Calling a meeting when the chair/president will/have not?

[Guest Michael]

I am trying to get a meeting called of the Board of Directors, however the president has failed to do so. There are some pressing issues we need to discuss, including the results of our elections. How or who can call a meeting with out the permission or action of the president?

[Guest Edgar]

How or who can call a meeting with out the permission or action of the president?

Check your bylaws for the details concerning special (i.e. non-regular) meetings of the board. If your bylaws are silent on special meetings, they can't be called.

[Rev Ed]

The By-laws will state if special meetings are allowed (if they don't mention special meetings you can't have special meetings), and the By-laws should state how special meetings are called.

[Gary c Tesser]

And i'll add that if there are regular meetings scheduled in the bylaws (such as, "the board shall meet the second Tuesday of the month at 8 PM at the clubhouse,") then that's when and where they meet, and the president has no say in the matter.

[Rev Ed]

And if the President has to call the meeting - the Board should consider disciplining the President.

And while we are at it, if the President alone has the power to actually call a Special Meeting, then perhaps the By-laws need to be amended as follows:

1) "Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called from time to time by the President or on request of at least two directors. If the President refuses to call a special meeting within 72 hours of receiving the request, any director requesting may call the meeting. Notice for a special meeting must be sent out seven (7) days prior to the meeting." Or:

2) "Special meetings of the Board of DIrectors may be called if requested by at least two members. Seven (7) days notice is required for a special meeting, and any member requesting a special meeting may call the meeting."

[Guest Edgar]

2) "Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called if requested by at least two members. Seven (7) days notice is required for a special meeting, and any member requesting a special meeting may call the meeting."

What is it about "seven" that requires additional explanation ("7") that doesn't also apply to "two"?

[Tim Wynn]

What is it about "seven" that requires additional explanation ("7") that doesn't also apply to "two"?

When one looks to pop culture, one finds that seven always requires further explanation, as evidenced by the following common titles:

Snow White and the Seven (7) Dwarfs

Seven (7) Samurai

7(seven)/11

Pay attention, Edgar

[Tim Wynn]

I am trying to get a meeting called of the Board of Directors, however the president has failed to do so. There are some pressing issues we need to discuss, including the results of our elections.

Special meetings are convened to consider items of business, not to discuss. By the way, why would you need to discuss the results of your elections?

How or who can call a meeting with out the permission or action of the president?

Such information would be found in the bylaws. See RONR (11th ed.), p. 92, ll. 10-14.