Executive Sessions

[Guest George]

We have an Executive Committee that basically runs the organization, I was wondering about whether or not these meetings should be "Open Meetings" to the Membership? And, under what circumstances can they close these meetings from it's membership? In addition, if you are a member; however, due to the structure you are not allowed to vote per se ... do they have the right to exclude a member from said meeting.

[Chris Harrison]

We have an Executive Committee that basically runs the organization, I was wondering about whether or not these meetings should be "Open Meetings" to the Membership? And, under what circumstances can they close these meetings from it's membership?

Unless the bylaws say otherwise only members of the body which is meeting have any rights to the proceedings (RONR p. 628). In other words the Executive Committee is under no obligation to ever open their meetings to the Membership.

In addition, if you are a member; however, due to the structure you are not allowed to vote per se ... do they have the right to exclude a member from said meeting.

Just because a member is not allowed to vote (there are VERY few times under RONR where this is the case) doesn't necessarily mean that they lose their other rights such as the right to attend.

[Tim Wynn]

We have an Executive Committee that basically runs the organization, I was wondering about whether or not these meetings should be "Open Meetings" to the Membership?

The executive committee has only what power is given to it by the bylaws or by the assembly of the organization. Whether nonmembers of the executive board can attend is also determined by the bylaws; failing a specific provision to that effect, only members of the executive committee have the right to attend such meetings.

And, under what circumstances can they close these meetings from it's membership?

If the bylaws do not dictate that nonmembers of the executive committee can attend, then the executive committee may allow nonmembers to be present at the meetings, but it can toss them out at its discretion.

In addition, if you are a member; however, due to the structure you are not allowed to vote per se ... do they have the right to exclude a member from said meeting.

According to RONR, a member is a person with full rights to participate. If your bylaws prescribe nonvoting classes of membership, the rights of such classes should be clearly spelled out.