Each Fall, our church annually elects a nominating committee to identify leadership for the coming year. In our December business meeting the committee recommends a slate of members to be nominated and subsequently elected for the new year. In what order should the nominating process take place? Are three votes required, i.e., a vote to nominate those recommended; followed by a vote on any nominations from the floor; followed by a vote to close nominations; followed by a vote to elect the nominees. We seem to have disagreements about this procedure every year and would appreciate your opinion on the proper way to do things, according to Robert's Rules.

Dear Michael,
There is one correct procedure for nominations and elections. The nominating committee gives its report. The president then repeats the nominating committee's report--that is who is nominated for each office. He then opens nominations from the floor. He asks are there any nominations for president, secretary, treasurer, etc. After the floor nominates then the president repeats all the nominations including those which came from the committee. He might say "those nominated for president are John Smith, Joyce Stephens, Daniel Green. He either takes the vote by voice or by a ballot, however, you do this. If you vote by ballot and the entire slate at one time, he should instruct the assembly how to mark the ballot. There is no need to close nominations by a motion. I suggest that you get our book "Webster's New World, Robert's Rules of Order Simplified and Applied." It has an entire chapter devoted to this subject. We also sell a DVD called Nominations and Elections. This would educate all and solve the confusion that is currently going on. Go to our website parli.com and go to the order form.

Cheerio,

Little Ben

Question submitted by Michael on December 11, 2016

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