Dear Dinosaur Advice Column

Dear Dinosaur:  A member of our board relentlessly wants the minutes for the January 2024 meeting to include the content of a conversation he had at that meeting. At every meeting, he makes a motion to do this. Our minutes provide the actions of the board but not direct quotes from people. How can we…

Dear Dinosaur:  In our committee meeting, someone made a motion, and before a second could be made, discussion began. Upon completion of the discussion, the meeting chair said, “There is a motion and a second, all in favor?”  The vote was cast without a second. Is this ok? Answer: If someone makes a motion and…

Dear Dinosaur:  Our council meeting took an interesting turn last week. The council comment period was over, and they were winding up public comments when two of our council members decided they had more to say. Are they allowed to speak during public comments? Should they recuse themselves from the meeting and then make their…

Dear Dinosaur: One of our councilmembers puts question after question after question to the staff at meetings. Sometimes our meetings are five hours long! What can be done about this? Answer: This certainly can be a problem! We suggest that you discuss the matter with the council chair, mayor, and/or city manager, and see if…

Dear Dinosaur:  At a recent citizen advisory committee meeting, a colleague made hateful statements about a minority group as a whole. This was in response to diversity training we had received. I was shocked and didn’t know what to do. Answer: It is indeed shocking when someone makes outrageous statements attacking a category of people….

Dear Dinosaur:  How can I find out about state laws pertaining to my organization? Do I have to hire an attorney? Answer: You can learn about your state’s laws pertaining to your type of organization on your own. You do not have to have a law degree to read the law and understand its plain…

Dear Dinosaur: At our December board meeting, the board postponed an agenda item to early February. Is there any proper way to pull the item back early? Answer: Interestingly enough, Robert’s Rules allows an item to be postponed only to the next meeting, if it falls within a quarterly interval. You can read more about…

Dear Dinosaur: Recently, two board members walked out during a roll call vote knowing that they were going to lose on the vote.  Their departure ended the meeting because there was no longer a quorum. At the next meeting, they cited “Roberts Rules” that said they had a “right” to walk out as a filibuster and…

Dear Dinosaur: Our school board will be passing a resolution to institute a protocol for a Native Land Acknowledgement at school events. A board member plans to move to amend the motion to have it apply to our national anthem and state song. Can they do this? Answer:  According to Robert’s Rules of Order, amendments…