Is the ceremony requirement the same for 'installing' a new member as it is for a new officer?

[Father Cadan]

RONR 46:47 "...If a formal installation ceremony is prescribed, failure to hold it does not affect the time at which the new officers assume office."

The BOD votes to accept new members to a service organization. Do the prospective members become full members immediately, or must they wait until their formal installation ceremony? The bylaws state only that "The President will read membership applications at the regular meeting only when the prospective new member is present. The Board will then vote on accepting the prospective member." and "Each new member will receive a vest and name tag at time of Induction. The cost of which will be paid out of the Administrative Account."

The vest and name tags are back-orderd such that it will be at least a month before we have them. 

Thank you

Edited January 23, 2024 at 04:19 PM by Father Cadan
typo

[Joshua Katz]

On 1/23/2024 at 11:18 AM, Father Cadan said:

The bylaws state only that "The President will read membership applications at the regular meeting only when the prospective new member is present. The Board will then vote on accepting the prospective member." and "Each new member will receive a vest and name tag at time of Induction. The cost of which will be paid out of the Administrative Account."

Well, I'm a bit confused. Is the "regular meeting" one of the membership or of the board?

That aside, in addition to the principle you cite, here are two more principles that may be persuasive in answering this question.

1. Motions take effect when adopted.

2. All qualifications for membership appear in the bylaws.

Assuming this is all the bylaws say, then, it seems to me, albeit not definitively, that the members become members upon the vote, not induction. Unless the bylaws say otherwise, this is a motion that takes effect when adopted, i.e. when the board votes on accepting the prospective member. Any intervening events would be qualifications for membership, and so must appear in the bylaws. But I think it would not be absurd for your organization to decide they become members at Induction, so your organization will ultimately need to decide. 

[Father Cadan]

On 1/23/2024 at 8:24 AM, Joshua Katz said:

Well, I'm a bit confused. Is the "regular meeting" one of the membership or of the board?

 

FYI regular meeting of the membership is what is referred to here. The BOD then votes at its separate (I suppose regular) meeting to accept new members.

Thank you, I believe my question is answered to the best extent possible.

[Joshua Katz]

On 1/23/2024 at 11:32 AM, Father Cadan said:

Thank you, I believe my question is answered to the best extent possible.

I'd like to think so, but I'd recommend hanging around for what others may think.

[Father Cadan]

On 1/23/2024 at 8:39 AM, Joshua Katz said:

I'd like to think so, but I'd recommend hanging around for what others may think.

will do, thanks again