Help Needed Asap!

[PrincessDaisy12]

Hello everybody,

My name is Erika and I have just been voted as the new president of our sorority for the 2005-2006 school year. Not even hour yet, and I already had my first problem. The problem is that not all the girls agreed with the results of the voting and new positions and they are requesting a re-vote. However, I have to go by school rules and asked to see what is it that i can do. I really want for everbody to get along and it doesnt seem to be going like it. Please help any advice will be greatly appreciated. thank you

[PsychTau2]

Congratulations on being voted in as President!!

There are a couple of ways to approach this. First of all, if you are a National or Regional organization, check and double check your constitution and bylaws for voting procedures. Make sure they were followed.

Second thing is to look at Robert's Rules of Order...usually if something isn't specified in your constitution, you should follow Roberts Rules. I do know that a vote can be "recalled" only by someone who votes on the PREVAILING side (the side who won). For example, if you had everyone vote YES or NO on the Wizard of Oz recruitment theme, and the YES vote wins, the only people who can ask for the vote to be redone is someone who actually voted YES for it the first time. (Otherwise, if you have one NO voter and they were allowed to recall the vote, you'd be voting all night long!). However, elections are not a clear cut Yes or No vote, so I'm not 100% sure on how to recall those.

I don't know what you mean by "I have to go by school rules"...does your university have a certain voting procedure you must follow?

Honestly, I'd also look into why some people want the revote. If procedures were followed and they're just mad about who won, I'm sorry but they will just have to use their coping skills to deal with the people in office. That's the thing about voting...majority rules (or 2/3rds...whatever your bylaws state is necessary to vote someone into office). We don't always get what we want, and this is a perfect learning opportunity for them.

That's all I can say without knowing more information. Hope this gives you some things to consider, and Good Luck!!

PsychTau

[PrincessDaisy12]

thank you so much. this really helps. i guess its just been so much for one very short day that i couldnt think clearly. but thank you again.

[Tom Earp]

Originally posted by PsychTau2
Congratulations on being voted in as President!!

There are a couple of ways to approach this. First of all, if you are a National or Regional organization, check and double check your constitution and bylaws for voting procedures. Make sure they were followed.

Second thing is to look at Robert's Rules of Order...usually if something isn't specified in your constitution, you should follow Roberts Rules. I do know that a vote can be "recalled" only by someone who votes on the PREVAILING side (the side who won). For example, if you had everyone vote YES or NO on the Wizard of Oz recruitment theme, and the YES vote wins, the only people who can ask for the vote to be redone is someone who actually voted YES for it the first time. (Otherwise, if you have one NO voter and they were allowed to recall the vote, you'd be voting all night long!). However, elections are not a clear cut Yes or No vote, so I'm not 100% sure on how to recall those.

I don't know what you mean by "I have to go by school rules"...does your university have a certain voting procedure you must follow?

Honestly, I'd also look into why some people want the revote. If procedures were followed and they're just mad about who won, I'm sorry but they will just have to use their coping skills to deal with the people in office. That's the thing about voting...majority rules (or 2/3rds...whatever your bylaws state is necessary to vote someone into office). We don't always get what we want, and this is a perfect learning opportunity for them.

That's all I can say without knowing more information. Hope this gives you some things to consider, and Good Luck!!

PsychTau

Not to be redundent, but more input would help.. I am sure YOu can PM either of us as opposed to put this up on GC.

I too am not sure what You mean about School Rules.

If, you are a National Group, Those are The first Rules You Must Follow. They will never be in conflict with School Rules and Regulations.

If You are a Member of a Local, then there are No Rules you must follow other than School Rules.

As far as not all agreeing to Your being voted in as President, the majority rules. It was, is today and will always be. As a Leader of any Organization, not everyone will be happy with Who Is Leader.

Make a stand that is right and You will never be wrong. Abuse the Power of the Office, the only ones You Hurt is Yourself, and Your Organization.

The Heart usually wins!

[ladygreek]

According to Robert's Rules an election becomes final when the results are stated, and the person accepts the office. At that point it is too late for a reconsideration.

[Buttonz]

Congrats and good luck!

[Kevin]

Here's the good news: Being Pres. is going to look great on your resume or application for your graduate program, so good job.

That's all the good news though!

Sometimes, as a leader, you must take a stand on certain issues. The membership has spoken, and the officers are who they are. I would recommend showing confidence in your memebers and in the vote that just occured. Its finality should not be questioned. It would be a nasty precedent for years to come.

Screw the constitution and bylaws at this point. You don't want to empower people that are going to be constantly questioning your leadership and standing in your way over the next year or so.

That said, don't be a hard ass about it, just take them individually aside and explain this diplomatically. This isn't the time to defer to rules and such, this is the time to show leadership and simply move forward.