Guest bill erickson Posted March 13, 2015 at 09:23 PM Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 at 09:23 PM On what should the Secretary report under the agenda item Board officer reports? Our secretary uses this time as an opportunity to introduce and "report" his opinion on various topics. The topics are not on the agenda, and the Board has not asked him to report on the topics. He provides the Board with copies of his"report" and then includes this in the minutes. At our last meeting I made comments about his "report" that contradicted his opinion. My comments were not included in the minutes. I am concerned that this gives the impression that the secretary's point of view on a variety of topics is accepted by the board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Guest Posted March 13, 2015 at 09:29 PM Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 at 09:29 PM Well, your comments shouldn't be included in the minutes but neither should the secretary's. The report should simply be received and filed. I imagine a secretary's report would include things like the number of new members. But RONR doesn't directly address secretary's reports (though it does mention the treasurer's report) and, in fact, says that "strictly speaking, in a purely deliberative assembly, the officers make no reports" (p.476}. In a sense, I suppose you could say that the minutes are the secretary's report (of what happened at the preceding meeting). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Honemann Posted March 13, 2015 at 09:50 PM Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 at 09:50 PM In a sense, I suppose you could say that the minutes are the secretary's report (of what happened at the preceding meeting). But don't say it. It's wrong and extremely misleading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Guest Posted March 13, 2015 at 10:12 PM Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 at 10:12 PM But don't say it. It's wrong and extremely misleading. Duly noted. Notes to self: Quit while you're ahead. Less is more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted March 13, 2015 at 10:32 PM Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 at 10:32 PM Duly noted. Notes to self: Quit while you're ahead. Less is more.Well, at least on this forum, apparently. I keep misplacing the notes I've made on the subject. I made myself a new one the other day, and I'm trying not to misplace it, but it does tend to get covered up with other stuff once in a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hieu H. Huynh Posted March 13, 2015 at 11:46 PM Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 at 11:46 PM Although it's not about a "secretary's report", I think this citation is relevant: "The minutes should never reflect the secretary's opinion, favorable or otherwise, on anything said or done." (RONR 11th ed., p. 468, ll. 18-20) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted March 14, 2015 at 12:03 AM Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 at 12:03 AM Although it's not about a "secretary's report", I think this citation is relevant: "The minutes should never reflect the secretary's opinion, favorable or otherwise, on anything said or done." (RONR 11th ed., p. 468, ll. 18-20)I agree. However, in many organizations it is customary for the secretary to give a report in addition to reading the minutes. The report, as someone mentioned, is often about correspondence, new members, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted March 14, 2015 at 12:29 AM Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 at 12:29 AM On what should the Secretary report under the agenda item Board officer reports? Our secretary uses this time as an opportunity to introduce and "report" his opinion on various topics. The topics are not on the agenda, and the Board has not asked him to report on the topics. He provides the Board with copies of his"report" and then includes this in the minutes. At our last meeting I made comments about his "report" that contradicted his opinion. My comments were not included in the minutes. I am concerned that this gives the impression that the secretary's point of view on a variety of topics is accepted by the board. The Secretary's Report, or any officer's report, should pertain to his duties as an officer, not his personal opinions on whatever he feels like talking about. Reports and comments should not be included in the minutes. I agree that including the Secretary's opinions in the minutes is quite concerning, and RONR explicitly notes that this is improper. The board should adopt a motion ordering the Secretary to cease this practice immediately, and if he does not comply, get a new Secretary. See FAQ #20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.