AHC member Posted August 4, 2020 at 04:54 AM Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 at 04:54 AM We need to be able to vote via email in order to conduct business during this time when we are not able to meet in person. Our by-laws require that votes be taken during a regular meeting. What do we do? Is there an Act of God clause in Robert's Rules of Order that we can invoke to change the by-laws to allow email voting? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hieu H. Huynh Posted August 4, 2020 at 08:09 AM Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 at 08:09 AM 3 hours ago, AHC member said: Is there an Act of God clause in Robert's Rules of Order that we can invoke to change the by-laws to allow email voting? No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hieu H. Huynh Posted August 4, 2020 at 08:25 AM Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 at 08:25 AM 3 hours ago, AHC member said: What do we do? Perhaps, Official Interpretation 2020-1 may be of use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted August 4, 2020 at 01:41 PM Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 at 01:41 PM (edited) 8 hours ago, AHC member said: We need to be able to vote via email in order to conduct business during this time when we are not able to meet in person. I would dispute the premise as there are options in between voting by email and meeting in person, such as a teleconference or videoconference, and such options are generally preferable to voting by email. Such options still must be authorized in the bylaws. "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) 8 hours ago, AHC member said: Our by-laws require that votes be taken during a regular meeting. What do we do? You would need to hold a meeting in order to amend the bylaws. If the bylaws currently do not authorize electronic meetings or email voting, then this would need to occur at an in-person meeting with a quorum present. It would likely be advisable to work out the details ahead of time so that the meeting can proceed swiftly. 8 hours ago, AHC member said: Is there an Act of God clause in Robert's Rules of Order that we can invoke to change the by-laws to allow email voting? No. As to how the society can continue to conduct business in the interim if it is not able to meet, I suggest taking a look at Official Interpretation 2020-1 for most matters and Official Interpretation 2020-3 for elections. Edited August 4, 2020 at 01:42 PM by Josh Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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