Board workshops

Started by RobertR1 • 2 replies • 1766 views

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RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164

Posted:

Over the years we have discussed Boiard Meetings and what they were, etc. etc etc.
We have discussed Executive sessions, etc, etc.

To my knowledge we have never addressed Board Workshop Meetings.
First, is there such a entity?

Our lawyer says says the Board can have all the Workshop meeting they want, and they can be open or closed.

Are minutes taken?

Can decisions be adopted?

Are votes taken?

Can those items described for a Executive session be discussed.

Do these meetings have to be noticed?

Does anyone have a reference about Workshop rules?

Personally, I think it is done all the time, and probably is a necessity. Maybe a necessary evil.

DonaldM3 (South Carolina)
Posts: 132

Posted:

Robert, I can’t answer all your questions but our HOA has work sessions and I’ll use them for a reference.

We had one this month and have another one scheduled in April. I tend to believe what your lawyer told you. We have not made a decision to have them open or closed but as they are not generally “noticed”, most in our community are not aware they are being held. So far they have been held in board members homes so there is not a lot of room for guests.

We do not take minutes and are of the position that motions cannot be made or votes or votes taken. We use them to attempt to arrive at a consensus on issues that require a lot of discussion thereby saving time at board meetings. As decisions can not be made in a work session, I would be of the opinion that they can not be used for Executive Session’s.

I have seen no reference regarding such meetings.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By RobertR1 on 03/23/2009 7:45 AM
Over the years we have discussed Boiard Meetings and what they were, etc. etc etc.
We have discussed Executive sessions, etc, etc.

To my knowledge we have never addressed Board Workshop Meetings.
First, is there such a entity?

Our lawyer says says the Board can have all the Workshop meeting they want, and they can be open or closed.

Personally, I think it is done all the time, and probably is a necessity. Maybe a necessary evil.

Robert,

Here's my take on workshop meetings, for what it's worth.

Workshop meetings can be held for a number of reasons. In my former assn, I called a workshop meeting to assemble the payment coupons that were mailed to each h/o at the beginning of the year. A workshop meeting can be held to discuss the gov docs and state laws. A workshop meeting can be held to brainstorm a maintenance issue, etc. In most instances a workshop session is used to gain information on a particular issue.

IMO, if your gov docs do not address workshop meetings and there is no state law, then your BOD can develop their own policy for a workshop meeting. Also, if your gov docs do not address noticing meetings and there is no state law, the BOD can decide whether or not they are open to the members and what can be discussed in a workshop meeting. Bottom line: when there are no rules or laws to bind them, the BOD can do pretty much as they please.

In answer to your questions:

Are minutes taken? Minutes should be taken if it is a workshop meeting to discuss particular issues facing the board. The minutes should state what was discussed and what opinions were given. The board can then use these minutes to determine whether or not a particular topic should be an agenda item; to help them make a decision on a particular project.

Can decisions be adopted? No, no actions should be taken at a workshop meeting.

Are votes taken? No!

Can those items described for a Executive session be discussed. With regard to AZ law, NO, only confidential issues are discussed in ES and anything confidential should not be discussed in an open meeting.

Do these meetings have to be noticed? With regard to AZ law, YES; ALL meetings of the assn must be noticed to all members.

Does anyone have a reference about Workshop rules? Sorry! :-(

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