special committee

[Guest mimigerhardt@hotmail.com]

the presiden of our organization appointed a special committee without approval from the executive board. The special committee is completely rewriting the By-Laws, How do we stop the committee before it's too late?

[Kim Goldsworthy]

How do we stop the committee before it's too late?

1. Refuse to hear the committee report.

2. Vote down anything which arises out of that special committee.

Since the committee has no standing, that is, it was not created by you, populated by you, charged (instructed) by you, then you have no authority over the committee and you cannot stop that committee from meeting.

The committee, therefore, is just a group of individual people, gathering for a common cause.

People are free to meet. People are free to talk. People are free to plan.

You cannot "stop," in any official capacity, a casual, informal gathering of members who wish to talk (here, talk about amending the bylaws).

In fact, their final recommendations might be excellent, and their proposed amendments well-crafted and logically impeccable.

How silly you'd look to oppose sane, rational suggestions.

Why oppose something you know nothing about?

[Trina]

the presiden of our organization appointed a special committee without approval from the executive board. The special committee is completely rewriting the By-Laws, How do we stop the committee before it's too late?

Why would it be 'too late'? No matter how busy the committee is with writing, surely they don't the authority to actually CHANGE the bylaws? What amendment process do your current bylaws specify? In most organizations bylaws changes must be approved by the general membership.

As for the president appointing a committee without board approval, do the bylaws give the president this authority?

[hmtcastle]

the presiden of our organization appointed a special committee without approval from the executive board. The special committee is completely rewriting the By-Laws, How do we stop the committee before it's too late?

Well, they can "re-write" all they want but they can't amend the bylaws. So when they're proposal is presented, just vote "no".

As for the president appointing a committee, unless he's authorized to do so all he's done is asked some people to play around with the bylaws.

And, if you think it might be time for a new president, see FAQ #20.