Guest Larry Posted February 8, 2022 at 11:50 PM Report Share Posted February 8, 2022 at 11:50 PM We are about to hold our Annual General Meeting for members in good standing (dues paid members). We are renting a meeting room, providing refreshments and sandwiches. We want to charge our members attending the meeting a fee to off set expenses. We are being challenged that the AGM has to be made free to paid membership. Is there any where in Roberts Rules of Order that stated if an AGM incurs expenses a fee can be charged to attend? Thank You Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atul Kapur Posted February 9, 2022 at 12:36 AM Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 at 12:36 AM (edited) A member has the right to attend meetings of the organization. This (a fee to attend the AGM) could be seen as an infringement on this right. It could also be seen as an additional financial assesment on members, which can only be assessed if the bylaws authorize. Even then, I doubt that it is in order to only apply an assessment to those who exercise their right to attend a meeting. RONR (12th ed.) 56:19 says, "Members cannot be assessed any additional payment aside from their dues unless it is provided for in the bylaws." It would be preferable to see the AGM as an activity of the organization, and budget for it accordingly, rather than be accused of hindering a member's right to participate. Edited February 9, 2022 at 03:13 AM by Atul Kapur added underlined words for clarity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted February 9, 2022 at 01:10 AM Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 at 01:10 AM On 2/8/2022 at 6:50 PM, Guest Larry said: We are about to hold our Annual General Meeting for members in good standing (dues paid members). We are renting a meeting room, providing refreshments and sandwiches. We want to charge our members attending the meeting a fee to off set expenses. We are being challenged that the AGM has to be made free to paid membership. Is there any where in Roberts Rules of Order that stated if an AGM incurs expenses a fee can be charged to attend? Thank You No, there isn't. As a matter of fact, RONR prohibits charging any fees over and above dues, unless the bylaws provide for it. So if they don't, you can't. And in my view it's a bad look, anyway. If the dues don't cover the AGM, then the dues are too low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua Katz Posted February 9, 2022 at 01:24 AM Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 at 01:24 AM However, nothing says you can't also sell things at the AGM. The meeting has to be open to all, not the lunch buffet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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