Board Member not able to attending a board meeting to vote

[Guest Nick]

A duly called board meeting is scheduled tomorrow.  A board member just emailed the board that he cannot be present but wants to vote no on a proposed update to our ground rules.  The submitted document will be reviewed/discussed at the meeting and additional changes are expected.  We do allow voting if we have a conference call but that is not an option for this board member.  During the winter months when the board doesn't have duly called meetings, we have a policy to permit voting by email on issues that arise.  

There will be board members that will consider this a vote against and to be counted.  Looking for clarification and what to consider.

 

 

[Chris Harrison]

19 minutes ago, Guest Nick said:

We do allow voting if we have a conference call

Is that allowance actually located in the bylaws?  If not you can't do it (RONR pp. 423-424).

21 minutes ago, Guest Nick said:

During the winter months when the board doesn't have duly called meetings, we have a policy to permit voting by email on issues that arise.

Same response as above.

[Richard Brown]

1 hour ago, Guest Nick said:

A duly called board meeting is scheduled tomorrow.  A board member just emailed the board that he cannot be present but wants to vote no on a proposed update to our ground rules.  The submitted document will be reviewed/discussed at the meeting and additional changes are expected.  We do allow voting if we have a conference call but that is not an option for this board member.  During the winter months when the board doesn't have duly called meetings, we have a policy to permit voting by email on issues that arise.  

There will be board members that will consider this a vote against and to be counted.  Looking for clarification and what to consider.

Nothing in RONR permits this member to vote unless he is physically present at the meeting. Any exception would have to be found in your own bylaws or rules.