Absent Board Members Entitled to Executive Session Details?

[Guest Guest]

If some board members were absent during an emergency meeting that was largely in camera (an executive session), are they entitled to know the details of what happened and what was said during the "secret" portion of that meeting?

Our organization does not take any notes or minutes during an executive session.

Thank you

Angela

[jstackpo]

Yes the are entitled to know what went on.

No minutes? You should, to document what you (might) have done, officially. Just keep the minutes secret, too.

[Guest Edgar]

Yes the are entitled to know what went on.

Well, they're entitled to view the minutes but the minutes won't tell the whole story. And I don't believe any of the members who were present are under any obligation to relate the nature (let alone the essence) of any debate that took place. Certainly two members could present two very different impressions of what was said. If you want to know "what went on", you need to attend the meeting.

So while any member is free to fill the absent member in on the nitty-gritty, it's just one person's perspective, not an official recounting.

[Josh Martin]

If some board members were absent during an emergency meeting that was largely in camera (an executive session), are they entitled to know the details of what happened and what was said during the "secret" portion of that meeting?

They are entitled to view the minutes (although it seems you unfortunately do not keep any). Other members are free to tell them what happened but they are under no obligation to do so. The purpose of executive session is to keep the proceedings secret from nonmembers of the board, not from absent members.

Our organization does not take any notes or minutes during an executive session.

Minutes should be taken of all meetings, including meetings held in executive session.