Art Layton Posted June 7, 2017 at 12:39 AM Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 at 12:39 AM I am a Trustee of a condominium. Our documents call for a quorum of Trustees at Board meetings to vote, etc. We have three Trustees, so we need at least two to be physically present to have a valid meeting. The third Trustee is out of the state for several months during the winter. He feels we should have "virtual" meetings since he will not be physically present for Trustee meetings. I believe this is not allowed under RONR and also our condo documents use the term "quorum". I believe that quorum means physically present. Your thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstackpo Posted June 7, 2017 at 01:13 AM Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 at 01:13 AM You are correct -- a quorum is a required number of people physically present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hieu H. Huynh Posted June 7, 2017 at 01:13 AM Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 at 01:13 AM 32 minutes ago, Art Layton said: I believe that quorum means physically present. I would agree with your belief. Any "virtual" meetings must be provided for in your bylaws for them to be valid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Hunt Posted June 7, 2017 at 01:41 AM Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 at 01:41 AM That said, there is nothing wrong with having the third trustee present remotely by phone or video conference, just that he will not count as present. So he cannot count for quorum (the other two must be present), cannot vote, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua Katz Posted June 7, 2017 at 11:27 AM Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 at 11:27 AM Also, even if your rules did allow for virtual meetings (but not require them), you'd have no obligation to include him, as you have a quorum actually there. You might remind him that (I'm guessing here) the rest of you did not exile him out of the state, but rather, he went for his own purposes. Actions have consequences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Honemann Posted June 7, 2017 at 12:44 PM Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 at 12:44 PM 1 hour ago, Joshua Katz said: Also, even if your rules did allow for virtual meetings (but not require them), you'd have no obligation to include him, as you have a quorum actually there. You might remind him that (I'm guessing here) the rest of you did not exile him out of the state, but rather, he went for his own purposes. Actions have consequences. I agree. "If an organization authorizes its assembly, boards, or committees to hold electronic meetings, such a provision should indicate whether members who are not present in person have the right to participate by electronic means, or whether the body may choose to allow or disallow such participation; and, conversely, whether there is required to be a central location for members who wish to attend meetings in person." (RONR, 11th ed., pp. 98-99) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Layton Posted June 7, 2017 at 01:08 PM Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 at 01:08 PM Thank you for the responses to this issue. I have the RONR In Brief, but need to purchase the complete 11th issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary c Tesser Posted June 7, 2017 at 11:42 PM Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 at 11:42 PM 10 hours ago, Art Layton said: the complete 11th issue We call it the 11th "Edition," but as a long-time comic-book fan, I grin at your usage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Mervosh Posted June 8, 2017 at 06:48 PM Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 at 06:48 PM 19 hours ago, Gary c Tesser said: We call it the 11th "Edition," but as a long-time comic-book fan, I grin at your usage. Wait you have the 11th Edition? I know how you got the 10th, but which philanthropic member updated you to the 11th? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Layton Posted June 8, 2017 at 07:55 PM Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 at 07:55 PM 20 hours ago, Gary c Tesser said: We call it the 11th "Edition," but as a long-time comic-book fan, I grin at your usage. Not sure I understand your reference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary c Tesser Posted June 9, 2017 at 02:20 AM Report Share Posted June 9, 2017 at 02:20 AM On 6/7/2017 at 9:08 AM, Art Layton said: the complete 11th issue. On 6/7/2017 at 7:42 PM, Gary c Tesser said: We call it the 11th "Edition," but as a long-time comic-book fan, I grin at your usage. 6 hours ago, Art Layton said: Not sure I understand your reference It's a joke, of little consequence. When comic books are published, usually monthly, each publication is referred to as an issue. On the other hand, when Robert's Rules is Newly Revised every ten years or so, as it more-or-less has been since 1970, it's a new edition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary c Tesser Posted June 9, 2017 at 02:20 AM Report Share Posted June 9, 2017 at 02:20 AM 7 hours ago, George Mervosh said: Wait you have the 11th Edition? I know how you got the 10th, but which philanthropic member updated you to the 11th? The used-dictionary salesman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmuel Gerber Posted June 9, 2017 at 03:21 AM Report Share Posted June 9, 2017 at 03:21 AM 59 minutes ago, Gary c Tesser said: The used-dictionary salesman. Or maybe it was the used dictionary salesman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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