After falling short of the required 75 percent consensus last month, Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce members will vote again June 24 on the proposed merger with the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce.

The Board of Directors scheduled the special meeting after receiving a petition from members requesting a new vote. The petition effort, organized in part by Meyer Real Estate Vice Chairman Michelle Nelson, delivered 21 signatures last week.

“According to our bylaws, we can entertain any petition with 20 signatures or more,” Board Chairman Joe McCarron said.

The original vote failed. The Chamber collected ballots May 25, tallying 511 affirmative responses. Out of 777 voting members, 553 members cast ballots. The Board of Directors set a 75 percent minimum of the entire voting body to approve the consolidation, falling short by 72 votes.

“Basically, the 66 percent affirmative vote led to the petition, and wanting that 66 percent’s voice to be heard,” Nelson said. “It’s not influenced or created by the board.”

The Board of Directors will require two-thirds of a quorum to vote “yes” to approve the merger. The Chamber needs 20 percent of the voting membership to be present to constitute a quorum. Like the original meeting, members can vote in person or by proxy.

“This vote will provide a fair, legal way to make decisions that is not above standards, but in standard with the bylaws and state law,” Nelson said.

The South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, which approved the merger with “yes” votes from 78 percent of its membership, will not hold another vote.

“According to the Plan of Consolidation, our vote remains effective through July 1, 2011. Therefore there is no further action to be taken from our perspective at this time,” Board Chairman Britton Bonner stated in a letter to the South Baldwin membership.

Talks of a regionally unified chamber began at a joint board retreat in November.     Both boards formed a task force to investigate the need and practicality of consolidation after working together on the Coastal Resiliency Coalition in the aftermath of the oil spill.

“My position as an individual has not changed. I’m still very much for it,” McCarron said. “It’s the best thing long term for our region.”

The newly unified chamber, dubbed the Coastal Baldwin Regional Chamber of Commerce, will have 30 voting board members if the merger is approved. Fifteen will come from the “inland,” and 15 from the “island.” The “joining line” will be County Road 10.