MINUTES

[Guest Addie]

Is it proper for the president of an organization to review the minutes of the prior meeting prior to the rest of the board members?

[J. J.]

Is it proper for the president of an organization to review the minutes of the prior meeting prior to the rest of the board members?

It is not improper, but not required either. It can be helpful.

[Trina]

The chair certainly has no special rights (as compared to other members) to review draft minutes prior to a meetng. No member, including the chair, has any right to demand changes/corrections to the draft minutes prior to a meeting. On the other hand, there is nothing in RONR that prohibits draft minutes from being distributed prior to the meeting at which they are expected to be approved.

[Guest Miguel]

Can minutes be approved in a consent agenda?

[J. J.]

Can minutes be approved in a consent agenda?

Yes.

[Guest Addie]

It is not improper, but not required either. It can be helpful.

Why would it be helpful? - if this is the case, should it be sent to all board members to review prior to the official board meeting? Is this proper? - How would we know if he made changes prior to the board meeting if he is the only person reviewing the minutes other than the recording secretary?

[hmtcastle]

Why would it be helpful? - if this is the case, should it be sent to all board members to review prior to the official board meeting? Is this proper? - How would we know if he made changes prior to the board meeting if he is the only person reviewing the minutes other than the recording secretary?

The secretary is free to show her draft to the chair, or some of the members, or all of the members, or none of the members. But it's the secretary who submits the minutes for approval so any changes anyone may make before then are immaterial (though the secretary is free to incorporate some into her draft).

[J. J.]

Why would it be helpful? - if this is the case, should it be sent to all board members to review prior to the official board meeting? Is this proper? - How would we know if he made changes prior to the board meeting if he is the only person reviewing the minutes other than the recording secretary?

The secretary is suppose to provide an order of business for the president (p. 443, #10). The minutes would show some of the things on that order of business. It is not improper for the secretary to a copy give the draft minutes to the president, nor is it required.

The board still has to approve the minutes at the meeting (p. 456 ff.)

[Guest Addie]

The chair certainly has no special rights (as compared to other members) to review draft minutes prior to a meetng. No member, including the chair, has any right to demand changes/corrections to the draft minutes prior to a meeting. On the other hand, there is nothing in RONR that prohibits draft minutes from being distributed prior to the meeting at which they are expected to be approved.

[Guest Addie]

Can the other board members object to the president reviewing the minutes prior to the official meeting?

[hmtcastle]

Can the other board members object to the president reviewing the minutes prior to the official meeting?

Sure, they can object all they want. But if they want to prevent it they'd have to order the secretary not show the draft to the president.