Processing Proposals

[Guest Jon Martin]

Can a non-voting ex-officio member present a proposal for a vote at a standing committee meeting?

[hmtcastle]

Can a non-voting ex-officio member present a proposal for a vote at a standing committee meeting?

As far as RONR is concerned, all members (not subject to disciplinary sanctions) have the right to vote. That includes ex-officio members. If you've established a second-class category, you'll have to figure out what they can and can't do.

That said, I think most here would say that if only the right to vote is removed, all other rights of membership remain.

[jstackpo]

In full agreement with HWM, I would, however, add, in the bylaws, just what you do mean by "non-voting member" -- RONR doesn't define it (except sort of partially in the chapter (20) on discipline).

And what we here say doesn't count (as Dan would attest).

It could save you a lot of arguments in the future.

Like for example, could a non-voting member raise a point of order about the conduct of a vote in which he is not allowed to participate.

[Gary Novosielski]

In full agreement with HWM, I would, however, add, in the bylaws, just what you do mean by "non-voting member" -- RONR doesn't define it (except sort of partially in the chapter (20) on discipline).

And what we here say doesn't count (as Dan would attest).

It could save you a lot of arguments in the future.

Like for example, could a non-voting member raise a point of order about the conduct of a vote in which he is not allowed to participate.

RONR also mentions [p. 6] "voting members in good standing" of the society as being the members of the "assembly" of the society--apparently implying that members of the society who are not "voting members in good standing" are not members of the assembly and therefore would have no right even to attend.

Unfortunately we are given no guidance there on how to determine the "goodness" of anyone's "standing," or what that should be interpreted to mean in concrete terms.

The only sure way to avoid confusion is to put all the rules pertaining to any subclasses of membership into the bylaws, or decide against having such member types.

[Josh Martin]

Can a non-voting ex-officio member present a proposal for a vote at a standing committee meeting?

It is up to your organization to interpret its own Bylaws. See RONR, 10th ed., pgs. 570-573 for some Principles of Interpretation. Pay particular attention to Principles of Interpretation #4 and #8.

Also, make sure that this "non-voting" thing is actually in your Bylaws, and that you are not just assuming that ex-officio members are non-voting members. See FAQ #2.