willie Posted February 21, 2011 at 05:40 PM Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 at 05:40 PM Our By-laws are described as short and sweet and tend to be too vague on certain issues but do refer to RONR: Robert’s Rules of Order Revised will govern this organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these by-laws. The board does not communicate with each other. Relationship with the members could be best described as contentious to the max level one can see it get to. This has caused issues with the board members head butting incessantly throughout the past year. One set of board members wants change and has involved the school on every email communication even requesting many meetings to find a common ground to work with the full board. This group has gone to the higher administration levels to continue their quest to be heard. The higher level administration suddenly had an email situation they could not control and finally those emails became so out of hand, the administration just shut down the board altogether. Can that happen? Does administration have the right to shut down a board? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Elsman Posted February 21, 2011 at 05:45 PM Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 at 05:45 PM Our By-laws are described as short and sweet and tend to be too vague on certain issues but do refer to RONR: Robert’s Rules of Order Revised will govern this organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these by-laws. The board does not communicate with each other. Relationship with the members could be best described as contentious to the max level one can see it get to. This has caused issues with the board members head butting incessantly throughout the past year. One set of board members wants change and has involved the school on every email communication even requesting many meetings to find a common ground to work with the full board. This group has gone to the higher administration levels to continue their quest to be heard. The higher level administration suddenly had an email situation they could not control and finally those emails became so out of hand, the administration just shut down the board altogether. Can that happen? Does administration have the right to shut down a board?Presumably, only whoever has the power to create the board has the power to eliminate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joneuman Posted February 21, 2011 at 06:06 PM Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 at 06:06 PM Presumably, only whoever has the power to create the board has the power to eliminate it.While this is correct, in a school setting, the administration can control what exists or operates on their campus. So while they may not be able to actually shut down the board, they can make it difficult for them to operate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim Goldsworthy Posted February 21, 2011 at 06:37 PM Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 at 06:37 PM Our By-laws are described as short and sweet and tend to be too vague on certain issues but do refer to RONR: Robert’s Rules of Order Revised will govern this organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these by-laws.The board does not communicate with each other.Relationship with the members could be best described as contentious to the max level one can see it get to. This has caused issues with the board members head butting incessantly throughout the past year.One set of board members wants change and has involved the school on every email communication even requesting many meetings to find a common ground to work with the full board. This group has gone to the higher administration levels to continue their quest to be heard.The higher level administration suddenly had an email situation they could not control and finally those emails became so out of hand, the administration just shut down the board altogether. Can that happen? Does administration have the right to shut down a board?"Higher administration levels"?What is this?Do your bylaws define the relationship between this "level" and your board?Exactly what is the relationship between your board and your "higher levels"?None of this will be answered via Robert's Rules of Order.Robert's Rules of Order (10th ed. 2000) does not metion "higher adminisration levels" (whatever that is). So no canned answer will be possible.Boards are powerless, by default, and make no binding decisions.All exceptions must be via (a.) one's bylaws, constitution, or other document of governance; (b.) a superior body, to whom the board answers.As soon as you learn what the relationship is between one body and the other, then you will have your answer.The Book won't tell you which body ("higher level administration" vs. "board") is superior to whom, and who may shut down whom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willie Posted February 21, 2011 at 07:35 PM Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 at 07:35 PM higher admin level = assistant superintendent of schools. No relationship other than the principal named as part of the PTO executive board.I honestly have so much more to say on this subject but the situation is so volatile I caution to provide more. Is there a source out there that can answer some pretty straight forward questions about our by-laws if I provide copies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tctheatc Posted February 21, 2011 at 08:37 PM Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 at 08:37 PM You could get a professional parliamentarian to advise you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted February 21, 2011 at 11:14 PM Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 at 11:14 PM Can that happen? Does administration have the right to shut down a board?These questions are well beyond the scope of RONR and this forum. I think you need to consult a professional parliamentarian, or a lawyer, or both.I honestly have so much more to say on this subject but the situation is so volatile I caution to provide more. That's probably just as well, as I doubt we will able to provide any useful information. This situation has very little to do with the rules of RONR.Is there a source out there that can answer some pretty straight forward questions about our by-laws if I provide copies?Well, questions about Bylaws are rarely as straightforward as you think they are, but a professional parliamentarian should be able to help you. Both the National Association of Parliamentarians and American Institute of Parliamentarians provide referrals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted February 22, 2011 at 08:06 PM Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 at 08:06 PM Our By-laws are described as short and sweet and tend to be too vague on certain issues but do refer to RONR: Robert’s Rules of Order Revised will govern this organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these by-laws. The board does not communicate with each other. Relationship with the members could be best described as contentious to the max level one can see it get to. This has caused issues with the board members head butting incessantly throughout the past year. One set of board members wants change and has involved the school on every email communication even requesting many meetings to find a common ground to work with the full board. This group has gone to the higher administration levels to continue their quest to be heard. The higher level administration suddenly had an email situation they could not control and finally those emails became so out of hand, the administration just shut down the board altogether. Can that happen? Does administration have the right to shut down a board?It's not at all clear what type of "board" you're talking about here.Clearly the administration cannot "shut down" the school board, because the school board has the power to hire and fire the administration.But they could prevent the "board" of, say, a PTA from meeting on school grounds. They certainly could not force it to dissolve.So what "board" is this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willie Posted February 22, 2011 at 08:20 PM Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 at 08:20 PM It is a PTA/PTO board. I understand they can control the use of the high school for meetings but cannot dissolve the 10 of us from our baord which we were elected to per the by-laws. It has been mentioned this is a legal issue at this point. Our by-laws do not give the school administration the power/rights to shut our board down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted February 22, 2011 at 11:23 PM Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 at 11:23 PM It is a PTA/PTO board. I understand they can control the use of the high school for meetings but cannot dissolve the 10 of us from our baord which we were elected to per the by-laws. It has been mentioned this is a legal issue at this point. Does the school administration have any additional control over the PTA/PTO? For instance, does it have some control over your funds? If so, consult a lawyer. If not, just ignore their bogus declaration and find a new place to meet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willie Posted February 23, 2011 at 03:12 AM Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 at 03:12 AM No, they don’t have any control over our funds. They in fact have directed the treasurer to report to them and only them, to keep only minimal activities going and to suspend certain ongoing fundraising activities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmtcastle Posted February 23, 2011 at 03:15 AM Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 at 03:15 AM No, they don’t have any control over our funds. They in fact have directed the treasurer to report to them and only them, to keep only minimal activities going and to suspend certain ongoing fundraising activities.While you may find sympathy on this forum, you'll have to look to your own bylaws (and any other applicable rules or laws) for answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted February 23, 2011 at 03:17 AM Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 at 03:17 AM No, they don’t have any control over our funds.Well, if the administration doesn't have any control over you, I see no reason to pay any heed to their ramblings about "shutting down" their board. Just find a new meeting place and carry on with business as usual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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