I noticed at the last meeting that there was no direction on how to run the meetings. The board decided they could just make up the meeting format as they went along. What happened to Robert's rules? In this country we have what is called the peaceful transition of power. That is why when we have a new president we know he or she will follow the rules of the constitution, not just come in and decide to be a dictator. All of our boards are governed by a peaceful transition of power. That is why boards follow Robert's rules when running meetings, so they are standard and follow the same practice from one board to the next, and they are democratic so everyone has a voice. Sadly, it seems the Kentwood Home Guardians new board members have decided that don't need to do that. They ran the last meeting deciding how they would run the meeting, what the rules would be. In effect, making up their rules as they went along. In addition, one board member in particular left the meeting because he had something better to do. WOW!!!! that's how important this position is to you? Here is just a little summary about Robert's rules that the board might want to take a look at to see why these rules are followed when conducting a meeting:
Provides common rules and procedures for deliberation and debate in order to
place the whole membership on the same footing and speaking the same language.
The conduct of ALL business is controlled by the general will of the whole
membership - the right of the deliberate majority to decide. Complementary is
the right of at least a strong minority to require the majority to be deliberate
- to act according to its considered judgment AFTER a full and fair "working
through" of the issues involved. Robert's Rules provides for constructive and
democratic meetings, to help, not hinder, the business of the assembly. Under no
circumstances should "undue strictness" be allowed to intimidate members or
limit full participation.
PLEASE ATTEND THE NEXT KENTWOOD HOME GUARDIANS MEETING AND DEMAND THE BOARD FOLLOW ROBERT'S RULES INSTEAD OF MAKING UP THEIR OWN.
