Post by RCA Webmaster on May 15, 2022 9:24:34 GMT -5
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Proposal for 2022 ABM
No: 1 Title: Amend the RCA WSO Bylaws to Allow Appointment of Board Members to
if Needed to Ensure the Minimum Number of Voting Couples
Submitter:
David H. RCA member
Type: Amendment to the Traditions,
Bylaws ( requires a 75% positive
vote to pass)
Notice: This proposal is very similar to a proposal that was on the special ballot last fall.
There is a significant difference. That proposal, which failed to be approved by the
RCA Fellowship, addressed the event if there were not the maximum of 9 possible
number of couples elected to the Board of Trustees.
This present proposal addresses the event if were not the minimum of 4 couples serving
on the Board of Trustees.
Motion:
Amend the World Service Organization (WSO) Bylaws by amending paragraph 4.1.7
adding new subsection 4.1.7 b and c as follows:
Original wording:
4.1.7 Replacement. If a voting couple directorship becomes vacant prior to the expiration
of their term, the first non-voting couple shall fill the vacancy and become a voting
couple. The starting point of the couple filling the vacancy shall be measured from the
convention at which they were elected as alternates and shall comply with the term
specified in section 4.1.5 based on this starting point. (Provision amended at the August
1, 2008 ABM and at the October 16, 2009 ABM)
Amended wording:
4.1.7 Replacement.
a. If a voting couple directorship becomes vacant prior to the expiration of their term, the
first non-voting couple shall fill the vacancy and become a voting couple. The starting
point of the couple filling the vacancy shall be measured from the convention at which
they were elected as alternates and shall comply with the term specified in section 4.1.5
based on this starting point. (Provision amended at the August 1, 2008 ABM and at the
October 16, 2009 ABM)
b. If at any time between conventions, there are less than four voting couples on the Board
of Trustees, the Board shall be empowered to temporarily appoint willing and qualified
(according to the existing By-laws) member couples from the general membership to
serve as voting members of the Board only until the next Annual Board Election meeting
of the RCA Fellowship. Enough couples may be appointed to reach a total of four. The
appointed couples would have to stand for election by the fellowship at the next annual
election should they wish to continue. Couples who are appointed for a partial service
year and are then elected at the next annual election would be able to serve two service
years but would not be eligible for the third optional year.
c. The action by the existing Board members indicated in paragraph 4.1.7.b is an
authorized exception to the requirements of Section 4.1.1.
Submitter’s Rationale:
The Board of Trustees must have a minimum of four voting couples to function. There is
currently no method of putting couples on the Board other than election by the Fellowship
at an annual convention. This amendment provides for maintaining a functioning Board
in the event that in between conventions the number of couples falls below the minimum
required.
Board of Trustees’ Comments and Recommendations:
Structure Committee’s Comments on Proposal One:
The voice of the entire Fellowship should be paramount in selecting the trusted servants of
the Board of Trustees. However, there needs to be a contingency in place if the
membership of the Board of Trustees reaches or falls below the minimum of 4 voting
couples and RCA is between conventions. It is imperative that the contingency be
tempered by our collective past experience of dealing with “run-away” boards.
We believe this proposal provides the necessary contingency if unforeseen circumstances
should occur while getting the entire Fellowship’s input as quickly as practical.
We unanimously support this proposal.
Proposal for 2022 ABM
No: 1 Title: Amend the RCA WSO Bylaws to Allow Appointment of Board Members to
if Needed to Ensure the Minimum Number of Voting Couples
Submitter:
David H. RCA member
Type: Amendment to the Traditions,
Bylaws ( requires a 75% positive
vote to pass)
Notice: This proposal is very similar to a proposal that was on the special ballot last fall.
There is a significant difference. That proposal, which failed to be approved by the
RCA Fellowship, addressed the event if there were not the maximum of 9 possible
number of couples elected to the Board of Trustees.
This present proposal addresses the event if were not the minimum of 4 couples serving
on the Board of Trustees.
Motion:
Amend the World Service Organization (WSO) Bylaws by amending paragraph 4.1.7
adding new subsection 4.1.7 b and c as follows:
Original wording:
4.1.7 Replacement. If a voting couple directorship becomes vacant prior to the expiration
of their term, the first non-voting couple shall fill the vacancy and become a voting
couple. The starting point of the couple filling the vacancy shall be measured from the
convention at which they were elected as alternates and shall comply with the term
specified in section 4.1.5 based on this starting point. (Provision amended at the August
1, 2008 ABM and at the October 16, 2009 ABM)
Amended wording:
4.1.7 Replacement.
a. If a voting couple directorship becomes vacant prior to the expiration of their term, the
first non-voting couple shall fill the vacancy and become a voting couple. The starting
point of the couple filling the vacancy shall be measured from the convention at which
they were elected as alternates and shall comply with the term specified in section 4.1.5
based on this starting point. (Provision amended at the August 1, 2008 ABM and at the
October 16, 2009 ABM)
b. If at any time between conventions, there are less than four voting couples on the Board
of Trustees, the Board shall be empowered to temporarily appoint willing and qualified
(according to the existing By-laws) member couples from the general membership to
serve as voting members of the Board only until the next Annual Board Election meeting
of the RCA Fellowship. Enough couples may be appointed to reach a total of four. The
appointed couples would have to stand for election by the fellowship at the next annual
election should they wish to continue. Couples who are appointed for a partial service
year and are then elected at the next annual election would be able to serve two service
years but would not be eligible for the third optional year.
c. The action by the existing Board members indicated in paragraph 4.1.7.b is an
authorized exception to the requirements of Section 4.1.1.
Submitter’s Rationale:
The Board of Trustees must have a minimum of four voting couples to function. There is
currently no method of putting couples on the Board other than election by the Fellowship
at an annual convention. This amendment provides for maintaining a functioning Board
in the event that in between conventions the number of couples falls below the minimum
required.
Board of Trustees’ Comments and Recommendations:
Structure Committee’s Comments on Proposal One:
The voice of the entire Fellowship should be paramount in selecting the trusted servants of
the Board of Trustees. However, there needs to be a contingency in place if the
membership of the Board of Trustees reaches or falls below the minimum of 4 voting
couples and RCA is between conventions. It is imperative that the contingency be
tempered by our collective past experience of dealing with “run-away” boards.
We believe this proposal provides the necessary contingency if unforeseen circumstances
should occur while getting the entire Fellowship’s input as quickly as practical.
We unanimously support this proposal.