Membership approval of dues decreases

[Guest Ron Motto]

Our Club bylaws dictate that "The amount of dues applicable to all Senior Voting Members shall be determined by the vote of a majority of Senior Voting Members present at a Senior Voting Membership meeting" Does the Board of Directors have the authority to "lower" these dues without a vote of the membership?

[Rob Elsman]

I cannot get into the interpretation of a particular society's bylaws on this forum, but I can say that an executive board has only those powers prescribed for it in the bylaws or by an action of the general membership assembly with respect to a particular matter referred to the board with power. See RONR (10th ed.), p. 465, ll. 26-30.

[Trina]

Our Club bylaws dictate that "The amount of dues applicable to all Senior Voting Members shall be determined by the vote of a majority of Senior Voting Members present at a Senior Voting Membership meeting" Does the Board of Directors have the authority to "lower" these dues without a vote of the membership?

I think this is more an English language question than a parliamentary procedure question. It boils down to 'the amount of dues shall be determined by [X].' It doesn't say that only increases in dues are subject to procedure X. Moreover, the procedure, and who is to perform it, seem clearly defined. That's assuming your bylaws define what a 'Senior Voting Membership meeting' is, and who 'Senior Voting Members' are.

If there is any ambiguity in the bylaws, interpretation is the responsibility of the organization. See RONR pp. 570-573 for some principles of bylaws interpretation.