board member

[Guest Steve Hartseil]

When voting on a motion, if a member does not vote ya or nay is it considered a yes vote by Roberts Rules of Order? 

[Greg Goodwiller, PRP]

No, it is considered an "abstention" by Robert's Rules. Any member who has the right to vote also has the right not to vote. And unless the organization's rules say otherwise, the vote count is based on those present and voting. A member who doesn't vote therefore isn't "counted" at all. It is as if they aren't there. So if 8 members are present but only 7 of them vote, a majority is four votes - whereas if all 8 had voted, a majority would have been five votes.