Requiring 2 members to place an item on the agenda

[Guest Steve Szymczak]

My board has a policy that requires a voting member to seek out and identify another board mamber who agrees to sponsor an agenda item. The thinking is that if no one will sponsor the agenda item then there will be no second at the table, thus there will be no support for the motion. I argue that every elected board mamber should have the right to place an item on the agenda and for the other board members to decide at the table if one of them will offer a second. Is there a RR for this or is it just a matter of the local board setting its own policy? Thanks.

[jstackpo]

A "two-person agenda submission" requirement is not a Robert Rule; indeed RONR doesn't require any agenda at all to bring business to a meeting.

It must be your board's policy, so you are stuck with it until you can get it changed.

[Guest Edgar]

I argue that every elected board mamber should have the right to place an item on the agenda and for the other board members to decide at the table if one of them will offer a second.

You could also argue that, at meetings of small boards where not more than about a dozen members are present, RONR does not require seconds.

N8rBe6

[Josh Martin]

My board has a policy that requires a voting member to seek out and identify another board mamber who agrees to sponsor an agenda item. The thinking is that if no one will sponsor the agenda item then there will be no second at the table, thus there will be no support for the motion. I argue that every elected board mamber should have the right to place an item on the agenda and for the other board members to decide at the table if one of them will offer a second. Is there a RR for this or is it just a matter of the local board setting its own policy?

So far as RONR is concerned, seconds aren't required in small board meetings at all. The extent to which a board may adopt its own rules depends on whether it is part of a larger organization (RONR, 11th ed., pg. 487, lines 26-31; pg. 488, line 1; pg. 486, lines 13-28).

[Guest Steve Szymczak]

Wow. I am impressed with this internet thing. I am doubly impressed that those wo are practiced in the trade took the time to answer my question. Thanks to all repsondents.