Dear Dinosaur Advice Column
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Ann Macfarlane is a dinosaur who knows her stuff.
Chair brushes off my motions
Dear Dinosaur: I am a school board trustee, and no members of my board have a firm grasp on parliamentary procedure, including our board president. I have done my best to follow parliamentary procedure in meetings, but it is difficult because the chair often brushes off my motions. For instance, during the last meeting, I…
Do we have to accept anonymous comments at our HOA meetings?
Dear Dinosaur: My homeowner’s association allows for public comments. However, we have members who want to make written comments and keep it anonymous. I don’t think this is right. You need to know who your members are, and they alone are allowed to participate in the proceedings. I don’t see how we could just allow…
When does new president take office?
Dear Dinosaur: Our board of directors held its biennial election for new officers in December. Our next board meeting is scheduled for January 10. Our question is: When does a new president assume the responsibilities of the office, and how is that transition handled? As the current board president, do I turn over responsibilities to the new…
Don’t recognize dilatory (time-wasting) motions
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…
Vote cast without a second – is this OK?
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…
Can councilmembers speak during public comment?
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…
Councilmember badgers the staff
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…
What if a colleague says something outrageous and insulting?
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….
Do I need an attorney to find out about state law for my organization?
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…