Excuse Candidate From Election Discussion

[pstroud]

We are going to be voting for all the positions on our small board at the next meeting. Some members have

expressed an opinion that there should be discussion allowed (without the nominee present) to air some concerns.

Is it proper to ask the nominees to leave the room for open discussion?

Pastro

[Chris Harrison]

You can ask but they are well within their rights to decline.

RONR p. 625 says regarding meetings:

[a]ll members have the right to attend except in cases where the bylaws provide for the automatic suspension of members who fall in arrears in payment of their dues, or where the society has, by vote and as a penalty imposed for a specific offense, forbidden attendance.

[George Mervosh]

But please don't let that stop you from the debating the qualifications, or lack thereof, of the nominees.

[Rob Elsman]

But please don't let that stop you from the debating the qualifications, or lack thereof, of the nominees.

On the other hand, whatever it is that is so juicy that it cannot be repeated in front of the candidate is likely not to be germane to the question whether it is advisable to elect the person to the office. Be sure to take a look at RONR (10th ed.), p. 379.

[pstroud]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions.