abcdave Posted August 11, 2010 at 02:04 AM Report Share Posted August 11, 2010 at 02:04 AM Our organization has monthly board meetings and an annual membership meeting.At the annual membership meeting this year, there was a great deal of confusion about our bylaws - so much so that after the meeting, the president decided to call a special membership meeting (six weeks later) to "amend and clarify" the bylaws. The bylaws do say the president has the authority to call for a special meeting and 30 days notice is required for amendments to the bylaws. Any member can submit an amendment to the bylaws and 3 seperate proposals were submitted. The president notified the board and the secretary (the "manager") - it was up to the secretary to notify the membership. The secretary decided - completely on his own - that the board should decide first how exactly they feel the bylaws should be amended - and then call for a special meeting to vote on these proposals. So he simply did not notify the membership.The board will likely support the secretary - as each wishes to maintain "control" over the membership.Can anything be done? Particularly by a member who is not on the board and therefore can not attend board meetings? Members can call for a special meeting (by the bylaws) - but if the board (or even just the secretary) refuses to cooperate, it would seem to be a waist of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim Goldsworthy Posted August 11, 2010 at 02:33 AM Report Share Posted August 11, 2010 at 02:33 AM Our organization has monthly board meetings and an annual membership meeting.At the annual membership meeting this year, there was a great deal of confusion about our bylaws - so much so that after the meeting, the president decided to call a special membership meeting (six weeks later) to "amend and clarify" the bylaws.The bylaws do say the president has the authority to call for a special meeting and 30 days notice is required for amendments to the bylaws. Any member can submit an amendment to the bylaws and 3 seperate proposals were submitted.The president notified the board and the secretary (the "manager") - it was up to the secretary to notify the membership. The secretary decided - completely on his own - that the board should decide first how exactly they feel the bylaws should be amended - and then call for a special meeting to vote on these proposals. So he simply did not notify the membership.The board will likely support the secretary - as each wishes to maintain "control" over the membership.Can anything be done? Particularly by a member who is not on the board and therefore can not attend board meetings?Members can call for a special meeting (by the bylaws) - but if the board (or even just the secretary) refuses to cooperate, it would seem to be a waist of time.The secretary decided - completely on his own - that the board should decide first how exactly they feel the bylaws should be amended - and then call for a special meeting to vote on these proposals. So he simply did not notify the membership.Capital Y "Yeow!" The bylaws do say the president has the authority to call for a special meeting and 30 days notice is required for amendments to the bylaws.Any member can submit an amendment to the bylaws and 3 seperate proposals were submitted.There is your amendment process.Follow it. And don't let your secretary mess with it, anymore! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted August 11, 2010 at 03:01 PM Report Share Posted August 11, 2010 at 03:01 PM Can anything be done? Particularly by a member who is not on the board and therefore can not attend board meetings? Members can call for a special meeting (by the bylaws) - but if the board (or even just the secretary) refuses to cooperate, it would seem to be a waist of time.Get a new secretary. And maybe a new board. (FAQ #20) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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