Constitution or motions- which supercedes which?

[Guest OKT]

On our boards, we have an antiquated constitution that is currently being revised. We make motions and pass them as a board for things like elections. After the fact, people are angry that we are not following the constitution even though it was motion discussed at length and passed at a board meeting. Who is in the right?

[Guest Edgar]

Your constitution is your superior governing document, Any motions which conflict with it are null and void.

 

Not only can't your board adopt motions which conflict with your constitution, the general membership can't either.

[jstackpo]

Unless, of course, the "conflicting" motion is actually a motion to amend some portion of the constitution.  That isn't a "real" conflict.  But you do have to follow the amendment rules found in the constitution.

[Guest OKT]

Thank you. I think our board to to distinguish better what is meeting business and what is needed as amendment and or motions. We're not clear on that.

[Josh Martin]

Thank you. I think our board to to distinguish better what is meeting business and what is needed as amendment and or motions. We're not clear on that.

 

Yes, you really need to distinguish between these things, since adopting an amendment to the Constitution is generally much more difficult than adopting an ordinary motion.