Guest John Posted February 12, 2013 at 01:40 PM Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 at 01:40 PM I am a member of a youth football organization. Our organization is actually a Parent Organization, which is governed by a Board of Directors and a set of poorly written by-laws. However, as part of the by-laws, it states that anything not included within will defer to Robert's Rules of Order. I am a football coach that is extremely popular with my players and their parents. I am disliked amongst many Board members because I hold them accountable for the many issues within our organization. The problems start with no tax returns filed in 10 years, the loss of Tax-exempt status (yet continue to use a "fraudulant tax exempt cert" when purchasing from local vendors.The Board says that they voted me out of the organization last fall. I was not notified of such action and there are no notes within the monthly minutes. They recently enacted a "new By-law" which states that any member who has been expelled in the past is now expelled for life!My question: are such actions allowable under Robert's Rules?Thank you very much!John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Harrison Posted February 12, 2013 at 01:47 PM Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 at 01:47 PM The Board only has the authority the bylaws give it (RONR p. 482 ll. 25-29). So the question is whether the bylaws give the Board the authority to expel you from Membership and if they have the authority to amend the bylaws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Edgar Posted February 12, 2013 at 02:00 PM Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 at 02:00 PM Our organization is actually a Parent Organization, which is governed by a Board of Directors and a set of poorly written by-laws.To follow up on Mr. Harrison's reply, let's say there are 12 board members and 120 members in the organization. If it came down to a vote, who would win? Check those bylaws (carefully) and then get the numbers on your side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest John Posted February 12, 2013 at 02:56 PM Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 at 02:56 PM Within the By-laws, the Board is NOT granted the right to expel members. Further, when the proposed By-law change was written, it was NOT given to the entire membership, as REQUIRED by our By-laws. If was only passed amongst the "voting membership and Executive Board".Do these facts negate the ruling of the Board and further negate the "legality" of the By-law change?Thanks very much! I really appreciate any, all input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Edgar Posted February 12, 2013 at 03:03 PM Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 at 03:03 PM Do these facts negate the ruling of the Board and further negate the "legality" of the By-law change?It would appear so. But you'll still need the numbers on your side. So make sure all the members have a copy of the bylaws and then convince a majority to interpret them the same way you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted February 13, 2013 at 12:03 AM Report Share Posted February 13, 2013 at 12:03 AM Within the By-laws, the Board is NOT granted the right to expel members. Further, when the proposed By-law change was written, it was NOT given to the entire membership, as REQUIRED by our By-laws. If was only passed amongst the "voting membership and Executive Board".Do these facts negate the ruling of the Board and further negate the "legality" of the By-law change?Well, keep in mind that it's up to the organization to interpret its Bylaws. See RONR, 11th ed., pgs. 588-591 for some Principles of Interpretation. So we can't tell you whether your interpretation of the Bylaws is correct. That will be up to the society.But if you are correct, then it would seem that the expulsion and the amendment to the Bylaws are null and void. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sMargaret Posted February 13, 2013 at 07:16 PM Report Share Posted February 13, 2013 at 07:16 PM I would also suggest you get a copy of The Book: http://www.robertsrules.com/book.html and the short version of the book: http://www.robertsrules.com/inbrief.htmlI do suggest you read up on points of order, and appeal the decision of the chair. Also, make sure to invite voting members along to meetings. I assume your group has both general meetings and board meetings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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