Board meetings - public or private

[Guest Jennifer]

If the constitution of a club does not specify if board meetings are open or closed to members attending other than the board, do the members have the right to attend board meetings? Also, on a similar note, if the bylaws say the board meetings are held in a locaton and does not state that such meetings are conducted via teleconference, can the board hold meetings via teleconference and not allow non-board members to have access to dial in for said meeting?

[Chris Harrison]

If the constitution of a club does not specify if board meetings are open or closed to members attending other than the board, do the members have the right to attend board meetings?

No. RONR p. 625 says, "Nonmembers, on the other hand - or a particular nonmember or group of nonmembers - can be excluded at any time from part or all of a meeting of a society, or from all of its meetings." RONR p. 3 defines a member as "a person having the right to full participation in its proceedings - that is... the right to make motions, to speak in debate on them, and to vote." So although someone may be a member of the General Membership that would not convey him any rights at a Board meeting.

Also, on a similar note, if the bylaws say the board meetings are held in a locaton and does not state that such meetings are conducted via teleconference, can the board hold meetings via teleconference

Not unless the bylaws specifically permits holding meetings via teleconference (RONR pp. 408-409) which it sounds like yours don't.

and not allow non-board members to have access to dial in for said meeting?

See my response to your first question.