Making Motions

Started by JamesC • 6 replies • 2361 views

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JamesC (Maryland)
Posts: 282

Posted:

I may be incorrect, but my understanding is the President of the Board cannot make a motion. Is this true?
My other questionn is, can a member of the board introduce a motion on their own behalf?
A board member made a motion at our Board of Directors Meeting on Monday, evening complaining about not receiving emails from the President of the Board. The President, said he informed the member that he was tired of receiving her arragrant email replies, and would no longer include her on matters.
She made a motion to "require" the President to include her on all emails. The motion was seconded, but even the member who seconded the motion voted against it, as well as the other seven members, including myself.
The motion failed.
Thoughts would be appreciated.
Really petty::::::

Thanks

Jim

GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491

Posted:

Unless there is something in your documents that precludes the president from offing motions, there is no law against it that I know of. As to the emails the woman was within her rights and as a member of the Board should be included in all emails, especially if the Board is conducting business via email. If they are just informational emails then she should still be included but the president should let her know that all of her replies unless she starts being civil will be deleted unread. It's not that difficult to set up filters in email.

Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions

JamesC (Maryland)
Posts: 282

Posted:

Thanks Glen

Good answer

Jim

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

In small boards (less than 12) it is perfectly permissable for the president to make motions.

The motion to include all board members in communications was not needed. It is required that all board members get information. (Your president is not acting very presidential.His repsonsiblity is to run the meetings and have control of the meeting. That motion could have been ruled dilatory by the president but he was at fault for forcing this member to bring it up)

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

Jim -
BTW, a "second" does not mean "in agreement with" - it only means that there is a support to bring the issue to a vote. The person who seconds is in no way obligated to agree with the motion.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

James,

I belive MD has an open meeting law. When all meetings are to be open to the members, meeting by email may be considered a violation. I know it would be in AZ.

Your Pres is remiss in stating he will not copy a board member on his emails. As long as that person is a member of the board they are entitled to be a party to any discussions of the board, whether it be thru email or at a board meeting. A shame the rest of the board voted against the motion because I do believe the Pres. was wrong in making that statement. Remember, if he could get angry enough with one board member and make a statement like that he can at some point get just as angry with you. He has a very unprofessional attitude and it's questionable whether he should be the Pres. Just my opinion,of course.

There is nothing wrong with a Pres making a motion, nor a member making a motion to vote on something that would benefit herself/himself. I doubt this is addressed in your bylaws. Sometimes you just have to use common sense!

Yes, I agree there is some pettiness going on here. Sounds like this board member and the Pres just do not get along. A shame that the rest of the board has to be involved.

JeanneK3 (Maryland)
Posts: 562

Posted:

James:
MaryA is correct; all board decisions must be made in announced, open meetings in Maryland. All board members must get the same information but there is nothing that says you have to read e-mailed replies. Just delete them unread.
Jeanne

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