Proper Motion to Suspend/Stop Meeting that Violates Bylaws

[M Goodman]

I am in a bit of a quandary as to how to  make a motion to stop a meeting in its tracks that violates our bylaws. I know. and have prepared, the citations from RONR and our bylaws that would support me doing so, but I do not now the proper motion to make initially to nullify the meeting as a whole. *Background* For one, club and special club meeting are not allowed to meet electronically in our bylaws and they called an electronic meeting ( board  meetings are authorized to meet electronically in our bylaws-so obviously it was intentional for the club meetings not to do so). Two, the proper notification was not given-our notification specifically calls for our notice to go out by mail (came by email -email notifications are allowed in the bylaws for other sections, but not for club meeting-so obviously omitting meeting notifications by email in our bylaws was intentional as well). Third, the "email notification" lacked the hour of the meeting and it is specified in bylaws that the notification has to include the hour (only included date-kind of petty, but a violation nonetheless).  Fourth, it did not notify all members.

As I said, I know the citations to state as to why, and believe I can hold my ground in a debate, I just do not know what motion or how to even bring it forward!

Seriously, I am NOT a  rabble rouser, but this meeting is to vote on an extensive revision of our bylaws which contains an amendment that takes away members voting rights and oversight! I am sure the membership does not understand that! I am concerned that they will not allow me to speak! I am concerned that many of our members who are older (who do not use email) don't even realize this meeting is taking place! The title of the email did not even say meeting! I am prepared if all the membership is properly informed, and votes to basically gives complete power to the board (except for voting on elections and bylaws), to give in to the will of the majority-but that currently is not the case.

Could someone advise me as to how to proceed? I have never had to use RONR to this level before!

HELP!

 

 

Edited February 21, 2021 at 10:30 AM by M Goodman

[Guest Puzzling]

What you are looking for is a "point of order" probably followed by an "appeal".

These could also be raised at the next " proper" meeting. (Continuing breach)

Given that some members are not even informed the meeting can not be held. 

More importantly you need members to vote with you, at least a majority.

Also check other laws and regulations that regulate your organization. When it all leads to nothing you could use them for legal matters. 

Good luck 

[Josh Martin]

6 hours ago, M Goodman said:

Could someone advise me as to how to proceed? I have never had to use RONR to this level before!

You would raise a Point of Order. The chair should then ask you to state your point, at which time you would make your case that the meeting is improperly called and therefore invalid, explaining the reasons why. The chair would rule the point "well taken," meaning the chair agrees with you, or "not well taken," meaning the chair disagrees. In either case, the chair should explain the reasons for this ruling.

If the chair rules the point not well taken and you still wish to pursue the matter, you would then appeal from the decision of the chair. If another member seconds your appeal, the question is then placed before the assembly as to whether the decision of the chair shall be sustained. The appeal is debatable. The chair speaks both first and last in debate, explaining the reasoning for the ruling. Other members may speak once. After debate, the question is put as "Shall the decision of the chair be sustained?" Members who agree with the chair's ruling would vote yes, and members who disagree with the chair's ruling would vote no. A majority vote in the negative would be required to overturn the chair's ruling.

Since the question of order at issue is whether the meeting itself is valid, if it is determined that the meeting is not valid, then I suppose the meeting would then immediately adjourn.

I advise reviewing RONR (12th ed.) Sections 23 and 24 for more information on Point of Order and Appeal.