Guest Mel Posted February 17, 2011 at 04:23 PM Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 at 04:23 PM Our Executive Board met to discuss a breach of confidentiality that had occurred involving 1 Board member leaking confidential information about a Board decision to a general member (to oust another general member). This was to be a special meeting to sort out & resolve this internal Board problem. The Board member had RSVP'd that she would show up to discuss, but she did not show up, answer her cell, or reply to a text msg letting her know we were waiting for her. The rest of the Board decided to suspend her for a week because of the breach in confidentiality. Our By-Laws say the Board can take action that supercedes the By-Laws, so the Board thinks it was OK to suspend the Board member. We're trying to keep this mishap within the Board and not make it general knowledge that there is a problem on the Board.The Board member who was suspended insists that she be shown minutes of the meeting she missed where it was decided to suspend her. The recording secretary was not present, so the Board chairperson took minutes and will submit them to the secretary for the Board files. Does the Board member who was not present have a right to see the minutes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Harrison Posted February 17, 2011 at 04:29 PM Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 at 04:29 PM Our Executive Board met to discuss a breach of confidentiality that had occurred involving 1 Board member leaking confidential information about a Board decision to a general member (to oust another general member). This was to be a special meeting to sort out & resolve this internal Board problem. The Board member had RSVP'd that she would show up to discuss, but she did not show up, answer her cell, or reply to a text msg letting her know we were waiting for her. The rest of the Board decided to suspend her for a week because of the breach in confidentiality. Our By-Laws say the Board can take action that supercedes the By-Laws, so the Board thinks it was OK to suspend the Board member. We're trying to keep this mishap within the Board and not make it general knowledge that there is a problem on the Board.The Board member who was suspended insists that she be shown minutes of the meeting she missed where it was decided to suspend her. The recording secretary was not present, so the Board chairperson took minutes and will submit them to the secretary for the Board files. Does the Board member who was not present have a right to see the minutes?Normally a Board member has a right to see minutes from Board meetings (RONR p. 444). However, since she was suspended that throws a monkey wrench in the works since it would be up to you all to determine which rights of membership are being suspended. However, even if you all determine that suspension also entails losing the right to review the minutes all she has to do is wait a week and then you all would have to show them to her anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mel Posted February 17, 2011 at 04:34 PM Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 at 04:34 PM Normally a Board member has a right to see minutes from Board meetings (RONR p. 444). However, since she was suspended that throws a monkey wrench in the works since it would be up to you all to determine which rights of membership are being suspended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mel Posted February 17, 2011 at 04:36 PM Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 at 04:36 PM She won't get to see the minutes for a week, but what about after her suspension ends? I think in the case of our meeting about the breach of confidentiality, it would be considered "secret" because it is a confidential meeting and by that definition the minutes "should not be made public". I understand the general membership would not have access to the minutes, but what about the Board member who did not attend the meeting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Harrison Posted February 17, 2011 at 04:38 PM Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 at 04:38 PM She won't get to see the minutes for a week, but what about after her suspension ends? I think in the case of our meeting about the breach of confidentiality, it would be considered "secret" because it is a confidential meeting and by that definition the minutes "should not be made public". I understand the general membership would not have access to the minutes, but what about the Board member who did not attend the meeting?As I said, Board members have a right to see Board minutes. The fact that she was not there doesn't affect that right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Foulkes Posted February 17, 2011 at 04:43 PM Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 at 04:43 PM See RONR 10th Ed. page 444, lines 8-13. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mel Posted February 17, 2011 at 05:39 PM Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 at 05:39 PM Thank you forr the information and reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted February 17, 2011 at 09:59 PM Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 at 09:59 PM Our By-Laws say the Board can take action that supercedes the By-Laws, so the Board thinks it was OK to suspend the Board member.If that's really what your Bylaws say, the general membership should amend the Bylaws as soon as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted February 18, 2011 at 04:09 AM Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 at 04:09 AM Our By-Laws say the Board can take action that supersedes the By-Laws....In other words, your bylaws say that you don't have any bylaws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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