Greenbelt cooperator. (Greenbelt, Md.) 1937-1954, 1941-01-02
On Choosing A New President

Monday evening the Citizens Association meets to
choose new president and get under way fo- the
coming year. The bylaws of the Association provide
that vacancies shall be filled by the Executive Com
mittee but since this vacancy is in the office of
president and occurred at the very beginning of the
term the Executive Comni ttee wisely decided to
the matter to the membership. 1t has been sug-
gested that the rules bylaws be suspended to al
low the Association to do this. The bylaws provide
that the rules of procedure contained in Roberts
Rules of Order shall the Association in all
which they apply and where they consistent
with the bylaws. An examination of the bylaws
reveals provision for the suspension of the
rules. According to Roberts Rules, motion is in
order that conflicts with the laws of the nation,
or state, with the Assembly's constitution by
laws and if such motion is adopted, even by
unanimous vote, it is null and void.
Neither the bylaws be amended, a full
meetings. notice is required to do that, and
unanimous vote be null ana void such rule
ext for the protection of absentees. The Execu-
tive Comm ttee, however, is subject to the will of
the parent authority, the Association and the Asso
citation may direct the Executive Committee to name
president the person elected Monday night.
Care should be taken in the selection of presi-
dent that he be person who has demonstrated his
ability and willingness to devote himself to the
affairs of the Associ The Association adopted
a resolution at the October meeting requesting
declaration from each candidate that he would
if elected. The resigned president gave such
assent and his resignation at the very next meeting
most reprehensible Quoting from Roberts Rules
"There is something in the nature of a contract
between society and its officers which either
must be done with reasonable consideration for the
other party. secretary, for instance, has
right to refuse to perform his duties the ground
that he has handed in his resignation. On, the
other hand, the society cannot compel him to
tinue in office beyond reasonable time to allow
for choosing his SUCCESSOR"
An examination Of the bylaws Of the association
shows a arting need for revision. To but
few changes needed; nc prov for special
COMM ttees, for removal from office for cause,
nor are the duties of all the officers defined,
There is much Equity and need for clari
Thrown all into one body of bylaws are what are
properly separable consti tuition, bylaws stand
ing rules, and rules of order.
Every person who expects to take an active part
in any deliberative society should arize him
self with at least the fundamentals Of parli amenta
Law. The Officers, by all means, should, read the
sections relevant to their duties In the Associa-
t1on too often there has been fumbling, indecor,m
delays, lack of uniformity and rash action viii oh
could all have been avoided if only some elementary
procedure had been followed. In any democratic as
seno1y, there must be rules for the protection of
mnor1t1es and absentees, we'll respect for the
Judgment Of the majority. 1t is not what the rule
Is, out that there be rule, that there may be
uniformity OF proceeding in business, not subject
TO the caprice Of the chairman captiousness of
the members. 1t is very material that order decen-
cy, ana regularity be preserved in a dignified
public BODY. Roberts Rules quotes distingui shed
English writer on parli amentary law: "The great
purpose of all rules and forms is to subserve the
Will Of the assembly rather than restrain it: to
facilitate, and not to obstruct the expression of
their delberative sense.u