4 Questions

1. If you are following RRO and Bylaws do not state otherwise the answer is yes at Board meetings and no at annual meeting unless it is a small group (less than ~12).
2. Yes
3. No. A discussion should be allowed, unless there is none, before a vote is taken on a motion. However, approvals can be made by acclamation on issues when no voter objects. For example, the chair could state "unless there is an objection the minutes are approved as submitted".
4. It is preferential treatment and should not be allowed.

i agree with Glen..

Regarding 4th question..How can any owner rent the association's common property? Even if it is not for money. Do not your documents have restrictions on use of parking spaces? No one in our Association can 'rent' his parking space.

Joe there is a section in this month's davis-stirling.com newsletter that speaks directly to your question of chair neutrality:

"Chair's right to vote. The Chair may vote at any time, however to maintain an appearance of neutrality, the Chair normally only votes when it matters, such as to break, or make a tie, or a 2/3. However, there are special rules for small boards, 10 or less, found on page 470 of the 10th edition of Roberts which states in part that in small boards the chair is a fully participating member, makes motions, debates and votes as any other member. -James Stewart, Mister Parliamentarian"

3) Can a motion be made (right from the start) to vote on an issue? Rather than having a motion, then a discussion, and then a vote.

I've never heard of by-stepping the "debate" part of the motion. It MUST be available somewhere/sometime. Perhaps you mean pre-vote debate where members can debate/discuss, then agree on the wording of the motion, and then the meeting is just the pure vote on that motion. But that chance/meeting would have to be announced to the membership before to give everyone a chance to enter into the discussion. Besides, there may be other amendments to the original motion that also need a vote, then a vote on the main motion.

Robert,

Many people are of the opinion that the Pres only votes to break a tie. Perhaps this is the correct parliamentary procedure according to RRO; but, IMO, the Pres. should always vote. When I hear of a board Pres who only votes to break a tie I'm of the opinion he's afraid to show his position on the issue. If it's a "hot-topic" issue he can always say, "I didn't vote for it" when the members start complaining.

The OP stated his bylaws require RRO to be used so perhaps in this case the Pres. doesn't vote. I'm not an expert on RRO and in fact I don't believe it should apply to HOAs. For one reason most people just don't understand RRO as evidenced by the number of questions we get regarding this and other parliamentary issues. If it were me, I would suggest amending the bylaws to remove the requirement to use RRO.

I don't think you're missing anything, Robert. I just think there are alot of people (even board members) who don't understand the relationship between directors and officers. All board members are entitled to vote on board issues. All board members are directors but not all directors are officers. So whether you are a director or an officer you are still a board member and entitled to vote. IMO, it's a no brainer, but for whatever reason it seems to stump a large number of people.

The hierarchy of board members is much different in HOAs than in gov assemblies. Aside from the fact that the Pres of an HOA board signs contracts and appoints committees, he really doesn't have any more power or influence than the other members of the board. There is just no good reason for him to abstain from voting. At least that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!

Roberts Rules do not apply to Congress. They have their own set of rules. Making the comparison between Congress and HOA is not appropriate.

That would be by a vote of the board (to call the special meeting) The meeting MUST then be held.

Sounds like your documents also give the president the power to call a special meeting.

Well, if that's the RONR rule, then Joe's Pres has no reason to abstain from voting. As I said earlier, it's most likely because he doesn't want anyone to know how he feels on a particular issue and gives him an out if the members become angry over a board decision. He can always say, "I didn't vote for that!". IMO, his leadership capabilities leave a lot to be desired.

Thanks for the info Glen!

Robert,
Our bylaws state "All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules and provisions set forth in Robert's Rules of Order, as from time to time published."

My reason for question 3: Say there is a meeting of the BOD where a quorum is present. Although invited, no owners attend the meeting. The BOD present are aware of an issue, so can the motion to just vote be ok?

Hi Mary,
I should of not used an example of no members being in attendance. My main point is if the BOD who are present at a BOD meeting and are all aware of an issue, can the discussion part be bypassed, and instead just motion to vote on a particular issue. I understand that the members do not vote at a BOD meeting. But maybe if members are present, then a discussion should be the right thing to do....or maybe it does not matter either way. Thanks!

If, during a BOD meeting, a motion is called. Not being familiar with the Rules of Order, is there a formal call for discussion?

Example...

Mary: I move the BOD approve the contract extension with XYZ property.
Joe: I second the motion.

Ok, so, there's a motion and a second. Would it go like this next...

Chair: It has been moved and seconded to approve the contract extension with XYZ property. Is there discussion?

So...if there's no discussion, then you just move on, right? What if everyone who "knows" how each person feels about the issues just stay silent? Then, would it go like this?

Chair: There is no discussion. Let's vote (ok, so now I've lost the eloquence...). All those in favor, all those opposed...

IF, the above is kind of how it goes, then, I would say you couldn't probably "bypass" the discussion part, but you could certainly make it very, VERY brief.