Running unopposed

GammaDelt · #1 04-13-2009, 12:04 AM

Hello, hello.

Elections are tomorrow for my local sorority, and I am running for President again. The problem is is that no one else is running for President, which means I'd be running unopposed. Our constitution says that we're supposed to always have at least two people running for a position, but everyone has submitted what they'll be running for to me and no one has chosen President. I'm unsure what to do in this situation. I do not want to force someone to run if they don't want to because I would not want anyone to be stuck in a position of such responsibility if they hadn't wanted it in the first place.

Suggestions?

GammaDelt · #2 04-13-2009, 12:21 AM

Elections are tomorrow for my local sorority, and I am running for President again. The problem is is that no one else is running for President, which means I'd be running unopposed. Our constitution says that we're supposed to always have at least two people running for a position, but everyone has submitted what they'll be running for to me and no one has chosen President. I'm unsure what to do in this situation. I do not want to force someone to run if they don't want to because I would not want anyone to be stuck in a position of such responsibility if they hadn't wanted it in the first place.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Tips? Suggestions?

Kansas City · #3 04-13-2009, 09:17 AM

One post is sufficient for your question. There is no need to make seperate threads.

As posted in your other thread ...

What about nominations from the floor? If the applications were to be turned into you originally, I could see that perhaps someone would not want to openly oppose the sitting president but may accept a nomination from the floor. I personally do not see the DRAMA that you assume this creates. You are either unopposed through no fault of your own or you run against a nomination from the floor.

Senusret I · #4 04-13-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GammaDelt

Our constitution says that we're supposed to always have at least two people running for a position

This is a bad bylaw. It should be amended one day soon.

Kevin · #5 04-13-2009, 11:09 AM

As President, don't you have final say on interpreting your Constitution? Just interpret it to not be able to command someone to run for an office they don't want to win.

And then get rid of the rule.

DiamondAthena · #6 04-13-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senusret I

This is a bad bylaw. It should be amended one day soon.

I agree. And is this the first time since your founding that this has come up? If not, what has been done in the past?

33girl · #7 04-14-2009, 08:14 PM

First off - you should establish a nominations committee made up of people who don't hold offices. No one should have to state their intent to unseat someone to that person - AWKWARD. Search under "slate" and I think there's a thread about stuff like that.

Take nominations from the floor and like Kevin said, get rid of that bylaw.

violetpretty · #8 04-14-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

First off - you should establish a nominations committee made up of people who don't hold offices. No one should have to state their intent to unseat someone to that person - AWKWARD. Search under "slate" and I think there's a thread about stuff like that.

Take nominations from the floor and like Kevin said, get rid of that bylaw.

All solid advice, but I am having a hard time understanding why it would be awkward to give a letter of intent to run for president to the current president, unless two-term officers are common in your chapter.

33girl · #9 04-15-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by violetpretty

All solid advice, but I am having a hard time understanding why it would be awkward to give a letter of intent to run for president to the current president, unless two-term officers are common in your chapter.

It is fairly common if your chapter is smaller (which I think hers is).