Debbie Bramer Posted November 1, 2023 at 08:00 PM Report Share Posted November 1, 2023 at 08:00 PM If a board member has a conflict of interest on an issue, can the chair be passed to that board member to moderate so that the chair who needs to participate in the discussion can do so? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted November 1, 2023 at 10:53 PM Report Share Posted November 1, 2023 at 10:53 PM No rule in RONR would prohibit it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmuel Gerber Posted November 2, 2023 at 01:33 AM Report Share Posted November 2, 2023 at 01:33 AM On 11/1/2023 at 4:00 PM, Debbie Bramer said: If a board member has a conflict of interest on an issue, can the chair be passed to that board member to moderate so that the chair who needs to participate in the discussion can do so? On 11/1/2023 at 6:53 PM, Gary Novosielski said: No rule in RONR would prohibit it. It seems inappropriate to me to specifically allow the member with a conflict of interest to preside. "47:10 Whenever a motion is made that refers only to the presiding officer in a capacity not shared in common with other members, or that commends or censures him with others, he should turn the chair over to the vice-president or appropriate temporary occupant (see below) during the assembly’s consideration of that motion, just as he would in a case where he wishes to take part in debate (see also 43:29–30). The chair, however, should not hesitate to put the question on a motion to elect officers or appoint delegates or a committee even if he is included." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted November 2, 2023 at 03:34 PM Report Share Posted November 2, 2023 at 03:34 PM On 11/1/2023 at 3:00 PM, Debbie Bramer said: If a board member has a conflict of interest on an issue, can the chair be passed to that board member to moderate so that the chair who needs to participate in the discussion can do so? It would seem preferable to select a board member who does not have such an interest to preside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Elsman Posted November 2, 2023 at 03:38 PM Report Share Posted November 2, 2023 at 03:38 PM "Conflict of interest" is a term that has its context in statutory law. The term is not used in RONR (12th ed.). Questions about the qualification of a member of a board with a "conflict of interest" to preside should be referred to the body's legal counsel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted November 2, 2023 at 05:55 PM Report Share Posted November 2, 2023 at 05:55 PM (edited) I would note that if this is a board with fewer than "about a dozen members" present and if the board uses the "small board rules" in RONR, the chair may participate in debate and voting and make motions the same as all other members. So, there may not be a need for the regular presiding officer to relinquish the chair. See, for example, 49:21 (RONR 12 ed.) Edited to add: Even if this is a large board or one that does not use the small board rules, the board may still suspend the rules to permit the chair to participate in the consideration of a particular motion the same as all other members. If the matter being considered is particularly important or controversial, it may well be that no other board member will be willing to serve as chair pro tem if he has to give up his rights to debate, etc, if he serves as chair pro-tem. Edited November 2, 2023 at 05:59 PM by Richard Brown Added last paragraph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drake Savory Posted November 7, 2023 at 02:20 AM Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 at 02:20 AM Given that the Chair is supposed to be unbiased, wouldn't a person with a conflict of interest be the last person you want as the Chair? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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