firesecretary Posted January 8, 2012 at 03:50 AM Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 at 03:50 AM Would I be out of line to ask that board members not attend board meetings smelling of alcohol? There is nothing in the by-laws that prohibits persons under the influence of attending, however, it is terribly inappropriate and is becoming a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Goodwiller, PRP Posted January 8, 2012 at 03:57 AM Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 at 03:57 AM First of all, I would suggest that "smelling of alcohol" and "under the influence" are not necessarily the same thing. But that said, standards for the conduct of board members are certainly a proper topic for consideration by the board - particularly in the form of bylaw provisions. On the other hand, one member of the board - even if an elected officer of the board - does not have the right to impose their personal standards of conduct on other members. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Harrison Posted January 8, 2012 at 03:59 AM Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 at 03:59 AM You can always ask the Board member not show up to meetings if he or she smells of alcohol but absent some rule included in the bylaws (which would probably cause more problems than it solves) you cannot prohibit the Board member from attending the meeting. However, if he or she becomes unruly the Board could order the drunk Board member removed from the hall for the remainder of the meeting (RONR pp. 644-648). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Foulkes Posted January 8, 2012 at 12:08 PM Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 at 12:08 PM .... however.... it is ...... becoming a problem.How? Is he not abiding by parliamentary rules (speaking out of turn, being indecorous in debate)? Or is it just the smell of alcohol that is disturbing to the members? What exactly is the "problem?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tctheatc Posted January 8, 2012 at 12:30 PM Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 at 12:30 PM put a dish of mints out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Edgar Posted January 8, 2012 at 12:39 PM Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 at 12:39 PM Or is it just the smell of alcohol that is disturbing to the members?"There's something about an Aqua Velva man." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Foulkes Posted January 8, 2012 at 12:46 PM Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 at 12:46 PM "There's something about an Aqua Velva man."See Post #12, Line 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Harrison Posted January 8, 2012 at 12:52 PM Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 at 12:52 PM What exactly is the "problem?"Could it be that the person isn't bringing enough to share with the rest of the Board? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trina Posted January 8, 2012 at 12:56 PM Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 at 12:56 PM A question of privilege?"I ask that Ms. R. breathe in a different direction. I'm becoming light-headed, and unable to keep accurate minutes. Oh, and pass those mints please!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Edgar Posted January 8, 2012 at 03:55 PM Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 at 03:55 PM See Post #12, Line 3.You said it brother! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trina Posted January 8, 2012 at 04:46 PM Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 at 04:46 PM To the original poster:We are actually capable of giving a serious response (maybe ), if you want to provide a bit more information. As Mr. Foulkes asked a while ago, what specifically is the problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Harrison Posted January 8, 2012 at 05:01 PM Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 at 05:01 PM We are actually capable of giving a serious response (maybe ),I do think that posts 2-4 answered the OP's question pretty nicely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firesecretary Posted January 10, 2012 at 12:29 AM Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 at 12:29 AM We have a bar owner who always attends meetings smelling of alcohol. At our last meeting, the smell was stronger than usual. The smell, however, as bad as it was, was not the problem. The problem was the loud belligerent interruptions that accompanied the smell this time. I'm pretty sure the liquid courage that he had consumed beforehand only made his outbursts worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted January 10, 2012 at 04:48 AM Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 at 04:48 AM Would I be out of line to ask that board members not attend board meetings smelling of alcohol?Depends on when (and how) you ask. Asking such a question during a meeting is likely to be indecorous or not germane to the pending motion (or both). Asking such a question outside of the meeting is fine, although the board member still doesn't have to listen to you. You may move the adoption of a standing rule on the subject if you wish, which requires a majority vote for adoption.The problem was the loud belligerent interruptions that accompanied the smell this time.Well, so far as RONR is concerned, it is the member's "loud belligerent interruptions" which are improper, not his smell or his state of intoxication (although the latter could be related). The chair (or another member) should call the member to order for his interruptions, and more severe action may be taken if he persists. The member's smell and state of intoxication violate no rule in RONR, although the board could adopt standing rules on either or both of these subjects if it wished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Honemann Posted January 10, 2012 at 03:52 PM Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 at 03:52 PM The member's smell and state of intoxication violate no rule in RONR, although the board could adopt standing rules on either or both of these subjects if it wished.However, the enforceability of such a rule will depend upon the type of board that adopts it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Mervosh Posted January 10, 2012 at 04:20 PM Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 at 04:20 PM However, the enforceability of such a rule will depend upon the type of board that adopts it.Dan, I'm sure Josh is crystal clear on this but do you mean subordinate board vs. one that is not subordinate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Honemann Posted January 10, 2012 at 04:32 PM Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 at 04:32 PM Dan, I'm sure Josh is crystal clear on this but do you mean subordinate board vs. one that is not subordinate?Yes, that is essentally the distinction to be drawn (RONR, 11th ed., p. 486, ll. 13-28). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Mervosh Posted January 10, 2012 at 04:50 PM Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 at 04:50 PM Yes, that is essentally the distinction to be drawn (RONR, 11th ed., p. 486, ll. 13-28).Ok thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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