JanetB9
Posts: 68
Posts: 68
Posted:
Can Board members ask questions to committee members throughout a regular meeting?
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Started by JanetB9 • 13 replies • 367 views
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TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
A Board meeting?
A General Membership Meeting?
A Committee meeting?
A General Membership Meeting?
A Committee meeting?
JanetB9
Posts: 68
Posts: 68
Posted:
Regular Board meeting
CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299
Posts: 6,299
Posted:
Sure, why wouldn't they be able to? Although I think committee members should keep minutes during committee meetings and should send these minutes and regular reports to the board - could maybe cut down on the numbers of questions that need to be asked.
Keep in mind that committees have no independent authority: they report to the board, and committee members can be removed with or without cause. (Unless your bylaws say otherwise, of course.)
Keep in mind that committees have no independent authority: they report to the board, and committee members can be removed with or without cause. (Unless your bylaws say otherwise, of course.)
JanetB9
Posts: 68
Posts: 68
Posted:
Cathy, they submit a report and the chair of each committee have a section to talk about it. Our PM said Board members cannot ask questions to the committee members saying any questions we have have to be studying so the committee can take it back to discuss and then respond in their allotted time to speak at the next meeting. I may have a simple question to ask or need clarification. Can I ask this question to a committee after they make their report? How about anytime during the meeting which is relevant to a topic a committee reported on? If I can, do I only ask the Chair? Can I ask for clarification from other committee member/s too as needed?
CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299
Posts: 6,299
Posted:
I think this needs a little nuance. Questions that ask for clarification (yes/no or factual answers) should be OK. Anything that would require further discussion or research by either the board or the committee should of course be deferred.
If I were running the meeting, I'd let the questions be asked and then defer as needed.
If I were running the meeting, I'd let the questions be asked and then defer as needed.
JanetB9
Posts: 68
Posts: 68
Posted:
That’s what I’m going to recommend to the President and he agreed but the PM disagrees. Then it’s ok for a Board member to ask a committee a quick question/clarification them defer as needed at any time during the regular board meeting, yes?
CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299
Posts: 6,299
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JanetB9 on 02/26/2021 9:56 AM
That’s what I’m going to recommend to the President and he agreed but the PM disagrees. Then it’s ok for a Board member to ask a committee a quick question/clarification them defer as needed at any time during the regular board meeting, yes?
That’s what I’m going to recommend to the President and he agreed but the PM disagrees. Then it’s ok for a Board member to ask a committee a quick question/clarification them defer as needed at any time during the regular board meeting, yes?
I think that's reasonable.
The other reason you'd want to defer detailed discussion is if your state or your bylaws require open meetings with published notices/agendas ahead of time. It's too easy to go off the agenda if you allow detailed discussions. That may be what your PM is thinking about (and maybe overthinking it a bit).
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JanetB9 on 02/26/2021 7:46 AM
Cathy, they submit a report and the chair of each committee have a section to talk about it. Our PM said Board members cannot ask questions to the committee members saying any questions we have have to be studying so the committee can take it back to discuss and then respond in their allotted time to speak at the next meeting. I may have a simple question to ask or need clarification. Can I ask this question to a committee after they make their report? How about anytime during the meeting which is relevant to a topic a committee reported on? If I can, do I only ask the Chair? Can I ask for clarification from other committee member/s too as needed?
Cathy, they submit a report and the chair of each committee have a section to talk about it. Our PM said Board members cannot ask questions to the committee members saying any questions we have have to be studying so the committee can take it back to discuss and then respond in their allotted time to speak at the next meeting. I may have a simple question to ask or need clarification. Can I ask this question to a committee after they make their report? How about anytime during the meeting which is relevant to a topic a committee reported on? If I can, do I only ask the Chair? Can I ask for clarification from other committee member/s too as needed?
The PM is full of $hit. If the Committee Cahir is unable to answer the question let them say they cannot and they will get an answer for the BOD. The BOD runs the association, not the PM.
NpS (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 4,216
Posts: 4,216
Posted:
So if I'm a Board member, and I'm listening to a committee report presentation, and I want to ask "Did you think about ...?" or "Is there a reason that you didn't you include ... in your report?" ---- I can't ask. I have to wait until the Board huddles together and approves (or maybe disapproves) my questions.
Really?
Really?
Sikubali jukumu. Read all posts at your own risk.
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
Your PM makes no sense and has no authority or power over the Board. Ask the PM to show you the legislation or bylaws that makes such a silly claim
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By KerryL1 on 02/26/2021 2:58 PM
Your PM makes no sense and has no authority or power over the Board. Ask the PM to show you the legislation or bylaws that makes such a silly claim
Your PM makes no sense and has no authority or power over the Board. Ask the PM to show you the legislation or bylaws that makes such a silly claim
Good suggestion.
SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964
Posts: 6,964
Posted:
I see no reason why you can't ask a question - as a practical matter, that's part of the reason the chairperson is making the report in the first place. He/she makes the report, and then asks if there are any questions (or the president could ask if there are any questions) and away we go.
Since this might get lengthy and you have other committee reports and board business to address, I suggest making the report available to the board before the meeting. Board members should read it and bring their questions to the meeting so they can be asked at the appropriate time. Better yet, send questions to the chair and then he/she makes the report followed by answering the questions.
As for your property manager, others said it better than I, but I'll say it in my usual tactless(!) way -the property manager works for the BOARD, not the other way around, and the board dictates how they will run THEIR meeting. Remind this property manager of the way this works in a professional but firm manner, and DO NOT let him/her take over your meeting. Your president is there to preside - he or she should be doing the job and keeping track of who talks and when so the agenda items are addressed.
Since this might get lengthy and you have other committee reports and board business to address, I suggest making the report available to the board before the meeting. Board members should read it and bring their questions to the meeting so they can be asked at the appropriate time. Better yet, send questions to the chair and then he/she makes the report followed by answering the questions.
As for your property manager, others said it better than I, but I'll say it in my usual tactless(!) way -the property manager works for the BOARD, not the other way around, and the board dictates how they will run THEIR meeting. Remind this property manager of the way this works in a professional but firm manner, and DO NOT let him/her take over your meeting. Your president is there to preside - he or she should be doing the job and keeping track of who talks and when so the agenda items are addressed.
If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius
MichaelS56 (Minnesota)
Posts: 858
Posts: 858
Posted:
Board members in our association volunteer to be a liaison to committees. At each Board meeting the Board member representing a committee, then gives the Board an update as to what the committee is doing and why and answers all questions.
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