Voting on your motion

[Guest AJ]

Hi, I am new to a board meeting and I recently made a motion for funding several school programs in our area. I have 2 questions:

1. Can you vote on a motion you proposed?

2. If my child is a student in one of the schools should I abstain?

Thanks for your help.

AJ

[Chris Harrison]

1. Can you vote on a motion you proposed?

Yes (RONR p. 381).

2. If my child is a student in one of the schools should I abstain?

Maybe or maybe not. RONR p. 394 says:

No member should vote on a question in which he has a direct personal or pecuniary interest not common to other members of the organization. ...However, no member can be compelled to refrain from voting in such circumstances.

Whether that fits you is for you to decide.

[hmtcastle]

Can you vote on a motion you proposed?

You can even vote against it. The only thing you can't do is speak against it in debate.

[Rob Elsman]

Hi, I am new to a board meeting and I recently made a motion for funding several school programs in our area. I have 2 questions:

1. Can you vote on a motion you proposed?

2. If my child is a student in one of the schools should I abstain?

Thanks for your help.

AJ

As a member of the board, you have the same right as any other member to vote on questions that come before the board. No member can be compelled to abstain from voting. See RONR (10th ed.), p. 394. In both the cases you raise, you should plan on voting right along with the other members.

P.S. My opinion is based solely on the rules in RONR. If your board is subject to conflict-of-interest laws, you will need to consult with the lawyer to see how these laws might, or might not, apply to your situation.