Meetings Beyond Those Provided for in the Bylaws

[still_learning]

Hi,

My question regards Email meetings being held by our president in excess of those provided for specifically in the bylaws. Our bylaws say only the following regarding number and type of meetings.

"The host group shall schedule a Board of Directors Meeting to be held during the annual convention......."

and

"A second meeting of the executive committee may be held at a date, time and location determined by the President or by a two-thirds vote of the members of the Executive Committee. Written notice is to be given to each member of the Executive Committee at least 30 days in advance."

No mention exists of special meetings or Email meetings. Our bylaws default to Robert's Rules where no specific provisions are made.

Am I correct in saying that meetings in excess of those two meetings are illegal meetings and that decisions made in those meetings are not binding? Our president has been holding these meetings and having motions and votes.

[Trina]

Special meetings can only be called if the bylaws say they can be called.

'If the bylaws do not authorize the calling of special meetings, such meetings are not permitted -- except when authorized by the assembly itself, as part of formal disciplinary procedures...' (RONR 11th ed. p. 576 ll. 14-17)

'...it is a fundamental principle of parliamentary law that the right to vote is limited to the members of an organization who are actually present at the time the vote is taken in a regular or properly called meeting...' (p. 263 ll. 18-22, emphasis added)

Also, as you no doubt know by now, e-mail meetings are not allowed under RONR.

Any action taken in violation of a fundamental principle of parliamentary law is null and void (see p. 251 for further information).

[Gary Novosielski]

Our president has been holding these meetings and having motions and votes.

Your president probably needs to be removed from office.