[Businessmtg] how voting works

[Melanie]

I received this regarding Abstentions. (Sorry for not forwarding it, as I 
thought it went to the whole business meeting):


"Normally, abstaining votes are not counted in the tally of Yea's and Nay's, 
otherwise they'd get counted as Nay's.  Example, if 4 vote for a motion, 4 vote 
against and 2 abstain, the result is a tie.
 
"However, there are occasions when a majority or super-majority of the voters is 
required.  Then, the folks abstaining are in essence counted as Nay's.  Example, 
one of ASP founding principles is that 2/3's of ALL members of ASP must vote for 
any motion that would change any of the principles outlined in the Founding 
Principles.  In other words, if we had 300 members on the ASP server at the 
time, at least 200 would have to vote for such a motion to change ASP in that 
way.  The exact same requirement as what is needed to change the wording in the 
Steps, Traditions or Concepts.  We wanted something that was stable and couldn’t 
be easily changed by a small number of people in the Business Meeting."

Emee, I think the math is off below.  For 19 persons, 2/3 is 13 people.  (I 
think you are thinking of 1/3.) The total we are working with changes if there 
are those choosing to abstain.  We do not have so many abstaining.

Hugs,
Melanie





________________________________
From: Emee Arthur <emee3x12 at hotmail.com>
To: melaniemalias-melanie at yahoo.com
Cc: ASP Business <businessmtg at asp-afg.org>
Sent: Wed, June 19, 2013 3:21:40 PM
Subject: Re: [Businessmtg] Abstentions



Thanks Sandie for forwarding my share to the group and for getting back to me on 
the question of Abstentions.

This is not how I thought it was done for a % vote.  Using your example: If we 
have 23 voting members then 2/3 %  would  make the quorum  17 members needed to 
pass the vote.  Abstains are an important part of a vote because they are a 
decision too. I have seen motions not pass at Assemblies because of too many 
abstentions...I don't believe they should be dismissed from the count. BUT in 
any case, I would like to hear from the adminstrator or secretary how we are 
going to figure the % before we vote.

We have 19 voting members in this business meeting from what I see.  The quorum 
(rounding up) would be 7 needed to pass a motion. If the total count of the 
votes show there are 7 for; 4 against; and 8 abstain ...the vote would not pass 
even though it has the required 7 for.

Because if we would take 8 abstains off the total of 19 making it 11 voting 
members then that brings the quorum up to 8 members needed to pass the motion.


Emee




> From: svdagg at gmail.com
> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:18:13 -0400
> Subject: Re: [Businessmtg] Abstentions
> CC: businessmtg at asp-afg.org
> To: emee3x12 at hotmail.com
> 
> In answer to Emee's question with regard to abstentions it is as if they did
> not count.
> 
>  
> 
> For example if you have 23 voting members and 3 abstain then the vote is
> decided by the other 20 voters.  If they choose to abstain then they are no
> longer a voting member.  
> 
>  
> 
> Sandie
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 
> 
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