Aguiberson

An organization has 12 amendments to bylaws to present to the delegates for adoption. Only one of the amendments proposes a change of any significance. The other amendments are like striking out "happy" and inserting "glad", for example. Since it is not in order to adopt bylaws amendments in gross (51:48 fn10), what suggestions do you have to expedite handling the 11 amendments, other than suspending the rule, determine if they wish to remove any from the list, and then voting on the rest in gross? They tell me another group put these amendments on a consent calendar.

Thank you, George, Richard, and Josh. I agree they need to define "good standing." I also think they need to add more definition to the rights of the inactive member. The terminology would seem to me to indicate they aren't participating -- but in this case COVID-19 pandemic comes into play and it was a matter of not being able to pay dues rather than ducking out for a while. In spite of these great ideas, I still could go either way on this one.

George. I don't think you can assume that an inactive member is not in good standing. They seem to have some sort of standing and just can't vote. RONR seems to make a distinction between the ability to vote and being in good standing.

A club has 4 classes of membership, one being "inactive." The bylaws state that an inactive member does not pay dues, and may be in that status for a maximum of 2 consecutive years. After that time, they must resume active membership or submit a written resignation. While they are inactive, the right to vote is suspended. For some reason, the Nominating Committee has nominated an inactive member for Treasurer. The bylaws say the qualifications for Treasurer must have served on the Finance Committee for one year and have been a member in good standing for at least two years. RONR (12th ed., 1:13) provides that an assembly’s membership is limited to persons who are recorded on the rolls of the society as voting members and who are in good standing. RONR 1:13fn regarding good standing also states: 3. Members in good standing are those whose rights as members of the assembly are not under suspension as a consequence of disciplinary proceedings or by operation of some specific provision in the bylaws. A member may thus be in good standing even if in arrears in payment of dues (see 45:1, 56:19). If only some of an individual’s rights as a member of the assembly are under suspension (for example, the rights to make motions and speak in debate), other rights of assembly membership may still be exercised (for example, the rights to attend meetings and vote). Do you think an inactive member meets the qualifications to be a candidate for Treasurer? Why or why not?

I'd suggest informal discussion, especially if the board is smaller but it works for up to 20 people or so. Also RONR in section 52:28 includes breakout groups as well but does say that it's best done in committees. So for this group, I think informal discussion and maybe break out groups would be helpful.

If the organization usually organizes their agenda using the standard order of business, are small variations permitted? For example at an upcoming meeting, there will be a report from a consultant hired by the group. They plan to place this report on the agenda following the reports of officers. Would that still be within the standard order or would they need to adopt the agenda in order to make the order of business binding?