Can a vote be taken on items not on the agenda?

[Guest Rick]

Can a vote be taken on an item not on the agenda?

[Joshua Katz]

Yes, although with the limitation that, at a special meeting, motions are not in order if they are not within the purpose for which the meeting was called. 

So long as the motion is otherwise in order, assuming the agenda has been adopted, a member may move to amend the agenda by a 2/3 vote or a majority vote of the entire membership to include the item. Or the rules may be suspended to permit taking it up. Or it may be moved when agenda items have been completed and the meeting has not yet adjourned.

But that's just RONR. There may be other applicable rules, depending on the organization and its nature. For instance, there may be open meeting laws that may bear on this question.

[Rob Elsman]

Maybe. Maybe not.

[Richard Brown]

Agreeing with my colleagues, I would say that most likely, yes, items not on the agenda may be taking up. But as Mr. Katz pointed out, there are exceptions.  For example, your bylaws or special rules of order may provide that only items on the agenda may be taken up at a meeting. Your own rules would supersede those in RONR.

We need more information in order to give you a more precise answer.

[Rob Elsman]

After the orders of the day have been handled, items of new business are allowed to be brought up; however, by way of exception, an agenda that orders the adjournment of the meeting immediately after finishing with the last of the orders of the day is intended to prevent the introduction of additional business not included in the agenda.