Bylaws Revision: VOTING[5]

[last few changes...
- wrote resolution in text format
- added text from current bylaws- I think it is a good text, but just did
not contain enough details
- added open ballots for all but election and removal
- board can not remove board members, only general membership can (I like
this better too, thinking about it)
- QUESTION: is a 35% quorum good enough, or should it go to 40%?
--Nils]

VOTING
------

Any contributing member of SPI is eligible to vote. Non contributing
members of SPI may not vote. Each voting member shall have exactly one
vote. All ballots shall be open ballots except for any ballot concerning
the election or removal of

At all meetings, except for the election of officers and directors, all
votes shall be viva voce, or electronically cast except that for election of
officers ballots shall be provided and there shall not appear any place on
such ballot any mark or marking that might tend to indicate the person who
cast such ballot.

The quorum for a vote by the membership shall be set at 35% of eligible
voters. All votes (unless otherwise stated) are approved by a simple
majority (>50%) being in favor of the issue in question.

At any regular or special meeting if a majority so requires any question
may be voted upon in the manner and style provided for election of officers
and directors.

At all votes by ballot, the Chairman of such meeting shall immediately
prior to the commencement of balloting appoint a committee of three who
shall act as "Inspectors of Election" and who shall at the conclusion of
such balloting certify in writing to the Chairperson the results. A
certified copy shall be physically affixed in the minute book to the minutes
of that meeting.

No inspector of election shall be a candidate for office or shall be
personally interested in the question voted upon.

Resolutions
-----------

Resolutions are voted on by the board of directors. Resolutions may be put
before the board for consideration. If the board decides not to consider
the issue, the membership may vote on the resolution. The membership may
also override a vote by the board by a 2/3 majority vote.

Board appointments
------------------
[this will go into the 'board' section of the bylaws, but its important to
keep an eye on in the voting section]
- the board members will (together with the membership committee) recommend
candidates for the board of directors [still need to work on this]
- the members will approve the appointments on the board of directors
- removal of board members shall occur by a 2/3 vote of the members

--
Nils Lohner Software in the Public Interest, Inc.
E-Mail: lohner(at)spi-inc(dot)org PO Box 1326
Board Of Directors <board(at)spi-inc(dot)org> Boston, Ma. 02117 USA