chain of command for the board

[bigtom68]

Is there a chain of command that is to be followed when the chair ignores members complaints about the vice chair?

[Richard Brown]

In what way is the vice-chair "misbehaving"? 

 

The Chairman should maintain order during meetings and enforce the rules of procedure in your bylaws, your special rules of order and your parliamentary authority, which we hope is Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th edtion (RONR).

 

If he fails to do so, you have a range of options, from talking to him privately, to raising points of order when he ignores a breach, appealing from the ruling of the chair if he makes a ruling you disagree with, to various forms of disciplinary proceedings from censure, removal from office, suspension, and ultimately expulsion.  That is all covered in Chapter XX of RONR, which consists of 26 pages on discipline alone.

 

If the vice chair is misbehaving or not properly performing his duties of office, me may be disciplined in the same way.

 

It is also possible to have someone else preside in place of the elected chairman at a meeting, but that takes a two-thirds vote unless he consents to it.

[bigtom68]

Our vice chair has been making false statements about other members at meetings. When a complaint was made by the member in question all he says is I can't do anything about it ( I believe he won't because they are good friends ). Where do we go from here? My RONR is on order just waiting for it to get here. Thanks for all the help

[Rev Ed]

While you are waiting for your copy of RONR, double check the By-laws of the organization with regards to discipline.  If the By-laws contain something about discipline, the organization can start disciplinary action under those rules.  Otherwise, when you receive your copy of RONR, read Chapter XX about discipline.

 

If necessary, you can discipline both the Chairman and the Vice Chairman.  The Vice Chairman for his actions, and the Chairman if he tries to stop any discipline.

[bigtom68]

I don't want to remove him from office just want him to fairly judge everyone. Can I call the remaining board members together or do I have to go to the next in command ( sec. treasurer)?

[Edgar Guest]

do I have to go to the next in command ( sec. treasurer)?

 

Apart from the vice-president (or vice-chair) acting in the president's (or chair's) absence, there is no "chain of command" so no one is "next".

 

Also, it's unlikely that a board has need of its own treasurer, though the treasurer (of the association) may be a member of the board.

[Josh Martin]

I don't want to remove him from office just want him to fairly judge everyone. Can I call the remaining board members together or do I have to go to the next in command ( sec. treasurer)?

 

Take the issue to the board. The Secretary and Treasurer have no power to do anything about this as individuals.

[Shmuel Gerber]

Our vice chair has been making false statements about other members at meetings. When a complaint was made by the member in question all he says is I can't do anything about it ( I believe he won't because they are good friends ). Where do we go from here? My RONR is on order just waiting for it to get here. Thanks for all the help

 

If these statements are being made in the course of debate, or as indecorous outbursts at a meeting, the chair certainly has the duty to stop them immediately. If the chair does not do so, any member should call the vice-chair to order immediately, and not wait until afterward to complain to the chair or to the board.

I am assuming that these false statements reflect negatively on the members. On the other hand, if the vice-president says, "My learned friend has expressed the view ... " but in fact the member who previously spoke is not at all learned, then I would not expect the chair to intervene.