Directors or General Membership who has the final say on a vote?

[Guest Mike K]

The Board of Directors of a private club voted to make their Club non smoking. At the Clubs General Membership meeting  a motion is made on the floor and 2nd to allow smoking in the Club. Who has the final say?

[Richard Brown]

Unless your bylaws specify otherwise, the board is subservient to the membership and the membership has the final say.  See Official Interpretation Nos 12 and 13   on the main website:  http://www.robertsrules.com/interp_list.html#2006_13

Edited to add:  Exactly what do your bylaws say about the power of the board?  It is possible that your bylaws give the Board the exclusive authority to manage the affairs of the club.  Without such an exclusive grant of authority, however, the membership may countermand actions of the Board.  Pay particular to the vote required per Official Interpretation No 13 (cited above)

Edited February 15, 2018 at 07:23 PM by Richard Brown
Added last paragraph

[Guest Mike K]

Richard, Thank you for answering my question. We do not have the exclusive authority to manage the affairs of the Club.

Kind regards,

Mike K