Before answering this question, let’s look at some scenarios where board members may be compelled to vote for themselves.
- Advance a personal interest
- A desire for influence and power
- Lack of confidence in other candidates
With these motives, can board members vote for themselves? In a board meeting, all members have a right to vote on the matters at hand, and the matters may directly affect a member. For instance, board members often vote on appointments or compensation, which directly affect those same board members.
In these situations, a board member must inform the rest of the board of any conflicts. They must include details pertaining to any family members who may have a stake in the issue. If the conflict of interest is too substantial, the aforementioned member will be exempted from decision-making on that matter.
Robert’s Rules of Order
To clarify conflict of interest and other agreed-upon rules, many non-legislative organizations, such as private companies, turn to Robert’s Rules of Order to ensure structured committee governance. This framework aids presiding officers in conducting organized, methodical, and goal-focused meetings.
Even though a corporation can alter the rules, such as by implementing bylaws that permit board members to vote for themselves, the organization typically does so with strict regard to the fundamental concepts of Robert’s Rules of Order.