"In Good Standing"

[Guest Suzeey]

Is there ever an occasion where this phrase is useful?

I see this phrase used often, and at best it seems irrelevant; at worst ambiguous.

It seems to me that either a member is a member, or they're not.

If a member does not have voting rights because their dues are not paid, then it seems to me that should be specified. Similarly, if a member is the subject of a disciplinary investigation or procedure, then it seems appropriate for bylaws or rules to specify that member does not have voting rights until such an investigation/procedure has been concluded--if, those are the bylaws or rules that have been adopted.

What else is there to consider regarding this member modifier "in good standing"?

[Guest christi]

we have an officer that wants to run for office. he was suspended for 30days and his dues were not paid. he is being told that he can not run for office because he was not in good standing. he is now back to work and has resumed dues deductions. he was not removed from the roll. can the union prevent him from running for office?

[jstackpo]

Guest_christi: Only if the bylaws say so.

And in general:

In Good Standing:

RONR/11 defines the term "member in good standing" on p. 6 in the footnote as referring to a member whose membership rights are not in suspension, either as a consequence of disciplinary proceedings (Chapter XX) or by operation of some specific provision in the bylaws of the organization.

So if you use the phrase "in good standing" in the bylaws, be sure to define exactly what you mean: what causes a member not to be in good standing, what he has to do to get back into the good graces of the association, &c. Also, you should specify which membership rights, duties, privileges, &c. are lost or suspended (or retained) by a member as a consequence of his being in "bad standing" as distinct from his being in good standing or ceasing to be a member at all.

[Josh Martin]

Is there ever an occasion where this phrase is useful?

Unless the society has defined the phrase in its rules, not really.

So far as RONR is concerned, the term simply means a member whose rights are not under suspension.

It seems to me that either a member is a member, or they're not.

Not necessarily. Even under RONR, a society might decide to punish a member by suspending him of his rights for a period of time rather than expelling him from the society altogether. In such a case, the individual is still a member, but he is not in good standing.

If a member does not have voting rights because their dues are not paid, then it seems to me that should be specified.

This is correct. Unless the Bylaws specify otherwise, a member who is delinquent in his dues is still in good standing.

Similarly, if a member is the subject of a disciplinary investigation or procedure, then it seems appropriate for bylaws or rules to specify that member does not have voting rights until such an investigation/procedure has been concluded--if, those are the bylaws or rules that have been adopted.

This might not be required. If an organization's Bylaws are silent on disciplinary procedures, then the rules in RONR are controlling. Under those rules, the society may suspend the rights of a member until the trial has been completed. Authorization in the Bylaws is not necessary.

If the Bylaws have a customized disciplinary procedure, however, then details such as this would need to be specified.

What else is there to consider regarding this member modifier "in good standing"?

I think you've covered all the bases.

we have an officer that wants to run for office. he was suspended for 30days and his dues were not paid. he is being told that he can not run for office because he was not in good standing. he is now back to work and has resumed dues deductions. he was not removed from the roll. can the union prevent him from running for office?

Technically, under RONR there are no requirements whatsoever to run for office, so the union could not prevent him from running if RONR is controlling. The union may have customized rules on this subject in the Bylaws, however, so you'll need to look to those to answer your question for sure. See RONR, 11th ed., pgs. 588-591 for some Principles of Interpretation.