I would love to add a new member to my board. Elections were held in May and I want to make a new position. Can I just add this person or do I go out to the membership and hav them vote on it. If so it there anyway I can add a person without going tou to membership?

First, the position would need to be defined (with responsibilities, term limit, etc.) and created through a motion, discussion, and a vote. If the position is successfully created, nominations and elections from the floor (if allowed by your by-laws) may then may be held.

Previous notice of the intended motion is required by most by-laws. This means that you would give the board and membership several weeks notice of the intent. This is very important as this position, if created, equates to an amendment of your by-laws. Following the creation of the position, you would give previous notice of the intent to hold nominations and elections for the position at the next meeting of the board/membership. The two acts (motion to create and the election) should be held during separate meetings.

Because you seem to expect resistance, it's very important that you follow your by-laws completely and in a forthright manner on this matter.

[JHB]

Definitely check your bylaws. But they may allow you some wiggle room. For example, here's the language from one of my old PTO's:

The Executive Board shall consist of the elected officers, the Past President, the Principal of the school (or a representative appointed by the principal), the Vice-Principal of the school, two representatives elected from and by the school’s professional staff, and the chairpersons of the standing committees. The Executive Board may appoint additional positions as needed.

In our group, we were aware there were sometimes positions added that we wanted included on the Board and we didn't want to be changing our bylaws every year. For instance, when we created ad hoc committees, we'd vote to add that chair to the Board.

"Standing committees" are the ones defined in your bylaws that you always need year after year (Fundraising, Spring Fling, Volunteer, whatever your repeating committees are.) "Ad Hoc" committees are those you create on the fly as needed for how long needed. Maybe they become a tradition and eventually a standing committee, maybe not.

A good example is that PTO didn't normally help with Science Fair, so it wasn't a standing committee. But about every 3 or 4 years a parent would come along that would volunteer to play a bigger role, so that year we'd have a Science Fair Chair (and committee).

In our case, our Board was large (20-30), so adding another position wasn't an issue as long as it was needed. If you have a small Board, like just the 4-5 officers, then adding another position can change the power structure. That's not necessarily bad, but could have more impact.

If you need to change your bylaws, unless you are absolutely convinced this position will last long term, I'd be more inclined to change the language that simply allows you to add more ad hoc members (subject the right conditions/voiting requirement.) That will give you more flexibility.

[rnbowmom]

just make sure it is something you want and it is defined clearly and that you are willing to let go of those duties.

I was voted in to a new position in june, written into the bylaws and two weeks ago the president of our PTA decided it wasnt a good idea to add the position. Due to the fact our new by laws havent been approved and returned by state yet, I feel stuck.