Does the Chairman have to right to make decisions for the board without consulting the board? Ex: Media Statements, etc

[Guest Sonny]

The Vice-chair conducted a television interview and made some pretty outrageous remarks to the press while representing our board.  The Chairman did not call a governing body meeting and took it upon self to address the issue by putting out a statement.  Shouldn't the Chairman involve his governing body to address the issues?

[Gary Novosielski]

The only duties prescribed in RONR for the chairman are those related to presiding over meetings.  If your society has assigned other roles, such as serving as a public spokesman for the governing body, then those would have to be spelled out in your organization's bylaws or standing rules.  Anyway--they're not in RONR.

 

So, if a majority of the membership feels he overstepped his bounds by assuming authority for things not assigned to him, they can discipline him.

[Chris Harrison]

He probably should have but nothing in RONR would require it.  However, the Chair and Vice Chair could be subjected to discipline if they are making statements on behalf of the Board without permission (especially if the Board doesn't agree with said statements).