steps for chairman to relinquish seat due to conflict of interest?

[Guest Pat Baeske]

When a topic comes up during a meeting for which the chairman has a conflict of interest, what are the steps for the chairman to step down during that topic and then resume chairmanship for the next topic?

[jstackpo]

He/she just announces that he is "turn[ing] the chair over to the vice-president" (p. 451) and leaves the lectern. The v-p presides until the issue is disposed of.

BTW, RONR makes no mention of "conflict of interest" as such. Do your bylaws? The closest RONR comes to the topic is on p. 407, line 21 ff.

[Guest Guest]

Thank you.

Yes, conflict of interest is addressed as an item for which the chair not only vacates chairmanship but *also must leave the room and not participate in discussion.

So as I understand it, the chairman just announces he is vacating chairmanship (*and leaving the room till the next topic). Then the board elects a pro tem who conducts the topic. When finished with the topic, the pro tem resumes the seat as the board member, bringing the chairman back in to continue conducting the meeting. Right?

[J. J.]

The chairman, if a member, cannot be compelled to leave the room, unless the bylaws so provide, or unless facing disciplinary action. He may be requested to do so, and may do so voluntarily.

[Guest Pat Baeske]

I understand he cannot be compelled. I believe he will do so voluntarily. We just needed to be sure of the steps of how he vacates the chairmanship to a pro tem and then returns back.

[jstackpo]

So as I understand it, the chairman just announces he is vacating chairmanship (*and leaving the room till the next topic). Then the board elects a pro tem who conducts the topic. When finished with the topic, the pro tem resumes the seat as the board member, bringing the chairman back in to continue conducting the meeting. Right?

Coupla points:

1) If you have an elected vice-president, and she is there, she automatically takes over the presiding job, not some other (elected) person. No vice-president? Then elected pro tem is correct.

2) You didn't say so before, but I take it that you are describing a meeting of the board. If you are describing a meeting of the general membership, then there is more wrong with your statement.

Let us know...

[Guest Nancy N.]

Thank you.

Yes, is addressed ...

In what document is conflict of interest addressed, please, Guest_Pat Baeske_? And how explicitly?

[Gary c Tesser]

This anonymous guest, presumably Guest_Pat Baeske, says:

... Yes, conflict of interest is addressed as an item for which the chair not only vacates chairmanship but *also must leave the room and not participate in discussion....

But also, Guest_Pat Baeske says (post #5):

11:20 AM

I understand he cannot be compelled. I believe he will do so voluntarily....

I must note that the first statement seems to say that the chairman is, indeed, compelled. Where does the inconsistency come from?