May a general member of an association attend a board meeting?

[Lamplighter]

My Home Owners Association is having an "Emergency Board Meeting" to discuss items that are relevant to the entire membership (there are only four board members). Is it true that a non board member may attend? I thought that one may, but does not have a vote. Does one need to be invited by a board member, the entire board or can one just attend?

Thank you for any clarification.

[Bruce Lages]

Under RONR, only members of the body that is meeting have the right to attend. So, if this is a board meeting only the board members have the right to attend. However the board, by a majority vote, can invite non-members to be present. The non-members could even be allowed to speak when no motion is pending (by majority vote), or in debate on a pending motion by suspending the rules (2/3 vote). You are correct that non-members never can be given the right to vote. 

 

But you should also check the bylaws of your HOA, because they may grant members of the association who are not board members the right to attend board meetings.

[Rev Ed]

You may also want to check with the state, as there may be a sunshine rule governing your HOA.  Other then that no you cannot attend a Board meeting unless:

 

1)  You are a Board member.

2)  You are invited by the Board to attend.

[Lamplighter]

Thank you both for the clarification. Exactly what I needed!