, the motion “to reconsider” can be made only during the…

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Only one vote – does the motion pass?

By Ann Macfarlane / January 29, 2021 / Comments Off on Only one vote – does the motion pass?

Dear Dinosaur:  A motion was made by one board member. After discussion, the other board members did not feel adequately informed about the issue at hand to cast an educated vote. The board member who made the motion insisted on a vote. The vote was taken and resulted in one yes vote with 4 abstaining…

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Can we vote on 10 ordinances at once?

By Ann Macfarlane / January 19, 2021 / Comments Off on Can we vote on 10 ordinances at once?

Dear Dinosaur:  We have 10 ordinances on tonight’s agenda for pay increases for all Village employees.  Each ordinance covers a department. After they discuss each piece and nothing has to be revised or discussed further, can they vote all ten ordinances in one vote, rather than voting on each one individually? Answer: From a Robert’s…

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