Rules of Order

[Guest Jaycee]

Can Rules of Order be provided to our owners prior to the Annual General Meeting i.e. attached to the Agenda, included in Annual General Meeting package mailed to every owner. In the past we have had some conflicts with owners and owners who monopolize the floor. The chair has not had control of the meeting. We (the current Board of Directors) would like to provide "rules of Order" in advance of the Annual General meeting which would state a time limit on debate; negative, defamatory remarks against anyone in attendance will not be allowed; and instruct the method to be used for voting. These rules of order would be approved at a regular monthly board meeting in advance of the annual general meeting. Thanks, Jaycee

[George Mervosh]

The membership would need to approve them. The board can "approve" the proposal for said rules, but the membership decides. It's their meeting.

Defamatory remarks not being allowed is already a rule.....

[Rob Elsman]

Can Rules of Order be provided to our owners prior to the Annual General Meeting i.e. attached to the Agenda, included in Annual General Meeting package mailed to every owner. In the past we have had some conflicts with owners and owners who monopolize the floor. The chair has not had control of the meeting. We (the current Board of Directors) would like to provide "rules of Order" in advance of the Annual General meeting which would state a time limit on debate; negative, defamatory remarks against anyone in attendance will not be allowed; and instruct the method to be used for voting. These rules of order would be approved at a regular monthly board meeting in advance of the annual general meeting. Thanks, Jaycee

No. It is almost certain that such a thing lies outside the scope of the board's duties.

[Guest George Shoemaker]

If a person is a member of the Board of Directors, with out a vote, can that person make and second motions? Does that person have all the floor privileges as all other Board members except they can not vote on issues?

George S.

[Kim Goldsworthy]

If a person is a member of the Board of Directors, with out a vote, can that person make and second motions?

Does that person have all the floor privileges as all other Board members except they can not vote on issues?

It depends on how/why such a person LOST the fundamental right to vote.

If the source of the loss is a customized rule of the organization, then someone will have to read that rule, and interpret that rule, to see how extensive that rule affects other rights.

If the source of the loss is lack of dues payment, suspension, expulsion, or some act of discipline, then that is quite a different matter.

***

You know, we get questions all the time about situations where the original poster thinks "All ex officio members cannot vote."

Of course, this assumption is FALSE.

So, as a warning, I likewise throw this possibility out - that you only think this person cannot vote, due to some side effect like being an ex officio member of the board in question - when in actually this person CAN vote, thus rendering your question moot.

Like I said, this is one of may possible scenarios.

What is YOUR scenario?

***

[Rob Elsman]

If a person is a member of the Board of Directors, with out a vote, can that person make and second motions? Does that person have all the floor privileges as all other Board members except they can not vote on issues?

George S.

Yes and yes. See RONR (10th ed.), p. 572, ll. 9-27, especially "...and also permits things...evidently not improper.", ll. 11-14.

[Josh Martin]

Can Rules of Order be provided to our owners prior to the Annual General Meeting i.e. attached to the Agenda, included in Annual General Meeting package mailed to every owner. In the past we have had some conflicts with owners and owners who monopolize the floor. The chair has not had control of the meeting. We (the current Board of Directors) would like to provide "rules of Order" in advance of the Annual General meeting which would state a time limit on debate; negative, defamatory remarks against anyone in attendance will not be allowed; and instruct the method to be used for voting. These rules of order would be approved at a regular monthly board meeting in advance of the annual general meeting. Thanks, Jaycee

The board does not have the authority to adopt rules for the general membership unless this authority has been granted by the Bylaws or by the general membership by vote. At the annual meeting, the general membership itself could adopt such rules. Since it appears the intent is for the rules to apply for only a single session, they could be adopted by a 2/3 vote.

There are already several rules regarding decorum (such as rules prohibiting defamatory remarks) in RONR, so it is unnecessary to duplicate them. (RONR, 10th ed., pgs. 379-382) There are also already default time limits in debate and methods of voting. For debate, each member may speak twice per motion per day for up to ten minutes each time. For voting, in most cases the vote should first be taken by a voice vote, and then by a rising vote if the vote is inconclusive (counted if necessary). For motions which require a 2/3 vote, the chair should immediately proceed to a rising vote. Time limits on debate and methods of voting are rules which frequently require customization for large meetings, but changing them is up to the general membership.