School Chair's son applied for a job

[Guest Concerned parent]

The chairman's son applied for a position but did not have the education or experience that another applicant #2 did.  Though the chairman did not come to his son's interview, he did come to applicant #2's interview and even asked questions. Should the chairman not recuse himself from ALL deliberations, etc., concerning this situation?  Are there rules pertaining to this in the RONR?

 

[Rob Elsman]

Nothing in RONR prohibits what the chairman did, since RONR confines itself to the duties and responsibilities of a presiding officer in business meetings.

[Josh Martin]

6 minutes ago, Guest Concerned parent said:

The chairman's son applied for a position but did not have the education or experience that another applicant #2 did.  Though the chairman did not come to his son's interview, he did come to applicant #2's interview and even asked questions. Should the chairman not recuse himself from ALL deliberations, etc., concerning this situation?  Are there rules pertaining to this in the RONR?

All that RONR says on this matter is the following:

“No member should vote on a question in which he has a direct personal or pecuniary interest not common to other members of the organization. For example, if a motion proposes that the organization enter into a contract with a commercial firm of which a member of the organization is an officer and from which contract he would derive personal pecuniary profit, the member should abstain from voting on the motion. However, no member can be compelled to refrain from voting in such circumstances.” (RONR, 11th ed., pg. 407)

So this would suggest that the chairman should not vote on any matters relating to his son’s employment (although he ultimately has the right to vote if he wishes), but nothing in RONR suggests that a person with a personal or pecuniary interest not in common with other members should refrain from participating in other ways, such as being present, speaking in debate, or asking questions.

It is very possible that the school board’s own rules or applicable law have additional rules on this subject.

[Gary Novosielski]

Nothing in RONR would prevent the chairman from participating, but depending on the nature of this body (school board?) there may be state regulations that would require the chairman to recuse himself.  In some jurisdictions, the son would not be eligible for employment at all.  Tell us more about the nature of this <board?>.