George Mervosh

Unfortunately we can't help craft bylaw language, but perhaps if you message J.J. here he can forward you a copy of an article he did on the subject. I think it's called Surviving Doomsday, or some such catchy title.

Aside from the fact that we should all thank Mr. Huynh everyday for his contributions, how about for not making new member Elaine A pour through 700+ pages to look for an answer that's not there?

The rule in the constitution applies and any other motion adopted in violation of the constitutional rule on this matter is null and void. RONR (11th ed.), p. 251 (a)

They're certainly not the first to disguise debate in the form of a question, but as long as they ask it in the form of a question and decorum is maintained, I think it's fine, generally. I'm not aware of any limit to the number of questions a member can ask when he has been assigned the floor before moving on to the next member but the assembly can adopt a special rule of order to deal with the matter. Such as, limiting a member who has been assigned the floor to one or two questions and not permitting them to ask any more until everyone else gets a chance to ask questions. The assembly could also adopt a rule limiting the total time for questions after a presentation. If I have this wrong someone will be by to make my mind right.

Actually, that's exactly what we call our municipal attorneys in PA.

The only thing I'm willing to suggest, because it's probably safe, is to offer your proposed amendment at an upcoming meeting. If it's somehow improper, the presiding officer must explain why and you can appeal his ruling if you're not satisfied his ruling is the correct one.

Since our Guest posts somewhat frequently and provides good answers, hopefully someday our Guest (who isn't coming to my house for dinner ) will follow in the footsteps of Messrs.Godelfan and 1st Church and post using his or her real name.

You don't correct anything. Minutes aren't supposed to rewrite history. An epiphany after the meeting doesn't mean a thing, procedurally. At the next meeting, if the Board deals with the matter, you would note the actions taken then.

In the Form of Minutes in RONR, on p. 472, l. 28 through p. 473, l. 3, they had a guest speaker and did not recess the meeting itself. The wording there may help you in composing your minutes. The meeting was not tabled, but a motion that was pending when the guest speaker was introduced was laid on the table in order to hear the presentation.

If you weren't a town council the answer might be clearer. You should check with the council's solicitor for a remedy if this is causing concern. If you were the XYZ Garden Club I'd suggest a standing rule be adopted regarding the taping of meetings (video and audio). Also, the Garden Club could order the taping stopped if it was actually disturbing the proceedings. The Garden Club could also hold all of its meetings in executive session or simply order all non-members be removed from the hall. But again, it might not be so simple for a public entity so check with your solicitor.

We really don't know how your process works but it seems likely any member can offer an amendment, but how, exactly, remains unanswered by this not so simple process. i am curious about the part I quoted back. So if you don't like what's in, let's say, Article IV, Section 1, you can't submit an amendment to it because it would conflict with the current passage? That's just not how it's done in the world of RONR.

The rules regarding decorum apply in all situations and they can be firmly and fairly applied here as well. How about just thanking the speaker after he's done and not subject him to questions?

Members who miss a regular meeting, even ones with multiple meetings in a session are always rolling the dice when it comes to what they may miss - motions being adopted they don't care for, a member giving previous notice, etc. However, the special meeting call allows them to know exactly what they'll be missing if they choose not to attend because a fair reading of the rules state that no business can be transacted that is not part of the call, or related to the business in the call, or related to the behavior of members in a meeting. I also believe when members read the rule which states notice can be given at "the preceding meeting", p.121, l. 29, their understanding is that it means the preceding regular meeting. I think that's a fair reading of the rule as it's now stated, but as you have explained it might not be so clear cut. My coin still has tails on both sides.

i'm not entirely clear on what's missing from the January minutes but if they need correcting, it is done by a motion to amend something previously adopted (p. 305ff). The motion requires a majority vote if previous notice of the motion is given (pp. 121-124), a 2/3 vote without previous notice or a vote of a majority of the entire board.

Can I borrow your coin since mine apparently has tails on both sides?

Richard, do you have the same concerns with the word transacted as it's used on p. 347, l. 22?

It's actually the "Member Title" part of editing your profile, and Richard, don't expect J.J. to change after all these years.

Not unless the call of the special meeting includes giving notice of this motion as one of the items of business. As an aside, your rule requiring previous notice might not permit it even if it is in the call to a special meeting, but you'll have to read your bylaws and decide for yourselves if it can be validly given at a special meeting if included in the call.

I have no clue if what you're going to bring up is in order, but it's almost certainly going to be improper for anyone to suggest the rules not be followed. Perhaps one or more rules may be suspendable during the meeting, but that's about it.

Absolutely, though the cited passage may have been aimed more at individual changes, I'm not sure. And see p. 593.

The notice of the proposed bylaw amendment can include the rationale.for recommending its adoption. A well written short explanation would be best, but I never underestimate the craziness found in HOAs. Good luck.

Guest Michelle, help me out here, you meant board meeting minutes right? Just say "right" no matter what!

Only if the membership's assembly, orders the board to read them. The vote to order the reading is a majority vote if previous notice of this motion is given, a 2/3 vote if no notice is given, or a vote of a majority of the entire membership. The assembly should go into executive session itself before having them read.

Do the minutes of the meeting at which that clause was adopted exist? If so, review the minutes to see if the "not" hole existed there.

What J.J. wrote is what I was getting at, and I agree. I think we've discussed this before in a thread dedicated to this but I'm at a loss right now to find it.