Minutes for the Governance and Policy Meeting, March 30, 2000

Meeting started 7:35, chaired by Carol Salkind.

Board Members present: May Gerstle and Anne Woodward

The meeting opened with a discussion of Robert's Rules of Order, and how =
they apply to committees. Vic Bottomly asked whether a policy or =
procedure would be useful clarifying that committees do not have to be =
follow the rules so strictly. Anne Woodward suggested that something in =
the rules, or in writing, be provided to clarify what rules should be =
followed. Jacqui Pegues stated that Robert's rules already allow the =
committees to operate more informally. For instance, she stated that a =
motion in committee does not need a second.

Phil Mahurin also added that Robert's Rules are commonly used in =
meetings all over, including scouts and other youth clubs. He stated =
that the rules are not hard to understand and were quite useful.

Someone pointed out that the '97 policy allows small committees to be =
less formal. Vic suggested that policy be read at the general meeting to =
inform the public.

It was also the consensus that a parlimentarian be appointed for =
meetings.

Vic introduced Board Quorum and that resulted in a discussion of the =
open public meettings act and other board meetings.

May Gerstle proposed that the Governance & Policy Committee become a =
standing committee.=20

After discussion, this motion passed unanimously. This proposal requires =
an amendment to Article 8 of the Bylaws.

Vic moved that the Board Operations policy, last paragraph, regarding =
the board's powers to act in urgent matters, be amended to add the =
following "this shall not be construed to allow the board to commit the =
community council to an official position on issues affecting the =
community ." After discussion, the motion passed.

It was also moved to strike the sentence in the Board Operations policy =
that allows telephone polling of board members for decisions. The =
concern was that this could violate the policy of having open meetings. =
The motion also passed.

Other items discussed but not voted on are as follows:

Should we have a policy prohibiting one person from being chairman of =
more than one committee?

Should there be a quorum requirement of 5 board members with regard to =
the "urgent matter" question in general meetings.

Carol Salkind indicated that her term as chair was to expire at this =
meeting. She opened the floor to nominations for chair. After prodding, =
Vic Bottomly was nominated and elected chair.

May Gerstle moved that Carol Salkind be recognized and thanked by the =
committee for her work on the committee, and the motion passed =
unanimously.

Meeting adjourned appoximately 9:05.

Next meeting will be on May 1, 2000 at 7:30 p.m.

Minutes recorded by Mark Salkind, transcribed by Vic Bottomly

Address errors to Vic Bottomly at rvbot@earthlink.net.