Guest Colleen Posted March 16, 2019 at 08:30 PM Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 at 08:30 PM What is the rule concerning hearsay comments being recorded in minutes of a meeting please? It is my understanding hearsay is not allowed, am I correct, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted March 16, 2019 at 08:41 PM Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 at 08:41 PM Even non-hearsay comments do not belong in the minutes. The minutes are a record of what was done, not what was said. They include the motions made, and whether they were passed, rejected, referred, postponed, or what-have-you. They do not include debate or other comments, whether hearsay or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hieu H. Huynh Posted March 16, 2019 at 10:01 PM Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 at 10:01 PM Also see FAQ #15. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted March 16, 2019 at 10:33 PM Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 at 10:33 PM 31 minutes ago, Hieu H. Huynh said: Also see FAQ #15. Yikes, the site seems to be down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weldon Merritt Posted March 16, 2019 at 11:59 PM Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 at 11:59 PM 1 hour ago, Gary Novosielski said: Yikes, the site seems to be down. If it was, it isn't now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted March 17, 2019 at 05:16 AM Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 at 05:16 AM 5 hours ago, Weldon Merritt said: If it was, it isn't now. All is well now. I was getting a Windows Server default screen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted March 17, 2019 at 04:03 PM Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 at 04:03 PM 19 hours ago, Guest Colleen said: What is the rule concerning hearsay comments being recorded in minutes of a meeting please? It is my understanding hearsay is not allowed, am I correct, Comments don’t belong in the minutes at all. The minutes are a record of what was done, not what was said. Additionally, hearsay is permissible under a trial in RONR. Whether a comment is or is not “hearsay” at other times is not relevant. “In an ordinary society, the minutes should contain mainly a record of what was done at the meeting, not what was said by the members.” (RONR, 11th ed., pg. 468) “To get at the truth under the conditions of such a trial, hearsay evidence has to be admissible, and judgment as to the best interests of the society may have to be based on it. Witnesses are not sworn. The persons with first-hand knowledge may be nonmembers, who probably will decline to testify, and may be willing only to reveal the facts privately to a single member on condition that their names in no way be connected with the case. Even members may be reluctant to give formal testimony against the accused. A member can be required to testify at a trial on pain of expulsion, but it is very seldom advisable to force such an issue.” (RONR, 11th ed., pg. 655) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. J. Posted March 18, 2019 at 01:04 AM Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 at 01:04 AM 9 hours ago, Josh Martin said: Comments don’t belong in the minutes at all. The minutes are a record of what was done, not what was said. Additionally, hearsay is permissible under a trial in RONR. Whether a comment is or is not “hearsay” at other times is not relevant. “In an ordinary society, the minutes should contain mainly a record of what was done at the meeting, not what was said by the members.” (RONR, 11th ed., pg. 468) “To get at the truth under the conditions of such a trial, hearsay evidence has to be admissible, and judgment as to the best interests of the society may have to be based on it. Witnesses are not sworn. The persons with first-hand knowledge may be nonmembers, who probably will decline to testify, and may be willing only to reveal the facts privately to a single member on condition that their names in no way be connected with the case. Even members may be reluctant to give formal testimony against the accused. A member can be required to testify at a trial on pain of expulsion, but it is very seldom advisable to force such an issue.” (RONR, 11th ed., pg. 655) Just to be crystal clear, the second quoted paragraph refers to evidence in a disciplinary trial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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