George Mervosh

The next time the Secretary cannot attend the assembly needs to elect a Secretary Pro Tem to take the minutes. For the minutes of the meeting in question, at the organization's next regular meeting it can appoint a committee of a few people who were heavily involved to produce and approve a set of minutes for that meeting.

If a main motion was adopted that conflicts with the bylaws, a point of order can be raised at your next meeting. RONR (12th ed.), 23:6 a) If the point of order is well taken and not appealed, or well taken and upheld on appeal, the adopted main motion is null and void. Another main motion may be made by anyone in a manner that does not conflict with the bylaws.

The categories you mention are not mentioned at all in RONR, even though we see the terms used here from time to time by those posting questions. These categories may be in use because motions may require previous notice under your rules or applicable statute. You should check with the board's attorney to determine what is proper in your board's case.

I wouldn't mind an example or two of what Ms. Davis is referring to.

No. There are rules regarding the motion to Reconsider the vote when a contract is involved (37:9 - 2 (d)) but that's about it.

No rule in RONR requires to the board to even discuss it, much less make a motion regarding it. And it's not his motion. There is no motion unless a board member makes one. His demand is procedurally meaningless.

"In an assembly, except when applied to a constitution, bylaws, or special rules of order, require (a) a two-thirds vote, (b) a majority vote when notice of intent to make the motion, stating the complete substance of the proposed change, has been given at the previous meeting within a quarterly time interval or in the call of the present meeting, or (c) a vote of a majority of the entire membership—any one of which will suffice." RONR (12th ed.), 35:2 (7) This is the rule regardless of whether or not the original adopted main motion required a 2/3 vote. (there are exceptions for committees). As a public body you may have rules which supersede this. You should check with your city attorney to determine the vote required and to be sure it even can be rescinded at this point.

A motion to approve the minutes is unnecessary as the chair simply declares the minutes approved after any proposed corrections are dealt with, and any member present during the approval process may offer corrections to the minutes whether they were at the meeting in question or not. See RONR (12th ed.), 41:9 - 41:12 paying particular attention to 41:10 and 41:11 which directly addresses your question.

You should first obtain the city attorney's advice. As far as the rules in RONR go, RONR does say that a point of order can be raised at any time if: "any action has been taken in violation of applicable procedural rules prescribed by federal, state, or local law, " RONR (12th ed.) 23:6 c) If that's not the case the motion can be rescinded if it's not been carried out. See §35. Again, the city attorney is the one to advise you in anything related to a legal matter. We cannot even be certain the rules in RONR apply here.

Examples of poorly worded bylaws are on every page of this forum. The term should not be used at all because there is no such thing and using it causes confusion.

Take one step back to 45:56. Any form of absentee voting must be expressly authorized by the bylaws.

I missed this before but can you provide an example of what you mean by temporarily amending a rule?

The vote required to suspend the rules is found in 25:2 (7) and it usually requires at least a 2/3 vote. Also, please stop using the term 2/3 majority (It is an oxymoron and there is no such term in RONR).

The ability to propose and adopt amendments may be restricted by the bylaws, by the adoption of a special rule of order, or simply by the adoption of a motion to suspend the rules (see 25:18). There is no fundamental right to amend.

I don't understand this part.

13:12 notes that: "But if different proposals are made, either in the form of primary and secondary amendments or simply as suggestions, the chair treats them as proposals to fill a blank (12:92-113) and puts them to vote in the following order until one receives a majority: (1) committee of the whole; (2) quasi committee of the whole (or "as if in committee of the whole"); (3) consider informally; (4) standing committees, in the order in which they are proposed; and (5) special (select, or ad hoc) committees, the one containing the largest number of members being voted on first. Was this order developed based on the size of the committee considering the referred matter, or was there some other reason?

Yes, any member may appeal from the decision of the chair. It does require a second and would be debatable. A majority or a tie vote sustains the decision of the chair. See §24

There is nothing you need to do about the procedural error at the last meeting. Any member may make the motion again at a future meeting if they so choose. Next time, as you know, allow for debate. The member who made the motion is entitled to be recognized first to debate the motion. Edited to add - If the vote passed as Mr. Brown said, forget the second sentence.

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You answered your own question, I think. This is likely stating the obvious, but the duty of the parliamentarian is to advise the chair and if necessary, the assembly, based on your understanding of the rules in your bylaws and in RONR. You seem to have a good understanding of both. Will they follow your advice? Who knows. Just do what you think is correct according to the society's rules and whatever happens, happens. I think Mr. Katz is saying pretty much the same thing in his reply. Your issue is thornier since it involves employment but the duty of the parliamentarian remains the same regardless of the issue. Your group may wish to seek legal advice as well.

Does the board have the authority to call a special meeting of the congregation? I didn't see that in the facts presented.

That's the way I see it as well.

See FAQ#6 https://robertsrules.com/frequently-asked-questions/#faqs