Dutchman

The bylaws do not. Their argument was that all board action requires a board vote per Roberts

Yes, the bylaws do speak further, subsections to what I previously submitted state the following... A Director Exempt: a. may attend any and all meetings of the Board of Directors, but without vote b. may participate in any and all discussions of the Board of Directors c. may serve without vote on any committees of the Board of Directors d. may not hold elective office on the Board of Directors e. shall not be held to attendance requirements as stated elsewhere in these By-Laws f. shall receive all communications afforded to the Board of Directors.

I agree the individual could decline or chose not to utilize the provision. I should have phrased better, does Roberts require a vote for the status to be implemented?

I will try to phrase this question so I don't receive too many "It's up to your organization to interpret your bylaws." Although I understand that may very well be the case. Our bylaws allow for departing directors with a minimum time in office to move to a status that allows for attendance without vote. The bylaws read as follows... "DIRECTOR EXEMPT. Any Director who has served two (2) or more full terms and wishes to remain active on the Board of Directors shall have the option of assuming the position of Director Exempt." Personally I interpret this part of our bylaws to mean the action of moving to director exempt requires no vote or board action and is solely at the discretion of the person meeting these requirements. The Point of Order called suggested a board vote must be held for the person to become director exempt as it is an action and all actions require a vote. Does Roberts speak to this?

thank you!

I could not agree more with that. An attorney that represented the organization a year and a half ago gave an opinion that they were allowed. They no longer represent us and currently we don't have any legal representation. The chair is going against the prior opinion. Several members have sought their own attorneys for opinion. The meeting is tomorrow, at this point I just want us to conduct a proper meeting...

Thank You. Indeed the RONR language change occurred after that case.

Yes to the prior, I am not sure we are prepared for the latter....I can see it happening and I am not sure what will happen in that scenario. Call it a day and go the courts?

Understood Azzi v Ryan 1983 seems to be the primary case law here in NYS regarding the passage you cite and the statute.

Yes the state we reside in has statute requiring proxies unless prohibited in the bylaws. There is also case law which addresses the issue on what constitutes "prohibited" as well as if the bylaws are silent. I think the law is settled but others vehemently disagree so we want to be prepared to do this correctly at the meeting.

Should the chair state her reason after uttering..."shall the ruling of the chair be sustained?" or should it go to the floor or is it her choice?

My organization (Association of 14,000 members) has an upcoming general membership meeting. The association also has a board, elected by the association with 24 BoD. Bylaws amendments are voted on by the entire association at the annual meeting which is scheduled shortly. The chair was made aware that numerous members had assigned and granted proxies for this meeting. The chair advised, out of session, via email, prior to the annual meeting, that she would be disallowing proxies. She believes our bylaws prohibit proxies. I am not asking for anyone to interpret our bylaws!!!! I know people hate that!!!!! The state that I live in has laws that speaks to this as well as some case law. This issue is divisive within the membership and I would like to see us carry on at the meeting properly. I have read up on Appeal and am asking for procedural clarification.Members plan to submit their proxy forms even though they know they will be disallowed. The appeal will be crucial as it will immediately precede the vote on the bylaw amendments. Once the chair has made her ruling disallowing proxies, a member should rise and say.."Madam. Chair, I appeal from the decision of the chair of the disallowing of proxy voting" There will be a second. Chair should say..."The question is, do our bylaws allow for proxy voting?" ...and then state her reason for disallowing them??? We then move to debate with each member allowed to speak only once??? The chair allowed to defend once again at the conclusion????? What do i have wrong what have I missed? If people try to speak a second time a point of order is called? This is simply a majority vote? Thank you all in advance. I find this forum so helpful.

My organization is wrestling with the same question at our annual meeting. The key passage in our bylaws is this..."The administration of the affairs of the Association shall be vested in the Board of Directors." Some have said the use of the word "administration" means the board members have exclusive rights other than bylaw passage and election of board members. Do other believe this sounds correct? (I understand my organization is the real decider)

Agreed! The email goes beyond general communication and asks for an up or down vote on actions that require an expenditure. This is being done outside of a meeting and our bylaws do not allow for email voting.

Yes we are in the same organization! Lol