(Small Board Rules) I have never encountered this before and would respectfully ask opinions regarding the best way to deal with it. Every board or committee I have on which I have served has produced "packets" containing a proposed agenda and supporting documents to be studied by the member before coming to the meeting. Basically, "Come prepared or don't come at all," has been a board members' responsibility to ensure a smooth and productive meeting. This also applies to any planned executive sessions, should they be required.
Our current board president and secretary drag their heels on releasing information to board members until the evening of the meeting. With not enough time to consider the information, the president is the only one who is fully informed and will present the information with his arguments and go to a vote, knowing that there will be puppet members who will vote any way he wants.
Delaying tactics such as "lay on the table" and "postpone indefinitely (or until next regular meeting)" have been marginally successful, but are oft met with an argument that the issue is too time sensitive and immediate to postpone for any reason, thus the delaying motion is defeated. The mover of such a delaying tactic, is seen as an obstructionist to getting business done. And now the board has been informed by the secretary that executive session agendas and background information cannot not be given out until right before the session (even though the board are all under confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements),
I have researched the Hawaii Revised Statues and Bylaws for relevant sections to make my case for transparency and a board making informed decisions. Is there anything else in RONR that can be used to require these "board packets" ahead of time? Suggestions and strategies would be greatly appreciated. Mahalo!