Board Meeting

[peaches70]

We have a Homeowners Association. We have Board Meeting when needed. A renter has put in writing a request to address the board on a subject that concerns the lot she is renting. She has someting on the lot that belongs to her that some board members think is not allowed, it will be on the agenda for the next meeting. Our documents say that only owners may attend members meetings, which includes Board meeting. Now for the question, does RONR address this situation? Can she be allowed to be at the meeting, to state her concerns?

[jstackpo]

If by the "next meeting" you mean a Board meeting, your renter has no right to attend (unless your bylaws/covenants give her that right), but the Board can certainly allow her to come and speak to the board members at the meeting. Majority vote by the Board, if it gets controversial.

[Guest Edgar]

Can she be allowed to be at the meeting, to state her concerns?

Just because she may not have a right to attend and speak at a board meeting doesn't mean the board can't permit her to do so.

Unless your bylaws really do say that only owners may attend meetings (including board meetings) though this would be very unusual (no guest speakers?). Even so, I suspect this might be the kind of rule that could be suspended (though it's not always clear which those are).

[Josh Martin]

We have a Homeowners Association. We have Board Meeting when needed. A renter has put in writing a request to address the board on a subject that concerns the lot she is renting. She has someting on the lot that belongs to her that some board members think is not allowed, it will be on the agenda for the next meeting. Our documents say that only owners may attend members meetings, which includes Board meeting. Now for the question, does RONR address this situation? Can she be allowed to be at the meeting, to state her concerns?

So far as RONR is concerned, the board is free to permit the renter to attend the meeting and to address the board when no question is pending, by majority vote. A 2/3 vote would be required to let her speak in debate.

It will be up to your organization to interpret its own rules. It's not clear whether the rule is intended simply to permit owners to attend meetings (note that under RONR, only board members have a right to attend board meetings) or if it is truly intended to prohibit non-owners from attending. See RONR, 11th ed., pgs. 588-591 for some Principles of Interpretation. It's not clear from your post what sort of rule this is. If it is a standing rule, it could be suspended by majority vote.

Just because she may not have a right to attend and speak at a board meeting doesn't mean the board can't permit her to do so.

Unless your bylaws really do say that only owners may attend meetings (including board meetings) though this would be very unusual (no guest speakers?). Even so, I suspect this might be the kind of rule that could be suspended (though it's not always clear which those are).

While I agree that it would be unusual for the rule to prohibit non-members from attending, if such a rule was in the Bylaws it could not be suspended unless the rule provides for its suspension. Such a rule does not seem to be in the nature of a rule of order.