budgets

[Guest sharon]

Our BOD/treasurer avoided providing a budget and annual financial report at the recent annual meeting. The time of delivery is not specified in the bylaws, but Roberts Rules are to be followed in the absence of Bylaws guidance.

This month, one month after the AGM a budget was handed out which budgeted for $10,000 over the expected income. Since this was a "Board Meeting" the Board passed the budget with a 4 to 1 vcte. THEN to add insult to injury, they passed a motion which said that any committee could spend up to their budgeted amount without asking the Board for permission.

The accounts for the prior year reported the difference between the budgeted expenses and the acutual expenses but did not report the difference between the income and expenses. Attempts of the membership (audience) to discuss the fact that this budget would require breaking into our CDs/savings (which were painfully accumulated) were ignored and members were not heard.

Please do not think that this budget covers some major expenses or capital outlay. Its just social events, office expenses, utilities etc. Oh, I forgot, they also want to reduce income by reducing the dues for membership. General members feel that this is simply a way to force the Association to break into their savings and that these actions will severely hamper the choices of future Boards

How, using RRNR, could the general membership react to this, or do we have to wait another year for the AGM?

[Robert B Fish]

How, using RRNR, could the general membership react to this, or do we have to wait another year for the AGM?

Unless the membership is having a meeting, they cannot take action. Perhaps your bylaws allow the members to call a special meeting, e.g. for the purposes of adopting an annual budget.

OTOH, if your bylaws give the board exclusive control over the financial matters, you may not have the power to act, even in a special meeting.

You might also look at FAQ#20 and OI 2006-13.

-Bob