Personal information discussed at annual meeting

[Guest Toni]

I have just attended my first board meeting after recently purchasing a condo in a large community.  I have a dog for medical reasons.  All the necessary paperwork was filed and recorded.  I have been told by the president that because of her size he did not want her in this association but did sign off on the forms.  At the annual meeting, another board member stated my age as well as my medical condition for needing a therapy dog.  She stated she did not agree with this law and wanted to review my file once again.  This was all aired in an open forum, not in a private meeting between board members.  Any advice ??

[Chris Harrison]

First, check your bylaws to determine where these type of issues should be discussed.  Also, if you are concerned that you may not be allowed to keep the dog check any applicable rules and laws which may give you a right to have one for medical reasons.

[Edgar Guest]

I have just attended my first board meeting . . . At the annual meeting . . . 

 

Was this a board meeting or the annual meeting of the general membership of the association?

 

Either way, if you think a member acted inappropriately I'm afraid your only recourse is to suggest some sort of disciplinary action (e.g. a motion of censure).

[Gary Novosielski]

Either way, if you think a member acted inappropriately I'm afraid your only recourse is to suggest some sort of disciplinary action (e.g. a motion of censure).

 

Well, maybe your only parliamentary recourse, yes.

 

But I'll bet they have potentially created legal problems for themselves by not allowing a necessary service animal.  That is to say, I might bet if i were a lawyer, which I am not, so I won't.  But you might want to consult one.  A letter from an attorney "explaining" the law to them can sometimes work wonders.

[Guest Toni]

Thanks for your input.  I appreciate it. 

[Edgar Guest]

But I'll bet they have potentially created legal problems for themselves by not allowing a necessary service animal. 

 

Though it appears that the dog was, in fact, permitted (i.e. the president signed off on the forms).

 

I would also note that a "therapy dog" (aka Emotional Support Animal) is not the same thing as a service dog. Click here for a recent article you might find amusing. Or not.

[Dan Honemann]

Well, maybe your only parliamentary recourse, yes.

 

But I'll bet they have potentially created legal problems for themselves by not allowing a necessary service animal.  That is to say, I might bet if i were a lawyer, which I am not, so I won't.  But you might want to consult one.  A letter from an attorney "explaining" the law to them can sometimes work wonders.

 

You're certainly right about the fact that no rule in RONR says that members have a right to bring a dog to a meeting for any reason.

[Gary Novosielski]

Though it appears that the dog was, in fact, permitted (i.e. the president signed off on the forms).

 

I would also note that a "therapy dog" (aka Emotional Support Animal) is not the same thing as a service dog. Click here for a recent article you might find amusing. Or not.

 

Yeah, I was cueing off the word "medical", and presuming it was an actual service animal.   I've seen plenty of the other kind at airports, etc, with their Amazon-bought jackets on.   But I did like the article.  I've got two alpacas and a llama, but I never thought about taking them to the movies--or to a school board meeting.

 

But I'll just stick with the parliamentary implications, out of fear of the wrath.  

[Edgar Guest]

You're certainly right about the fact that no rule in RONR says that members have a right to bring a dog to a meeting for any reason.

 

Unless, of course, the dog is a member.

 

Speaking of which, aren't we overdue for a question about a small dog club? Which, I assume, is either one with no more than about a dozen dogs . . . or one with, say, 101 Chihuahuas.