Guest michelle Posted October 17, 2018 at 10:32 PM Report Share Posted October 17, 2018 at 10:32 PM how many readings should there be before adopting a new set of by-laws? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hieu H. Huynh Posted October 17, 2018 at 10:56 PM Report Share Posted October 17, 2018 at 10:56 PM At least once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Zev Posted October 17, 2018 at 11:16 PM Report Share Posted October 17, 2018 at 11:16 PM I am not so sure about this. Consider the following: [Zev] Mr. Chairman. [Chairman] Mr. Zev is recognized. [Zev] Mr. Chairman, I move that the reading of the proposed bylaws be dispensed with. Question: Is such a motion legitimate, and if adopted is it possible that either a founding document or a bylaw revision could be adopted without it ever being actually read? I get the impression that such a thing is possible, yet perhaps not the smartest thing in all cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hieu H. Huynh Posted October 17, 2018 at 11:21 PM Report Share Posted October 17, 2018 at 11:21 PM It could be done by unanimous consent. Any member could demand that it be read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstackpo Posted October 17, 2018 at 11:22 PM Report Share Posted October 17, 2018 at 11:22 PM Actually... RONR does not have ANY requirement for an actual reading (out loud, at a meeting, I presume you mean) of bylaw amendments prior to consideration other than stating the motion to amend. A notice (which is carefully defined in the book) is required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hieu H. Huynh Posted October 17, 2018 at 11:46 PM Report Share Posted October 17, 2018 at 11:46 PM "When any paper is laid before the assembly for action, it is a right of every member that it be read once; and, if there is any debate or amendment, that it be read again before members are asked to vote on it." RONR 11th ed., p. 299, ll. 4-8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Zev Posted October 18, 2018 at 12:03 AM Report Share Posted October 18, 2018 at 12:03 AM There is no doubt that it is a right that a member may request its reading. However, I would like to not confuse that with a requirement that it be read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hieu H. Huynh Posted October 18, 2018 at 12:18 AM Report Share Posted October 18, 2018 at 12:18 AM Thus the reading could be dispensed with by unanimous consent. Perhaps "Consideration and adoption of proposed bylaws" starting on p. 557 may be of use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted October 18, 2018 at 12:47 AM Report Share Posted October 18, 2018 at 12:47 AM 2 hours ago, Guest michelle said: how many readings should there be before adopting a new set of by-laws? Michelle, are you perhaps thinking of state legislatures and local governments which have a "1st Reading" and a "2nd reading" and sometimes a "3rd Reading" of a proposed law before it is voted on? In those situations, although the rules might call for 1st reading, 2nd reading, etc, in practice the actual reading of the proposed law is dispensed with and it is read by title only. It is exceedingly rare that the entire proposed legislation is actually read out loud in its entirety. Just playing a hunch here, I suspect you are thinking of a proposed bylaw amendment (or a complete revision or a first set) being proposed at one meeting and then voted on at the next meeting. In practice, the actual proposed bylaw amendment (or the whole set) is often never read aloud in its entirety if it has been distributed in writing to the members. Please clarify just what you mean by your question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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