Voting recusal

[Guest Dee Newbie]

I understand  that a member with a monetary or personal interest should not vote as a rule of thumb.  However, may that person still remain for the discussion but then recuse himself for the vote?

Also, if the discussion and vote were about a position that was held by an adult relative not living in the same home, would this be considered a matter of 'personal interest'?

Thanks.

[Gary Novosielski]

The advice in RONR only concerns voting.  How much the member decides to participate will depend on the best judgment of the parties involved, unless you have your own rules that apply.

The same applies to deciding on particular cases such as the one you mention.  The devil is in the details, and all I can advise is use your best judgment, based on the specific facts.

[Josh Martin]

On 9/15/2023 at 11:01 AM, Guest Dee Newbie said:

I understand  that a member with a monetary or personal interest should not vote as a rule of thumb.  However, may that person still remain for the discussion but then recuse himself for the vote?

Yes, so far as RONR is concerned.

On 9/15/2023 at 11:01 AM, Guest Dee Newbie said:

Also, if the discussion and vote were about a position that was held by an adult relative not living in the same home, would this be considered a matter of 'personal interest'?

That will be at the discretion of the member involved. Other than a few brief examples, RONR does not define whether particular matters do or do not constitute a "personal or pecuniary interest not in common with other members" and leave these questions to the member's judgment.

"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.

The rule on abstaining from voting on a question of direct personal interest does not mean that a member should not vote for himself for an office or other position to which members generally are eligible, or should not vote when other members are included with him in a motion. If a member never voted on a question affecting himself, it would be impossible for a society to vote to hold a banquet, or for the majority to prevent a small minority from preferring charges against them and suspending or expelling them (61, 63)." RONR (12th ed.) 45:4-5