viewing financial statements

[Guest sandibrs@mn.com]

Background: Residental social club, automatic membership with residency. Approx. 285 residents, elected 4 member Board of Directors.

Situation : Regular scheduled, published board meeting Tues. July 5, 7:00 P.M. On the afternoon of the meeting, a member calls the President requesting that the bank statements, journal, and checkbook be brought to the meeting. The published financial reports had some obvious errors and would like to have them explained at the meeting. President replies OK.- -- 7:00 P.M. members arrive at meeting place, typed notice on window stating that because of the holiday weekend the board has decided to cancel the meeting. No mention of any reschedule.

Question: Are there any stipulations in RONR regarding the Board of Directors being obligated to show financial data to it's members? If so, what would be the procedure to force the issue?

[Robert B Fish]

At the meeting of the BOARD, only the members of the BOARD have the right to attend, make motions, speak in debate in vote. Others, i.e. residents, do not have these rights but the BOARD can grant them the right to attend and speak during allowed times.

At meetings of the MEMBERSHIP, the MEMBERS have the right to attend, make motions, speak in debate in vote. The BOARD does not have any special rights at that meeting.

The members may, at a meeting of the MEMBERSHIP vote to require that the board produce its minutes and have them read to the membership (2/3 vote required).

-Bob

[David A Foulkes]

Background: Residental social club, automatic membership with residency. Approx. 285 residents, elected 4 member Board of Directors.

Situation : Regular scheduled, published board meeting Tues. July 5, 7:00 P.M. On the afternoon of the meeting, a member calls the President requesting that the bank statements, journal, and checkbook be brought to the meeting. The published financial reports had some obvious errors and would like to have them explained at the meeting. President replies OK.- -- 7:00 P.M. members arrive at meeting place, typed notice on window stating that because of the holiday weekend the board has decided to cancel the meeting. No mention of any reschedule.

Question: Are there any stipulations in RONR regarding the Board of Directors being obligated to show financial data to it's members? If so, what would be the procedure to force the issue?

sandibrs - was this member and these members officers on the Board, or are they general members of the society?

As for canceling the meeting, I don't believe there is anything in RONR that allows for that, so unless your governing documents allow for such cancellation, that was improper (to be put it politely).

[Kim Goldsworthy]

Are there any stipulations in RONR regarding the Board of Directors being obligated to show financial data to it's members?

If so, what would be the procedure to force the issue?

A board is under no obligation to reveal anything to anyone.

The default rule in Robert's Rules is that everything is "members only". - So if you are not a board member, you do not get access to board minutes, board reports, board financial statements, etc.

To "force the issue", the general membership is free to adopt a motion to compel the board to act in whatever manner the general membership wishes.

Having the board produce its minutes, its reports, its financial material, etc., is certainly a reasonable set of things to order produced.

The board itself is free to adopt a motion to compel its treasurer to produce whatever reports it wishes for presentation to the general membership.

[Guest sandibrs@mn.com]

sandibrs - was this member and these members officers on the Board, or are they general members of the society?

As for canceling the meeting, I don't believe there is anything in RONR that allows for that, so unless your governing documents allow for such cancellation, that was improper (to be put it politely).

These were general members, not board members. Sandi