Guest Hilda Posted May 11, 2018 at 10:11 PM Report Share Posted May 11, 2018 at 10:11 PM Can executive committees hold meetings by email? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Geiger Posted May 11, 2018 at 10:46 PM Report Share Posted May 11, 2018 at 10:46 PM Only if the bylaws explicitly authorize them. In any case, they're a bad idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted May 11, 2018 at 11:25 PM Report Share Posted May 11, 2018 at 11:25 PM (edited) 40 minutes ago, Benjamin Geiger said: Only if the bylaws explicitly authorize them. In any case, they're a bad idea. Agreed, and I would suggest that even if the bylaws authorize the Executive Board to conduct business by e-mail, such exchanges are not really “meetings” in the parliamentary sense. “A group that attempts to conduct the deliberative process in writing—such as by postal mail, electronic mail (e-mail), or facsimile transmission (fax)—does not constitute a deliberative assembly. When making decisions by such means, many situations unprecedented in parliamentary law will arise, and many of its rules and customs will not be applicable (see also pp. 97–99).” (RONR, 11th ed., pg. 1, footnote) “It is important to understand that, regardless of the technology used, the opportunity for simultaneous aural communication is essential to the deliberative character of the meeting. Therefore, a group that attempts to conduct the deliberative process in writing (such as by postal mail, e-mail, "chat rooms," or fax)—which is not recommended—does not constitute a deliberative assembly. Any such effort may achieve a consultative character, but it is foreign to the deliberative process as understood under parliamentary law.” (RONR, 11th ed., pg. 98) Edited May 11, 2018 at 11:26 PM by Josh Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Goodwiller, PRP Posted May 12, 2018 at 01:00 AM Report Share Posted May 12, 2018 at 01:00 AM 1 hour ago, Josh Martin said: Agreed, and I would suggest that even if the bylaws authorize the Executive Board to conduct business by e-mail, such exchanges are not really “meetings” in the parliamentary sense. “A group that attempts to conduct the deliberative process in writing—such as by postal mail, electronic mail (e-mail), or facsimile transmission (fax)—does not constitute a deliberative assembly. When making decisions by such means, many situations unprecedented in parliamentary law will arise, and many of its rules and customs will not be applicable (see also pp. 97–99).” (RONR, 11th ed., pg. 1, footnote) “It is important to understand that, regardless of the technology used, the opportunity for simultaneous aural communication is essential to the deliberative character of the meeting. Therefore, a group that attempts to conduct the deliberative process in writing (such as by postal mail, e-mail, "chat rooms," or fax)—which is not recommended—does not constitute a deliberative assembly. Any such effort may achieve a consultative character, but it is foreign to the deliberative process as understood under parliamentary law.” (RONR, 11th ed., pg. 98) I agree completely. Email voting can be authorized, particularly when a matter has been discussed first in a meeting that meets the criteria for a meeting. Additionally, bylaws may contain a provision for "action between meetings" (or similar wording), which is often required by state law anyway. In that case, it ought to be defined carefully in the bylaws as essentially a "unanimous consent" action - meaning that if even a single member objects or even wishes to have discussion on the matter, then a real meeting (which, if the bylaws authorize it, may be by conference call or other technology) is required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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