1. If you are having a Board Meeting and an officer asks for an Executive Session and the President does not acknowledge the request, is this correct?
2. Is there any difference between a special meeting and an executive session?

A:

1. If there's no motion on the floor when the member wants to go into Executive Session, it's handled similarly to an original main motion.
   • Member addresses President. "Mr. President, I move that the remainder of this meeting be declared closed."
   • In a small board, no second is necessary.
   • President states the motion. "It is moved that we go into Executive Session. Is there discussion?"
   • Debate.
   • Vote. Majority needed.
   • If motion passes, President excuses visitors.
   So, to answer your specific question, no, the President should have put the member's request to a vote. (See RONR pp. 228-29.)
2. A special meeting is one that is held between regular meetings, for a specific purpose. For example, suppose your organization meets on the first Tuesday of each month. Because of some important business that cannot wait until your next regular meeting, your President calls a special meeting for next Monday. Members must be notified of the special meeting, and that's the only business that can be conducted at that meeting.

   An Executive Session is a meeting closed to visitors.