Board Voting Procedures
SEE ALSO: Bylaws
It is common for non-profits to incorporate Robert's Rules by reference into their governing documents. Robert's Rules can serve as a useful guideline for large boards; however, many people do not realize that Roberts Rules of Order requires much, much more than just a motion and a second. It is a comprehensive body of work and unless you fully understand and apply Robert's Rules in its entirety, the Board opens the door to those who would challenge their actions on a technicality. When a dispute develops, the failure for a Board that has incorporated Robert's Rules into their Bylaws to fully follow Roberts Rules leaves their actions open to challenge. The better practice is to reference Robert's Rules as a guideline rather than a requirement or better still, leave it out all together.1
Resources & Further Reading
- Robert's Rules Online Home
- For Purpose Law Group: Who is Robert and Should Nonprofits Follow His Rules Of Order?
- Nonprofit Law Blog: Adopting Robert's Rules of Order
- Blue Avocado: Can Nonprofit Boards Vote by Email?
- Quarles & Brady: Five Pitfalls of Putting Robert’s Rules of Order in Your Non-Profit’s Bylaws