Guest jawene Posted April 2, 2014 at 01:39 PM Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 at 01:39 PM Recently a few members of the board of our organization started an "email campaign" regarding their disapproval over a member who posted generic but obnoxious comments on facebook. Board members sent emails back & forth to all board members complaining about facebook comments, the member and asking for discipline to take place. Should this not have been done in a special meeting that goes into executive session to discuss issue and possible disciplinary action against said member? I am appalled by behavior of board members, need advice or where to locate in RONR. read full discipline procedure does not mention email. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Harrison Posted April 2, 2014 at 02:28 PM Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 at 02:28 PM Nothing in RONR prohibits people from having conversations outside of meetings (be it by e-mail, Facebook, phone call, or whatnot) about whatever they want (with the exception of speaking about business conducted in Executive Session except with other members of the body which met). However, they can't take any action except for at a meeting. So in other words, they can have a gripe session as much as they want but griping is all they can do until they are at a meeting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted April 2, 2014 at 02:55 PM Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 at 02:55 PM If you feel that this facebook exchange rises to the level of conduct that would justify expulsion from membership (and it's possible it might), refer to Chapter XX (20) in RONR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted April 2, 2014 at 03:08 PM Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 at 03:08 PM Our Bylaws clearly state that if a member has complaint against other member for "conduct injurious to the welfare of the club" that it is to be reported in writing and the board is to appoint an investigative committee to review all facts and then present to board. Discussion at board mtg on a "personnel" issue is to be held in executive session. My concern is that these board members, (2 of them) complained to entire board and recommended action be taken. It is unclear to many of us that the comments made on facebook were injurious to club--just someone frustrated. No specific names, places, etc. were included. At the very least I think the person who viewed comments and was upset should file letter to board in form of greivance. Am I wrong here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Harrison Posted April 2, 2014 at 03:23 PM Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 at 03:23 PM Maybe this person should have filed a letter but nothing in RONR requires that it be done. I haven't seen those e-mails but just as food for thought for you is it possible that the e-mail exchange was this person's way of "testing the waters" to see if the Board members thought the comments were worthy of starting the disciplinary process? Since the Board is apparently the arbiter of the case after the investigating committee makes their report getting an informal lay of the land might have been this person's intent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted April 2, 2014 at 05:22 PM Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 at 05:22 PM Recently a few members of the board of our organization started an "email campaign" regarding their disapproval over a member who posted generic but obnoxious comments on facebook. Board members sent emails back & forth to all board members complaining about facebook comments, the member and asking for discipline to take place. Should this not have been done in a special meeting that goes into executive session to discuss issue and possible disciplinary action against said member? I am appalled by behavior of board members, need advice or where to locate in RONR. read full discipline procedure does not mention email. Nothing in RONR prohibits members from posting obnoxious comments on Facebook nor does it prohibit members from complaining about such comments via e-mail. If the members intend to actually take disciplinary action against the member they'd need to follow the disciplinary procedures in your bylaws. The same rules apply if you want to take disciplinary action against the complaining members. At the very least I think the person who viewed comments and was upset should file letter to board in form of greivance. Am I wrong here? It's up to your organization to interpret its own rules, but based upon what you say, it would seem they need to submit their complaint in writing if they want actually want the board to take action. Again, however, nothing in RONR prevents them from complaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted April 2, 2014 at 05:32 PM Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 at 05:32 PM Since all of this seems to be covered by rules in your bylaws, everybody should be following them. But you knew that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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