Parliamentary Procedure Q&A

Q: Is there a Robert's Rules for internet/e-mail meetings? Our board meets only once every 18 months, and the rest of the time we make decisions mostly via e-mail. Even an online meeting is difficult due to scheduling problems, as board members are in four different time zones. - Liz Hymans, Jan. 24, 2000

A: RONR90 doesn't mention the internet or e-mail, but it does talk about telephonic meetings. It says on p. 477, that any decision made by your board by telephone - even a unanimous decision - does not constitute the decision of the board, since the members weren't together to debate any issues.

It would seem, then, that if you could arrange a conference call with sufficient notice and a quorum "present," that this would satisfy the requirement for debate. Likewise, a computer medium like a chat room, IRC or ICQ would work.

If you want to do something like this, though, it would be very wise to authorize it in your bylaws. If not or until you do, make sure you record any decisions, then ratify them at some later in-person meeting.


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