>then why the urgency for the vote, is it the BOD's, the stock option plan or the auditors? why call around?

Beats me, but it's disadvantageous to management since like I pointed out, not voting is the same as voting "YES"

Perhaps somebody thought it would be good for public relations. Or maybe there's some new rule out that says they have to call around. Or perhaps it was a way of creating a job for someone. But it certainly can't be in order to issue cheap options like you suggested.