Appointing a committee

[Guest Mike]

Our Bylaws allow the President to appoint committees. For many years, the President would appoint a committee and chair. the Board would discuss/debate and then vote to approve or not to approve.

Our new president wants to appoint a chair to a committee and go to an immediate vote with no discussion/debate.

Is there anything in RONR where committee appointments by a President require discussion/debate before a vote? If so, and there is no notice, then is a 2/3 affirmative vote required?

Help!!

[Josh Martin]

Our Bylaws allow the President to appoint committees.

If that's the extent of what your Bylaws say on the matter, then the board doesn't get a vote at all.

Is there anything in RONR where committee appointments by a President require discussion/debate before a vote? If so, and there is no notice, then is a 2/3 affirmative vote required?

If your Bylaws say something about the board "confirming" the appointments, then such a motion would be debatable, (RONR, 10th ed., pg. 98, line 24) and the chair would not have the authority to cut off debate himself. A 2/3 vote would be required to cut off debate (RONR, 10th ed., pg. 189, line 24). The motion to confirm itself would require only a majority vote and no previous notice would be needed, unless your Bylaws suggest otherwise. (RONR, 10th ed., pg. 98, lines 26-32)

[Guest Mike]

Actually, our Bylaws say the following:

"He (the President) shall preside at all meetings, appoint all committees, and an Editor for the National Bulletin, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as are incidental to his office or that may be required by the Board of Directors or by the Membership."

Does the comment from the earlier response to my question below still hold true since the above language is "subject to the approval of the Board of Directors"?

"If your Bylaws say something about the board "confirming" the appointments, then such a motion would be debatable, (RONR, 10th ed., pg. 98, line 24) and the chair would not have the authority to cut off debate himself. A 2/3 vote would be required to cut off debate (RONR, 10th ed., pg. 189, line 24). The motion to confirm itself would require only a majority vote and no previous notice would be needed, unless your Bylaws suggest otherwise. (RONR, 10th ed., pg. 98, lines 26-32)"

If we have already voted on someone to chair a committee, that the president appointed, without any discussion or debate, can that vote be redone? should it?

Help!!

[Chris Harrison]

"He (the President) shall preside at all meetings, appoint all committees, and an Editor for the National Bulletin, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as are incidental to his office or that may be required by the Board of Directors or by the Membership."

Does the comment from the earlier response to my question below still hold true since the above language is "subject to the approval of the Board of Directors"?

That is for you all to decide but it might be reasonable to still hold that position. See RONR pp. 570-573 for some principles to help with interpreting those bylaws.

If we have already voted on someone to chair a committee, that the president appointed, without any discussion or debate, can that vote be redone?

If a timely Point of Order wasn't raised that the Board has a say in the matter it is too late to object now (RONR pp. 243-244).

[jstackpo]

Interpreting what your bylaws say (which is not what RONR says in all respects) is going to be up to you and your association. See p. 570 for some "how to" help doing interpretations.