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Ratification of an expense after it was incurred


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One of our Board Members incurred an expense without any preapproval of the Board of Directors.  According to RONR, there is a ratification process where the expense can be approved, after the fact, allowing the the Board Memeber to reimbursed.

 

What would the process look/sound like in a meeting?  What motion is made and by whom?  Does it need a 2/3 or majority vote to be pass?  Any references to RONR would also be helpful.

 

Thanks!

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A motion to ratify is treated just as any other main motion.  Someone (any member) moves "to approve and ratify the expense incurred by member Smith on January 15, 2015 for the purchase of surplus U.S. Government toilet seats (or hammers)  in the amount of $4,499,999.99 and to authorize and direct the club treasurer to reimburse him that amount".... or whatever the amount was.  Someone seconds it.  It requires a majority vote for passage (unless done by unanimous consent). 

 

Edited to add:  You could also handle this as a simple motion to approve the expense, rather than as a motion to ratify.  The process would be the same.

 

The motion to ratify us used more often to "ratify" or "legitimize" previous action taken by the assembly in the absence of a quorum.

 

Edited again to add:  Here is part of what RONR says about the motion to ratify starting on page 124:

 

"The motion to ratify (also called approve or confirm) is an incidental main motion that is used to confirm or make valid an action already taken that cannot become valid until approved by the assembly. Cases where the procedure of ratification is applicable include:
    •    action improperly taken at a regular or properly called meeting at which no quorum was present;
    •    action taken at a special meeting with regard to business not mentioned in the call of that meeting;
    •    action taken by officers, committees, delegates, or subordinate bodies in excess of their instructions or authority;
[page 125] •    action taken by a local unit that requires approval of the state or national organization; or
    •    action taken by a state or national society subject to approval by its constituent units.
An assembly can ratify only such actions of its officers, committees, delegates, or subordinate bodies as it would have had the right to authorize in advance. . . ."

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