process for moving to a closed session of a meeting

[Guest Jane]

What is the correct procedure for moving to a closed session of a board meeting? Can the president move to proceed to a closed session and then it happens? Or does someone other than the president have to make that motion. Does it need to be seconded and voted on?

thanks!

Jane

[George Mervosh]

Any member can make a motion to do so. It requires a second and takes a majority vote to adopt the motion. Typically, in lieu of a formal motion, it's agreed to by unanimous consent (the President or someone suggesting it, and no one objecting to it).

[hmtcastle]

What is the correct procedure for moving to a closed session of a board meeting?

You may hear this described as meeting in (or going into) "executive session".

Strictly speaking, you can have a closed session (that is, closed to non-members of the board) without going into executive session (which imposes confidentiality on the attendees) but I think it's safe to say that most assemblies go into a closed session by going into executive session.

Note, too, that you can invite selected non-members to attend a "closed" meeting (or a meeting held in executive session). For example, you might want to hear from a expert who's not a member of the board.

[Rob Elsman]

Any member can make a motion to do so. It requires a second and takes a majority vote to adopt the motion. Typically, in lieu of a formal motion, it's agreed to by unanimous consent (the President or someone suggesting it, and no one objecting to it).

The motion is also debatable. RONR (10th ed.), p. 98, l. 24.

[Guest Frank Furno]

You may hear this described as meeting in (or going into) "executive session".

Strictly speaking, you can have a closed session (that is, closed to non-members of the board) without going into executive session (which imposes confidentiality on the attendees) but I think it's safe to say that most assemblies go into a closed session by going into executive session.

Note, too, that you can invite selected non-members to attend a "closed" meeting (or a meeting held in executive session). For example, you might want to hear from a expert who's not a member of the board.

After reading the above, my question is - What procedure(s) may be taken when a non-member "shows up" at an executive session uninvited and unannounced? May he/she be summarily asked to leave or is a poll required of the members as to whether his/her presence can continue?

[Chris Harrison]

After reading the above, my question is - What procedure(s) may be taken when a non-member "shows up" at an executive session uninvited and unannounced? May he/she be summarily asked to leave or is a poll required of the members as to whether his/her presence can continue?

The Chair can point out that they are in Executive Session (or a member can raise a Point of Order to this point) and ask the nonmember to leave. If a member wants to move that the nonmember to permitted to stay he can do so.