Agenda for Special Called Meeting

[Guest Dennis E. Jones]

Chairman of Board of Supervisors calls special meeting pursuant to state code. The special meeting is limited, by state code, to only those matters stated in the called meeting. There are seven (7) matters stated for consideration. Member wants to change the manner in which the matters are presented. Roberts' Rules allows changes at regular meeting, pending adoption of agenda by body. This however, is a special called meeting which allows the Chairman to set the agenda -- can the order of matters on agenda be changed at a special called meeting?

[Robert B Fish]

Member wants to change the manner in which the matters are presented. Roberts' Rules allows changes at regular meeting, pending adoption of agenda by body. This however, is a special called meeting which allows the Chairman to set the agenda -- can the order of matters on agenda be changed at a special called meeting?

I'm not sure what you meqan by "manner in which matters are presented." I'm guessing you meant the order of presentation.

RONR does not give the chairman the right to set the meeting's agenda. Perhaps your state code does. (Ask him to cite his source.)

In any case, a motion to table one item in order to get to another first could be adopted by majority vote. Table item 1, table item 2, take up items 3-7, take the tabled items from teh tqable and handle them. You can do that without altering the agenda.

-Bob

[J. J.]

Chairman of Board of Supervisors calls special meeting pursuant to state code. The special meeting is limited, by state code, to only those matters stated in the called meeting. There are seven (7) matters stated for consideration. Member wants to change the manner in which the matters are presented. Roberts' Rules allows changes at regular meeting, pending adoption of agenda by body. This however, is a special called meeting which allows the Chairman to set the agenda -- can the order of matters on agenda be changed at a special called meeting?

RONR (and possibly state code, in your case) limits consideration only those items mentioned in the call of the call of the meeting. An exception, in RONR would be incidental main motions, like adopting an agenda (p. 90).

While the agenda is basically limited to these seven items, the assembly is free (by several methods) to determine the order in which these seven items will come before the meeting. For example, the notice may propose item #1 through #7. There would be no problem adopting an agenda (or amending a proposed agenda) which have motion #3 be considered first (p. 360).

Does that answer your question?

[Guest Larry]

What is the vote required to amend the proposed agenda prior to its acceptance?

[hmtcastle]

What is the vote required to amend the proposed agenda prior to its acceptance?

A majority vote will do it.

See also FAQ #14.

But note that special meetings are limited to business mentioned in the call of the meeting so some changes in the agenda may be out of order.

[Guest Larry]

A majority vote will do it.

See also FAQ #14.

But note that special meetings are limited to business mentioned in the call of the meeting so some changes in the agenda may be out of order.

Right, to clarify I was only asking about amending the order of the items on the agenda (assuming they all relate to the business mentioned in the call of the meeting).

Thank you for the response. The group's attorney incorrectly advised the members it required a 2/3 vote and the motion failed. Is there any recourse? and what happens to events that occurred after that ruling (meaning they may have changed if the order of the agenda had been changed)?

[hmtcastle]

Is there any recourse? and what happens to events that occurred after that ruling (meaning they may have changed if the order of the agenda had been changed)?

No recourse at this point (other than, perhaps, to amend or rescind adopted motions, or renew defeated motions). Such procedural errors must be objected to when they occur.