Results of the MRA Election and proposed Bylaw amendments
A total of 817 Ballots with votes were returned by the November 3rd required postmark. That represents a return of 45.5% of those sent to the members in good standing. This low response still represents about three (3) times more than the number of members who attend our membership luncheon meetings, usually about 15% of the membership.
All of the Candidates were re-elected and the Bylaw amendments were overwhelmingly passed. The number of votes that “disapproved” are listed below, along with the total votes for the Candidates. Thank you to all who responded for these two (2) very important topics. In the Spring 2021 newsletter I will give a couple explanations and answer questions/comments submitted on a few ballots.
The votes were tallied by three (3) teams of two (2) members, each team consisting of one (1) Board member and one (1) Member-at-Large. Thank you to the seven (7) members for their several hours on two (2) dates in performing this task.
Denise Bartlett, President
MILWAUKEE RETIREE ASSOCIATION, INC.
Proposed Amendments to the CONSTITUTION and BYLAWS
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
#1 – SECTION B: Applications for membership shall be made on a standard form and be accompanied by the current membership fee. (“Dues”) Disapprove 1
#2 – SECTION C: An annual membership fee (“Dues”) of the MRA shall be established by the Board (“membership”) at a regular or special meeting, upon proper notification. Disapprove 19
ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS
#3 – SECTION A: TIME AND PLACE:
Board meetings will be held as deemed necessary by the majority of the Board. (“monthly, except in December, or as deemed necessary by the President.”)
Disapprove 8
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AND TRUSTEES
#4 – SECTION A:
Terms of office for Officers, Directors, and Trustees shall begin on January 1 st following the election (“Immediately upon their election”) Disapprove 2
#5 – Upon leaving office, all MRA books, papers, and other property in an Officer’s, Director’s, or Trustee’s possession shall be turned over to the MRA Board. (“to his/her successor.”) Disapprove 2
ARTICLE VI: DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
#6 – SECTION B: The Vice President shall:
4. Oversee the preparation and maintenance of MRA’s Policy & Procedure Handbook. Disapprove 4
ARTICLE VIII: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
#7 – SECTION A: NOMINATIONS:
Nominations for Officers, Directors, and Trustees shall take place at the annual Fall (“Spring”) membership meeting. Disapprove 6
#8 – The notice for the Fall (“Spring”) membership meeting must include a notice that nominations will occur at the meeting. Such notices shall be mailed not less than fifteen (15) days before the meeting and include the date, time, and place of the meeting. Disapprove 7
– A nominee may only be a candidate for one position at a time. Added for clarification. Vote not needed.
#9 – SECTION B: ELECTIONS:
Elections for Officers, Directors, or Trustees shall take place at the annual Fall membership meeting. Officers, Directors and Trustees shall be elected by secret ballot vote, and the balloting shall be so conducted as to afford to all a reasonable opportunity to vote. Notice for the election shall be given at least fifteen (15) days prior to the conduct of the election and shall include the date, time, and place for the election. (“shall include information on the candidates”)
Disapprove 22
#10 – Only members of the MRA in good standing shall be eligible to vote or become a candidate for an MRA office.
(“Membership dues must be current.”) Disapprove 9
ARTICLE IX: AFFILIATION
#11 – The MRA may enter coalitions as approved by the Board with National, State, or local organizations of like nature and purpose provided that the autonomy and independence of the MRA is not compromised and that the integrity of this Constitution and Bylaws is preserved.
Disapprove 8
ARTICLE X: MISCELLANEOUS
#12 – SECTION C: Any proposal to dissolve the MRA must first be approved by the Board. The Board will present its findings and recommendation(s) in a postal mailing to all MRA members in good standing. Members will vote on the issue of dissolution by return mail ballot. An affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the MRA members in good standing shall be required to approve dissolution. Disapprove 3
Officer Ballots Cast in ()’s
PRESIDENT:
Denise P. Bartlett (803)
Nomination: Mike Popowycz (2) and Roger Oldenburg (1)
SECRETARY:
Dana Kraemer (814)
Nomination: None
DIRECTOR (two positions):
Earnest Ray (791)
Nomination: None
Elizabeth Zelazek (791)
Nomination: None
TRUSTEE:
Dennis Myers (812)
Nomination: None