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Censorship of a Member


Guest Donald

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At a recent Executive Board meeting of our organization, a scathing letter from a member was read by the secretary verbally assaulting a member of the Board with name calling and several sharp accusations. Can the member be censored for their lack of respect?

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Can the member be censored for their lack of respect?

Yes.

The secretary must be disciplined for reading aloud such a letter.

You would think an officer would know better.

Shame, SHAME, on the bad secretary.

And, while you are at it, the letter writer might likewise be disciplined, too, but not for violation of decorum.

(He didn't say anything, during the meeting. Letters from members are not to be read in a meeting. So the fault lies with the reader, not the writer, if you are asking about the rules of decorum.)

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  • 2 weeks later...

This being the case, and in the absence of disciplinary procedures in our by-laws, what specific action can be taken? A request for removal/resignation of the Secretary from his/her post? Is this presented to the Executive Board or to the membership?

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This being the case, and in the absence of disciplinary procedures in our by-laws, what specific action can be taken? A request for removal/resignation of the Secretary from his/her post? Is this presented to the Executive Board or to the membership?

In the absence of a bylaw provision, see Chapter XX of RONR. It is a complex process.

The assembly may adopt a motion censuring the member, or otherwise criticizing his conduct, but such action is not disciplinary action and carries no penalty.

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This being the case, and in the absence of disciplinary procedures in our by-laws, what specific action can be taken?

See FAQ #20.

A request for removal/resignation of the Secretary from his/her post? Is this presented to the Executive Board or to the membership?

You can request the Secretary to resign if you want and present it to whoever you like. But a resignation is a voluntary act and the Secretary is free to refuse. If you wish to remove the Secretary and your Bylaws are silent the proper body is whoever elected the Secretary in the first place. See FAQ #20 for more information (and possibly Ch. XX of RONR if your Bylaws don't contain the language for the easy way out).

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This being the case, and in the absence of disciplinary procedures in our by-laws, what specific action can be taken? A request for removal/resignation of the Secretary from his/her post? Is this presented to the Executive Board or to the membership?

I get the distinct impression that my comment on Mr. Goldsworthy's response has been misconstrued. :huh:

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